Eight million viewers of TLC's "What Not to Wear" know Nick Arrojo as the artful hair stylist who has given scores of women newfound confidence. He's also the owner of a full-service salon in New York City, creator of a line of hair products bearing his name, author of the book "Great Hair," and founder of the beauty school Arrojo Cosmetology. Listed as one of the most influential hairdressers in "50 Hairstylists," fortunate students learn directly from the master, who regularly teaches at his school. Arrojo's celebrity reputation also earns his students the rare opportunity of styling hair for models during New York's famous fashion week.
From the fashion runways of New York to hundreds of local neighborhoods, Aveda stylists practice virtually everywhere. In 1977 the first Aveda Institute opened its doors in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today Aveda offers cosmetology programs in 50 American cities, as well as Canada and Australia. According to the Aveda Corporation, the average annual salary for a stylist in the U.S. is $50,000. Yet the price for a haircut at an Aveda salon is twice the national average, enabling Aveda-trained stylists to potentially double their income. A global network of 6,400 salons plus a full line of high-end beauty products greatly contribute to the esteemed reputation of Aveda cosmetology schools.
Sheer scope and size give Empire Beauty Schools credibility. In 1935 Empire opened its first beauty school in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Today, 87 locations in 20 states qualify the Empire network as the largest provider of cosmetology education in the United States. In 2007, Empire acquired beauty schools owned by the Regis Corporation, another well-known name to salon industry insiders and clients, and it continues to search for new expansion opportunities. Each year Empire hosts the largest hair and nail competition in the country.
Say "Paul Mitchell" and immediately many women think of the iconic name vertically running down white plastic bottles filled with hair products. The Paul Mitchell styling line includes more than 100 items sold in thousands of locations in 80 countries, and it has given him worldwide recognition. He has also placed his name on more than 100 Paul Mitchell partner schools in 38 states from metropolitan New York City to small town Bismarck, North Dakota. Chairman and CEO John Paul DeJoria, maintains that Paul Mitchell's reputation has opened doors for students to work in salons almost anywhere in the world.