Over 150 attendees arrived in Manhattan for the two-day Masters Of Beauty (MOB) Tour of Beauty event, which kicked off on July 18th and 19th. The MOB program featured 2010 Platform Artist of the Year and famed hairdresser, Nick Arrojo, as he presented and demonstrated his signature skills and techniques for Haircutting with Razor and Scissor, Consumer Hair Coloring and Color Placement, Style Finishing, and Make-Up Artistry.

Arrojo's team of Master Stylists also were on hand to demonstrate techniques and personally assisted attendees during the training workshops. Nick Arrojo also delivered inspirational tips and advice from his own career and encouraged the attendees to take their career to new heights.

To register for the MOB program, view the Tour of Beauty schedule and the one-day Skill Certification Classes, which are hosted at Empire Beauty School locations across the US, visit www.MastersOfBeauty.com. Professional stylists, beauty students and educators can earn seals of completion such as Advanced, Senior and Master to distinguish their advanced education through the MOB program.

Empire Education Group announced the acquisition of The International Academy Cosmetology School, located in Cincinnati, OH. “We are thrilled about this new addition to our growing Empire Education Group family, and look forward to offering the talented future professionals in Cincinnati the opportunity to work successfully in an industry that they truly enjoy,” noted Franklin K. Schoeneman, chairman and CEO of Empire Education Group.

The newly acquired school will integrate all of Empire's modern and state-of-the-art teaching aids such as Whiteboard and Nxtbook technology, both of which provide a visually dynamic approach to a student’s educational experience. Empire will also implement the Certified Learning in Cosmetology (CLiC) curriculum into the schools hair, skin and nails program. The CLiC curriculum incorportates marketing and business skills that are essential to a comprehensive cosmetology education and future career in the beauty industry with hands-on training of the fundamentals of hairdressing, hair cutting, styling, makeup application, nail technology, and more.

Empire will also offer The International Academy Cosmetology students job placement assistance and networking opportunities through the company's industry affiliations with thousands of salons and spas, such as the Regis Corporation’s 10,000 nationwide salons and exclusive alumni association.

The Ohio students may also participate in Empire’s Future Professionals Expo—the largest student competition and trade show event in the nation. Students compete in hairstyling, braiding, makeup artistry, nail artistry and various cutting, coloring and styling competitions to win the opportunity to learn from industry icons, attend educational workshops in places like New York and walk away with professional products and tools. The event also features workshops led by industry professionals demonstrating the latest tips and trends in beauty. The tradeshow floor features beauty manufacturers and vendors displaying and demonstrating the newest products and tools and trends in the beauty industry.

Students of the Ohio school will also be introduced to Empire’s charitable program Empire Gives Back. The program trains cosmetology students on identifying the signs of domestic abuse in their clients and educates them on how to respond appropriately by directing victims to the authorities or providing local shelter information.

The newly acquired school is licensed in the state of Ohio, accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences, Inc. (NACCAS), and authorized by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in the Title IV Financial Aid programs.

Empire Beauty Schools unveiled its newest location in Charlotte, North Carolina. The newly designed school features eco-conscious features such as water reduction and energy star devices, as well as other top notch features. The salon floor is made of 100 per cent post consumer and post industrial materials as well as additional custom built fixtures.

The school also offers environmentally friendly beauty products such as Regis Designline PURE Results.

The new location adds to Empire's growing number of beauty schools of 100 schools in 21 states. Empire Education Group is one of the largest networks and providers of cosmetology education in North America, educating and training nearly 20,000 students annually.

Atop the elegant Strand Hotel in trendy Manhattan, New York, 2010 Platform Artist of the Year and TV personality, Nick Arrojo, and 30 of his educators and stylists met with Empire Education Group Chairman and CEO Frank Schoeneman and other Empire Beauty Schools representatives.

Schoeneman and Arrojo applauded the attendees for their efforts in education, working with students and creating the Masters of Beauty program to advance Empire’s future beauty professionals and alumni to an even higher level of professionalism over their competition in the career field. Through the MOB program, participants can expect to learn Arrojo’s trade secrets for success, style, creativity, and earn advancement seals.

The program features two distinct agendas; the 2-day Tour of Beauty workshops and the 1-day Skill Certification classes learning Arrojo’s distinct techniques for Haircutting with Razor & Scissor, Hair Coloring, Style Finishing, and Make-up Artistry.

Tour of Beauty kicks off in New York on July 18-19, at the Hilton New York on 1335 Avenue of the Americas and 53^rd to 54^th Street.

The first Skill Certification class commences on August 15^th at the Paramus, NJ, Empire Beauty School in the Neptune Plaza at 332 Rt. 4 East.

