Well, it looks like I was so busy I forgot about my blog. But I now have plenty of time to update you all! So much has happened I don't know where to start. I guess we will just go back to where I left off.
As the number of days grew that I was on the floor so did my number of regular clients. Every Tuesday Margarite came in for her shampoo set, wednesday was when I saw Ethal, and Friday was always Nancy's day at the school. Not to mention I had two color retouches every month on the dot, my best friend for color every time she came to town, a walk in that loved me enough to continue to come back for a shampoo style once a week, and plenty of other services that I provided that clients liked enough to keep coming back. Some even referred their family and friends to me. I must have been doing something right. My days were packed! It made me feel good and like I was working in a salon building up clientele. I guess it won't be too difficult to rebuild my clientele in a salon if I can get so many just in school! It made me feel good about myself and other students looked up to me, which made me feel awesome.
With all these clients coming in I had a lot of practice with shampoo sets, haircutting, styling and color. We switched to a new color line at the school as well. Two days of non-stop color classes and color clients sure did tire us all out. But it was oh-so-worth it. I never learned so much about color and I really like the new line, Affinage. During the two days of color training we were given a challenge; if you got 3 color request clients, you got a free color for yourself. Well, I did it. I had 4 requests so I got to try out the new color. It looked fantastic. Not as dark as I wanted, but it was all about learning and I learned a lot. Now I know what to do different next time to get it exactly how I want it. Affinage has a pretty spectacular color line with tons of variations and fun collections. It was definitely a line I wouldn't mind sticking with in my career.
My biggest challenge came these last few months as well, the June 2012 Pin-up girl hair show. Not only was this my last big project, it was my turn to have a live model that I made over from head to toe. I had a great idea of doing Pin-up girls from working with them over and over at some of my jobs. They always look so fantastic and the creation looked so much fun. I begged Mrs. Komzack to let us make it a pin-up theme and eventually all the begging paid off! It was chosen as the theme and I was super excited! My model was my best friend Glynis. I wanted to make her a combination of a pin-up girl and Rosie the Riveter who was very popular in that era. After practicing over and over on dolls hair, I found a style that inspired me. I made a portfolio that laid out the puzzle pieces to her hair, make-up, wardrobe, and accessories. Once that was turned in it was time to practice on her. It was difficult, but we managed to pull it together in a practice run through and again the night of the show. She looked phenomenal! I didn't place that night, but I received the biggest compliments from other students and their families saying that I should have. Judge for yourself:
It was soon to be my turn. I practiced the state board practical test 4 times and received grades all over 92%. My confidence is up and I am ready for the real thing. I passed my senior final, went on my senior field trip to visit salons, wrote out my goals and tied up all my loose ends. The next big step: graduation.
August 22, 2012 at 1pm was one of my happiest moments attending TCOB. It was finally my turn to graduate. Mrs. Rivera had the countdown started over the speaker and as my mom, boyfriend, and his mom watched I ran through the tunnel to my diploma waiting on the other side! WOW! I did it! I started as a lone ranger 11 months ago, and finished as a lone ranger with a lot of skill, talent, and determination! Now I just wait for my test dates.
I have checked my email at least 100 times since I graduated for my date, even though I know it takes at least 3 days. I guess you could say I am nervous and just want to get them over with! Once I pass and have my license in hand I will wait to apply at a salon until January 1, 2013. I am expecting my first baby in October so I will stay home and do hair at home until then. No disappointment here my friends. I am a very excited mommy to be and stylist to be. I have a few places I want to look into applying and I cant wait for the day to start working in an actual salon. Watch out world! I am coming for you!
Thanks for following me as my journey has ended at TCOB. I will try to remember to pop in when things pop up! I know I made the right decision coming here even though times may have been rough here and there, but I made it. I feel confident in applying and working in the "real world." I wouldn't feel this way if it weren't for the great instructors I had. When I start a salon job I hope to see some of you as clients one day. :)
