Beauty is big business in Southern California, from chic specialty salons to fashionable spas. With beauty shops opening everywhere, from the mall to Main Street, 69 percent of California salon owners who attempted to hire new employees in 2006 said they were unable to find properly-trained applicants*. This means that jobs are immediately available for salon professionals.

Whether it's manicurist, esthetics, or hairdressing, these careers are a West Coast fashionista's dream, the rare profession with good job opportunities in which you're also rewarded for fashion and design sense. The profession has high job satisfaction, because, as one cosmetologist said, "Your client walks in feeling unattractive, and leaves looking radiant and renewed." Clients are loyal to their hairdresser, as they become a confidante while shampooing, cutting, or polishing nails. It's an occupation that allows you to continually upgrade and refine your skills to meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

According to the United States Department of Labor, employment of hairdressers, hair stylists, cosmetologist, and skin care specialists is expected to grow up to 20 percent through the year 2010, and employment of manicurists and pedicurists is expected to increase 35 percent over this same period. Other high-demand opportunities in beauty include esthetician, hair color specialist, spa or salon owner, hair color, make-up artist, and more.

It's crucial for professionals in this field to earn their license along with having the expertise to advance their careers. Attending a top-notch beauty academy will prepare you both in theory and practice to reach your potential in this challenging and rewarding industry. Nail technicians, for example, can learn not only basics like disinfectant and sanitation standards, but also about the most current procedures in sculptured nails, and fills, tips, and wraps. Or, if you're interested in becoming an esthetician, it's important that you know about different types of facials, hair removal procedures, and make-up application.

But is beauty school for you? If you're seriously considering a cosmetology career, ask yourself these key questions:

• Do you have good dexterity and work well with your hands?
• Do you have a creative flair and enjoy learning about new styles?
• Are you a good listener who enjoys interacting with different people?
• Are you a team player who can follow instructions?

If your answer to these questions is yes, then you'll definitely want to consider pursuing a career in the beauty industry. Demand continues for qualified salon professionals, especially in California, where hiring trends reflect more job openings and strong earning potential. And in Southern California, a top regional beauty college, Salon Success Academies (SSA), is innovating its programs to offer technical excellence as well as strong customer service skills. "Salon Success teaches the latest techniques, life skills, and client-base management, and thus adds marketable, viable skills," says Robert Gross, owner and president of SSA. "This way we are training students to prepare for the realities of the industry while still learning all the current and upcoming trends."

About Salon Success Academies(SSA)

Salon Success Academies have five campuses located in California's Inland Empire: Redlands, Fontana, Upland, San Bernardino, and Corona. SSA's philosophy is to treat each student as a part of the family, providing them with every opportunity to complete their studies at the lowest cost possible. SSA combines hands-on practical application with cosmetology, skin care, or nail technology concepts. The school partners with the beauty industry to enable students to graduate with technical excellence in their profession as well as strong customer service skills.
To learn more and request free information, visit www.gotobeautyschool.com.

* National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences, Job Demand Survey 2007