Empire Beauty Schools unveiled its newest location, marking the 98th school for the company which already hosts additional beauty schools in 20 states across the nation. The new school is located in Paramus, NJ, and situated in the Neptune Plaza at 322 Route 4 East.

This state-of-the-art school offers Empire's exclusive Certified Learning in Cosmetology (CLiC) curriculum, along with 3-D teaching aids and Whiteboard technology to enhance and bring the educational experience to life. The NACCAS and state-licensed school ensures a quality educational experience for future beauty professionals at this 11,000 square foot location. The school also boasts a custom-built Student Salon with professional equipment and high-end tools of the trade.

Empire Beauty School's industry partners such as Regis and other beauty organizations and salons, are also an added benefit for students of the new school. Empire Beauty Schools also provide job placement nationwide for graduating students, an alumni association, community programs, as well as advanced educational opportunities such as the Masters of Beauty Skill Certification Program with Nick Arrojo. Other Empire locations offer specialized training for Teacher of Cosmetology, Esthetics and Nail Technology.

Empire Education Group, the largest cosmetology network of schools in the nation, is hosting the 100 Days of Empire Open House Events. The events are grand open house celebrations open to the public, community leaders, and area salon representatives as the cosmetology school organization counts down the days till the opening of new schools in the network.

The cross country open house events begin at noon on select days in select cities. For a list of upcoming events visit www.empire100.com for an open house event nearest you.

Students and staff of the schools are offering free beauty services*, tours of the schools for anyone interested in attending Empire Education Group schools, performing hair and beauty competitions, and more festivities throughout the day.

Each beauty school will also present their local domestic abuse or women and children shelters with donations raised during the organization's National Day of Beauty event. The funds are a result of what the students raised on behalf of Empire Gives Back, and will help the residents of the shelters in various ways such as providing clothing, food and other types of necessities. Many of the residents are women and children fleeing domestic abuse and often have little or no personal belongings with them when the arrive at the shelters. Many of the Empire schools hold seasonal fundraising for the shelters which they've adopted in their local area.

For more information or to attend an event, please visit www.empire100.com. 

*services are performed by senior level students. beauty services range from cuts, styles at the discretion of the hosting school.

  Empire Beauty Schools announced a partnership with celebrity hairstylist and educator Nick Arrojo. The beauty school and ARROJO education have developed an inspirational beauty program, Masters of Beauty (MOB) in order to offer salon professionals the opportunity to earn certification on a higher level in their chosen craft. Attendees can earn three levels of completion through the MOB program; Advanced, Senior and Master Seals. \

The program focuses on building confidence, creativity and trend awareness. Arrojo will headline two-day workshops across the nation, and his team of Master Stylists will follow with one-day enhancement classes hosted at Empire Beauty Schools. Arrojo and his team will also attend Empire Beauty School's Future Professionals Expo in May, where Arrojo and Empire will launch the program for the thousands of beauty students in attendance.

The Future Professionals Expo is one of the largest beauty trade show and student competition events hosted in the nation. Nearly 3,000 students attend the annual event in Hershey, PA, where beauty vendors, industry professionals and more hold one on one workshops for the Empire students, sell the latest beauty tools and products and offer a unique experience for the cosmetology students. Select Empire beauty students also participate in competitions during the event for hair, nails and makeup. Past winners have earned international trips to Spain and the Netherlands, as well as to New York, Hawaii and Nevada. Empire Beauty Schools is the largest provider of beauty education in the U.S., offering 96 locations for students to attend beauty school.

They may seem similar but Estheticians and Massage Therapists perform vastly different techniques to your skin and body.

A Massage Therapist will focus their craft on the healing and relaxing techniques of various massages such as Swedish, Sports, Shiatsu, Deep Tissue, Hydrotherapy, Reflexology, and more!

A Massage Therapy program will help you develop a reputable career by incorporating anatomy, physiology, a broad range of massage techniques, hydrotherapy, business development, retail knowledge, and more in our curriculum.

• Introduction to anatomy and physiology for a basic understanding of the body’s structure and reaction to physiological effects.
• Various massage methods; Swedish, sports, shiatsu, deep tissue, and more. Develop your skills using techniques such as rolling, wringing, tapotement, vibration, hacking, and more.
• Modify reflexology skills to enhance your overall education.
• Understand the benefits hydrotherapy, using steam baths, foot baths and various methods to improve the skin and circulation.
• Learn about business development, understanding how to sell your services, manage or own your own salon or spa.
• Most schools offer a hands-on approach for practical experience within a Student Salon or Clinic, working on actual clients for a real-world approach.
• Career placement opportunities through a network of industry partners and outside sources that are always looking for talented and trained professionals

Massage Therapists work in various locations such as cruise ships, hotels, resorts, health clubs, spas…..the possibilities are endless!

