Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide ***Updated WARNING***

**Original Post Date: 4/29/09** Please scroll to the bottom of the post to read today's update.

Now in its 5th edition Crystal Wright’s Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career is undoubtedly the definitive industry reference source for every makeup artist and hair and fashion stylist. The Guide provides the inside scoop and what’s required to be a viable force in the industry. Industry newcomers as well as industry vets have made this guide the go-to book for all.

The Guide covers all the bases and in depth industry information on everything from building a kit to choosing a model and photographer for testing and compiling a portfolio of your work to landing your first gig.


Instructors across the globe recommend it as a MUST read. Many colleges including The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, F.I.D.M in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the International Academy of Design in Orlando, Florida, AIU and Bauder Colleges in Atlanta have adopted the Guide as the official textbook for their Fashion Styling curriculum,

In addition to the Guide there are also workshops, podcasts and DVD’s.

Preview the book:

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started
Chapter 2 Tools of the Trade
Chapter 3 Marketing Yourself
Chapter 4 Photographers
Chapter 5 Agencies
Chapter 7 Freelancing

*UPDATED WARNING* 7/23/09

After having heard so many great things over the past few years regarding this book, I went ahead and ordered it and over one month and two phone calls later I have yet to receive my book, and apparently mine is not an isolated incidence as I was informed yesterday by someone that they also ordered the book roughly a month ago and have yet to receive their copy.

Each time I phoned I was told that the book was going out "that day" the time I was told that I'd get a gift certificate to Crystal's class for my trouble and that someone would return my phone call to update me on the status of my order. Instead, I received notice via email from USPS that my package would ship soon. Well that was on the 16th. When I phoned the post office today to get clarification on the status of my package, I was told that a package was initiated on the shipper's end however no request had been been made for USPS to pick up that package nor had it been dropped off. Long story short, 39 days later I still don't have my book.

I'm definitely not interested in attending any classes and at this point no longer sure if I'm even interested in reading the book. I think a refund and the book is in order.

Expectation is everything, if I was told initially upon placing my order that it would take me over a month to receive my book, I wouldn't be updating this post, but to be told after having waited a month each time that I phoned that my book was on the way and for it not to have arrived and not phone call or email... is unacceptable.

If you're still interested in this book, I recommend to try finding a makeup artist supply store I was told that some on the east and west coast carry it.

Maybe Crystal should considering... offering the book as an E-book if distribution is a problem, just a thought.

There's also another alternative for makeup artists and hairstylists, Shortcuts by Diana Schmidtke. I absolutely loved this book, and I'm certain I'll defer to it for information through the remainder of my career. I ordered Diana's book on-line and it arrived in less than a week. It reads very well and Diana provides a lot of technical information as well as her experiences as an artist in the industry. You can read the full post on this book here.

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed

Website
Crystal’s Twitter

Your SHORTCUT To Becoming a Celebrity Hair and Makeup Artist **Updated**

Celebrity hairstylist Diana Schmidtke (pronounced Schmidt-Key), has released SHORTCUTS a guide to breaking into the world of hairstyling and makeup artistry. Diana is a freelance hair stylist and makeup artist specializing in men’s grooming, and the book is a first hand account of her experience as a working hair and makeup artist. Diana openly shares her story with the readers including how she received her first big break and how she continues to build a reputation as one of the industry’s best. Along with her step-by-step account on breaking into the industry (education, testing, portfolio building, agency and unions) the book is sprinkled with personal accounts of Diana's experience in the industry, her passion for the craft and her experiences working with media figures. I personally love the way her celebrity mentions are relevant to the story she is telling and not just random episodes of name dropping.


In addition the book answers questions like the difference between union and non-union work, there is a sort of “pop quiz” to assist you in determining if your passion lies more in the fashion and music or television and film. The field of Special FX artistry is also covered in a fair amount of detail as well, as a lot of books tend to ignore this very lucrative segment of the industry.

If you are even the slightest bit uncertain as to whether a career in hair and makeup is for you, or if you are unsure if you would be more happy working in music and fashion or television and film, you will definitely find SHORTCUTS interesting, informative and inspiring.

I definitely have a feeling that this book will find its place in history right along side Crystal Wright’s book. Nice work coming from a fellow Chicagoan!



Preview the book!

Video by Scissor Boy

****UPDATE****

6/21/09

So, I promised I would update this post once I actually finished reading Shortcuts. I have to tell you I was not disappointed. Diana really gave a step by step account of what it really takes to break into the industry and become a Hairstylist and or Makeup Artist in Fashion and Entertainment. She covers everything from your educational requirements to how to get assisting jobs, how to test and prepare for a photo shoot in order to get photos for your portfolio. There is even a section on how to choose the right photos from your photo shoots. She discusses the importance of having a ‘real’ model and a great team (stylist and photographer). Other important areas she covers are your website, comp card, resumes, reels, unions, agencies and most importantly getting your money after a job. By her every account, you know that this is not an easy business to break into, it is not for the slacker or thin-skinned. Those who are serious about breaking into the industry will take this book to heart and use it to prepare themselves. Those that were expecting a quick ride to the top complete with only glitz and glamor will find themselves thinking twice.

