How-To’s

5 Characteristic Traits That Lead To Salon Success

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

A successful career in Cosmetology is only half of the battle when it comes to achieving and maintaining salon success.  TSPA Appleton’s beauty school program is designed to train students for much more than passing the state boards. We develop the entire salon professional with great technical ability, business & marketing training, and the guest handling skills that are in high demand by top salons and spas. However, while all those traits are super important let’s dive into 5 Character Traits that can lead salon professionals to great success.

  1. Determination– Determination is the force or drive one has when they want to achieve their goals and dreams. With long hours, rotating schedule, competitive market, product sales, building and maintaining a steady clientele, cosmetology is not for the faint of heart. It’s extremely important to make sure that focus and determination are key elements in helping you achieve your short term goals and eventually long term goals.
  2. Listening– Being a successful hairstylist means listening to your clients in more ways than one. Active listening is extremely important but so is being aware of your client’s body language. Noticing visual cues can help you know what your clients’ needs and expectations are.
  3. Creativity– Cosmetology is a creative field where clients are able to rely on their stylist’s options to help them make important decisions when it comes to their looks. Being someone who is creative you are able to find beauty in almost everything and in turn, this allows you to create beauty every single day by working with new innovative techniques.
  4. Confidence– A key ingredient in having your own happiness and success depends largely on how confident you are. Self-confidence is all about believing that you have the power within yourself to be and do whatever you set your mind too. As you enter the beauty industry, remember that a successful beauty artist is a journey, not a sprint. All you need is experience and willingness to grow. “The key to your own success and happiness lies within.” – Jon Gonzales
  5. Passion– As a beauty artist, hair and body becomes your canvas. Your love for creating beautiful work comes from the tools that are taught and combined with numerous influences that create a masterpiece. You cannot put a price on the joy that one feels after you create a lasting change that helps them feel beautiful inside and out. Without passion, there is no purpose and no life in the masterpiece that was created.

5 Simple Valentines Day Hair Styles

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

 

Valentine’s Day is almost here which means it is time to plan out what you will wear and of course how your hair will look. It is no surprise here at The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton we LOVE hair. As we are gearing up for Valentine’s Day our students are hard at work preparing for the day of love the only way we know how, by focusing on our favorite simple hairstyles. Whatever your routine style is or whether you want to incorporate a completely different look, let’s chat about our top 5 Simple Valentine’s Day Hair Styles that will suit whatever your plans might be.

 

 

  1. Knot Your Average Pony-This look is a pony turned into the cutest bow that will have you looking ready for any occasion.

2.  Pearls are Always Appropriate –

3. Love is in the Hair-Are you on the hunt for the perfect simple braided hairstyle? This look feels effortless, romantic and chic.

4. Tied with a Bow-An effortless hairstyle is one that’s tied with a bow. Curly hair or not, this simple style has you leaving the house looking classy.

5. Everyday Beauty-A combination of a ponytail and braid make this style one that is unique and creative. A Valentine’s Day look or everyday wear, this simple style is one that catches the attention of others.

Contact The Salon Professional Academy Appleton to book your Valentine’s Day Style today! Call 920.968.0433 ext 124. We cant wait to see you
{{All Services are preformed under the supervision of licensed educators}}

Halloween Makeup Spooktacular

Written by TSPA Appleton on in Cosmetology, Events, How-To's

Your pumpkins have been picked and carved, your house has been decorated with fake spider webs and spiders, but have you chosen what you will be for Halloween? Halloween is the time of year where you can be anything you want to be. If you are looking for some fun Halloween-esque inspiration, look no further TSPA Appleton’s very talented student artist, Alyssa,  will show us some easy to recreate but fun looks to make this years Halloween Costume come to life.

Here are two Halloween makeup looks you can create using your favorite makeup products.

 

1. Spider

Fix your eyes upon this stellar 3D Halloween spider makeup look! This Pinterest inspired look was created by Alyssa who achieved made the spider come to life by creating some detailed shadowing, an expertly applied concealer and eyelid primer to insure that these spider legs popped!

What you’ll need:

  • Light Foundation (or foundation that makes your skin tone)
  • Either Orange or Purple Eye Shadow
  • Black Eyeliner
  • White Face Paint
  • Black Face Paint
  • Black Eye Shadow

Alyssa recommends that you use eyelid primer to insure that your eye shadows will be as pigmented as possible (note: dont set with anything, you want this look to be as tacky as possible.) She used James Charles Morphy palette as the eyelid color and used face paint which could be substantiated for eyeliner. She then used eye shadow to create the shadows to make spider leg illusions.

2. The Stitched Face Doll

Here we’ve got the Stitched Face Doll,  this intricate look is for those of you who are wanting something a little less creepy but something that is easy to throw together last min.

