education – Jenks Beauty College

How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma

January 22, 2018August 3, 2017 by Posey Gaines

Cosmetology is a growing segment of the beauty industry and the economy overall. This fact draws a lot of people in and makes them want to pursue this path for a career. Many people pursue cosmetology as a career because it is a passion and they love working at a job that is creative. For these people the industry growth is just a bonus. Whichever boat you fall into, there are certain steps you have to follow to become a cosmetologist. The steps you have to take will vary depending on which state you live in. To become a cosmetologist in Oklahoma, this is what you’ll have to do:

licensed cosmetologist holding blow dryer in a salon

Hours

To become a cosmetologist, most states require that you fulfill a certain amount of education and training. Cosmetology is a very comprehensive program that can cover many different topics and techniques when it comes to beauty. Although cosmetology is comprehensive, the hour requirement is usually much less time than it would take you to graduate from a traditional four year college. In the state of Oklahoma there is a 1500 hour requirement that must be fulfilled before you can get your cosmetology license. This means you could be done with school and working in the industry in as little as 50 weeks.

School

A beauty school with a cosmetology program is where you will go to fulfill the hours that are required by the state board. At Jenks Beauty College our cosmetology program not only offers the required hours to get your cosmetology license, but it is designed to give students the tools they need to build a career in the beauty industry.

While you are in cosmetology school you can learn a variety of topics like hair cutting and styling techniques, hair coloring, employee/employer relationship skills, client relationship skills, and effective communication. These skills can help you in many different areas of the industry, not just cutting and styling hair.

Exams

Another step in getting your cosmetology license in Oklahoma is taking the exams that the state requires. There are two exams or parts that you will have to take before getting your cosmetology license. The first is the written portion and the second is the practical exam.

Written Exam

The written exam portion is a 100 question test that will cover the following topics:

Sanitation, disinfection, and safety
Shampooing and conditioning hair
Haircutting and hair styling
Weaving and braid extensions
Chemical texture services
Haircoloring
Skin care
Nail care
Licensing and regulation

Practical Exam

The practical exam is more hands on and gives the students the opportunity to actually perform the services to show that they are competent and capable. The services that the practical exam covers are:

Pre-exam set up and disinfection
Manicure services
Facial service
Chemical services
No-base virgin relaxer
Bleach retouch
Shampoo service
Hair shaping service
Permanent waving service
Blow drying and thermal curling service
End of exam disinfection

Your time spent in cosmetology school is what can help prepare you to sit for these tests. The cosmetology program at Jenks covers a variety of topics that are in the exam. It can also provide students an opportunity to hone their practical skills in the student clinic.

Getting Licensed

Once you pass the exams, the next step is simple. You just have to fill out and send in an application to the state board and pay your application fee. Once the state board reviews your application and receives your exam scores, they will issue your license. Once you receive your license, it’s time to go find a job and start living the dream!

Still Have Questions?

Still have some questions about what it takes to get your license? That’s okay. The first step is to contact us at Jenks. We can help you get enrolled in the cosmetology program to start working on your hours. Once you start your cosmetology education, you can get the required information to pass the exams and when you graduate our team can help you navigate the licensing process. If a career in cosmetology is what you want, we can help you get there! Don’t wait. Get started today.

Building a Balanced Schedule

January 22, 2018August 1, 2017 by Posey Gaines

Life is busy. It’s a fact. If you are thinking about going to beauty school, it can be a tough decision. There are so many things to do in the tiny amount of time given in a day. Sometimes you may find yourself wishing that you didn’t have to sleep so you could get to the things that you didn’t have time to do. Adding school on top of everything else may seem like it’s too much, but here’s a few tips, tricks, and reasons why it may actually be a good idea.

A Brighter Future

One main reason that going to beauty school is a great idea, even if you already have a schedule that is busy, is that it can help you create a future that is more exciting and rewarding. Going to school can help you move from a job or career that you endure to something that you look forward to every day. Making this change can make your busy schedule feel not so busy after all.

Find Flexibility

The beauty industry is known for offering a lot of flexibility. There is flexibility of where you can work, what type of job you can pursue, as well as scheduling. Becoming a certified or licensed cosmetologists, for example, can open a lot of doors that can allow you to create a work schedule that is a good fit with the other obligations you may already have. Once you are licensed, you can look for employment opportunities that offer this flexibility and hopefully open up your schedule a little more than it is now.

Growth and Opportunity

In addition to offering flexibility, the beauty industry is also going through significant growth. The occupations of hairdressers and cosmetologists are growing at 10% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is faster than average for all other occupations. The esthetics industry has even more dramatic growth at 12%. This means that there are and should continue to be a lot of opportunities in the beauty industry for you to pursue.

