Beauty Changes Lives: Harleigh’s Story
Read about how the beauty industry can change a life in just one short year. This essay was written by a September 2020 Graduate of the Cosmetology Program at the State College of Beauty Culture.
Choosing a career is never easy, especially as a young adult coming out of high school. As a senior in high school, you are expected to know exactly what you want to do with your life and I was clueless. Somehow time flew by and I found myself in the 3rd quarter of my senior year and I still had no idea what the next chapter of my life would entail. Time was running out for me to decide and after endless hours of debating with myself about my purpose in life and what I wanted to do, I finally came across cosmetology school, and ever since my life hasn’t been the same.
After starting cosmetology school at the State College of Beauty Culture in Wausau, WI, I quickly realized how empowering and fun it was. Signing up I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that it was no walk in the park, but in the end it is absolutely worth every one of the 1,550 hours.
As I get ready to graduate cosmetology school I reflected on how the industry has changed my life and in my 12 months of time at school this industry has already blessed me by giving me confidence, passion, and the ability to help others every day. I have always had issues with my body and self-confidence. Growing up this impacted me greatly and to this day I struggle with these negative thoughts about myself. Once I started cosmetology school at SCBC I saw my confidence skyrocket and I was able to step out of my comfort zone.
I was so excited to be learning so much and that I could go home and use everything I learned on myself. I started practicing doing my hair and makeup on myself and I started noticing a difference in how I felt about myself. I was finally starting to like the person looking back at me in the mirror, it allowed me to let go of some of the things about myself that I disliked. Knowing that what I was learning could help me feel good about myself made me even more excited about helping others and it started my passion for the industry.
The confidence I have gained from cosmetology school allowed me to leave part of my past behind and discover new things about myself like my passion for beauty. Because of the cosmetology industry I was able to grow to love myself more and ignite a passion for beauty and helping others feel good about themselves.
I didn’t realize how much I love cosmetology until recently when my school was shut down because of COVID-19. I hated having nothing to do at home and I missed my clients so dearly I found myself in tears many times over the course of those 10 weeks wishing I could go back to school. School gave me a reason to get out of bed, get moving and make a difference in someone’s day.
Starting cosmetology school was the best decision I could have made for myself, it has allowed me to use my creativity and have fun every day that I work and that’s how I know that this is meant for me. The beauty industry is so rewarding and has given me the gift of confidence and passion that ignites a fire in my heart. But most importantly it has given me the opportunity to use my creativity and skill set to help a wide variety of people every day.
The best thing about the cosmetology industry is that there are no boundaries and that it is inclusive to every one of all ages. There is something for everyone and so much freedom to do whatever makes you feel good. Since confidence and my self-image is something I struggled with, I know how hard it can be when that negativity starts to affect your life. Cosmetology allows me to use my creativity to give every client I work with a look that makes them feel good about themselves, and I get to educate them on how to do it at home so they can look and feel good all the time. It’s the feeling to know that when your client walks out the door that they are happy and feel beautiful. I am so happy to have found an industry to work in that I love and can excited about. Helping people feel good is just another reward that the cosmetology industry has given me.
The cosmetology industry and the State College of Beauty Culture have forever changed my life for the better and I would not take back one second of my journey thus far. SCBC has given me the opportunity to get my foot in the door and start my adventure to becoming a cosmetologist with the best support system of students and staff. The Instructors and students at SCBC have taught me that cosmetology is so much more than doing hair and they have helped me become the hardworking person I am today.
Cosmetology changed my life because it gave me the confidence to become my true self, passion to do something I love every day, and the ability to help every person that sits in my chair. This industry allows you to help change people’s lives and might even change yours … So what are you waiting for?