Master the Lingo: Essential Beauty Industry Terms Every New Salon Pro Should Know

Stepping into the beauty industry is like learning a new language filled with balayage, keratin treatments, and microdermabrasion. Whether you’re a fresh graduate from The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA) or just starting your journey, knowing these terms will help you communicate like a pro, impress clients, and build confidence in your craft. Let’s decode the jargon!

Hair Care & Styling

  • Balayage – A French highlighting technique where color is hand-painted onto sections of hair for a sun-kissed, natural look. Unlike traditional foils, balayage creates soft, blended contrasts.
  • Toner – A product that neutralizes unwanted brassy or yellow tones in blonde hair after bleaching. It’s the secret to achieving icy platinum or cool ash shades.
  • Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate – A bond-building treatment that repairs broken disulfide bonds in hair damaged by chemical services. A must-have for clients with color-treated or fragile hair.
  • Undercut – A bold haircut where the sides and back are shaved or closely clipped, contrasting with longer hair on top. Popular in edgy, modern styles.
  • Blowout – A professional blow-dry service that transforms hair into smooth, voluminous styles. Clients love it for events or as a weekly treat.

Skincare & Esthetics

  • Chemical Peel – A treatment using acids (like glycolic or salicylic) to exfoliate the skin’s surface, reducing acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines.
  • Microdermabrasion – A non-invasive exfoliation method that uses tiny crystals or a diamond tip to buff away dead skin cells, revealing a brighter complexion.
  • Retinoids – Vitamin A derivatives (e.g., retinol) that boost collagen production and cell turnover. A gold standard in anti-aging skincare.
  • Sebum – The natural oil produced by sebaceous glands. Excess sebum can lead to oily skin or acne, while too little causes dryness.
  • LED Light Therapy – A treatment using specific wavelengths to target acne (blue light) or stimulate collagen (red light).

Nail Services

  • Gel vs. Acrylic – Gel: Polish cured under UV/LED light for a glossy, chip-free finish. Acrylic: A mix of liquid monomer and powder polymer that creates durable extensions.
  • Dip Powder – A manicure where nails are dipped into colored powder and sealed with resin. It is known for its long-lasting wear without UV light.
  • Russian Manicure – A precise, dry technique using electric files to cuticle work, popular for its clean, natural look.
  • Nail Primer – A product applied before acrylics or gels to improve adhesion and prevent lifting.
  • E-File – An electric file used to shape artificial nails and remove product. Mastery prevents over-filing and damage.

Business & Client Care

  • Client Retention – Strategies to keep clients returning, like personalized consultations, loyalty programs, and follow-up reminders.
  • Patch Test – A small skin test done 24–48 hours before treatments to check for allergic reactions.
  • Upselling – Recommending add-ons (e.g., a deep-conditioning mask after a haircut) to enhance services and boost revenue.
  • No-Show Policy – A rule charging fees for missed appointments. Protects your time and income – 67% of salons enforce one.
  • Backbar – Professional products used in-salon but not sold retail

Why This Matters at TSPA

At The Salon Professional Academy, you’ll master these terms hands-on – whether practicing balayage on mannequins, performing microdermabrasion in our student salon training area, or role-playing client consultations. Our curriculum blends technical skills with business savvy, ensuring you graduate ready to thrive in salons, spas, or your own chair.

Ready to Speak Fluent Beauty?  Explore TSPA Programs or Chat with Admissions to start your journey!

The Life-Changing Impact of Skilled Beauty Professionals

Have you ever wondered how a simple beauty treatment can transform your day (or life)? Well, buckle up because we’re about to take you on a fabulous journey through the world of aesthetics and show you just how powerful it can be!

The Magic Touch of Beauty Pros

We’ve all had those days when we look in the mirror and feel… blah. But that’s where the magic of beauty professionals comes in! These talented individuals aren’t just applying makeup or styling hair – they’re boosting confidence, one client at a time.

Picture this: You walk into The Salon Professional Academy in Evansville feeling down, but you leave glowing like you mean it, ready to take on the world! That’s the transformative power of aesthetics!

