Being a mom is a full-time job. Your kids are always priority number one. However, it’s just as important to look out for yourself. What are your goals and dreams? What makes you feel fulfilled? If you’re thinking about going back to school but you need an education that fits in with being a busy mom, cosmetology school could be a great choice. Here are a few reasons why!

Cosmetology is a Short Program

Educational programs at universities and community colleges can take anywhere between two to five years to complete. Our cosmetology program at The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), St. Louis can be completed in 1500 hours. If you’re attending full-time, this takes approximately 11 months to complete. For half-time, it takes about 15-18 months. Whichever option you choose, the program takes significantly less time to complete than a four-year degree. That you means you could potentially enter the workforce faster and start building a career.

A Variety of Career Possibilities After Graduation

If you’ve chosen to study cosmetology, you’re probably working toward in a future in the beauty industry. This is an exciting path with a wide selection of creative career options! It’s also a competitive and fast-paced industry that requires a lot of hard work. Whether you’re a current student or just interested in enrolling in our program, The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), St. Louis wants to help you feel a little more ready for a career in beauty. Here are our five key preparation tips!

Complete Your Education

To become a cosmetologist, finishing your education, sitting for the state board, and getting your cosmetology license are the obvious first steps. At TSPA St. Louis, our cosmetology program can prepare you for a future in the beauty industry. We can teach you skills like cutting and styling techniques, resume writing and interviewing, salon business systems, and client communication. Whether you choose a full-time or part-time program, finishing your education and getting your license is the first step in the direction of a career in beauty.

If you’re attending cosmetology school or thinking about a career in cosmetology, you’re probably thinking about the state board exam. This is one of the crucial steps you need to complete in order to receive your cosmetology license and start a career. At The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), St. Louis, we want our students to walk into their exam with confidence. That’s why we care so much about exam prep! Here’s a basic overview of what you need to do to prepare for the Missouri state board exam.

Requirements

Before you can take the exam, you need to make sure you meet the basic requirements. According to the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, the following is required before applying for the state board exam:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Proof of at least a 10th-grade education (copy of diploma, transcripts, or GED)
• Successfully complete a 1,500-hour board-approved cosmetology program

If you are currently in the middle of your cosmetology program, just finishing up, or are considering getting a license in cosmetology, you might be wondering what kind of jobs you can get after you graduate. There are plenty of jobs and careers that cosmetologists have that can provide you with lifelong job satisfaction. If you find that you are interested in any of the following skillsets, you should give cosmetology school a try, and jumpstart your life in a rewarding career!

Specialty Jobs in Cosmetology

There are many jobs that have their foundation in cosmetology. If you’ve ever been interested in theater or photography, consider these options:

Special Effects Makeup Artist

A special effects makeup artist is someone who provides all of the makeup for actors or models for a given project or film. This can range from something as simple as an everyday makeup look to full prosthetics like you see in horror films and fantasy TV shows like Game of Thrones.

Studio and Runway Stylist

Photographers and designers are constantly looking for makeup artists and cosmetologists to help with hair and makeup for their shoots. Whether it’s engagement photos, graduation pictures, or something exciting like fashion photography, you are needed to help style the shoot. As a cosmetologist, you can create some exciting and beautiful looks for your models, and improve your portfolio in the process!

Are you considering beauty school but are feeling overwhelmed? School options, an unknown change, or even the fear of failure can keep people from following their dreams. At The Salon Professional Academy St. Louis we are committed to you and to your dreams!

From our teachers to our curriculum we are ready to help prepare you for whatever may come. If you are considering beauty school and are confused about where to go, or what might await you, take a peek into life and passions at TSPA St. Louis.

Sometimes pursuing a career in cosmetology takes more than just a love of hair. Sometimes you have to find something deep inside of you that will push and motivate you to do your best. With fellow students and teachers by your side, however, you will not only conquer anything that comes your way, you will grow from the journey.

That support goes beyond overcoming struggles, it’s fueled in the day to day accomplishments and growth. Finding like minded people who share your passions can be hard sometimes, but at TSPA St. Louis we have a whole tribe of them. Ready to make friends that last a lifetime? We are waiting for you.

St. Louis is full of fun and exciting things to do for people of all ages and interests! Whether you are a tourist in St. Louis or have lived there for a while, there is always something new and exciting to go see! This list includes five attractions that will be worth your time and money.

The Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch is a well-known landmark in St. Louis. Being the United States’ tallest man-made monument at 630 feet high, it is hard to miss. It’s true that this is a more touristy attraction, but don’t let that keep you from visiting. Riding the tram to the top and seeing the breathtaking views of the city is well worth the visit. You also might want to mark your calendars for the Gateway Arch museum opening in July 2018.

Saint Louis Zoo

Another amazing attraction is the Saint Louis Zoo. One of its awesome features is that the entry fee is free. Don’t think that because it’s free that it won’t be worth a visit. Not only is this zoo free, but it is America’s top free attraction. This zoo has a variety of animals including Chinese alligators, giant anteaters, cheetahs, all kinds of birds, and even kangaroos. For a list of all the animals living at the Saint Louis Zoo click here.This is one wild way to spend your time exploring St. Louis.

Ready for something new? Changing your hairstyle is a great way to freshen up your look for the season. If you want a change but not sure what look to go for, we’ve picked our favorite trending men’s haircuts for 2018. Whether you want something long, short, or in-between, check out these stylish haircuts below.

