The Glowing Melon

Alexa Chung is the poster girl for downtown chic these days, so no wonder her party look is decidedly laidback-but-cool. To get her semi-waves, curl only the lower section of hair below your cheekbones so the effect looks lived-in (not accidentally half-done) and hold the iron vertically so the waves fall back, away from the face. A dab of peach cream blush on the lips is pretty in an understated, dashed-off kind of way, especially when offset by smoky eyes, points out Stiles.













Evan Rachel Wood's finger waves are just as striking now as they were back in Gatsby’s days. Work gel through damp hair before sculpting into finger waves, pinning to the head, and heating with a diffuser to set in place, says celebrity hairstylist Garren. Then play up that ritzy-glitzy mood with metallic smoky eyes, says Stiles. Work with two shades of copper shadow, applying the lighter hue in the inner corners to make your eyes twinkle and using the darker shade at the edges for dramatic definition, recommends Stiles.









Joan Smalls' look is a little disco and diva chic. To get hair as high as Smalls', tease it from front to back then smooth it every so slightly with your hands before wrapping it into a French twist. “Keep the sides tight and smooth, but pull the top forward and up to exaggerate the volume,” says Garren. Then smoke out your eyes with layers and layers of dark shadow and mascara — when you think you’ve added enough, do one more layer.

Kirsten Dunst plays up her movie-star good looks with classic Hollywood waves, which are easy to achieve with hot rollers and a paddle brush — run the brush through curls after they’ve set to form smooth, flowing curves and mist with hairspray. Instead of the expected red lip, go for a beige shade two tones darker than your skintone (the secret to looking youthful, not washed-out) and load up on mascara to finish.


Olivia Wilde's combination of a loose bun and sleek headband creates a sexy “pouf” that’s so chic right now, says Garren. Apply a mousse or root booster to get volume and tease the hair around the crown before pulling it back into a bun with some height on top. Finish with a simple peach lip — a shade like Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Canotier casts a soft glow on all skin tones, says Stiles.



Uma Thurman's shiny ballerina bun is elegant in a timeless way. To give hair this kind of cornsilk sheen, apply a shine-enhancing serum like Redken Shine Brilliance Glass 01 Smoothing Serum before parting hair on the side and slicking it into a geometric round bun high atop the head. As for those glamorous red lips, Stiles suggests Tom Ford Beauty in Cherry Lush — the perfect red that works for any skin tone.

 
IIC Plainville offers Foundations of Makeup as a five week class that is designed with the aspiring makeup artist in mind. This class focuses on the fundamentals, tools and career-building skills necessary to be a successful professional in the industry. Each class will focus on a different look, giving students the skills to master the techniques of basic makeup application, bridal, formal and trend makeup design. Students will learn everything from evening looks to celebrity-type looks while practicing hands on with different face shapes.
 
The class includes but is not limited to the following:

• Basic makeup application
• Use of color wheels
• Appropriate concealers and foundations for different skin tones
• Client personalities and looks that work best for them
• Blemish covering-what can and can't be covered and knowing when to refer client to a dermatologist
• How to easily transition makeup from day to evening as a professional or client
• Eyelash application
• Sanitation
• Bridal and bridal party looks-tips for age appropriate makeup for parents and children
• Balance and training the eye to detail
• Seeing how work translates to film
• Color choices based on client's comfort
• Setting up makeup kit and station
• Timeless, trend and celebrity-inspired looks
• Tips and tricks from the educator

 
This class is instructed by Bobby Blumenthal who has spent over the last decade working as a makeup artist in retail environments, bridal consultations, fashion shows and with celebrity clients. Bobby is also a Cosmetology graduate of IIC!
 
The Foundations of Makeup schedule is:

• Tuesday & Wednesday 5:30pm-8:30pm

The next class starts on Tuesday, January 8th, 2013.

For more information or to schedule a campus visit, contact our Admissions Department at 860.571.0330!



 

The International Institute of Cosmetology is a Pivot Point Member School and the ONLY Pivot Point Member School in the state of Connecticut. So what, exactly, is Pivot Point? Below is some information about the international education system and what makes it stand apart from the others!



Pivot Point International, Inc. is a network of designers from around the world establishing tomorrow's top talent.

Pivot Point's international team of seasoned teachers, educators and artistic directors provide students with the exposure they wouldn't have otherwise. The methods are engaging. The techniques are one-of-a-kind. The success stories are inspirational.

