Kicked in the teeth-advice needed please

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joeydee

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Joined
May 7, 2012
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Location
Glasgow
So I only stumbled upon Salon Geek when I was researching stuff as I have applied for Beauty Therapy and Make Up at a few colleges in Glasgow. I totally love it and come on almost every night to read everyones posts. My name is Joanna and I am 28.

I applied to do Make Up Artistry about 4 years ago but the course was already full then my wee cousin applied the year after and got in and I just left it because I didnt want people to think I was doing it because she was, stupid I know but thats what she and other members of our circle are like...Judgey McJudgersons.

So I decided to apply this year again but think I have left it a bit late again as all the courses seem to be full or place you on waiting lists. I actually got one interview and I thought it went ok, wasnt much of an interview if you ask me though. I mentioned that I had researched quite a lot and I was very interested in doing a Kim Lawless waxing course when I got into it a bit. There were other girls there, all 16-18, no older applicants and they all had bad hair and make up and looked as if they hadnt made an effort at all. Whereas I had looked on here and looked at other peoples questions about what to wear and what way to do my make up. I wore nice trousers and a fun shirt and had my hair pulled back but with some height at the crown for a bit of understated glamour. I wore minimal make up, nice luminous foundation, mascara and my normal feline flick eyeliner. I thought I looked the part. I told the interviewer that my ambition was to eventually open a salon and go into business with my cousin when she asked me why I wanted to do the course, I added that I felt I was at an age where I could really apply myself and that I have a natural ability. I thought these were good answers.

So I retrieved the post this morning to a letter saying I have been placed on a waiting list as the standard of applicants was so high...not from where I was sitting it wasn't. (Not being bitchy with that statement, just I wouldn't want any of the girls I seen to perform treatments on me). My 2 friends had applied to another college and got in and these are girls who haven't the first clue about anything beauty wise, I have to do their make up and hair for nights out.

So my questions are:
Where do you think I went wrong to be placed on the waiting list?was I too cocky saying I wanted to do the Kim Lawless course and open my own salon eventually?

And is there another avenue I can take to gain qualifications?where?cost?etc

Thank you in advance for your answers. Feel like I've been punched in the stomach after reading that letter.:(

xx
 
There is lots of SO's in my post, I do apologise!haha!
 
Was the course specific to becoming a make-up artist or was it a course to study beauty?
If it was just make-up then perhaps mentioning beauty related things such as the salon and waxing made them think that the course wasnt right for you as they dont do waxing and beauty.
I applied to do a media make-up course years back after I had finished beauty and I went on about how I loved beauty and they told me me that the course wasnt right for me as I needed more passion for make-up! I did have the passion at the time for make-up so applied the year after and focused less on beauty and had researched film, television and stage make-uo more. Got in that time!

If it was a beauty course then I dont see why you didnt get a place! But there are lots of beauty options.

Make-up is harder to get into but if you are determined and do the right research you will find lots of courses out there.

What do you want to gain from doing a course?
Do you want to open a salon that offers treatment and work as a beauty therapist? If so I would do a beauty course.
Do you want to become a make-up artist? Then look for another course and contactother make-up artists asking if you can shadow or even assist them. Ask photographers or tv studios if you can do work experience.

Or do you want to gain something different?
 
Sorry, the course I applied for was Beauty Therapy and Make Up, in the one course which I thought was perfect for me as I do have a natural flair for make up so I thought learning beauty treatments would be a good step. I am interested in it all if I am honest. I would like to be able to perform beauty treatments AND make up. I already do friends and familys make up for nights out and the like (although I am not qualified, I am good enough that they want me to do it), I am doing my cousins hair and make up for a wedding we are going to at the weekend actually.

I am very interested in learning waxing treatments, I love getting them myself. Massage, facials, eyebrows, tanning and eyelashes also. I do like nails but I don't wear them myself and think maybe I wouldn't like to learn nails as much as I would like to learn all the other treatments.

I would eventually like to open a salon, offering the full package with my cousin...pamper days, wedding packages (treatments,hair and make up) something along those lines.

xx
 
Capitalise on the fact you are on the wait-list. Phone and e-mail (copies to as many addresses as you can) to thank them for the interview, enthuse on how you loved the college and course contents and say you are hoping so much that you eventually get a place.

Ask if any of the tutors are running weekend/ day courses in the near future.......book on one, not for qualifications, but to showcase yourself. Get known.

