Hair and beauty’s knowledge and careers boost
Posted: 18 January 2019
A week of colour, creativity and new specialist knowledge has been keeping hairdressing and beauty therapy students at West Nottinghamshire College busy this week.
Industry week, which took place from 14 to 18 January at the Derby Road campus, has immersed students in a range of masterclasses, workshops and practical sessions which have been designed to introduce new skills and enthusiasm into their subjects.
Tutors organised make-up, body art and hairdressing competitions for students to experience being challenged under timed conditions. Level 2 students delivered some colourful examples of high fashion looks, while Level 3 students took the fantasy theme in body art to a new dimension, featuring mermaids, peacocks, ice queens and characters from film.
Trainee hairdressers were able to glean new cutting and colouring techniques during their competitions. A cut and restyle time challenge was supported by Francesco Group, who work alongside the college for training both staff and students.
Further skills were offered to hairdressing students through a long-hair masterclass, which gave them tips and techniques on how to create some of the latest styles for longer hair.
Beauty students were able to practice a new style of massaging using a bamboo cane. The cane replaces the therapist's hands, and is used to give a deep, firm massage. The cane is held by the therapist and rolled over the muscle with the same strokes they would use with their hands.
A prosthetics workshop was organised for students to learn the art of applying make-up and materials to recreate wounds and bruises. Some very realistic looks were produced which are often used in film and television when staging injuries on actors’ bodies.
Curriculum manager for hair, beauty and make-up artistry, Sarah Morley, said: “Employability Week is planned to advise and educate current students on all their future career plan whilst developing new skills.
“We deliver tailored sessions to all groups and levels of learners across hairdressing, beauty therapy and hair and media make-up. This helps to motivate and inform students about possible career routes whilst raising awareness of the world of work.
“We’ve seen plenty of enthusiasm in these sessions and a definite lift in confidence in a lot of our learners.”