Tricoci University's Beauty Blog

Spring Fling for Spring Trends

  

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By Diane Steward, TUBC Peoria

It's a Spring fling at Tricoci University in Peoria!  At Ms. Diane's “Season's Trends” demonstration, the students learned a few of the latest and greatest looks for spring 2012. We are forecasting a lot of pastel colors on nails, in makeup and in your spring wardrobe. Ombre color and braids are the trendy looks for hair. After discussing the new fashions, the students broke into four groups to have a workshop on the hair and nail trends.  At the braiding station, students practiced the fishtail braid, 'S' braids, headband braids and waterfall braids.  The nails stations were broken down into splatter nails, ombre nails, and water marbling.  The students had such a great time stepping out of their comfort zone and trying the new techniques. We can't wait to see what other new trends “blossom” this spring!

Haircuts for Misericordia

  

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By Gabriella Lepse, TUBC CNE

Being a part of the beauty industry, I strongly believe that giving back to the community is very important. On Thursday, April 19, three classmates and I were given the opportunity to go to Misericordia, a facility that cares for the disabled. While we attended this event, we performed many hair cutting techniques, including short layers, classic bobs, fades and 90/90 men’s cuts.

Each patient was in a wheel chair and could hardly hold their heads up. We helped one another with the clients and while one person cut hair, the other person helped to hold the client’s head straight. It was a great opportunity to be able to really interact with each client individually. To be able to put a smile on each client’s face was priceless to me. Before TUBC offered to help each month by donating haircuts to Misericordia, the workers at the facility would try their best to cut hair themselves. This was my second time attending, and I honestly feel as though it has changed my life in so many different ways. I have always been good with people who have special needs, but being able to give back like this makes me feel as though I am needed.

One little boy really touched my heart. I cut his hair last time I attended this event, and I was given the opportunity to cut his hair again this time. I was told his birthday was this weekend so I was honored to be able to be the one who gave him a fresh cut. As I was cutting his hair, I was talking to him and keeping him calm so he wouldn’t get scared of the sound of the clippers. Last time I was there, hair kept getting in his mouth, so I remembered to put a towel over his hands so the hair wouldn’t go in his mouth again. After I was finished with the cut, I got him cleaned up and kept smiling at him and reminding him how cute he looked and how he had sat so well for the haircut. I could tell he was nervous because he started biting his hand really hard. At first it scared me, but when I got his hand out of his mouth, he gave me a HUGE smile and at that moment my heart was filled with joy and happiness. Even though he couldn’t talk to me, I knew how grateful he was.

I will be graduating in May, and although I will not be attending TUBC any more, I gave Misericordia my name and phone number so they can contact me when they need help with this event. I would love to keep giving back to this facility. I’ve never felt so good after doing something for the community, but yesterday after donating my time, I felt that everything in my life was put into perspective and my worries and struggles had been set aside. Just being able to interact with the clients and seeing how excited each one was to be pampered made my heart feel complete. I look forward to more opportunities so I can continue to give back to the community.

Campuses Team Up for Ronald McDonald House

  

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By Laura Pierce, TUBC CNW & CNE

During the month of March, TUBC Student Council hosted an all-campus competition where each campus partnered with another to work together and collect supplies to raise funds for their specific Ronald McDonald House. Volunteers and donations support families with children at the nearby hospital who need long-term or specialized care. Families are given a private room, access to free laundry and meals throughout the day. The Ronald McDonald House is sustained by donations which come from many institutions and schools like Tricoci University of Beauty Culture. In total we collected 7,167 items for all four Ronald McDonald Houses, and a contribution of $1460 dollars for all four houses!

The CNE and CNW campuses performed multiple activities to help with the Ronald McDonald House Charity. One of the first activities at the CNW campus included Valentine’s Grams. Secretly, students and staff sent valentines to one another to express their “love” for one another.  Students really enjoyed receiving these from their peers! Students were able to send one another a V-Gram for $1, which raised more than $100 towards our help with RMH charity.

Another way we raised money was through bake sales. We averaged one bake sale a week where we offered many options of baked goods from cupcakes to chocolate covered strawberries. Offering coffee and hot chocolate during bake sales was also a huge hit for our students and guests! We were able to raise approximately $150 with our bake sales.

Throughout the entire month of March, students and staff were able to wear jeans by donating $5 per day. We also had the opportunity to wear jeans all week for a $10 donation. This was a great way for student council to raise money without having to invest money themselves. Students took advantage of wearing jeans for the week, knowing their money was being donated for a great cause.

Items were also collected for RMH. Students and staff reached out to their friends, families and employers to help donate, which concluded with the Harlem campus having more than 800 items for donation!

