If you want to look your best from head to toe then it should not be hard in Cayman with all the beauty salons out there offering different treatments.

But beauty salons are not just about turning out pretty faces they also provide employment and with such a demand for beauty services it would seem that  a beauty school to train people locally would be an advantage, at the moment salon owners either have to train up girls themselves or recruit overseas. It has been a number of years since there was a school on island but salon owner Anmarie Logan has decided to change that and she will open Annie’s School of Beauty Art and Technology in September.

Anmarie has been operating her own beauty salon,Annie’s beauty salon, since 1987 and over the years has trained many girls in beauty skills. She believes that it is not cost effective for small salons to be hiring employees from overseas and also she wants to give Caymanians a start up in what can be a very satisfying career. She explains, “The cost of personnel can account for up to 80% of the cost of operating the salon.  Take into account work permit fees, accommodation costs, airline tickets, and it can rack up a significant chunk off the  revenue for a business.” But it is not just about economics it is also about helping the local community. “What has inspired me is that we are helping more Caymanians into the cosmetology field, they live here, they know the culture. I think its a brilliant idea for all the salons in Cayman.”

For those who might not have considered cosmetology Anmarie says it can be a very rewarding career you get to meet all sorts of people and make them feel look and feel better.

She points out that it can lead to all sorts of exciting opportunities. “Cosmetologists are needed for a number of special occasions like; weddings, proms, movie sets, dance competitions, modelling and so on. People like Miss Cayman, are reliant upon people in the beauty industry. When Miss Cayman is representing her country she needs her own professional stylist and makeup artist to enhance her appearance and show her in the best possible light.” Film sets are another area where the special skills of a cosmetologist are needed. Anmarie says, “Film directors like Frankie Flowers need cosmetologists on set to  get their actors and actresses appearances right for movie scenes. Selita Ebanks is another person who uses makeup and hair artists on a regular basis to make her presentable for all her photoshoots.”

Anmarie stresses that the courses are not just for women, and that men can also apply as there is an increased need for barbers on the island.

What the courses involve

To get a place on the course you are simply required to take an entrance test, however no other qualifications are necessary. The Level one course lasts for six months and is particularly useful as you do hands on work in an actual salon. Students will learn the theory of chemicals and their effect on hair, skin texture, hair texture, different shades of colour and application. In conjunction with learning the theory aspects of cosmetology, students will also get the chance to practice on live models half way through the course as they have the option to do work experience.

To pass the course students must complete 1000 hours of practical work along with passing a final written exam.  Certified instructors from the Heart Institute of Jamaica will visit to mark the final written exam. If a student is successful in this course they will become a certified cosmetologist and can apply to any salon on island, or overseas.

If after the student finishes the first six month course and wishes to further their studies, Annies school of Beauty offers a level two course which is advanced classes/new techniques.  This course is tailored more to specific areas of cosmetology. Such as advanced make-up techniques, advanced cutting and styling, etc. After a student has completed the second course, they can even go on to attain their bachelors or masters. 

Areas of study for the six month course include:

Shampooing.

Relaxing.

Pressing.

Curling.

Finger waving.

Marcel waving.

Braiding.

Weaving.

Styling.

Scalp Treatment.

Tip and Acrylic.

Manicuring.

Makeup and many more.