Taking care of yourself means nurturing both your mental and physical well-being. Northern’s Cosmetology program teamed up with the WellBeing Center to bring “Treat Yourself Day” back to campus on Wednesday, October 15—a day filled with complimentary pampering and relaxation, open to all students.
Complimentary services included facials, head spas, manicures, and pedicures. When guests arrived, they were greeted with the chance to spin a prize wheel and pick up small gifts donated by local businesses, along with vouchers for discounts on future salon services. All students had to do was call ahead to reserve a spot, and they were set for some well-deserved, budget-friendly self-care.
“It’s really just about feeling good about yourself, taking time for yourself, and finding ways to refresh and rejuvenate,” said Denise Hudson, Program Coordinator and Cosmetology Instructor.
Not only did participants leave feeling good on the outside, but the cosmetology students also walked away with valuable real-world experience and a sense of accomplishment. “We’ve all had two or three clients today, so it’s been a lot of hands-on work,” said cosmetology student Mali Prany. “It’s also a great experience with public interaction—connecting with the community and rewarding the people who reward us.”
For both students and guests, Treat Yourself Day served as a reminder of how small acts of self-care can make a big impact. With its success this year, organizers hope to continue offering opportunities that let students practice their skills while helping others look and feel their best.
This event was beneficial all around. Beyond pampering guests, it gave cosmetology students a real look into what it’s like to work in and operate a post-graduate salon, gaining experience managing back-to-back clients. “Because we’re so busy on the floor, events like this teach our students management and soft skills. They learn how to handle back-to-back services and manage their time effectively,” said Hudson.
Alongside their complimentary services, the cosmetology students hosted a bake sale fundraiser to help send senior students to their annual trip to the Chicago Hair Show. Students made their own baked goods and will continue fundraising for the foreseeable future. “Our students have been fundraising for years to support their trip to the Chicago Hair Show. Today’s bake sale helps fund that, and they’ve been doing great—everything’s homemade, and they’ve raised quite a bit already,” said Hudson.
The cosmetology department’s main goal—no matter the day or event—is to make feeling beautiful and confident accessible to both students and community members. They believe every person is worthy of the luxury of self-confidence and are always willing to do their part to help.
The event was an overwhelming success. Unfortunately, some miscommunication during the registration process resulted in overbooking. The cosmetology department emphasized that students are always welcome and plan to extend the event over multiple days next time to ensure every student gets the spa-day experience they deserve.
The Department has multiple events headed towards campus to round out the year, their next event will be offering free hair cuts and specials for veterans on Veterans Day. Keep an eye out for what’s next for their department.