What you’ll need:

  • Light Foundation (or foundation that matches your skin tone)
  • Brown Eyeliner
  • Black Eyeliner
  • White Face Paint
  • Medium Shade Eye Shadow  (brown)
  • Black Eye Shadow

 

To achieve the Stitched Doll Face look Alyssa suggests first applying primer and foundation that matches your particular skin tone. Once your foundation has been evenly applied you can start drawing on the lines of where the splits would be on the face. To draw these most effectively use a eyebrow pencil and fill in using eyeliner or the eyebrow pencil. Use that same eyebrow pencil to draw the stitches over the lines. Shade each side of the line to make it look 3D. Fill in the stitches using white face paint and then once dried go went back over where the holes would go on the and used a black eyes shadow. To finish this look out, go in with dark brown eye shadow and underline the stitches to make the looked raised. Then go back through and added highlight to the stitches to make them stand out.

 

Meet The Artist:

“Art has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was a little girl I told myself I was going to be an artist. As I got older, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my talents, I had tossed around a few ideas that never really went anywhere. It wasn’t until I came to TSPA that I found my true calling. Attending TSPA has shown me I am at the right school and on the right path to success. Whether its on a canvas, skin, or hair I loving being creative. My goal after I graduate is to move to the west coast and work for movies as a special effects make up artist. I would love to own my own salon and have my artwork displayed throughout  the place to showcase my love for art. Being a cosmetology student has taught me so many things  beyond just hair techniques and has pushed me to strive for the best version of myself. ” -Alyssa B

Please check out Alyssa’s Art page on Facebook  @vrt.by.vlyssv  and Instagram @vrt.by.vlyssv

 

 

 

17 Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas Almost Anyone Can Master

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

Can’t think of a costume? Look in your makeup bag! Whether you want to go glamorous or ghostly, these Halloween makeup looks have got you covered.

 

Mermaid

Who knew you could create realistic mermaid fins using a fishnet stocking and a colorful eye shadow palette?

 

Zombie

Do you have a tube of red lipstick and some black eye shadow? If so, then this look is very achievable.

 

Vampire

Vamp it up with this blacked-out smoky eye and red lip. Finish the look with a temporary vampire-bite tattoo and fake blood. Throw on a simple black outfit and you’re ready to go.

 

Half Skull

All you’ll need is a palette of black and white face paint and a precision makeup brush.

 

Scarecrow

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Create a cute scarecrow look and go as the character from The Wizard of Oz.

 

Graffiti

Haven’t you always wanted to just mess around with all of your makeup? Well, for this costume, you can—say that you’re graffiti!

 

Cleopatra

If you have gold accessories and dark hair, dress up as Cleopatra this Halloween and pair it with this makeup look.

 

Lioness

Get fierce with this super simple lioness look. Master this Halloween makeup look with a golden smoky eye, a bit of highlighter and shimmery bronzer, and a crisp cat nose and lip.

 

1920’s Flapper

Take this classic last-minute costume up a notch with historically accurate makeup. The old-school smoky eye and wine-stained lips are an easy way to create this look.

 

Barbie

Got a blonde wig and a hot pink outfit? You might want to give this Halloween makeup look a try. Simply slap on a showstopping lip gloss and recreate Barbie’s iconic eyelashes.

 

Batman

Get superhero chic with this Batman look. A yellow smoky eye and a bit of face paint is all that stands between you and this simple Halloween makeup look.

 

Harley Quinn

Take a cue from Suicide Squad and head out as Harley Quinn.

 

Pop Art

This Halloween makeup idea is fun, creative, and can be paired with a colorful outfit that you already own.

 

Poison Ivy

Grab a palette of green shadows and give this look a try. Finish the costume with a red wig and a green frock and you’ll be the most well-dressed villainess at the party.

 

Giraffe

Complete your costume as your favorite safari animal with this simple and fun Halloween makeup look. Put your hair up in two elongated buns at the top of your head to represent horns.

 

Deer

Whether you want to call yourself Bambi or the Snapchat filter, this is a simple costume you can throw together at the last minute.

 

Rainbow Fish

Model your Halloween look after one of the most stunningly illustrated children’s books of all time. This look is as unique as it is recognizable.

If you need some assistance with these looks, contact us to schedule an appointment! Our student stylists and makeup artists would love to help you achieve these looks! Contact us at 920-968-0433 to schedule an appointment. If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about the programs offered at The Salon Professional Academy, located at 3355 W. College Ave. Appleton, WI. visit our website here.

 

 

 

How To Use Dry Shampoo

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

Whether your roots start to get shiny after a couple days (or what feels like hours!) without a shampoo, everybody’s hair eventually gets greasy. Enter dry shampoo, a miracle product that saves time and adds style. But what is dry shampoo? Redken Artist Brittany VanDyke says, “it’s simply powders in aerosol form that can absorb greasiness and give you texture.”