Undercut

The undercut has been popular for a few years and it’s not going anywhere in 2018. The good thing about an undercut is that there’s no short supply of variation. You can do an undercut with long hair on top or keep it short. A skin fade and beard look great paired with an undercut. If you have curly hair, it also looks stylish paired with the undercut. To really jazz it up, try an undercut paired with a pompadour, long fringe, or messy spiked hair. You can also shave designs into undercuts for an extra cool look.

Buzz Cut

If you’re feeling sick of your hair and want to make a statement, try a buzz cut. Plenty of dashing and dapper celebrities have sported this cut over the years, so why not try it out? Men with oval and square shaped faces can rock this minimalistic haircut. There are multiple versions of the buzz cut to choose from. The classic “military” buzz cut is just about as short as your hair can get without shaving your head. Alternatively, the crew cut is a more versatile style. This cut will leave you with some length so you have more styling options.

Deciding on what to do for a career or what kind of education to pursue is a big life decision. Many people think about cosmetology school but delay their decision for one reason or another. If a career in beauty interests you, but you’re not sure if you want to make the leap, here are 9 things you may not have known about cosmetology school that might help tilt the scales and get you excited!

So Many Career Choices

Cosmetology has a variety of jobs and career paths to choose from. This is a very common concern for almost anyone who is trying to decide what career to go into, and cosmetology is no exception. The good news is that there are very few limits to what you can do with a cosmetology license. Many people who graduate from an accredited cosmetology school find jobs in salons, spas, or start their own businesses. You could open your own salon or get some clients and work out of your home. These are just a few of the options and once you move into the industry other doors can open and you could find yourself in a career that is exciting and rewarding!

Major Industry Growth

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If you are preparing to start cosmetology school, or have thought about starting cosmetology school, chances are that you have come face-to-face with the daunting beast that is financial aid.

“Beast” may seem like a terrifying word, but we use it for good reason. After all, many students feel petrified when they face it, but like any beast – it can be tamed – which is what we hope to do here.

If you are feeling daunted by financial aid do not fret, the admissions department here at The Salon Professional Academy St. Louis can guide you through every step, but if you aren’t ready for that quite yet, here are the basics, laid out in easily digestible bits.

First, let’s get the ground work out of the way

• TSPA St. Louis accepts federal financial aid. To get started, you will need to fill out the FAFSA.
• FAFSA is the free online application for federal aid and grants, such as the Pell Grant.
• The FAFSA application is free and easy. To make it even easier, make sure you have the listed documents ready, such as your social security number and tax returns, and you can be done in no time.
• You can include up to ten schools in your FAFSA application, so if you haven’t settled on a beauty school yet, you can include them all while you continue your research.
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Once you have completed your beauty school journey, the next step for a lot of newly grads is starting work in a salon. Whether it’s booth rental or commission there are some things that people don’t tell you about the next step in your life plan. So, we are here to tell you what it’s really like to work in a salon. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Every Day Is Arm Day

Who needs the gym when you have blown out 6 clients today? Regardless of the service, the chances are you are going to be using those cosmetology muscles to get the job done. Long layers on a client with hair to her waist? No problem, you got this!

Your Coworkers Become Family

When you spend 40+ hours a week with people, you get to know them better than they know themselves. As with any job, you will gain relationships with your coworkers but in a salon, it’s a little bit different. You work hard, you play harder, you support each other, you give help where help is needed and ultimately you always have each other’s backs.

You’re on Your Feet, A LOT

A lot of stylists, that are new to the salon environment, are surprised at just how much they are on their feet. We know that style usually trumps comfort but trust us when we say, you’re going to want some comfy kicks for those 10 hour shifts or constant standing.

Every industry has its slang, jargon, and important terms. The world of hair and beauty is no exception. While you’re at the salon, you might hear a lot of unfamiliar terms thrown around. At The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), St. Louis, we love helping others learn about hair. That’s why we’ve created a guide to hairstylist’s lingo so you can keep up at your next appointment!

Babylights

Definition: Delicate blonde highlights that mimic the blonde color your hair would naturally turn from being out in the sun.

Example: “I think we should add some babylights to warm up your look!”

Bangry

Definition: The anger that consumes a hairstylist when a client cuts their own bangs.

Example: “I am so bangry about my client Jessica right now.”

Black

Definition: The color of literally every article of clothing owned by a hairstylist.

Example: “Do you think this black shirt is dark enough?”

Blunt Cut

Definition: A cut where the stylist cuts straight across with scissors. This creates a sharp, clean, chic look.

Example: “Rihanna looks so amazing in that new photoshoot. I love her blunt cut!”

Bobby Pins

Definition: A small tool used to pin hair in place. Often found in boyfriends’ beds, black holes, and basically anywhere you didn’t put them. The enemy of the curly girl.

What is an Esthetician?

Esthetics is a profession with endless opportunities and exciting career paths, but what exactly is an esthetician and what exactly do they do?

The field of esthetics refers to the professional study and maintenance of skincare on the face and body. An esthetician can also be defined as a person who is knowledgeable about the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art.

The term esthetics is also often used describe the field of cosmetology, although esthetics is a facet of that specific field; they are, in fact, separate trades.

Defining Esthetics

The field of esthetics is essentially the professional study and maintenance of skincare for the face and body. Traditionally, when people think esthetician, they think someone who does facials and leaves it at that. Excitingly enough, there are numerous branches that are all part of the esthetics tree including: makeup, lashes, waxing, laser treatments, micro-blading, and more!

At TSPA St. Louis, we design our esthetician program to be fun, intriguing and informational. Starting a career in beauty is exciting. Knowing that you will be able to make people glow (literally) on a daily basis is a great reason to start your career in esthetics with us!

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