At BeautySchool.com, we believe one of the biggest issues in the beauty industry is eradicating the harmful chemicals and ingredients in beauty products that may be doing more damage to us than we know. Sure, we all want to look good, and beauty products can help give us a boost of self-esteem, but it’s not worth risking our health.

Which is why we like this enlightening (if a little bit scary) infographic we found on EcoMom.com that highlights some of the potentially dangerous ingredients that are in some of our daily beauty products. On average, the skin absorbs 60% of what we put on top of it, with some areas – like the face – even more absorbent than that!

And we’re not just talking about the all-too-common “parabens” buzzword here either. We’re talking:

• Aluminum
• Synthetic formaldehyde
• Toluene
• Pthalates
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• And more

So before you run that beauty product to the cash register, check the ingredient list first. Or, better yet, read our articles on natural and organic beauty products to get more information on how to find ones that are good for your health and your self-esteem.

It’s almost time to roll out the red carpet, pop some champagne, and tune into the Academy Awards. While all the reporters will be asking, “What are you wearing?” – we’d prefer to check out some elegant and unique hairstyles that only Hollywood can bring us! Here are our top five favorite Oscar-winning hairstyles from the past decade!

Halle Berry – Who can forget that maroon dress with the flowers sitting in just the right places? Halle Berry’s dress worn at the 2002 Oscars may have stole the show, but her short hair made her just as iconic. Halle’s pixie cut allowed her to truly show off her dress, and it showed women around the world that a short haircut can be sexy and glamorous enough for the Academy Awards.

Julia Roberts – In 2001 Julia Roberts strutted down the red carpet in a black and white vintage Valentino gown and a dramatic updo. Roberts’ hairstyle showed us that with a few well-placed hair extensions and a retro vibe, bigger is better!

Reese Witherspoon – We loved Witherspoon’s elegant chignon updo in 2006. Taking home an Oscar for her role in Walk the Line, Reese made an appropriate choice with her hair. This classic look channeled Grace Kelly and took us back to old Hollywood.

Charlize Theron – In 2004, Charlize choose to mimic Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 1940s with her pin-curled bob. We love that she paired this retro hairstyle with a modern dress and allover shimmer.

Penelope Cruz – When Penelope won her Academy Award in 2009, she relied on a classic ballerina bun that was simple, understated, and elegant. But who can blame her? Other great actresses like Audrey Hepburn have rocked this timeless look.

Who do you think will join the rankings of best Oscar hair this year?

Good hair days have long been known to govern the emotions of angst-ridden teenagers as well as adults, but what really goes into the science of a good hair day? While it would be easy to dismiss a good hair day as something fleeting and superficial, it turns out that good hair may well go quite a bit deeper than that.

Science has long taught us that our physical appearance matters. Visible evidence of youth, cleanliness, and health signal fertility and vitality to our potential mates. Healthy, beautiful hair has always played an important role in the mating game. After all, where would Samson be were it not for his long locks, shorn prematurely, or the vixen Cleopatra without her lustrous black mane? Hair has undeniably been a crucial part of our physical appearance, so it’s no wonder that it continues to be so today.

The health of a newborn is often judged by the thickness and luster of his or her hair. Women with shiny, vibrant hair are considered more sensual and attractive. As we age, our hair naturally thins and loses shine, and that hair loss is associated with a decrease of virility, fertility and health. Dull, thin hair is just not considered desirable or sexy.

A full head of shiny, healthy hair can also be aesthetically pleasing as it frames our faces. Studies show us that babies are naturally drawn to faces, and humans seek faces all around them. Hair is often a basic descriptive factor when we are describing ourselves or others, and taking care of it can be an essential part of taking care of ourselves.

When it comes right down to it, having healthy, shiny, beautiful hair can be tightly interwoven with our self-esteem. We can play with our hair, style it, cut it, dye it, and alter its texture to create a look we feel is more flattering to our overall appearance. Our hair can give us more confidence and provide us with a sense of control, even in the face of aging. Today’s beauty products can even challenge the inevitable changes associated with aging, such as hair loss or graying, and we can fight back, maintaining thick, gorgeous hair well into our golden years.