Only do these if you are truly serious.

Without doubt they will get drop-outs in the first couple of weeks, and when they do they will think of you.
 
I totally get what you mean.

I have applied for a full time Hnd beauty therapy course and have also been placed on the waiting list.

Most girls at my interview were between 17 - 21 and I have got to admit it made me a bit old (I'm 30).

I know some of these girls have been on the Nc beauty therapy course the previous year, but I may not have the Nc qualification but I have studied in the evening doing the Nc & Hn units and I know I may be missing some of the units but I have experience and I'm fully insured as I'm a mobile therapist offering the treatments that I'm trained and insured for.

I'm now going to apply next month to the college in Glasgow that offers the Hnc Beauty Therapy part time (2 evenings & Saturday morning) so I'm hoping I get accepted.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get on the course when it starts

Laura x
 
I don't think that you should take this personally.
A lot of these courses are very popular and often are full by the Christmas before the September start date!
Stay on the wait - list, you might be lucky and if you are really serious then get your application in as soon as the new course prospectus appears in September.
Good luck!

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 
Sorry, the course I applied for was Beauty Therapy and Make Up, in the one course which I thought was perfect for me as I do have a natural flair for make up so I thought learning beauty treatments would be a good step. I am interested in it all if I am honest. I would like to be able to perform beauty treatments AND make up. I already do friends and familys make up for nights out and the like (although I am not qualified, I am good enough that they want me to do it), I am doing my cousins hair and make up for a wedding we are going to at the weekend actually.

I am very interested in learning waxing treatments, I love getting them myself. Massage, facials, eyebrows, tanning and eyelashes also. I do like nails but I don't wear them myself and think maybe I wouldn't like to learn nails as much as I would like to learn all the other treatments.

I would eventually like to open a salon, offering the full package with my cousin...pamper days, wedding packages (treatments,hair and make up) something along those lines.

xx

I know it's disheartening hun but that college doesn't have to be your only option. Why not see if they do adult classes in an evening or weekend? You could learn stage by stage and meet people in the same position as you.
Look at courses with make up brands, art deco do some good courses or look at other make up courses in other places.
You said you would like to train with Kim lawless, I'm sure this would be better than the training you would get on a beauty course and you could specialise in this area. Take on other treatments as and when you want.
Have a look around where you live and see what's in offer.
Good luck.
 
Thanks very much for all your replies. Think am gonna just work my wee bum off and save some cash and apply again for January start courses or for next years intake, whatever ones become available. I think i did leave it a wee bit late because i never started applying till like April.

I also tried to find some non college courses online but did not really come up with anything for Glasgow, just a couple of one day courses which from reading some posts on here, I don't think I want to do that. Just have to play the waiting game, next year will be here before I know it.

Thanks again xx
 
Thanks very much for all your replies. Think am gonna just work my wee bum off and save some cash and apply again for January start courses or for next years intake, whatever ones become available. I think i did leave it a wee bit late because i never started applying till like April.

I also tried to find some non college courses online but did not really come up with anything for Glasgow, just a couple of one day courses which from reading some posts on here, I don't think I want to do that. Just have to play the waiting game, next year will be here before I know it.

Thanks again xx

Have you had a look at private colleges? Not just fast track courses but some private colleges do long courses and they might be able to advise you with funding help.
 
Have you had a look at private colleges? Not just fast track courses but some private colleges do long courses and they might be able to advise you with funding help.

Came across something called the Carlton Institute? Looks like it offers a good few courses, some long ones aswell.

xx
 
Yeah heard of them too, there's one by me. Pm me if you like, I'm always looking At different training! X
 
It sounds as though maybe you're looking at the wrong college. Is there another one you can apply to?

Don't take it too personally as they may have to choose students from certain age groups, ethnic backgrounds, unemployed etc etc.

I don't think that mentioning me had anything to do with it as most (not all) colleges are out of the loop and don't know what's going on outside of their college, let alone what's going on in the big world of salons and beauty.

Don't give up on your dreams. x
 
Unfortunately beauty, hair and makeup courses are very over subscribed, so colleges have the pick of the crop when comes to choosing and unless you fit the right criteria they are looking for it is very unlikely you will be offered a place.

This means lots of people like yourself will end up disappointed in not getting a firm offer of a place.

