TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple High School cosmetology department has officially opened its in-house salon, Salon Bleu, on Wednesday afternoons for the rest of the school year. The student led salon offers community members and Temple Independent School District staff members an opportunity to receive low-priced hair and nail services from Temple High School cosmetology students.
Salon Bleu is open from 12:30-5:00 p.m. each Wednesday afternoon in the cosmetology salon in the Career and Technical Education wing of Temple High School (415 North 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76504). All services are performed by students in the cosmetology pathway and appointments are required. The program provides the students with an opportunity to practice their technical skills while also having the opportunity to learn the other skills needed to work in the profession while interacting with the public.
“The students need to work on their speed and their accuracy, but they also need to learn how to talk to people while they are sitting in their chair,” said Melissa Coppage, cosmetology teacher at Temple High School. “You can’t really do that with a mannequin. It helps them learn how to really meet the demands of the individual. They can really run it more like a business. You are never going to get the same thing in your chair twice, so this gives them the opportunity and experience of adapting to the clients as they come in.”
Anthony Ramos is a senior in the cosmetology pathway at Temple High School. He is working toward testing for his cosmetology license, which requires 1,000 hours of practical experience. Two weeks after Salon Bleu’s soft opening, he has seen the value of the opportunity to work with real clients and is grateful for the experience he is gaining through the program.
“It is very different when you have a real client sitting in your chair because there are things that take place that don’t happen when you are just working on a mannequin,” Ramos said. “At first it was really nerve-wracking, but once you really get comfortable and talk to them a little bit you can settle in. You realize that you are there to practice and to learn, so I have tried to really take advantage of that opportunity.”
Juliana Rhodes is also a senior in the cosmetology program, and she plans to go to college and earn a business degree before opening her own shop. She also understands the unique learning opportunity students have through the Salon Bleu experience.
“We are really lucky to have this as part of the program because it is amazing to have that hands-on experience before you are sent out into the real world to work by yourself,” said Rhodes. “Mrs. Coppage walks around to give advice if there are things we need to work on. It is a wonderful way to be able to work on those skills and we are very lucky to have this.”
Coppage has also arranged for local professionals to come in during Salon Bleu hours to help mentor and work with her students as another way of providing real world experiences.
Salon Bleu is currently offering basic hair services and natural nail services with plans to add some skin care services soon. Prices run from $5 for a shampoo or basic pedicure up to $20 for a gel pedicure. To make an appointment for Salon Bleu services, you can call (254) 215-7353 or reach out to Coppage via email at [email protected].