What does a good hair day mean to you? While it may not necessarily be healthy to let a bad hair day ruin your entire outlook, it is perfectly fine and even biologically normal to have a little extra bounce in your step on good hair days. Now let your hair down, and strut your stuff. You know you look amazing.

If there’s one thing we love to hear, it’s actual beauty school students talking about their stories and their experiences during their studies. Which explains why we love this set of videos where kikiV222 covers the whole gambit – from looking at schools to expectations vs. reality to an inside look at her cosmetology school student kit.

*Just a heads up: She dishes it out and drops some cuss words, so if you’re not down with that, you’ve been warned.

What we really adore about Kiki’s videos about cosmetology school is the honesty and comprehensiveness. When we came across them, we couldn’t help but think that it would be doing a disservice to BeautySchool.com‘s readers not to share her wonderfully strong perspective. Our favorite part?

“If anyone tells you, ‘Oh, this isn’t a real college,’ you need to kick them in the face.”

Hell, yes. We definitely agree with that.

What do you think? Has she changed your perspective on beauty school?

Unfortunately, there’s not much of an avenue for online beauty schools right now. Training to become a cosmetology or esthetician or nail technician requires far too much hands-on education, practicing the skills and techniques you’ll need in your career. However, there are a few areas where online beauty school might be possible:

• There are some individual online beauty school courses available that are primarily theoretical and can be used toward continuing beauty education units for license renewal.
• Once you’re in beauty school or you’ve already graduated, there are tons of online cosmetology study resources available to help you review and further prepare to take your cosmetology license exam.
• If your dream is to advance your beauty career and possibly one day open your own salon or spa, it would benefit you to get a business degree, and there are loads of online business degrees that are available. You could further your education without losing time in the salon.

For more information on beauty schools, check out our Resources section or start searching for a beauty or cosmetology school near you right now.

The perfect dress is nothing without the perfect wedding hairstyle to complement it. Your hair is basically an accessory that you must plan for accordingly, so you look and feel beautiful on that special day. You can make sure you look amazing and feel confident by heeding a few suggestions.

Prioritize Your Pre-Bridal Appointment
Your pre-bridal appointment is a crucial step in preparing you to walk down the aisle. People think that it’s only for the hairstylist to practice, but it’s just as important for you to see the hairstyle in action and tweak what you do or don’t like. Ask your stylist for advice regarding which hairstyles will look best based on the neckline and other aspects of your dress. You’ll also want to inquire about how long you should grow your hair because longer doesn’t necessarily mean better. After your stylist finishes your hair, you can decide whether you like it or not. Even if you aren’t fond of it, you still learn what not to do for your wedding. Remember to bring all of your hairpieces and accessories with you.

Get Real
If you expect to bring in a picture of your favorite celebrity’s tresses and leave the salon looking exactly like her, you’ll probably be in for a little disappointment. Her style cost her thousands of dollars and may have taken all day. Not to mention, her look may have used extensions and other added features that your budget may not allow for. Instead, pick pictures as inspiration and allow for some flexibility based on your own hair’s thickness, length and texture.

To Wash or Not to Wash
You’ve probably been told not to wash your hair before you style it because it holds curls and other styles better, and this is true for most people – to a point. The natural oils in your hair can help to maintain a healthy shine and keep your hair in place, so you shouldn’t wash your hair right before your wedding. Instead, wash it the night before. Note: You’ll still want to consult your hairstylist for exact washing instructions in case you have hair that is prone to oil buildup.

Weather Isn’t Always Your Fair-weather Friend
Make sure you take into consideration the weather when you’re planning. If you’re not going to get married in your area, you may want to do some research. You’ll want to know what the average humidity is because curls and low-flowing styles don’t withstand high humidity well, especially if you’re having an outdoor ceremony.