Boys & Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Fundraiser

  

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By Erica Brooks, TUBC Bridgeview

On March 25, there was a phenomenal event with a gracious cause held at the TUBC Bridgeview campus. Student council members hosted their annual “Boys & Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Fundraiser Fashion Show.” This cause was to help sponsor the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oak Lawn, IL.  The students of Bridgeview worked extremely hard for this event by gaining sponsorships from Fashion Bug, Leona’s, and many other businesses. The fundraiser packed the house as guests were shown the latest spring fashions and the most extraordinary hairstyles created by students. The models included boys, girls, men and women of all ages who volunteered their time for the cause. The best thing about this fashion show is that 100 percent of the proceeds went straight the Ronald McDonald House of Oaklawn. The guests stated that “the event was entertaining and well put together.” Students that participated said, “they enjoyed themselves” and “we look forward to the next event our school puts together.”  Bridgeview students were FANTASTIC and are very proud of the event! 

A Fun New Look

  

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By Sheila Magnusen, TUBC Highland

At the TUBC Highland campus, Miss LaShann demonstrates how to apply synthetic curl segments. This is a hands-on demonstration with several students participating in the application. The lucky girl who will go from having short hair with an undefined curl pattern to having full, flowing hair with beautiful curl is Highland’s student, Jasmine.

Starting in the nape area, and working up the head, a “crochet” or “latch hook” technique is used to weave individual strands of hair through cornrows that have been braided onto Jasmine’s head. This technique is really quite simple, and with some practice can be completed in about an hour and a half to two hours from start to finish. The finished style will last from four to six weeks in Jasmine’s hair. What a fun and flirty new look for Jasmine!

Thanks Miss LaShann!

Light It Up Blue With TUBC!

  

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By Savannah Price, TUBC Peoria

LIGHT IT UP BLUE for Autism Speaks! During part of the month of April, TUBC is raising money for the Light It Up Blue charity. This charity is one that helps children with autism.

From AustismSpeaks.org: “Autism Speaks is the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing more than $173 million to research and developing innovative resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks has created resources and programs including the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, Autism Speaks' Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 85 cities across North America.” To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

Our campus enrollment advisor, Ms. Tori, has a goal this year is to raise $3,000 between the support of our school and friends and family around us! We can make this happen! 

Also, this month we are going to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)! This is something that is very near and dear to my heart because my family is affected by this. Please come back next month for more details on what our school did to help raise money and to learn more about muscular dystrophy!

This month we also had a rush week! Ms. Julies February full-time cosmetology class came rushing to the floor the week of April 2. They were really nervous at first, but are quickly getting acclimated to working with live guests and not just mannequin heads.

In addition, a new class is starting April 10, 23 and 30! Congratulations April classes on the start of your new career! We here at TUBC can’t wait to meet you.

Last, several students are graduating. Our graduation ceremony is next week, and all I can say is: Congratulations to the full-time cosmetology graduates for the month of March and April!

Life in Esthetics at TUBC CNW

  

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By Patrycja Wozniak, TUBC CNW

Walking into Tricoci University on my first day of the Esthetics program, I was excited and anxious at the same time; not knowing what to expect. I had heard many different things about beauty school – some positive, some negative. The negative comments were completely wrong. There were eight girls in the classroom, including me and Ms. Carla, our instructor. As the weeks went by, we all grew closer and closer together.  We all had different interests outside of school, but we got along so well and respected one another. We were all going through the same experience, taking the same tests and learning about the same topic.

We learned dozens of different services we could perform on a future client, from enzyme peels to non-surgical face lifts. Attending Mario Tricoci made us all very positive and confident we could do things we all were so nervous about in the beginning. The day we started hair removal, everyone was eager and exited to learn and paid close attention to Ms. Carla; no one wanted to miss a single step, and the moment she finished the demos we were ready to try it ourselves. The wonderful tools that we are given to work with made it that much more exiting to learn and gain hands-on experience with the techniques.                                                                

The best confidence boost was when Mario Tricoci himself would come to the campus to visit us! We met him on the first day of school, which was amazing. I’m sure everyone’s heart stopped when he walked in – I know mine did. The minute he walks in a room you see a confident, successful person and you realize why you are at Tricoci University and that confidence rubs off on you!                       

It was amazing to learn various techniques from the instructors, who share all of their knowledge that they have acquired throughout the years. We also learned how to custom blend our own makeup, which everyone loved whether they knew a thing or two about makeup or wanted to learn more. Looking back on everything, I remember every time there was something new put in front of us we all went for it. We wanted to succeed and be proud of ourselves, and I know we all were, not only of ourselves but each other.

This industry is not only about being independently successful but also being able to work with each other as a team. Tricoci University is the best you can ask for if you are looking for in-depth knowledge. Ms.Carla taught us so much these past five months, and I feel ready and exited to find my own way. I will always remember the friends I made at this school and waking up in the morning knowing that I would be learning something I have never done before. All eight of us are graduating this month, and even though its hard letting go, I know that I can always come back and visit and feel like I’m at my second home for a day. I will never forget the great friends I made and my overall experience at Tricoci University.

