Local beauty school host ‘kids day’ downtown
Natalie McClelland’s 10th birthday started off as a dream.
Donned in a crown fit for a birthday princess, Natalie was treated to a princess makeover provided by students at Butler Beauty Academy. With her hair in a stylish Dutch braid, the birthday girl was in a near-euphoric state as students applied princess makeup while Disney songs played throughout the salon.
“My mom brought me to get my hair done,” Natalie said. “I’m getting ready for my party.”
The student council of Butler Beauty Academy in downtown Butler hosted a “Kids Day” where children were able to choose either a princess or superhero makeover on Monday, July 10.
From face paint to hair tinsel, children were able to enjoy spa-like treatments while students at the academy were able to raise money and work on their craft.
“We are hosting a fun day for the community,” said Aiva Smith, student council co-president. “We wanted something where we could get the kids gathered, have something fun and also support education and the community.”
Proceeds from the event will help with getting a lash class and help with the cost of sending students to various conferences.
“You learn so much from those conferences,” Smith said. “They say you should further your education once a year in this industry.”
The council’s long-term goal is to be able to provide assistance with tuition for the academy’s students.
The students also were able to learn a valuable lesson in marketing.
“They were great promoters,” said Linda McCarren, owner of the academy. “The girls worked hard on it. One girl designed the flyer, one person put it on social media and it just soared. We got a lot of great feedback from it.”
More than 100 little princesses and superheros were estimated to get a makeover.
“It was supposed to start at noon,” Smith said. “But we had kids lining up out the door at 11.”
Bailey Smith, of Clarion, dressed as Maleficent learned a lesson in patience as she transformed young girls into their favorite princesses.
“We don’t have a lot of kids that come here to get their hair done,” Smith said. “So sometimes you have to be patient with them, they get nervous and you have to work with them a little bit extra.”