College of DuPage cosmetology students showcase skills at inaugural hair show

Join College of DuPage Cosmetology students for "Elements," a hair show and competition that explores the five Chinese elements, from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, in the Jack H. Turner Conference Center, Student Resource Center Room 2000, on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

The inaugural event is free and open to the public.

Calling on the five Chinese elements of earth, fire, water, metal and wood as inspiration, more than a dozen cosmetology students will put their skills and creativity to the test, showcasing their talents in three categories: cut and color, up do, and avant-garde.

Cosmetology Program Coordinator Mia Boyd said the event challenges students completing the program to stretch their skills and imaginations as well as present their work to a larger audience.

"You can expect the students to build on the skills they've acquired and think outside the box in terms of traditional hair and makeup techniques," Boyd said. "The fundamentals are there, but how students apply those skills to the element that inspires them may be something you've never seen before."

The Chinese elements provide a wealth of opportunities for students, Boyd said. In the weeks leading up to the show, students will incorporate elemental concepts into their classroom work as they decide on their final looks.

"Fire, for example, is warm and can be romantic. We might see what colors we can incorporate into a hair style or how the shape of fire can be used in a cut," she said. "Water is cool and glistening. Water is fluid, so students need to determine how to apply those concepts, textures or shapes to a piece."

The Cosmetology program at College of DuPage provides professional-level skills in the field of personal beauty. Students gain knowledge and skills in a broad range of disciplines, including aesthetics, business, chemical processes, hair design, nail technology, safety, salon operations and sanitation. Students are eligible to apply for a cosmetology license from the state of Illinois upon successful completion of the program.

For more information, contact Mia Boyd at boydm72@cod.edu or (630) 942-2918.

To learn more, visit www.cod.edu/programs/cosmetology/index.aspx.