Another great characteristic of the beauty industry is that it can provide a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities. Those who have their cosmetology license, for example, could pursue the options of opening their own salon or spa. Many salon owners and even beauty school owners are people who once went to beauty school themselves. You may not have thought about beauty school as a place that produces entrepreneurs…but it is.

Becoming a Trend Setter

It’s true that the beauty industry has become home to many career changers who have families. It is important for parents to lead the way for their children by example. If you want your children to follow their dreams, pursue an education beyond high school, or have the guts to try their hand at starting their own business the best way to encourage them is to do it yourself. By going to school to learn what you love to do, you are showing your children that this is an important thing for them to do as well. They will likely see this and notice it. You will become the trendsetter in your family.

Beauty School Schedules

Another really convenient part of going to beauty school is the great class schedules that are offered. At Jenks Beauty College our programs are offered at different times to fit different schedules. This makes it possible for you to continue to do the things you need to do while building a better future.

Starting Your Future Today

So, life is busy and you have a lot going on. Going to beauty school can be an investment in your future to help create a better balance of work, family time, relaxation, and control over your time that you need. That balance can help you feel less overwhelmed and more satisfied with your career and life in general.

Don’t wait another minute. Invest in your future and contact us. We can help you get started on your journey to an amazing career in the beauty industry. We can’t wait to see what you become!

Food That Makes Your Skin Glow

January 22, 2018August 1, 2017 by Posey Gaines

“You are what you eat,” as they say. This can be true when it comes to your skin at least. Depending on what some of your main dietary staples are, you could either be helping your skin glow or making your skin dull. Here are some foods that affect the health of your skin. Some of them may surprise you.

Chocolate?

That’s right. Chocolate can really change the way your skin looks and feels. The cocoa has properties that are good for your skin. You may have seen or used lotions and creams that have cocoa in them. Eating a little bit of chocolate can help too. Eat a few squares of dark chocolate and it may help brighten your skin.

A Spoonful of Yogurt

Dairy has a lot of proteins that make your skin stronger and more resistant to wrinkling. Some doctors say that Greek yogurt is especially rich in proteins that help your skin remain wrinkle-free. Eating a serving of Greek yogurt every day could keep the wrinkles away.

Magic Pomegranates

Pomegranates are a fruit that can help your skin look more colorful by increasing the blood flow. The antioxidants help your circulatory system work to help the complexion of your skin shine a little brighter.

Bored?

If eating is something you do when you’re bored, sunflower seeds are a great fix. They are also packed with vitamin E which helps protect your skin from harmful elements, namely sunshine. So next time you’re bored and start to get snacky, grab a bag of seeds. It can help curb your appetite AND save your skin.

Strawberry

Yep. Strawberries are good for you skin too, and thank goodness. Nobody complains about having to eat strawberries. They are rich in vitamin C which helps keep your skin hydrated, so your skin will be feeling soft, smooth, and moist.

Kidney Beans

If acne is a problem for you, eat some kidney beans. They have a lot of zinc in them which has been said to help a lot with clearing up unwanted blemishes and zits. Many acne creams have zinc as an ingredient and adding to your diet by eating some kidney beans could help as well.

Olive Oil

This stuff is versatile when it comes to helping skin. You can add it to your diet as well as apply it topically. If you have parched lips or rough elbows you can apply some olive oil to make them shine! Also, complimenting your next meal with a little olive oil can help heal your skin from the inside out.

Want to learn more about having healthy skin? Check out the Jenks Beauty College esthetics program. We can help you begin your training to becoming a skincare professional. Contact us and get started today!

Your Journey Through Cosmetology School

December 29, 2016 by Posey Gaines

So, you’ve decided to go to cosmetology school, and you are a little curious about what your next year is going to look like as a student. Surely you have read all the technical descriptions you could find about what you’ll learn in the classroom and what it’s like on the floor, but we have a hunch that if you talked to a cosmetology student, they will describe their journey as much more than technicalities. That being said, we have broken down the rollercoaster of feelings, emotions, and thoughts that you’ll ride through during your time as a cosmo student. So, put on your seatbelt and prepare for a ride through twelve months of cosmetology school.