I love that she gives the readers real life examples of situations that she’s found herself in and how she over came those challenges. In addition there’s a detailed list of kit essentials, and sample of all the forms that you should have, a thorough glossary and listing of agencies from east to west. The sixty bucks the book costs is a small price to pay for all the of information in this book, I trust that you’ll find invaluable.



Ciao for now… once again, Class is dismissed!

Education by Design - Design Essentials

Since launching this blog I've received numerous email from vendors requesting I "review" their products. Product reviews are good, but because Beauty Schooled! is geared towards the professional and is education centric I’ve been reluctant to post product reviews that have no real educational backing.

Despite that I have also received dozens of email from new stylists across the country who specialize in ethnic hair care and work in salons as a “booth” renter (independent contractor) looking far a beauty brand that provides educational support. For those that aren't familiar with this set-up... In this situation the stylist pays the salon owner each month or week depending on the arrangement for a "chair" or space to work. The stylist is not considered an employee of the salon and is responsible for all of their own supplies, equipment, product and advanced education. There is rarely any salon mandated educational training outside of possibly salon safety procedures.



Many product companies require a huge opening order fee, something that the average new stylist cannot afford. As a result, the stylist is left to purchase product from their local beauty supply, trade shows or vendors that rep a hodgepodge of lines with no real educational protocol to help the stylist grow their businesses. Not only does it dilute the stylist's brand but it makes it difficult for them to build a loyal following and compete with their industry peers that work in salons that carry products with strong consumer recognition backed by a solid educational program.

Design Essentials from The McBride Research Laboratories is a company that provides a complete professional product line supported by a sound educational program for the stylists that use their products.




Design Essential's Education Team stretches across the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean islands with it's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and has 30 years of combined Professional Salon Industry experience. All members of their Education Team have a current cosmetology license and have participated in the McBride Research Laboratories intensive annual training, so you're dealing with a team of hair professionals who know product and hair, not a fleet of sales people.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Rebecca Mariolis the Director of Education for Design Essentials. I really enjoyed our conversation. Do you know that feeling you get when you’re speaking to someone that really loves what they do? That’s how I felt when speaking to Rebecca, her passion for industry and education was so obvious that it filtered through the telephone! What better person to head the education helm?

Over at Design Essentials each of them have a mantra if you will -- that they call “Strand of Success” Ms. Mariolis’ is… Each of us has been blessed with talent. People saw potential in me – even when I couldn’t see it – and gave me opportunities. It was key that we share what’s been given to us. That right there embodies everything that Beauty Schooled! is about so I was smitten with this company from the start.

The various Design Essential lines within the brand embody everything that a stylist needs to remain competitive in the industry. Products include both back bar (relaxer and color treatments, styling aids, tools and equipment) and retail for your client’s at home care.



As a Design Essential stockist in addition to the yearly educational training conference your local distributor will hold various educational workshops through out the year and are available to meet with you one-on-one to address your needs.




Take your business to the next level by investing in a product line that fosters education for its stylists as a foundation for your growth.

For more information on Design Essentials or to find a distributor in your area call Toll Free: 800.535.8683 or visit their website.

I will continue to post more brands as I discover them...

Ciao for now... Class is dismissed!

From Hair to There - 50 Hairstylists

Are you considering a career as a hairdresser, but are unsure of where to start? Or, do you wish that you could have just a few moments with your favorite hair architect find out what it really takes to become an in-demand hair stylist?

Author Rick Morton created a book with you in mind, 50 Hairstylists features interviews with the top 50 hairstylists from around the world.

Whether you are a student stylist, just starting out in the beauty industry or a veteran looking for a fresh perspective to renew your passion you will find this 188 page book both enlightening and inspiring. 50 trendsetters on all things hair reveal invaluable insider information including how they found their niche within the industry, what they wished they had learned in school and what if given the opportunity they would do over again.



The book includes not only your favorite US based hair rock stars like Nick Arrojo, Orlando Pita and Oribe but their European and Canadian counterparts as well.

I love the fact that all 50 of the stylists are asked the same questions and as you would expect the answers vary greatly in some regards but in others especially on the topic of education they are all on the same accord -- education is HUGELY important.

You know my position so it should be of no surprise that my favorite question was: Is there anything left to learn?

On that note I’ll leave you with the adopted Beauty Schooled! mantra: “You can tell the mark of a true professional by what they are willing to learn after they know it all.”

Ciao for now, class dismissed!