March Explorer Program: Mini Manicures

  

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By Jessica Brown, TUBC Peoria

Every month here at the Peoria campus we host a fun and exciting night for high school juniors and seniors called TUBC Explorers. Mrs. Cricket prepares an evening full of learning and exploring all aspects of life as a cosmetologist/esthetics student. The high school students are given a chance to have hands-on experience with many areas of the cosmetology career, so that they can make an educated decision about their future.

The program has been going extremely well with new Explorers added each month. In January, we had an attendance of four Explorers, in February there were eight, and in March we had 14! We are extremely excited about the continual growth of this program, and we hope that these Explorers will someday be awesome TUBC students!

In March, we had an open house to reintroduce the program. The topic was March Mani-Madness. We discussed the formation of the nail and how to properly care for the nail. Then, the Explorers were given a demonstration of a mini-manicure. They were so excited when they learned that they would have the chance to perform mini-manicures on each other! As they were performing their manicures, the Explorers had many "Ah-ha" moments. They left feeling more confident in their knowledge of nails and are looking forward to learning about hairstyling in April!

The TUBC Experience - Graduation at Glendale Heights

  

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By Gabriela Herrera, TUBC Glendale Heights

The day I had been waiting for was finally here.  On Friday, March 23, Tricoci University hosted a graduation ceremony for Cynthia Rodriguez, Jordan Kissee, and Gabriela Herrera.

The ceremony began at 4:30 p.m. Ms. Tara, Glendale Heights general manger, began with a poem that warmed our hearts, followed by an emotional speech from Cynthia. Cynthia made many of us tear up, but smile at the same time. She also inspired many students and made a point that everything is possible – follow your dreams and do what you love to do. We then received our diploma and took pictures. Shortly after, we handed all the teachers roses. Along with the rose was a key chain with their name engraved on it. We did it to show our appreciation to them.

Sharing that moment of my life with family, friends and teachers was priceless. I couldn’t do it without their support. Friends were always there to listen and encourage us, family always put up with our complaining and pushed us daily, and teachers guided us and walked us through our careers to become the professional cosmetologist we are now. Balloons, flowers, and banners all warmed my heart; just to know it’s the beginning of a new journey. After the ceremony, we had snacks to enjoy a slide show that contained several pictures of our enjoyable moments. The slide show was designed by Jordan, who began taking pictures from essentials and throughout the curriculum. For the short time we spent together, I can say we have nothing but funny, exciting, and fun memories together.

Everyday is a learning experience. I remember the first day at Tricoci University everyone was friendly. It was very exciting to receive everything on our first day and that same week we began hands-on. I’ve learned so much in so little time. There is always something exciting going on at Tricoci University. Recently the school has been collecting items for the Ronald McDonald charity and we do several fun activities/themed weeks to keep us motivated, such as Rush Week. Rush Week is where the students pick a theme and we get to get out of uniform for one Saturday. This happened once a class moved onto the floor.

Overall, my experience at Tricoci University has all been a dream come true! I plan to continue my education and work for Mario Tricoci Salon and specialize in color. 

Fashion Show For A Cause

  

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By Cynthia, TUBC Glendale Heights

On March 25th, I had the honor to go to Alta Villa Banquets for a benefit fashion show sponsored by the Italian American Executives of Transportation that helped raise money for underprivileged women and women with special needs. My role was to use my creative side and style both young and older girls' hair. When I arrived, I saw a beautiful ballroom filled with tables full of people eating and reminiscing. I was told to go backstage and start completing up-dos for all of the models that were going to be in the fashion show. Their ages ranged from two-years-old to 28-years-old. There were 25 girls in total. Five girls from Tricoci University, Leah, Emily, Drea, Brittany and myself all attended. We each did five girls hair within three hours. The smiles on the models faces were priceless. Many of the younger children claimed they felt like "princesses" that day; it truly made my heart melt. Ms. Laura, our teacher, and the master of up-dos, helped us tremendously with the girls’ hair. She taught us new techniques and many different styles that we hadn't known prior to the show. The girls would come into the room where we were doing hair, tell us exactly what they wanted, such as curling their whole head or only half of it, and then get ready and walk in the fashion show. By the time we were finished with all of the girls’ hair, we were ready to watch the fashion show. The girls walked down the runway, showing of their newly styled hair with big smiles on their faces. Both before and after the fashion show, many different boutiques were set up where attendees could purchase items that would benefit the cause. There was even a photo booth where everyone could go in and take as many pictures as they wanted.

Never in a million years did I think that I would work behind stage at a fashion show. Everything was so fast-paced. The stylists would have only a certain amount of time to finish the up-do, which put the pressure on them, but clearly we all worked very well under pressure. This was an amazing experience that really proved to us what we're actually made of. It was such an honor to be a part of such a great cause. If I ever had the opportunity to be a part of this again, I wouldn't even have to think to say yes. Although it was hard work, it was an amazing experience and a fun time that both the stylists and models had.