Month one

Starting something new is always nerve racking and even a little scary sometimes. But don’t let that hold you back from jumping right into cosmetology school and giving it your all. We know that it’s hard not to have some preconceived notions when the constant thought of starting school trumps most of your other thoughts. It’s okay to have those notions but it’s important to keep an open mind and acknowledge the fact that everything may not be exactly how you imagined. Embrace change, accept the new and adapt to the unknown. After all, this is what you’ve been waiting your whole life to do!
____________________

Month two

Take a deep breath and know that you can do this. Now that you have some weeks under your belt, you should realize that by now that you have the skills it takes to become a cosmetologist! Like we said before, we know that starting something new can be scary sometimes you may even feel a little unsure if you’ve even made the right choice. Trust in yourself and remember that you made this choice for a reason and it is the right choice!
____________________

Month three

By now, some things may still be a little fresh, but one thing is for sure and that is the realization that you are starting to make some amazing new friends. In the Jenks cosmetology program, you are going to be spending anywhere between 23 and 30 hours a week with your classmates. It’s no secret that you are going to build some amazing friendships in that time. You will watch each other grow, support one another’s dreams, and help each other when you run into a roadblock. You may lose touch with some after graduation but some of them may turn into lifelong friends.
____________________

Month four

By the time month four rolls around, you’re feeling pretty good about the talent you’ve perfected and the new skills that you have learned. Then, you hear that your time has come to start taking clients on the floor. Suddenly, all of that newfound confidence dwindles and you start to question if you’re really ready for the floor. Good news, your excitement will most likely overtake that fear, and you’ll walk on the floor like you own the place.
____________________

Month five

Now that you’ve adjusted to being on the floor, you are absolutely loving it. You get to practice the skills you’ve learned with real-world clients and still continue to obtain more knowledge. With the help of your instructors and your guests, you will learn ways to enhance your technical cutting, coloring and styling techniques. You’ll start to express your creativity through your services and personalize each of your guest’s experiences. The more you continue to learn the more confidence that you build within yourself. You can finally rid your mind of those pesky thoughts of not being ready to be on the floor. We’ve already established that change and progress can be scary but be sure to keep your mind filled with positive thoughts and reassure yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to!
____________________

Month six

Now that you have had the opportunity to be on the floor for a while, you’ve probably built some great relationships with your guests. You’ve maybe even had the privilege of returning guests that pre-book or specifically request to see you. Isn’t it a great feeling knowing that you provided such an amazing service to your guests that they want to see you again? Your guests are what make everything you do so worthwhile. Something most cosmetologists have in common is their internal desire to make others feel beautiful and you have definitely chosen a wonderful career to do just that. Maya Angelou once said,

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Be sure to keep that in mind when you have new and even returning guests in your chair.
____________________

Month Seven

You’ve been in school a while now and you’ve been presented with the endless paths that your career could take. Appreciate that! You’ve chosen a career that opens so many doors for your future. From makeup artistry and hair coloring to salon ownership and so much more, you have the power to choose what is right for YOU. Modern Salon wrote a great article that discusses some career opportunities for cosmetologists and it’s important to use resources like this and consider all of your possibilities before you set your mind to just one!
____________________

Month Eight

Wow, you’ve made it 8 months already, can you believe it? Time really does fly when you’re having fun. You’ve covered most of the basics by this point and now you are really focusing on perfecting your skills. The last few months are going to fly by so be careful what you wish for. Before you know it, you are going to be signing up for your state board practicals!
____________________

Month Nine

Just when you think you know it all, you still have more to learn! It’s easy to get overly confident in your abilities, but it’s important to remember that learning should never stop. The minute you decide you know everything is the minute your talent goes dormant. Always keep your mind open to new things and take a minute to appreciate your cosmetology school education.
____________________

Month Ten

It’s finally starting to sink in that you get to do this for the rest of your life! How awesome is that? You get to make a career out of your passion. The thought of all your possibilities will probably give you butterflies every now and again. Get used to it because this is your life!
____________________

Month Eleven

You know that terrible feeling you get towards the end of your senior year of high school? You are probably starting to feel the same thing now that you are just weeks away from graduating cosmetology school. We don’t care what the medical journals have to say, Senioritis is a real thing. Symptoms may include: daydreaming of your future in the world of beauty, imagining the amazing feeling you’ll get when you ace your boards, and reflecting on all you’ve learned. It also features a strong urge to fast forward time to graduation. You have to hang in there, though. Graduation is just around the corner, and it’ll be here before you know it.
____________________

Month Twelve

What did we tell you? Graduation is finally here, you did it! Take a moment and pat yourself and your fellow graduates on the back. No one ever said that it would be easy, but it is worth it! Now that you are done, and you’ve taken the appropriate time to celebrate this momentous achievement, it is time to start thinking about your boards. Study, study, study! Once you pass the necessary tests and obtain your official license, it’s finally time to start the next chapter of your life as a professional cosmetologist. Congratulations!
_____

Now, we understand that every school is different and each month may vary depending on what school you are at. Most importantly, though, we just want to make sure that you realize the amazing experience you are about to embark on by enrolling in cosmetology school. You should be proud of yourself and the action you’ve taken to create a great future.

We want to hear about your journey through cosmetology school! Share with us in the comments what cosmetology school was like for you. If you are thinking about a career in cosmetology and this journey sounds like something you’re ready to start, then visit our cosmetology page to learn more about our program and see if this is the right choice for you!