Hey all! Excitement is building here in the salon as there are only 4 weeks left until our 12mth students finish up! They had their creative restyle and upstyle models in last week, all i can say is WOW…amazing.. ! Pics will be uploaded soon to our website www.hairdressing.ie and our facebook page, have a look! Trend vision is coming up in a few wks in Dub, really looking forward to that, esp as one of our students is one of the models!! Very excited to see all the work on the day…

Starting 10th May 2010, apprentices can achieve their City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma on a part time basis with the College of Hairdressing, Connaught. Training will take place on Mondays so apprentices/hairdressers will be able to continue working full time. The City & Guilds NVQ in Hairdressing has recently been approved by the Trades Recognition Authority in Australia. If you require any further information contact 091 846839 or email info@hairdressing.ie.

The College of Hairdressing, Connaught has started all its new students on the newly designed Diploma in Hairdressing. City & Guilds have decided to remove Perming as a mandatory unit which makes the course more relevant to current requirements in Hair salons.  Perming enjoyed its most popular period in the  1980’s but has seen a steady decline since then and is required now as a service by very few salons. Because of this it became increasing difficult for students to attain clients to complete their assessments in perming.  This unit has now been removed and styling and setting has taken the focus that perming once enjoyed. This change has been greeted enthusiastically by hairdressers who were encouraging students to pursue their qualifications on a part time or full time basis at the College of Hairdressing, Connaught.  Phase 1 which covers 5 modules in the Diploma will take place over 15 weeks and will start in April in Galway. Phase 2 will start in the College’s Satellite centre in Castlebar in March. Further details can be obtained by contacting the College of Hairdressing, Connaught at 091 846839.

As the representative organisation for the hairdressing profession in Ireland, the IHF, for an organisation of its relative size, provides a very extensive service to its members. These services include representation, advisory, networking and support, training/educational, competitions, social events and discount schemes. These services are not limited to Ireland, but take account of worldwide events and development within the profession.

The fees paid to the IHF by its members are used to fund normal office costs, auditing of accounts, advertising and website costs and expenses associated with National Executive meetings. The Federation employs one part-time secretary. Salary or fees are not paid to any member of the Executive Committee all of whom give their time on a voluntary basis. The members’ fees are not used to finance any social or competition events organised by the Federation. In other words the fees are purely used in the service of the membership as a whole. The finances of the IHF are independently audited each year, and these accounts are open to inspection by any current member at each year’s AGM.

Membership runs from January to December of each year. As a subscription to a professional body, this fee is allowable as a business expense in your end-of-year accounts. The IHF continues to work vigorously to strengthen the voice of the Federation itself and salon members are encouraged to join. Futher information can be found on www.irishhairfed.com.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays can now be spent at the College of Hairdressing, Connaught attaining the qualifications you have always wanted. Successful participants on this 4 month course (starting March 2010) will attain a City & Guilds certicate in Cutting, Colour & Consultation. Many hairdressers are interested in travelling so this is the perfect opportunity to consolidate skills learnt with an international qualification in hairdressing.Participants will be registered for the Level 2 NVQ Diploma (3008) in Hairdressing and will have up to 5 years to complete the Diploma if they so wish.

Many people may not know that warts which are smooth or rough can often be seen on the scalp.  They are caused by a virus called HPV in the epidermis and can last for up to two years if not treated. They can be infectious when damaged so it is recommended that you proceed with extreme care if you notice them on a client’s scalp. Hairdressers who have warts on their hands are well advised to have them removed. Over the counter treatments tend not to be as effective and infection tends to return. Removal of warts can be arranged through your local doctor.

Visiting clients to your salon may have different hair and scalp conditions. While the client may not know they have the condition it is important for you as a hairdresser to be able to recognise these conditions as in the the case of infectious conditions the condition could be spread between clients. If a hairdresser is certain the condition is infectious they must inform the client tactfully and in a manner that ensures the client will not be too embarassed to come back again. No service may be given and advice to client on appropriate treatment should be given.Over the coming weeks we will examine different infectious conditions  and how to recognise them.  

IMPETIGO

This is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. it is commonly seen on the face and scalp. The bacteria invade the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, causing small blisters filled with clear liquid to occur. The liquid thickens and a yellow crusty scab appears. it is highly infectious and can be spread directly by touch or inderectly on tools or towels. On the scalp you may simply see tiny yellow posthules. No service should be given.

Ref: Foundation Hairdressing by Philip Hatton

While we are looking forward to Christmas and the Festivities ahead some of us may be thinking of a new career. This has been a difficult year for many who have lost their jobs and now may be the opportunity to pursue a completely different career. The College of Hairdressing Connaught has the perfect solution for those considering a career in hairdressing. Hairdressing Foundation Nightclasses start on the 12th January from 5.30 to 8.30pm. This 10 week course covers shampooing, blowdrying, setting and colour application. The cost is €285, with a €50 discount if full payment received by the college by the 23rd December 09. This course will be followed immediately in March by a 20 week course - Group 2 nightclasses in Cutting and Colouring providing the perfect base for those who want to pursue a career in hairdressing.For further details contact 091 846839.

Professional Image

Image is the pivotal focus for Hairdressing. Each hairstylist and salon will seek to project an image, which will relate to a particular type of clientele.This will usually be shown by the appearance and manner of the hairstylist, together with the style of hairdressing produced. Each salon will have an image which will focus on a specific segment of the market and will be quite clearly defined, whether it be by the salon décor, façade, atmosphere or a combination of all three.

Other salons will have a professional image, which will be attractive to a wider market segment in terms of gender and age. Hair salons must acknowledge the importance of its appeal to a wide market to ensure it is not being pigeon holed into a particular market segment. For example an ultra modern salon may appeal to a young market but may be offputting to the older consumer. In a recession the younger market is more likely to change due to redundancies or emmigration, hence it is vital to have an appeal to as many people as possible. 

The College of Hairdressing’s satellite centre in Castlebar will open again on the 1st February with a Foundation Cutting Course. This basic hair cutting course will take place over the 4 Mondays in February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd February. This course is perfect for those wishing to learn the basics of cutting hair. All the work is done on a mannequin head and students will learn about head shapes, holding the scissors, the one length cut and basic layer. There are only 10 places on this course so early booking is required. Contact the College of Hairdressings course booking office at 091 846839 for further details.