An Esthetician, on the other hand (no pun intended), will cleanse and treat the skin through Facials, Waxing, Hair Removal, Aromatherapy, Body Treatments and more!

An Esthetician Program teaches you how to rejuvenate, sooth and cleanse the skin by learning the application and processes for facials, massage, waxing, makeup, business development, retail training, aromatherapy, body treatment techniques, and more.

• Introduction to various skin types, textures and conditions. Each skin type requires specialized care and treatment.
• Learn the fundamentals of skin care and understand how to use cleansers, exfoliating products, moisturizers, and more. Students also understand first aid measures such as sanitizers and antiseptics.
• Perform various hair removal methods such as waxing, tweezing, shaving, depilatories, laser hair removal, electrolysis, and photo epilation.

Cosmetology offers a variety of opportunities for you to explore and dive into. Deciding which path to take will quickly develop over time. As you begin your Cosmetology Education, you’ll get incredible exposure to all kinds of fields such as Esthetics, Massage, Nails, Make-up Artistry, and so much more.

Whether you become a Make-up Artist working on Broadway actors or a Hairdresser cutting and styling hair locally, you’ll always be in-demand and you’ll have the diverse background to go virtually anywhere in the world!

Consider this; regardless of experience, nearly all cosmetology fields report job openings in specialized and full service salons. And with a specialty comes increased earning potential. According to the NACCAS 2007 Job Demand report, specialized Cosmetologist earned over $38,000, Braiders earned $33,502, and Hair Colorists earned nearly $43,000 in a full-service salon and over $46,000 in a specialized salon.

Spa Trends

One of the most noticeable growths in the industry is with the increase in spas. The spa industry employs over 267,000 professionals, and garnered $9.4 billion in revenue, according to the International Spa Associations 2007 industry study. ISPA’s 2008 Trend Watch indicates a movement toward all types of spa experiences for teens to expectant mothers, and the most requested service is massage therapy. This increase demand for spa services inevitably opens the door for more job opportunities.

Nail Down A Lucrative Career…

Manicured nails are becoming a necessity for an overall polished look. And, this increased need for beautiful nails has given the Nail Technology profession a boost. The demand for highly skilled and trained Nail Technicians is gaining speed and the outlook is positive. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for manicurists and pedicurists will increase between 21-35% through 2010. Although Nail Technicians account for roughly 9% of Nail Techs in the industry, it is projected that Nail Technicians will see a 16% increase in job vacancies, notes NACCAS Job Demand Survey.

Design Your Future…

A reported 370,215 salons employed over 1,682,000 professionals, according to the NACCAS 2007 report. And, 53% of salon owners had job openings. The reality of long term employment in the cosmetology industry is strong and continues to grow. The number of salons opening by independent individuals, in other words owning your own business rather than working for a larger corporation, increased by 18% which accounted for the 65% of salons owned independently. You could create your own future and enjoy a comfortable life with unlimited earning and job potential.

Empire Education Group, one of the largest cosmetology school systems in the United States, has officially been named winner of the “Excellence Award for Expansion” by the Manufacturers and Employers Association (MAEA) of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Empire received the award for their incredible growth and expansion over the past 12 months, of new and existing beauty schools. Empire Education Group merged their cosmetology schools with the school division of the Regis Corporation in August 2007 to form 87 beauty schools across the U.S.

Empire was also recognized for increasing the number of people they employ in Pottsville, PA, as well as the state of Pennsylvania and across the United States.

The Manufacturers and Employers Association is a non-profit organization serving companies in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania.

Ivan Zoot, the ClipperGuy and Director of Education for the Andis Company, made the Guinness Book of World Records for the most continuous haircuts in a 24 hour period, breaking the previous record of 300 cuts.

Zoot completed 340 haircuts during the world record event on August 22 and 23, at the Rooster Men’s Grooming Center in Austin, Texas. Within the first hour, Zoot broke two previous world records; the first was for the fastest haircut which he polished off in  55 seconds, and the second record was for the most haircuts within an hour which Zoot completed with 43 cuts.

During the 340 haircuts Zoot clipped in 24 hours, six judges were present and responsible for insuring the cutting followed all the rules in accordance with Guinness requirements.

The event also raised money for two charities; Big Brothers  Big Sisters of Central Texas and Children with Hairloss Foundation. Zoot also donated several autographed items to Empire Education Group which will be auctioned off for charity.

Many beauty school students receive Andis clippers in their professional  student cosmetology kits.

Ivan Zoot, right, completed 340 haircuts in a 24-hour period, breaking the previous world record of 300 haircuts. Zoot's volunteer participant holds a sign indicating he's the 300th haircut during the marathon event, marking a tie-breaker at that point in the event.

