A new report spells good news for licensed estheticians in the spa industry! The report from the International SPA Association found that spa revenue in the U.S. grew 4.5% to $13.4 billion at the end of 2011 from a year earlier. The study also found a significant increase in the number of spa visits and the number of full-time employees compared to the previous year.

Once you graduate from beauty school comes the next big step – building your clientele. Talk to any newly licensed cosmetologist and they’ll tell you it’s one of the biggest challenges of starting a career in the beauty industry. The good news is there are many inexpensive resources out there you can use to help reach out to potential new clients and keep your existing clients.

The new location of Salon Success Academy & Spa in Corona, California officially opened its door on Tuesday! The beauty school boasts flexible night classes, new equipment, and a high-end salon and spa. Students and staff were very excited for the new school’s opening. The day kicked off with a tour of the new building, followed by a meeting to introduce the new staff members.

Cosmetology school shouldn’t be the last time a cosmetologist steps inside a classroom. Part of being a successful cosmetologist is being dedicated to mastering your skills. Fortunately, there are many options for classes out there where you can become trained in the latest hair trends. Think of it as an investment in yourself and your career that will pay dividends in the long run!

Last week we shared some of our favorite Halloween YouTube tutorials with you. This week we have some equally impressive makeovers to show you which were all styled by the talented students at Salon Success Academy! Students styled spooky Halloween makeovers on their classmates, then submitted photos of their work through the Salon Success Academy Page on Facebook.

Don’t spend $50 for a Halloween costume in a bag that someone else will be wearing this year! Why not have fun and get creative with your Halloween hair and makeup so you really stand out? If you’re still looking for inspiration for your Halloween costume this year, the Beauty Buzz has rounded up the best Halloween makeup tutorials from YouTube.

Fall is here! It’s time to update your wardrobe, but why not update your entire look? A new, fresh hairstyle could be exactly what you need to fall forward into autumn. Here’s a breakdown of the hottest fall hair trends this season and tips on how to recreate them. Blunt Bangs – The bang trend is nothing new, but the look has taken a sharp turn this fall!

Clients, both male and female, take their hair color very seriously. That’s why they’ll shell out big money at the salon to get that perfect hair color they desire. Because hair coloring is a costly service, it can be very profitable to become a hair color specialist. Here are some steps to follow if you want to become a hair color specialist.

After you graduate from Salon Success Academy, the only thing standing in your way of becoming a licensed cosmetologist is your state board licensing exam. Once you’ve passed your exam, you’ll be ready to practice cosmetology and become a true professional in the beauty industry! We’re giving you our top 10 tips to pass your exam!

There’s another change coming to the State Board exam that you need to know about! The use of live models has been eliminated for candidates taking the licensing exam. Starting on March 1, students will have to bring a mannequin head with at least 6 inches of hair all the way around the head to the exam.