Trending This Year
Each year brings new trends for wedding hairstyles. Updos are still very much in style, but nontraditional, softer looks are what’s in this year. For 2012, many hairdos are starting at the nape of the neck for a more laidback look. It’s not all about bejeweled tiaras and diamond-studded barrettes anymore. Many brides are opting for real flowers give their hair a fresh and whimsical look. You may opt for silk flowers, as well.

Leave the Crewnecks in Your Dresser
The absolute No. 1 tip for having great hair the day of your wedding is to wear a zip-up hoodie or a button-up blouse when you go to get your hair done on your wedding day. You don’t want to mess up your wedding hairstyle when you remove your tight shirt over top of your head.

If you’re thinking about a cosmetology career or considering going to beauty school, there are probably a couple of big questions that factor into your decision: Is there a demand for cosmetologists? And what do beauty professionals make?

In the video above, Becca explains how the growing population and the rising value being placed on advanced beauty skills and services is contributing to much faster than average job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that beauty career opportunities will increase by 20% through 2018.

It’s difficult to quote a projected cosmetology salary, however, because so many factors determine what cosmetologists and beauty professionals make. Obviously, the more experience you have, the higher your wages will be. If you are certified to perform multiple beauty services, you will have an advantage as well. The important thing is to find the right school for you, get the training you need, and pursue your dreams with a passion.

For a much more elaborate breakdown of cosmetology salaries and career information, go here.

If you follow fashion, you have undoubtedly witnessed the parade of starlets sporting hair extensions to boost the look of their own locks. Everyone from Beyonce to Kate Middleton has been photographed wearing the tell-tale swatches of real and synthetic hair. Jessica Simpson has even launched her own line of hair extensions. The idea of transforming short hair to long hair in a jiff appeals to consumers across all demographics, but evidence suggests the growing hair trend may have costly consequences.

Hair extensions cost between $300 and $3500, depending on whether the client chooses real or synthetic swatches. A partial head of hair starts at $150, while a full head of hair starts at $1300. Add to the base price the cost of labor, and the average client spends $800 to $1600. Monthly touch-ups add $20 to $50 to maintain the extensions.

These salon costs are quantifiable, but there is no telling the emotional cost that long-term use of hair extensions may cause. Salons use several methods to attach the extensions to the client’s real hair, including sewing and weaving. The most popular methods involve bonding with a form of hot glue and cold fusing with a form of protein-based glue.

As it turns out, the very weight of the hair extensions can cause the follicle to atrophy and prevent new hair growth. In severe cases, women develop a hair loss condition known as traction alopecia, and it can worsen and become permanent alopecia. Thus far, the only medical treatments available for alopecia have been topical minoxidal or hair transplants.

You can try less expensive clip-on extensions as an alternative, but some experts think the ultimate solution is to avoid hair extensions altogether.

Each generation embraces beauty treatments that are both ill-advised and laborious, according to UK Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman, author of The Meaning of Sunglass: And a Guide to (Almost) All Things Fashionable. After all, the old adage says, “Beauty is pain.” The hair extensions that currently reign supreme are the equivalent of what tanning beds were to the ’70s, hair perms were to the ’80s and glycolic peels were to the ’90s.

With that said, every generation rebels against the previous generation. Perhaps, the coming year will rush to embrace natural hair as the next best thing.

UPDATE: There’s a petition available now for those who want to sign it.

We saw this pop up into our beauty news feed today: Apparently, a bill in the Indiana House is recommending that professions like cosmetology and barbering be deregulated. If passed, it would mean that cosmetologists and barbers in that state would no longer have to be certified and licensed to charge for their services and open beauty salons.

We were going to do a big post on the matter, but then we saw that Beauty Schools Directory already talked that talk and covered pretty much everything we wanted to say in their post: “On Indiana’s proposed cosmetology deregulations and why that’s a terrible idea”

We did do some recon, though, to see what people thought, asking them, “Would you go to a cosmetologist or barber who wasn’t licensed and trained?”