WHO SHOULD USE DRY SHAMPOO?

chocolate brunette haircolor with subtle highlights

Not everyone needs dry shampoo, but everyone can benefit from using it. If you’re looking to prolong the time in between shampoos, it’s definitely for you. It can also be used as a styling tool.

“Dry shampoo eliminates odor and oil, but it also helps to add body to the hair so even if it’s not oily, you can still use dry shampoo on day two or three or four of not shampooing just to revitalize the hair,” says Redken Artist Adina Doss.

Fun Fact: Sales of dry shampoo skyrocketed around 2011, but it’s actually been around since the Victorian era. Rumor has it, Marie Antoinette used perfume-laced powder in her hair to get her signature bouffant-styled up do.

HOW DO I USE DRY SHAMPOO?

Hold the dry shampoo at least six-inches from hair, about the length of the can, so the product isn’t concentrating on one spot. For more texture, blast hair with a blow dryer to move the dry shampoo around scalp, then add styling products over the dry shampoo to give hair a revamp.

Using Redken’s Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo or Pillow Proof Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair, which is tinted, make small vertical parts in hair and spray the shampoo on each section, Doss advises.

Doss also mentions that often people don’t use dry shampoo correctly either.

“It’s so misused it’s not even funny,” she says. “People don’t use enough of it they kind of spray it around hitting only their part line that people see the most, but one of the keys to using it is that you take small sections and spraying each section to full saturation.”

The fresh scent will make hair feel freshly washed, and the matte finish will give it a nice refresh.

WHEN SHOULD I USE DRY SHAMPOO?

Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender helps to absorb oil and maintain hairstyles.

Dry shampoo can also be used proactively as well. Spritz your roots with some dry shampoo before going to bed to get ahead of any grease.

“Stop the grease before it starts,” says VanDyke. Put on dry shampoo the night after a fresh blow dry or flat iron. If I put it in at night and sleep in it, my hair absorbs the dry shampoo better.”

CAN I USE DRY SHAMPOO FOR VOLUME AND STYLING?

Absolutely! Dry shampoo can also add dimension to hair. VanDyke uses the Pillow Proof Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo for Brown Hair when styling up-dos and creating braids to darken the sides of the scalp that are often more visible in these styles.

“Spray it on really lightly and it kind of fills in those gaps and gives you a thicker appearance,” she says.

HOW MUCH DRY SHAMPOO IS TOO MUCH DRY SHAMPOO?

Make no mistake, dry shampoo can definitely be overused. It’s easy to get spray happy, especially when you’re feeling greasier than normal. While, Pillow Proof is not going to weigh hair down, it will build up after multiple uses throughout the week, in which case adding a cleansing cream is important.

“Try the Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo once a week to clear everything off your hair and your scalp,” VanDyke says.

All in all, dry shampoo is an absolute must-have for anyone who needs a few extra minutes in the morning (so…pretty much everyone). 

Next time you visit The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton, ask your student stylist about dry-shampoo and how to use it in your hair.

Prices may vary depending on student level and products used; All services performed by students under the supervision of licensed educators. For more information on services offered please visit www.tspaappleton.com/guest-services/. Make an appointment today!

 

What Is Purple Shampoo Used For?

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

All blondes know that finding that perfect blonde shade takes time, money, and a commitment to keeping the color as fresh as when you left the salon. That’s where the beauty of purple shampoo comes in.

Purple shampoo is an absolute necessity for blondes to use in between hair coloring sessions as it easily helps keeps your blonde beautiful.

WHAT IS PURPLE SHAMPOO?

RK 18_Blondage_Pinned Posts22.jpg

Purple shampoo is just that—a shampoo with purple pigments that helps to keep undertones at bay. Think of it as your at-home toner that helps to beat brass.

The concept of purple shampoo might sound a little crazy to the blonde newbies, but ask any tried and true blonde and they’ll tell you it’s a must-have for keeping hair looking strong and bright.

WHY IS PURPLE SHAMPOO NECESSARY FOR BLONDE HAIR?

RK 18_Blondage_Pinned Posts3.jpg

Those of us with blonde hair need purple shampoo because of how the hair is lightened in the first place. According to Redken Artist Adina Doss “When I lift a client’s hair (colorist speak for lightening), there is an undertone that comes up, which I like to call ‘raw blonde.’ To get my clients to a richer, more quality blonde, I add a color treatment called a toner, specifically Redken’s Shades EQ, to eliminate any undesired undertones, whether that color is yellow or yellow-orange or even a reddish undertone.”

Those undertones can come out when the colorist applies a toner, but you may find they start to appear between color services as the toner fades. Insert the need for a purple shampoo to adjust tone at home!