More Than Skin Deep

You might think, “Isn’t it all just surface level?” It’s SO much more than that! Beauty treatments aren’t just about looking good – they’re about feeling fabulous from the inside out. 

  • Stress Relief: That facial isn’t just cleansing your pores – it’s melting away your worries!
  • Self-Care Central: Taking time for beauty treatments is like hitting the reset button on your mental health.
  • Confidence Boost: When you look good, you feel good – and that confidence radiates in everything you do!

Changing Lives, One Treatment at a Time

Our incredible graduates are making waves in the beauty world. They’re not just applying eyeliner -they’re lining up opportunities for success and empowerment!

From helping clients feel fabulous for job interviews to boosting self-esteem for those tough moments, our beauty pros are real-life superheroes (cape optional, but highly recommended 😉).

Your Turn to Shine!

Feeling inspired? Ready to be the change in someone’s life (and look fabulous doing it)? It’s time to turn that passion for beauty into an amazing career!

At The Salon Professional Academy in Evansville, we’re all about empowering YOU to empower others. Our programs are designed to give you all the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to slay it in the beauty industry.

Ready to Rock the Beauty World?

Don’t just dream about making a difference – DO IT! Here’s how you can get started:

  1. Check out our programs (spoiler alert: they’re awesome!)
  2. Schedule a tour of our school (easy to do)
  3. Chat with our team about your beauty career goals
  4. Get ready to embark on the most exciting journey of your life!

Remember, you’re not just learning about beauty – you’re becoming a confidence-boosting, life-changing, all-around rockstar in the making!

So, what are you waiting for? Your future in beauty is calling, and it’s your time to shine! Let’s make some magic happen together. Your journey to becoming a beauty superhero starts NOW! 💄💪✨

Nail School: A Future That’s Nail Tastic!

Nail art is trendier than ever and people are willing to pay the price to have their nails look and feel their best. Keep reading for a closer look at nail school requirements to enter the quickly growing cosmetology and esthetics industry. 

What You’ll Learn in Cosmetology and Nail School

The Salon Professional Academy of Evansville, Indiana provides a comprehensive manicurist education. You’ll learn industry-disrupting techniques for natural nail care, manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, nail art, and nail sculpting. 

Natural Nail Care

You will grasp the cellular understanding of nails by learning the chemistry of human nails. This will empower you to understand how to naturally take care of nails. It will also provide you with the foundation of knowledge when combining artificial nail products to understand their chemical interaction with nails. 

In our nail tech classrooms will teach you how to follow proper sanitation, the most important tools for a nail tech and how to use them, and innovative natural care products to use on clients.

Manicure Art

We have the most up-to-date state-of-the-art equipment. We want you to learn traditional industry techniques and how to use the latest mani/pedi technology.

Running a Boss Business

Even if you are the most talented nail artist in the world you won’t succeed without business acumen. At TSPA, we provide a critical understanding of business and marketing skills for a well-rounded education. This will set you apart from your peers and enable you to grow your business rapidly in this booming industry

Let’s Get Technical

As much fun as you’ll have in nail technician school, there are still requirements. Keep reading for the very important details. 

Time Commitment

In just 450 hours you’ll complete your nail certification training. Your 450 hours of classroom nail tech training will last for 23 weeks.

The class will be divided over three days for a total of 20 classroom hours weekly. This is a part-time education, so you can continue working as needed!

Our next session opens on October 25th, 2022, and we still have some spots waiting especially for you!

Indiana Nail Tech Training Requirements

In order to become a certified nail technician, you must pass the Indiana state board exam. Passing will enable you to practice in Indiana. You can also practice in any state with equal or lesser requirements than Indiana.

Your license must be renewed every four years.  

No Money, No Problem

Don’t let money stop you from reaching your #nailgoals! Check out the financial support options below. 

OPI, Morgan, and Beauty Changes lives all offer education scholarships to aspiring nail technicians. You can also consider FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Is Nail School for You?

Nail school is a great career option if you want to be your own boss, stay creative, and add more beauty to the world.

The satisfaction of customers celebrating with happy, healthy nails is a dream come true. Contact us with all your questions and we’re happy to help you decide if nail school is right for you!