“When I walk into a store for a haircut, I expect the person with the blades to at least have some idea what they’re doing – even if I have very little hair to cut.”

– Michael, Kansas City, MO

“Absolutely not. Just like I wouldn’t go to a tattoo artist who wasn’t certified or licensed and had proper training in safety and hygiene.”

– Amber, Red Lion, PA

“I would go back to shaving my head before paying someone that doesn’t have proper certification and training.”

– Paul, Columbia, SC

“For hair, yeah, I’d go to someone unlicensed, especially if I were only getting a trim and an unlicensed barber’s prices were a lot lower. Same for a manicure or makeup. That said, for any specialty treatments like hair color, special beauty mask, etc., I would prefer someone trained and certified.”

– Kate, Amsterdam

“Would I walk in off the street? No way. If I were very familiar with their abilities, possibly. I may spend as little as possible on haircuts, but no way would I go to someone who wasn’t able tos how they have some sort of training and experience. Licensing is a good way to prove that.”

– Rachael, Utica, NY

“My dad isn’t trained to cut, but he still cuts mine. But he grew up with my Grandpa cutting his.”

– Logan, Eagle Springs, NC

“You mean the ‘mom haircut’? Heck no!”

– Nelson, Kansas City, MO

“It depends on word-of-mouth about the barber, but I wouldn’t walk in off the sterets to a place I had never heard of before.”

– Josh, Kansas City, MO

“I always look for women with haircuts I like then ask them where they get their haircut. It just aoccurred to me that I have never looked to see if they’re credentialed – just if they cut good hair.”

– Dawn, Columbia, SC

What do you guys think? Should states deregulate cosmetology and barbering and open up the industry?

Sure, movie stars have their own cosmetologists and access to some of the best hair and make-up products out there, but surprisingly not all Hollywood beauty secrets come with a designer name or hefty price tag. Many celebrity hairstylists and make-up artists will divulge that sometimes everyday things can become handy, Hollywood-worthy beauty products. Here’s a sneak peek to five secrets that celebrities use that aren’t difficult to find or afford!

• Salicylic acid — Sounds like a dangerous substance, but salicylic acid can play a key role in your skin’s health. Salicylic acid helps wash away dead skin cells which gives your skin a healthy glow. Look for salicylic acid in skincare products such as face wash. Or, smooth Pepto Bismol on your face. Yep, you heard us right. The stomach-soother contains a gentle form of salicylic acid that can make your tummy feel better and your face glow!
• Cinnamon oil — Angelina has genes to thank for her prized pout, but with the help of some cinnamon oil you can now have fuller lips, too! When applied to your lips, spicy cinnamon oil increases blood flow which causes the lips to swell temporarily. Apply a little bit with your lip gloss and enjoy a sexy smile!
• Exfoliaters — Stars have beautiful, flawless skin because they have make-up artists, amazing products, a ton of airbrushing, and they know to exfoliate. A lot. While most of those things probably won’t be available to you, you can easily (and cheaply!) exfoliate. All you need is a good loofah and products that can scrub away dead skill. Look for body wash and face wash that have little “scrubbers” or “beads.” Or make your own sugar scrub by mixing brown sugar, a little bit of olive oil and scented massage oil. Remember it’s not only important to clean your skin but to wash away the dead stuff as well.
• Dryer sheets — You probably didn’t know a secret beauty product was hiding in your laundry room, huh? Dryer sheets can quickly tame hair fly-a-ways. Just smooth over your hair and watch the static electricity and unruly hairs disappear. An added bonus—your hair will smell extra fresh!
• Homemade blemish repair — Got a pesky blemish? Many celebrity make-up artists recommend looking for the remedy in the kitchen. Dry it out by mixing a packet of dry yeast with the juice of half a lemon and pat over the blemish. Leave it one for about five minutes to reduce swelling and redness.

See our original post on five inexpensive Hollywood beauty tricks.