Beauty Tips That Are NOT Tested on the State Cosmetology Exam

coffee grounds for beauty

OK I’m being serious here folks.  I recently read an article on real (ahem) beauty tips used by some celebrities to keep in tip-top shape.  Now, I haven’t tried these tips (which may explain why they are celebrities and I am not) and some sound kinda dangerous, so think carefully before you try them.

In my 10 years in the cosmetology business they are new ones to me, and they certainly are not tested on the state cosmetology exam.  Since our review course for the state cosmetology exam covers only tested materials, you won’t find them on Bella Beauty Review.  Though as soon as the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology includes snake venom as a skin treatment, we’ll include it!

OK, here they are:

1. Strawberries to whiten teeth

2. Snake venom (yikes) as a topical skin treatment

3. Coffee Grounds as a treatment for cellulite

The last one does sound intriguing… maybe I’ll ask my favorite barista for the used coffee grounds when I order my latte this morning… then again I’ll probably be too embarassed to ask him to do it :)

MORE Jobs For Cosmetologists!

I just read this great article in The Roanoke Times on two local cosmetology schools whose business is booming.  The article cites a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that predicts employment for employment for hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists who have passed the cosmetology exam will INCREASE by 20% in the next few years.  This is great news!

The article also stresses the importance of finding a quality cosmetology school in your area that will teach you not only the skills to succeed as a cosmetologist, but also help you pass the written cosmetology exam.  The Beauty Schools Directory can help you find the right school, and Bella Beauty Review will prepare you to pass the state cosmetology test!

Now get out there and grab some of that opportunity!

Crazy Home Hair Care Treatments

I just read a home hair care tip on the Beauty Schools Directory facebook fanpage. The tip reminds me of a tip my mother (sorry mom) used to swear by back when I was a kid.

During the summer when I was a kid my mom used to make my sisters and me sit in the sun with a horrid concoction of mayonnaise, eggs, and lemon juice in our hair.  After about an hour it became a gross, greasy, smelly mess.  I remember hating the treatment, and the dog kept trying to lick it off.  Ah, such summer memories!

Anyone else experience crazy home hair care treatments either in cosmetology school or at home?  At Bella Beauty Review we have extensive experience preparing students to take (and pass) the state cosmetology exam.  I don’t recall ever seeing the mayo-egg-lemon-juice-sit-in-the-sun-for-an-hour-while-avoiding-the-dog treatment tested on the state cosmetology boards.  This is a good thing :)

Fortunately hair care products (and child abuse standards:)) have come a long way since then.

Esthetics and Ethnicity

Esthetics and Ethnicity.

This is a great link to an article on the importance of knowing how to effectively apply your skill as a cosmetologist or esthitician to all “types” of skin.  By “types” I mean not only the texture and condition of the skin, but also light, dark, and every shade in the middle.  To be a successful in the beauty and fashion industry you need to be able to work with very skin (and hair) type!

Jobs for Cosmetologists

Congratulations to all new cosmetology school graduates! you have chosen a great field at a great time.  In case you haven’t seen it, the following link is to a US News & World Report article that names cosmetology as on e of the hot careers of 2010!

Now that you’ve graduated from cosmetology school, it is time to start studying for your state cosmetology exam.  It is a tough test, so use your time wisely and don’t study hard study smart!

As a new graduate one of the best ways to get your foot in the door in the industry is to seek out the well-known companies in the industry for a job.  These companies frequently hire recent graduates, which will look great on your resume.  Here is a link to a great resource to find those companies in your area (courtesy of The Beauty School Lounge www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com).

Go get ‘em, there is lots of opportunity out there!



Recent Feedback From Cosmetology Teacher

Beauty School Graduate

I love it when we get feedback from our students!  Feedback helps us improve our course and make it better and even more effective at preparing our student to pass the cosmetology exam.  Recently we received extremely high praise from a teacher at a prestigious beauty school that I couldn’t help but pass along.  Here is what she said:

I would love to have all my students access this program of study
Whomever designed it did an awesome job
I certainly will be purchasing complete access for all of my students
Again Thanks
Ms P.

We know our review course does a great job preparing students to pass their state boards (and our pass rate shows it), but it is extremely gratifying to hear it from a professional!

Cosmetology Exam: the big picture

As someone who is planning to take the state cosmetology exam (whether you are a recent graduate or graduated a few years ago) it easy to lose perspective about what the exam does and does not mean.  The cosmetology exam is only one part of a whole series of test you have to pass in order to prove that you are mature and capable enough to perform all the tasks that cosmetologists perform every day.  The tasks that cosmetologists perform, if done incorrectly, can hurt people (such as incorrectly using chemicals) or can spread disease (such as treating a client who has head lice).  By passing these tests you prove only that you understand how to safely practice your craft.

