The inaugural classes are well underway at the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare (OSAS) and students are completing a hands-on curriculum as they work toward becoming the next generation of beauty professionals in the South Sound. As students gain critical skills around skin, lash and brow care, OSAS owner Jin Mi S. Williams is also looking to forge local partnerships and give back to the community.
The Olympia School of Advanced Skincare Offers In-Depth Education for Popular Beauty Services
At the outset, Olympia School of Advanced Skincare has seen strong demand for comprehensive beauty education in Olympia, with full registration for September’s classes. And the interest continues for classes that begin in November. OSAS class sizes are designed to be smaller, around 8 to 10 spots, so that instructors can give students individualized attention.
Those interested in becoming students at OSAS can learn more online and Williams encourages applicants to schedule a tour of the school during the application process to become more acquainted with the learning environment, which differs in many ways from a traditional classroom. At OSAS, courses are set up with a serene atmosphere and sanitary conditions so that students can practice a wide spectrum of beauty treatments.
“Our school is very much like a spa,” says Williams. “It’s very relaxing when you come in. It’s not set up like a school. We want people to have that experience of what it’s like to work in a spa.”
The OSAS curriculum has a flexible format, with a combination of online coursework and in-person instruction to fit in with a student’s work or family schedule. Williams says she wants students to be engaged, active learners, with in-person instruction helping to strengthen concepts and build enthusiasm for skincare, lash and brow practices.
“We want them to be as active as possible with the services so that it connects,” explains Williams. “So, anything that they’re studying online, anything that they’re studying in their curriculum, they put it to use and put it to practice every single day that they’re in class.”
At OSAS, students can enroll in a Basic Esthetics or Master Esthetics program. Each program teaches the necessary concepts that will prepare students for either the esthetician or master esthetician board exams in Washington State.
OSAS also continues to stay updated with current trends and cutting-edge treatments, with instruction often exceeding state requirements. Williams says it is fun to teach concepts that are beyond basic requirements and this additional instruction can help students have a competitive edge when seeking future employment.
At Olympia School of Advanced Skincare, students don’t only learn traditional makeup styles, but they also receive an introduction to special effects makeup, a popular service especially for holidays and events.
Students are also learning a variety of on-trend services, including brow laminations, brow tints, sugar hair removal and a soft introduction to permanent makeup. Students receive hands-on instruction in these services, including practicing these techniques on participants from the community.
In the New Year, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare Aims to Further Connect With Community
As Williams settles into operations at Olympia School of Advanced Skincare, she is also interested in the school becoming more immersed in the small business community, including through participating in meetings from the Lacey South Sound Chamber and the Thurston County Chamber.
OSAS also received strong community support at the school’s official ribbon-cutting, which took place on October 20, 2023. Many different facets of the community came out to support OSAS, including representatives from the Thurston County Chamber, Lacey South Sound Chamber, Oly Night Market, PNW Women’s Network, Voyager Espresso, House of Jupiter, Reveal Salon & Spa, as well as Andrew and Lisa Barkis. In addition, an OSAS student, Aspen Napier, received a $500 scholarship at the event that will apply toward her studies.
Williams is looking forward to strengthening community outreach in the new year as more classes begin and more students enroll. This includes developing partnerships with local high schools in the area and participating in career fairs to help interested high school students jumpstart their beauty careers in Olympia. OSAS also plans to partner with local medical spas to promote career exploration in not only standard salon or spa environments but also in medical aesthetics.
Another major goal for OSAS in the new year is to help students fund their education by offering additional financial aid pathways. OSAS is also in the candidacy stage of seeking accreditation through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).
After receiving generous community support around the opening of OSAS, Williams says next year will be a time of gratitude and giving back to the community. Williams has a particular interest for OSAS to reach out and provide beauty services for elderly members of the community to help them look and feel their best.
“I think just that alone can change someone’s, like, whole day,” says Wiliams. “And it’s such an easy thing to get so depressed as an older person that it’s nice to get that love and care, especially from a young generation.”
To learn more about the application process, curriculum or special events, visit the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare website or Facebook page.
Sponsored
