Holiday Hair Hacks

The holidays are upon us! It may be the most wonderful time of year, but we imagine your end-of-the-year schedule looks a little something like this: school, work, shopping, celebrating, and maybe even a little stressing. Let us lighten the load with plenty of hairstyle ideas for the holidays. Whether these stresses include rushing from a long day at work to a formal dinner or getting caught in the rain while shopping, messy hair doesn’t have to be one of them. Read on to check out some sweet styles this season.

A Girl All Gift Wrapped

“Be present” they say. Yes, live in the moment and enjoy life, but we say snag the look to match. Polished and all wrapped up is surely the PACKAGE deal.

Ribbons and Bows

Ribbons are inexpensive, easy, festive, and oh-so feminine! Search your gift wrapping drawer or that pile of old accessories for the perfect finishing touch.

blonde low classy bun black ribbon

blonde half up half down red ribbon

high ponytail black ribbon

Hair Bow

Couldn’t find one? BE one! The internet is chalk-full of tutorials to guide you through the steps.

Got second-day curls? Try a half-up, half-down for a romantic, flirty look, perfect for avoiding food in your hair on Turkey Day.

how to do a hair bow

Need something simpler? Gather your hair into a ponytail and wrap around twice, only pulling it halfway through your hair tie. Divide bun in half, and wrap tail down the middle. You are ready and on your way to anything from caroling to the New Year’s Eve party.

how to do hair bow bun

Position your pony lower for a sleek, elegant look, perfect for a Christmas dinner!

low bun hair bow elegant

Easy Updos You Can Totally Do Right Now

From class to classy, sometimes you need a look that will last all day. Represent grace and elegance with ‘dos that are easier than you think! These looks are the best mix of classy and low-maintenance.

Start by dividing hair into two sections: one small and one large. Tie the larger section into a low side-bun, using the other section to hide the hair tie. Throw on that sequin dress and go!

elegant easy low updo

Hide greasy hair and make a mane look thicker in minutes with this volumizing updo! Section hair and braid. Pancake the braids and start pinning! You just might be pleasantly surprised with how it turns out.

festive fishtail holiday updo

Remember that fourth-grade flip trick? Flip a few extra times and add some bobby pins. Leave them wondering how you did it!

easy low updo bun

Save It For a Rainy Day

Between rain, snow, or just plain cold this time of year, weather can be as untempered as neon box dye. Sometimes you need a quick hair solution to keep that mane tamed all day! Here’s a few looks that will stay put in any weather condition! Bad weather won’t stop your REIGN. Work it, rain or shine!

Dutch Braid hair only halfway down for a trendy take on a classic style.

pancake dutch braid ponytails

Ever tried a sock bun? Keep a sock in your purse or car for anytime your mane could use a revamp!

sock bun top knot

Hide those baby hairs or post-rainstorm damp wispies with these low buns and twisted bangs!

low twisted space buns

Messy-Bun Mastery 101

There are several ways you can execute a how-did-you-do-that messy bun! Luckily with so many methods, it doesn’t have to be trial and error on repeat. Scour the internet for tutorials to find one that works for your hair.

twisted bun hack

full top knot hack

second-day hair solution curly loose bun

All the Bells and Whistles

Ready to make a statement? If you’d like to turn heads at the next holiday party, you might want to give these stunners a go! We found a few festive looks from Pinterest that will sure catch all the oohs and ahhs.

christmas tree ribbon hair creative

winter accessories hair ideas

holly berry winter hair

Color

Icy blonde

Don’t ice out your hair color! In fact, perhaps that’s exactly what you should do! At your next hair appointment, ask your stylist about purple shampoos, gray toners, and ashy hues to execute a gorgeous winter bright white like these. Whether it’s a few subtle highlights, natural lowlights, or full blown-bleach blonde, you’ll be crowned Ice Queen!

pin straight ombre ash blonde hair

full ashy icy blonde curls

long platinum blonde curls

Oh So Cool

Cool (toned) hair doesn’t just belong to blondes! Go from stark brown to tailored taupe with the right cool-toned toner! You’ll love mixing it up without going overboard.

dark gray hair

blue gray hair

A Pop of Color

Look POPPING with an unexpected color! Any shade of maroon or those cool-toned colors we are partial to will surely festivise your ‘do!

cute plum highlights

rose gold dusty maroon hair

Shine bright like a diamond with this crystal-colored blue.

platinum ice blue hair

Celebrate the holidays in style with looks that’ll make heads turn! If you’re scouting for more hair ideas, check out our favorite products here!

Like what you see? You can learn to recreate these looks as a cosmetology student! Take a tour with us to see if The Salon Professional Academy, (TSPA) Shorewood is right for you!

{Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. For more information about our graduation rates, the median loan debt of students who completed the program and other information visit www.tspashorewood.com}

5 Things to Ask On a Beauty School Tour

When considering beauty school, taking a tour is one of the most important initial steps. Learning everything you can about the program, school, and educators prior to enrollment is the best way to make an informed decision for your future. At The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), Shorewood, we highly recommend that you schedule a tour with us before enrolling. This is the best way to get your questions answered in-person and in real-time. If you’re not exactly sure what to ask, we’ve put together a list of the top five questions to ask on a beauty school tour.

A checklist that explains questions you should ask on a tour at TSPA Shorewood.

1. Is There Financial Aid?

When it comes to getting your education, financial concerns can be a big issue. Worrying about how to pay for school is a normal roadblock for many students. It’s important to talk to us about financial aid options while on your tour. At TSPA Shorewood, we do offer financial aid to those who qualify, but you need to ask us about it to get the details! We can easily direct you to the financial aid advisor where you can discuss federal financial aid and scholarships. Our goal is to help you start your beauty education. This begins by developing a financial plan that works for you, so make sure to ask this question on your tour.

