School of Professional Makeup Gets Greenlight After Successful Pilot
SAINT JOHN — A local beauty entrepreneur is hoping to expand more in the cosmetology education space as her new makeup school gets approval to continue after a successful pilot last year.
Alisha Anderson, founder of Dioné Cosmetics, has received approval from the New Brunswick Cosmetology Association to once again offer the Dioné School of Professional Makeup program. The 22-week program is designed so students can become licensed makeup artists and lash technicians in a format that fits busy schedules.
The course was approved for an initial pilot by the Cosmetology Association last year. It started in June and wrapped up in October. All 10 students passed the course and their license exams.
“They passed all the exams that were in it, they handed in all their projects. Then in December they went and wrote their provincial exams,” says Anderson. “Seven of the 10 passed right away, and then three of them had to redo a portion of the written [part] or a portion of the practical. Then all 10 have become licensed.”
In the course, students learn through modules to study each week taught through video, textbook and printables. There are also six mandatory face-to-face classes at an approved facility under Anderson’s study. Tuition is $5,100.
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Anderson says students from the initial pilot liked the flexibility of being able to get their accreditation without interrupting their day-to-day lives.
“One of my students was six-months pregnant when she started the course, so she was able to get educated so she could provide for her newborn. Another lady who was already in business for herself but wanted to add some additional services but couldn’t take so much time away from her business to pursue it. This allowed her accessibility,” says Anderson.
“I had another woman who worked full-time and had a toddler, so being able to do their face-to-face [components] on the weekend allowed a lot of people to get licensed that otherwise couldn’t.”
With the pilot a success, the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick has given Anderson the green light to offer the course again. Applications for the new term are due March 31
“They see the value of it. They understand that times are definitely changing and as long as they’re able to get the same adequate education they would if they were in facility day-to-day, then they’re going to allow it,” says Anderson.
Aside from running the cosmetics side of her business, Anderson says she sees herself expanding more into cosmetology education, with sights on getting a set location for the school in Saint John.
“I would love to get a facility that allowed me to continue to do an educational piece and making it above and beyond. I want to take the Toronto makeup school environment and bring that to New Brunswick,” she says. “Bring that highly accredited, highly talented accessibility to education to New Brunswick. I want to elevate the cosmetology industry.”