Advanced Beauty School of Cosmetology student Bich Grames prepares fellow student Dawn Nuyen for a facial massage, April 26. The beauty school, located at 3650 S. Decatur Blvd., offers cosmetology and hair design classes. Photos by SHELLY DONAHUE/VIEW
Advanced Beauty School of Cosmetology student Toni Thomas practices hair design on her mannequin, April 26. Students offer a variety of spa services as part of their schooling, including facials, haircuts, waxing and manicures.
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The Advanced Beauty School of Cosmetology hosted its grand opening in late April with owner Mike Minh, County Commissioner Susan Brager and an entire school full of students.
According to Donna Jardim, the school's receptionist, the institution actually opened on March 13, but now is able to start offering beauty services to the public. All treatments will be performed by students, and the school offers full-service hair, skin and nail options. There are 50 students enrolled in the school.
"Our advanced classes are coming, so we can house the beauty school dropouts," joked instructor Erich Michael. "These kids, most of them, work at spas already. They're just coming to revamp their skills."
"We're going to start working on customers," said senior skin care student Rose Silberia. "Now, we can put all of our practice to use. I have to study seriously to know how the largest organ in your body works."
The Advanced Beauty School offers hair students European sinks to work with, and the skin care students use Helga Van Dyke Skincare products.
"I use them myself, and they're awesome," Silberia said.
"We're probably exclusive with that product," Michael said. "These are high-end products for a beauty school."
Other services the school offers include regular and machine facials, haircuts, coloring, braiding, waxing, manicures, acrylic nails and nail art.
"The most expensive service we have is $65," said Melissa Marenco, a freshman student in the skin care program. "I don't think a lot of people know that we're so (inexpensive)."
Every Wednesday is senior discount day, and the regular price for a haircut is $9, or $8 for a manicure. Facials start at $15. A sign in the "spa cosmetique" room, as it is called in the school, shows the word "welcome" written in different languages, representing the students' different nationalities.
There are 10 hair stations, and an entire wall's length is lined with European sinks to ensure that no one is left waiting for a rinse.
"He's really worked hard to get this school open," Michael said of Minh. "We come with a lot of experience. It's time to nurture."
Michael, for example, is armed with more than 40 years of experience in the industry and is licensed to practice in Seattle, Mexico, London, California and Las Vegas.
The school offers training in makeup application, skin care, hair design, nail care and consulting. Transfer students are able to attend the school at a reduced cost, provided they can demonstrate they have the background necessary to complete the required curriculum.
The Advanced Beauty School of Cosmetology is located at 3650 S. Decatur Blvd. and can be reached at 320-4315.
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