I trained as hairdresser when I was 30, I was up against people a lot younger than me, also I was way over qualified for the course as I had a degree (which was pointed out during the interview as thought I might be bored doing a lower grade course), however what sold it for them was that I turned up with a portfolio of hairstyling work that I'd while working on photoshoots and I was very passionate about all aspects of being a hairdresser not just hair up and really enthusiastic about training at that particular college.
 
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I thought the same don't mean to be rude but perhaps they get more money for under 19 s. I am sure they thought you were very nice. There are other routes just do your research. I did waxing at college and beauty. I think it's a good start but the private courses I have done have been better. I am a big believer as one door shuts another opens. Xxxxxx
 
Other candidates may have more proven experience in the beauty industry that gave then that extra edge.
Sometimes raving about another course provider (our lovely Kim) may show lack of commitment to what their offer and they don't want to risk offering you a place.

Maybe you could ask the college for feedback, so next you go for an interview get a place straight away?

X
 
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It sounds as though maybe you're looking at the wrong college. Is there another one you can apply to?

Don't take it too personally as they may have to choose students from certain age groups, ethnic backgrounds, unemployed etc etc.

I don't think that mentioning me had anything to do with it as most (not all) colleges are out of the loop and don't know what's going on outside of their college, let alone what's going on in the big world of salons and beauty.

Don't give up on your dreams. x

Oh by no means do I think that's part of the reason I didn't get on the course, that's not what I said at all!haha! I mentioned you when she asked me did I have any questions and I asked did they teach intimate waxing? I then mentioned I had researched and once I was qualified I would be keen to further my study and do one of your courses. To be honest, she kinda stared at me blankly and nodded as if she didn't really know what I was talking about.

I've applied to every college that offers the course in my area and surrounding areas but since I left it to the second week in April, I have probably been placed on a lot of waiting lists.

Thanks for your reply.

xx
 
Other candidates may have more proven experience in the beauty industry that gave then that extra edge.
Sometimes raving about another course provider (our lovely Kim) may show lack of commitment to what their offer and they don't want to risk offering you a place.

Maybe you could ask the college for feedback, so next you go for an interview get a place straight away?

X

I'm by no means naive enough to think that I was the best candidate for the course, other people who interviewed were definitely more experienced than me, just not the 16 year olds that were in my group!haha!

I never really raved about Kim, just mentioned her when I was chatting to the lady, I thought she'd be impressed that I was wanting to further my study with such an expert but she didn't seem to know who I was talking about.

I did leave it awful late to apply and up here they tend to fill college spaces and continue to interview for the waiting list so maybe as I was in the last group of interviewees this is what has happened. A lovely geek on here has pointed me in the direction of a course that might be more suitable for mature students so I wouldn't have to compete with all the young things, since am old and past it, even though I was mistaken for a 16 year old at a Communion last week...if only you could fake your age but birth certificates don't lie!:( haha!

thanks for your feedback, I'll definitely give the college a phone and ask for some from them.
xx
 
Oh by no means do I think that's part of the reason I didn't get on the course, that's not what I said at all!haha! I mentioned you when she asked me did I have any questions and I asked did they teach intimate waxing? I then mentioned I had researched and once I was qualified I would be keen to further my study and do one of your courses. To be honest, she kinda stared at me blankly and nodded as if she didn't really know what I was talking about.

I've applied to every college that offers the course in my area and surrounding areas but since I left it to the second week in April, I have probably been placed on a lot of waiting lists.

Thanks for your reply.

xx
Nooooooo! Don't be silly, I didn't think that. Jeez, I'd end up in therapy if I thought you didn't get in because of me. :hug:

Try another college and I bet there's something better waiting there for you.

Remember! Next time you go for an interview………don't wash or brush your hair and sit there chewing gum and get in:) x
 
Nooooooo! Don't be silly, I didn't think that. Jeez, I'd end up in therapy if I thought you didn't get in because of me. :hug:

Try another college and I bet there's something better waiting there for you.

Remember! Next time you go for an interview………don't wash or brush your hair and sit there chewing gum and get in:) x

Haha!that's a good shout, that's what the other girls looked like if I'm honest.

To be fair, I don't know if I want to attend a college who doesn't know who you are anyway!:p It wasn't the most popular college either, my cousin turned her nose up at it when I told her I had an interview :O

Another lovely geek has pointed me in the direction of a part time course that I had overlooked that may be more suitable for mature students.:) Going to apply for that, I'm never down for long and everyones feedback has really helped!:D

xx
 

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