Person using a computer that says the word "scholarships" on it.

2. What Skills/Techniques Will I Learn?

You’re going to school to learn and prepare for a career, right? Asking about our cosmetology curriculum is the best way to get a feel for the skills and techniques you could walk away with. Think about what you want to do after graduation. Will TSPA Shorewood offer you the training you need to be ready for that career path? What are the benefits of learning certain beauty skills and techniques? How does TSPA Shorewood’s curriculum differ from other beauty schools? These are crucial questions to ask so you can be prepared for your educational experience at our school.

Stylist applies hair color to a blonde client.

3. How Long Will It Take to Complete the Program?

Graduating beauty school usually takes less time than attending a university or community college. However, it’s still a time commitment. Before enrolling, you need to be 100% sure that you can make the time for your education. Beauty school takes just as much hard work and dedication as any other type of secondary education. To find fulfillment during your education and a career in the beauty industry after graduation, you need to put in time and effort. Ask all the questions you need about how long the program takes to complete so you are fully aware of what you’ll be committing to.

Someone holds up a graduation cap and diploma toward the sky.

4. Is the Scheduling Flexible?

Everyone has a different schedule. You might have kids or another job to worry about, or maybe you have the time to commit to a full-time program. Whatever your situation is, you can ask us about scheduling flexibility. We offer both part-time and full-time program options for students’ convenience. Get the details about each option while on your tour. We are here to help you fit beauty school into your schedule without any added stress or hesitation!

Woman drinks coffee and looks at her phone while a calendar hovers in front of her.

5. What Kind of Career Could Cosmetology Prepare Me For?

Last, but definitely not least, ask us about what you can actually do with a cosmetology license. If you’re going to take the time, money, and energy to work hard in cosmetology school, you deserve to have a clear picture of what you’re working toward. Our friendly, knowledgeable team has many years of experience working and teaching in the beauty industry. We would be more than happy to talk to you about future career options. The beauty world is full of exciting, creative careers. Ask us about them! We can help you get a better picture of what option could be best for you.

Makeup artist with belt of tools holds a compact and brush.

Schedule Your Tour Now

Get ready for beauty school by scheduling a tour. We’d love to meet you, show you around the school, and answer any of your questions! Contact TSPA Shorewood today to set up your tour. You can also check out our cosmetology program page to learn more about what we have to offer.

Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. For more information about our graduation rates, the median loan debt of students who completed the program and other information visit www.tspashorewood.com

Why You Should Choose Cosmetology if You’re Creative

Creative people see the beauty in everything, whether it’s a tree, a flower, or a person. Studying cosmetology can be a great choice for creative people because it allows you to create beauty every single day. Whether you’re applying makeup to a client’s bare face or designing an elaborate braid, this is an industry made for creative individuals. You may be wondering what creative careers are available for cosmetologists outside of styling hair in a salon. Don’t worry– there are plenty of options! We’ve chosen five of our favorites to give you a taste of what a future in cosmetology could look like.

Makeup Artist

A job in makeup artistry can be ideal for anyone who loved art class. Brushes and products are your tools and your client’s face serves as the blank canvas. As a makeup artist, you can work at a beauty counter, in a salon, or privately for specific clients. Makeup artists are highly sought out in the wedding industry, as most brides and bridal party members want professionally done makeup for the big day. This career could provide you with a diverse clientele and various opportunities to use your creativity to try out new styles and trends!

Dark haired makeup artist applies eye makeup to dark haired woman.

Editorial Stylist

If you’ve got a love for magazines, blogs, and photo advertisements, you might love being an editorial stylist. In this position, you would be in charge of creating the makeup and/or hair looks that the models will wear in the shoot. It’s your responsibility to create looks that match the decided theme of the shoot, or pair well with the clothing the models will wear. People all over the world could potentially see your work in magazines and advertisements.

Model shooting photo with flowers gets her makeup touched up.

Theatrical/Film Stylist

Love show business and the arts? Working as a stylist for films and theater could give you the chance to work behind the scenes. From creating period-accurate hairstyles for a movie to designing dramatic makeup looks for a stage play, there is no limit to what you could create in this job. As a stylist for a production, you would likely work one-on-one with the director, costume designer, and other crew members to make sure the looks are cohesive and fit in with the production’s theme. While you’ll have a concept to work from, it’s up to you to take your creativity and run with it!

Makeup artist applies powder to actor before cameras roll.

Beauty Blogger

For the creatives who also love writing or creating videos, this could be a great option. Beauty bloggers, vloggers, and online influencers are more popular now than ever right now. Tutorials and reviews on YouTube and Instagram have become go-to resources for people who are curious about beauty. With an education in cosmetology, you could use these platforms to answer questions with authority. All you need is a camera, computer, and passion to create.

Two girls show makeup products in front of a camera.

Platform Artist

Want a job that’s part-artist, part-performer, and part-public speaker? Become a platform artist! This career could give you the chance to use your people skills and show off your creative beauty skills to a live audience. It’s a platform artist’s job to demonstrate hair, makeup, and skin care techniques to help others learn. This career choice is great for friendly, creative people who want to teach others about the latest collections, tools, techniques, trends, and methods in the beauty industry.

Demonstrating red lipstick on back of hand.

Kickstart Your Creative Future!

Do any of the above careers sound exciting to you? The first step is getting your cosmetology education! We’d love to welcome you to the family at The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA), Shorewood. Contact us today to learn about enrolling in our cosmetology program!

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