Whether you're looking to pursue a career in cosmetology or aesthetics, Pivot Point's comprehensive materials provide you with the knowledge and expertise to take your skills to a higher level.

With a global network of designers, Pivot Point is the only hair and beauty education system that offers:

* Education in 13 languages in more than 70 countries
* The largest network of schools in North America
* 50 years of experience educating designers
* Advanced education to support a lifetime of learning

The ability to create, compose and design is a result of education that explains why, not just how. This is the Pivot Point Difference.

Wherever you go, whatever you want to do, a Pivot Point education opens many doors and follows you throughout your career.

Pivot Point is the learning system that thinks like a student.


[ All information presented here is the property of Pivot Point International, Inc. For more information, please visit www.pivot-point.com ]

There are so many fun and interesting facts floating around the Internet about the beauty industry these days! We thought it would be a cool idea to compile a large list of some of the best ones for you to enjoy!

* "The Cosmetology industry is steadily growing: So much so that the number of professional salon employees, 1.7 million, greatly outnumbers the number of lawyers across the U.S." (beautyschools.edu)

* "The skin care industry is a multi-billion dollar business, estimated to be worth 43 billion per year." (skincareindustrynews.com)

* "Connecticut's salon industry is a vibrant and growing industry, generating over $598 million in annual sales and providing employment opportunities for more than 8,800 individuals [in 2011]. Growth in Connecticut's salon industry outperformed the state's overall private sector in recent years in the crucial area of job creation." (probeauty.org)

* "The U.S. and Europe are the biggest markets of the [skin care] industry, accounting for over 50% of global skin care sales." (skincareindustrynews.com)

* "Of the 770,000 hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, 267,00 (35%) are self-employed." (probeauty.org)

* "The nation's salon and spa industry provides first jobs and career possibilities for individuals of all backgrounds and has a broader representation of women and minorities than the overall U.S. workforce." (probeauty.org)

* In a recent AACS Commissions National Survey, people were asked what draws them to a career in beauty and wellness. "Respondents who expressed interest in a beauty and wellness career valued the career path for its entrepreneurial qualities, the creative expression opportunities is presents, as well as the opportunity it provides to help others." They also noted "there will always be a need for beauty and wellness professionals." (probeauty.org)

* "Regardless of the tough economic times, there are still many Americans who consider beauty treatments - such as highlights, manicures and facials - absolute necessities. People would obviously prefer to to cut costs somewhere else." (jobs.aol.com)

Here at the International Institute of Cosmetology located in both Wethersfield and Plainville, Connecticut, our students become members of the Professional Beauty Association/National Comsetology Association (PBA/NCA) as soon as they become enrolled! That is because the owners of IIC graciously pay for students' membership while they are actively enrolled as students. As student members of the PBA/NCA, there are so many benefits that each student enjoys! After a student graduates, students are given the option to keep up with their memberships for a monthly fee, and can even get medical benefits and health insurance through them once they become licensed cosmetologists and certified aestheticians.

Here is a breakdown of just some of the benefits associated with a PBA/NCA membership. All information provided below is the copyrighted property of probeauty.org.

Why Be A Member?

PBA Professionals (NCA Section)

PBA is committed to supporting beauty professionals as they progress in their careers while striking a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. Any beauty professional, whether working for a salon/spa or as an independent contractor, is eligible to join PBA's Beauty Professional Section. Currently enrolled cosmetology students are also welcome to join this section.

Beauty professional members benefit from:

* Access to resources to enhance their careers, including discounts at many of the best-known advanced academies; scholarships; access to internationally recognized CIDESCO certification and educational programs; and opportunities to compete in the international Organisation Mondiale Coiffure bi-annual competition.

* Some benefits include complimentary subscriptions to American Salon Magazine, NCA Now, PBA Progress and The Washington Update and discounts to other industry and consumer publications; discounts at Sally Beauty Supply; 10% discount on T-Mobile service charges; savings at FedEx Kinkos; major medical and liability insurance through Abbey Insurance Services; and quality dental coverage thourhg DentalPlans.com.

PBA works hard to represent the interests of salon and spa professionals. Members are encouraged to get involved in PBA's efforts to make a difference for the entire industry.

PBA produces and partners with events and educational opportunities throughout the year. Members receive free admission to the International Salon and Spa Expo Long Beach and Midwest, IBS New York and Las Vegas, IECSC New York and Las Vegas, and INsalon St. Paul. Discounted member pricing is offered for tuition to PBA Symposium, entrance fees and tickets to the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) and the Legends & Icons Gala.