Hair styling, skincare, makeup and nails. Are any of those your hobbies and something you would enjoy doing as a career? If they are, meet these two students who are lucky enough to be doing just that. Pursuing their passions in cosmetology are seniors Gemma Leighty and Mattie Henley.
“I have had an interest in beauty, makeup and nails since I was 6,” Henley said. “I’ve been doing my nails with my mom since I was 8. It was just a past[time] I’ve always enjoyed doing.”
Leighty also liked beautification since she was young.
“Don’t judge me [but] I was watching this James Charles video, and I was just like, ‘Oh, I kind of like this,” Leighty said. “I [also] used to experiment with my mom’s makeup. I would make a mess with it. Then in middle school, I really [got] into it and actually got real makeup and stuff.”
Leighty will be attending Z Hair Academy.
“I’m going to be studying how to do hair, skin and makeup,” she said. “Then I’m going to do a separate course on nails.”
After schooling, Leighty is thinking of working at a salon or doing wedding makeup.
Henley plans to study to be a nail technician through Bellus Academy’s 10-week program and receive a certification for Kansas.
“I’m hopefully planning to move to Georgia because my sister lives there — I’d be able to share a house or an apartment with her until I get on my feet,” Henley said. “I’m going to be working in nail salons [and] then after I build up my clientele, hopefully, start being an in-home nail tech.”
Although doing nail art takes much precision, Henley finds the process relaxing.
“I’m a bit of a perfectionist so getting the right shape for the nail, getting the acrylic smoothed down — I like doing all that stuff,” she said. “It takes my mind off of life. It’s a little bit of therapy, and it’s just really enjoyable for me.”
Leighty chose cosmetology because she felt that it aligned best with her life.
“College I feel like isn’t the right path for me — I’m more creative as a person and so I think it would be the best route,” she said. “[Cosmetology is] interesting because it shows how creative you are in a whole different aspect in normal art.”
Because of her talent, Leighty has gotten requests from people to do their makeup.
“I am in show choir, so I sometimes help people with their makeup,” she said. “It’s really strong makeup, and sometimes I do it for Homecoming, too.”
Both the girls are anxious to get started on this new path of life.
“I feel very excited to actually go and do my own thing and be an adult,” Leighty said. “I know I’m going to do well on it.”
“I’m a little worried because I don’t know if it’s going to be a competitive environment,” Henley said. “I’m mainly excited just for the learning process and the experience of it.”
