Federico Students Attend ISSE

Federico students had the amazing chance to visit the International Salon and Spa Expo in Long Beach, California from January 30 through February 1. Students at Federico had a full schedule during the weekend, where they got the opportunity to learn about the most current spa and salon techniques. During their three day visit, they attended demonstrations, presentations, and classes for which they will receive school credit and which furthered their development as beauty professionals.

Brazilian Keratin Treatments, available in spas and salons across the country, are among the newest services available. After receiving this particular non-chemical treatment, hair will be smoother and straighter, with results lasting as many as four months. Students were certified in Brazilian Keratin Treatments after completing on-site workshops.

Through the company called Bella Donna Milan, students also became certified in Hair Lock extensions. The extensions certification curriculum imparted to our students all they will need to understand about applying, detaching, trimming, and styling extensions. Adding these skills to the list of services they will be able to provide to clients in the future provides our students with an advantage over the competition.

Demonstrations by beauty industry leaders were attended by students to learn more about styling, coloring, and cutting. Knotting, lacing, and folding techniques that showed students more creative ways to style longer hair were demonstrated by one of the leading long hair stylists in the world, Martin Parson. John Simpson presented the Color by Design class in which creative hair coloring techniques, using light and dark contrast, as well as opaque versus transparent styling were discussed. The NAHA colorist of the year was Simpson.

ISSE is about more than only acquiring the most advanced techniques and services, however. An in-depth view of the business side of the beauty industry was provided to the students. Usually the Beacon track of education that is presented by the Professional Beauty Association is only open to a very small group of beauty students who take part in an annual conference. Students were provided more of an opportunity to participate at ISSE due to a special appearance of the Beacon program. Presentations given by some industry leaders taught Federico students about the business of running a salon or spa and working as a beauty professional.

During their time in Long Beach, several beauty industry celebrities were available for the students to meet with. Tabitha Coffey was there. She is one of the original cast members of the Bravo show "Shear Genius". Coffey, who is currently the host of a new show on Bravo called "Tabitha's Salon Takeover," provided insight for her students into the business of managing a beauty salon. Current “Shear Genius” cast member Faatemah Ampey was also available, and students had an opportunity to meet with her. Ampey was emcee of ISSE as well as Fashion Forward Stylist of the Year, named by NAHA.

The opportunity to model for a wide variety of demonstrations was one of the highlights for all of our students. Demonstrations on nail art, hair bling, extensions, airbrush tanning, and waxing were available and Federico students were able to participate.

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