Redken Artist Jaclyn Harwood says that these undertones can also be caused by things like sun, hard water or heat styling. For this reason, purple shampoo is not just for color-treated blondes. Natural blondes need it, too, Harwood says. In fact, those who’ve been jumping on the unicorn hair trend of purples and blue in their hair can also benefit from purple shampoo to help keep violet hues from fading.

Salon Tip: When a colorist lightens your hair, he or she should always use a toner as a step in the coloring process. Doss says this is a non-negotiable—so don’t be afraid to ask for it during your next service!

BUT, WHY IS PURPLE SHAMPOO PURPLE?

RK 18_Blondage_Pinned Posts20.jpg

“If you think of a color wheel, as basic as it sounds, whatever color you want to cancel out is directly across from it,” Doss says. “Directly across from yellow is purple. So, the purple helps eliminate the unwanted yellow colors from the hair.”

“It’s almost like a way to brighten the color to a cooler tone,” Harwood says. “So, if the hair has a little bit of a yellow tone, a pigmented purple shampoo is going to neutralize that warmth.”

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE PURPLE SHAMPOO?

RK 18_Blondage_Pinned Posts29.jpg

Keep in mind that purple shampoo does not replace your regular shampoo and should only be used once or twice a week. Doss warns that there is such a thing as too much purple.

“When you eliminate too much yellow, it visually ends up darker and a lot of people don’t want it to look darker,” she says. “So if you wash your hair twice a week, use the purple shampoo only once a week to keep the hair bright but not yellow.”

Harwood also adds that purple shampoo can be mixed with regular shampoo to add some of the violet pigment into a regular hair cleansing routine without any risk of going overboard.

Redken’s Color Extend Blondage, available in May 2018, is formulated with a Triple Acid Protein complex—amino, citric and maleic acids and wheat protein—that neutralizes unwanted undertones and helps strengthen hair’s cuticles while battling brass and keeping blondes bright

 Hot Tip: Aren’t sure which products best fit your regular haircare routine? Use the Hair Diagnostic Tool to find out! 

To schedule an appointment with one of our student stylists, please contact us at 920-968-0433. Visit our website at www.tspaappleton.com to see a menu of services.

The Salon Professional Academy is located at 3355 W. College Ave. Appleton, WI 54914

4 Easy Back To School Hairstyles

Written by TSPA Appleton on in How-To's

Can you believe it? September is here and we hope to ease the transition from summer to school with these 4 Back To School Hairstyles that all you girls could easily pull together. These hairstyles put a little twist to your usual hair up or down for the first week (and all the other weeks!) of school.

Let’s get started!

#1 Loose Beach Waves

1. Section your hair into two ponytails.

2. Start taking small sections of your ponytail and curl your hair with a curling wand.

3. Once all of your hair has been curled, take your ponytails out and give it a brush.

4. Add some Redken Quick Tease texturizing spray and backcomb your hair for more volume.

5. OPTIONAL– Add your favorite hair accessory!

 

#2 The French Braid

1. Take some hair at the top and separate it into three equal sections left, middle and right.

2. Take the left section, cross it over the middle one and combine it with the right section.

3. Take the right section, cross it over the middle and combine it with the left section.

4. And again, take the left section and cross it over the middle one, combining it with the right section. And you’ve mastered the technique! It may seem a tad confusing at first but with lots of practice, you’ll become a French braiding guru. Add more hair from the right, cross it over the middle. Add more hair from the left, cross it over the middle – so easy!! Continue this pattern all the way down.

A helpful tip would be to get a mirror to check the back from time to time.

5. Once you reach the nape of your neck, bring your hair to one side and finish off with a three strand braid.

6. OPTIONAL – Take a small piece of hair from the tail of your french braid and wrap it around your hair tie to create a clean look, secure with a bobby pin behind the ponytail.

 

#3 The Dutch Braid Ponytail

1. Separate your hair to create a part.

2. Start creating a French Dutch braid down the side of your head towards the back, and tie with a small elastic.

3. Pull all your hair, including the braid, into a low ponytail in the back.

4. Take the piece of hair within the ponytail, and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to cover your hair tie and secure with a bobby pin.

5. Don’t worry if pieces around your face are falling out – it adds to the effortless look!

And ta da!

 

#4 Dutch + French Braid Combo

1. Gather the top area of your hair and create a Dutch braid with it.

2. Gather a smaller bunch of hair on the left side of the Dutch braid you’ve just created and braid a French braid.

3. Repeat Step two on the right side of your Dutch braid.

VOILA! That’s all you need to do! How simple is that?

Do you have a passion for hair and would like to learn more about becoming a professional stylist? Our Admissions team is available and happy to assist with any questions you may have. Contact us HERE.

Financial Aid and Scholarships may be available to those who qualify. For more information about our graduation rates, the median loan debt of students who completed the program and other information visit www.tspaappleton.com.

The Salon Professional Academy is located at 3355 W. College Ave. Appleton, WI 54914.