If you fail the test it does not mean that you will be a failure as a cosmetologist. It also doesn’t mean you are not smart, or will not be a success.  It means only that you were not prepared enough on the day you took the test.  Keep your wits about yourself, study like crazy, take a cosmetology prep course like Bella Beauty Review, and pass it the next time!

Cosmetology as a Career

In the course of one day, you’ve spoken with a used car salesman, a grocery store clerk, a bank manager, a masseuse, a high school teacher, and your across-the-street neighbor.  No, you weren’t out running errands — you never left the office.  Welcome to the life of a cosmetologist.

Cosmetology as a Career

The work of a cosmetologist is much more than just styling hair.  The work of a cosmetologist brings you into contact with people from all walks of life.  You will treat the hair, skin and nails of, on average, five to ten clients per day.  You will sell shampoos, conditioners, facial masks, and other beauty concoctions, along with stylish hair and nail accessories.  You will spend time tidying up your shop, discussing clients’ lives, and speaking with representatives from various beauty line companies about featuring their products.

In short, cosmetology provides for a busy and exhausting — but fulfilling — job.   Unlike work in many industries, your constant cleaning and setting up, just to take it all apart the next morning, accomplishes something: vibrant new looks for your clients.  You get to start several mini-projects and bring them to life every single day.

The hours as a cosmetologist are very flexible, especially inviting for part-time schedules.  Working mothers can still have time to be with their children by working during the school day; second jobseekers can find a salon open late and take evening shifts.  If satisfied clients ask specifically for you for their next appointment, you have the power to schedule them when you are available.

As job security goes, the cosmetology industry holds an appeal for two reasons.  First, even in a tight financial era, paying customers pursuing beauty still exist everywhere.  Even though people are looking to cut back on all aspects of their budgets, few non-professionals know how to cut hair well and so jobs in deep discount chain salons still remain.  There are also many independent salons that are happy to hire up-and-coming beauty technicians and cosmetologists at very decent wages.

Second, with a cosmetology license in hand, the opportunity to open your own salon is tremendously appealing.  If you can find an office space to rent and purchase some basic cosmetic tools, you can then choose your own theme, set your own hours, and even design your own logo. If owning your business is a dream you have, you can realize it in the field of cosmetology.

The Cosmetology Exam

No matter if you choose to work for yourself or for someone else, you must be a licensed cosmetologist to hold a job in a salon.  Each state has its own cosmetology exam, which you must pass in order to obtain a license in that state.  Before you can take the test, you must have between 1,000 and 2,200 hours of practical study in a beauty school.  Tuition at beauty schools costs between $8,000 and $18,000, depending on the school and program of study, but your education there will only prepare you to some extent for the cosmetology exam.

The cosmetology exam is rigorous and difficult.  Even recent graduates have trouble passing it on their first attempt, especially in California, Texas, Florida, and New York, where passing rates are the lowest in the country.  Preparing for the cosmetology exam requires much effort and dedication, and many people find they need extra preparation beyond what their beauty school provides.

Cosmetology Exam Prep Course

This is where a cosmetology practice course comes in handy.  These books or online courses walk you through the written portion of the cosmetology exam and provide example tests on which you can practice your knowledge.  Some of these are in printed or booklet form, and many are found online as PDFs that you must score yourself.

Bella Beauty Review represents a whole new face of cosmetology exam preparation.  It is the only online interactive cosmetology prep course and includes a lesson plan, exam questions, and a study guide to help you gain confidence to pass the exam on the first try.  Twenty-four hour access to the course allows you to work at your own pace and take the practice tests when you have the time, and when you are most likely to retain the materials.

The interactive and informative study modules present the materials in a lively and engaging manner through oral, written, and visually appealing content.  At Bella Beauty Review, you can easily register at the site, purchase the course and access the modules, all within minutes.  This all-inclusive teaching style appeals the many different learning styles.  Whether you are the kind of student who needs to read the materials, hear the materials, associate the materials with visual aids, or interact with the materials, this cosmetology review course has you covered.

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! For too long graduates of cosmetology school have been on their own when it comes to studying for and passing the written cosmetology exam.  We have created Bella Beauty Review to give you the review you need in order to pass the exam on the first time.  As you can see in our tagline, take it and pass. Click here to visit the site.

You can see a sample of our course on youtube as well as on our website.  Please check it out and you will agree with our successful students who tell us that “this is the best way to study for the exam!”

Good Luck!