Through your cosmetology education you’ll learn a host of do’s and don’ts, but what you may not learn first hand is how to handle clients who refuse to abide by simple etiquette and good manners. Working with people isn’t always a fairytale but we have a few tips to help you continue your happily ever after…

First Impressions

A customer’s first impressions of you can make the difference between a returning client and someone who recommends you to friends, or a short list of clientele. When you first meet and consult your new customers make sure you listen to what they want and offer suggestions of cuts and styles that would complement them best. You’re the professional and your new clients look to your expertise and advice on the best cuts. Avoid being pushy, offensive and impatient or you’ll likely watch that customer ride off into the sunset and never return.

Bad Apples

Unfortunately, you will come across customers who aren’t happy with their look, are impatient, snappy, rude, and condescending. The most important thing to remember is that you should always maintain your professionalism and composure. If your customer is unhappy with the cut and style you just gave them, discuss what you can do to fix the style, offer suggestions and ultimately, come to a positive resolution. Be honest and apologetic. It’s possible you misunderstood the client’s requests.

As for the bad apples of the bunch, who can drive you to tears or fits of frustration, do your best to offer solutions. Don’t respond to bad behavior with bad behavior. If you’re at your wits end, recommend another stylist who might be better suited to handle the client or suggest they discuss their concerns with the manager.

Watching the Clock Like Cinderella

It will happen more often than you’d like but your clients will run late and for some they won’t apologize or even consider their tardiness infringes on your lunch break or your other clients. For first time offenders it’s best to be up-front and honest and remind those late-comers that although you enjoy and look forward to their appointments, other clients are waiting. Suggest that they call in case they’ll be late next time so you can adjust your schedule accordingly. And, if you're already with another client, simply recommend another stylist, manicurist or esthetician to take care of the late-comer.

Happily Ever After

Your income is based on your returning clients. To keep your clients happy, it’s important to be sure you understand what they expect from you, such as professionalism, expertise on the latest trends and cuts, and suggestions on how to maintain their look and products to help them do so. Remember, selling products and merchandise also translates into increased income in your pocket. Marketing your skills and maintaining professionalism with each client is necessary for a “happily ever after” relationship with your clientele.

Empire Beauty School’s 87 cosmetology schools are launching National Day of Beauty on October 11, 2008, in support of raising awareness about domestic abuse. The day of beauty services performed by the nearly 14,000 students across the nation will donate 100% of the proceeds to women’s shelters each of the schools have adopted in their area.

The schools are currently selling $5.00 haircut coupons for the event, purple ribbon pins and donation circles. View our map or click here to find an Empire Beauty School so that you too can enjoy beauty services for hair, skin and nails, and support the fight against domestic abuse in your area. The students at the school are also donating personal care products and canned foods to the shelters.

Empire Beauty School students receive formal training from CUT IT OUT, an organization also dedicated to raising awareness about domestic abuse. CUT IT OUT has trained 11,000 Empire Beauty School students on recognizing the signs of domestic violence and educating the students on how to appropriately direct possible victims to safety and help.

Pierre’s School of Cosmetology campuses located in Bangor, Caribou, Portland, and Waterville, Maine, have been transitioned to Empire Beauty School’s brand name and educational curriculum.

Empire Beauty School implemented state-of-the-art technology in the schools, which included digital TeamBoards and NxtBook technology. These hi-tech educational tools will enhance the students' education. The schools have also been situated with Empire's unique CLiC (Certified Learning in Cosmetology) educational system.

The former Pierre’s schools are accredited by NACCAS (The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences, Inc.) and licensed in Maine. Empire Beauty Schools are also certified by the U.S. Department of Education and eligible to participate in the Title IV Financial Aid programs.

The new schools will join the 84 Empire Beauty Schools located throughout the U.S. Learn more more about the Empire Beauty Schools and any of the former Pierre's schools located in Maine.

During Empire Beauty School’s grand re-opening of their newly remodeled school during January in Chandler, Arizona, students displayed their creativity and skills during a hair competition.

The students chose a winter carnival theme to create their designs around, using vibrant colors. “It was a great way for the students to showcase their talents to the local salons,” said Vice President of Industry Relations, Dorothy McKinley-Soressi.

Students formed teams of five to collaborate on their hair designs and styles. The first place winners designed a carnival concession theme. Their model displayed cotton candy-like hair and was adorned with popcorn and lollipops to give the illusion of a carnival confection. The second place winners incorporated more vibrant and explosive colors with their model's nails and hair which was created with weaves. 

Judges for the competition came from area salons as a local radio station hosted a live broadcast at the school.