Article: In most states, a high school diploma or GED is required to become a hair stylist. Check with the licensing board in your state for more information. If you are currently a high school student, find out if there are any vocational high schools in your area that would allow you to complete some or all of the training hours required for a hair stylist license in your state. Some high schools also offer programs that allow students to take some classes at the high school and others at a local community college. These options will save you a lot of money, so take advantage of them if they are available. If you have already graduated from high school or if a high school vocational program is not an option for you, you will need to complete a state-approved cosmetology or hair stylist program in order to obtain your license. There are a variety of different programs available, and they all differ in cost, duration, and curriculum, so be sure to research your program thoroughly. Depending on your area, you may have the option of attending a community college to obtain an associate's degree in cosmetology or attending a cosmetology, beauty, or hair school to obtain a certificate. If your state issues separate licenses for cosmetologists and hair stylists, you may be able to find a program that focuses only on hair. Most states, however, only offer licenses in cosmetology, so you will be required to take some classes in areas such as makeup, skin care, and nail care as well. It is a good idea to tour all of the schools you are interested in and ask the admissions advisers lots of questions about the curriculum. Look for programs that are accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation means the program's curriculum meets a set of industry-specific guidelines. You will likely have an easier time finding a job if you graduate from an accredited institution, and you will be able to apply for federal financial aid. Apprenticeships are also a training option in a few states. This is a much more affordable option for completing the necessary training and it will allow you to start working in the field with a professional hair stylist right away. Check with your state licensing board to see if this is an option in your state. If it is, you should be aware that it will likely take longer to complete an apprenticeship than it would to complete a cosmetology program. Most cosmetology programs take between one and two years to complete, depending on whether you attend part-time or full-time. You should expect to complete a combination of classroom work and hand-on work during your program. At most schools, you will begin your hand-on training by working on mannequins, before eventually progressing to working on real clients at the school's salon. In addition to learning how to cut, color, and style hair, you will likely be required to learn about things like sanitation, anatomy, and business management. Once you complete your program, you will be required to apply for a cosmetology or hair stylist license in your state. Licensing procedures are unique in each state, but you will typically be required to pass a written test and a practical test to demonstrate that you understand the theories of hair styling and are capable of implementing them. If you move to another state, you will need to apply for a license in that state in order to start working as a hair stylist. Keep in mind that requirements for licenses vary from state to state, so you may also be required to take additional training courses. Most licenses need to be renewed every few years. Depending on your state, you may need to take continuing education courses in order to renew your license. Even if you are not required to take continuing education courses, it may be a good idea. Trends are always changing, so it will be important for you to keep up with the latest techniques and styles. In order to stand out in the job market and earn more money, you may want to consider taking some additional courses beyond those that are required for your licenses. You can choose specialty areas to focus on, such as hair color or hair extensions. You may be able to find courses at your local cosmetology school, through the manufacturer of a hair care product, or through a professional organization.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Finish high school. Research cosmetology programs. Complete the program. Get licensed by your state. Keep your license current. Get advanced certifications.
Article: As a general rule, you should use 3 gallons (12 L) of water for every 1 lb (450 g) of fabric. The water should be simmering hot when you pour it into the tub. Glass and stainless steel will not be stained by the dye, but most plastics will become stained. If you are worried about staining the tub, consider lining it with plastic sheets before filling it with water. This works best if you are using a single tub. If you need to split the process up between two tubs, though, make sure that the amount of water and the amount of dye you add to each tub is exactly equal. Alternatively, you could use your washing machine to dye the curtains. To do so, begin by filling the washing machine basin with the hottest water possible. The rest of the process will essentially follow the same steps. There are differences between liquid and powder dyes, and there may even be further differences between dye brands. Check the instructions on your dye to determine the best way to prepare it. Usually, you will need to prepare a bottle of liquid dye by vigorously shaking it for a minute or so. To prepare powder dye, fully dissolve one packet in 2 cups (500 ml) of very hot water. Dump your prepared dye into the filled basin or filled washing machine (whichever you decided to use). Use a paint stick or board to stir the dye in until you are certain that it has fully spread throughout the water. If the curtains are dry or cool to the touch, quickly soak them in a sink or separate tub filled with clean hot water. Hot water helps activate the dye. Your results will be as pure and even as possible if both the dye bath and the curtains are hot when you transfer the material to the dye. Place the curtains in the dye bath, submerging them completely beneath the water's surface. Allow them to sit in the hot dye for 5 minutes. Do not stir or agitate the curtains during this time. If you are using a washing machine, do not start any sort of washing cycle yet. After the first 5 minutes pass, add 1 cup (250 ml) of salt or white vinegar to the dye bath for every 3 gallons (12 L) of water. You should also add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of liquid washing detergent. Salt and vinegar help intensify the dye color. Use salt with cotton, linen, ramie, and rayon. Use vinegar with silk, wool, and nylon. Liquid detergent allows the dye to move more freely throughout the water and into the fabric fibers. Once the additives are in the water, allow the curtains to soak in the dye bath for about two hours. This amount of time is standard if you want to produce the intended shade; however, you can leave the curtains in for a shorter or longer time if you want a lighter or darker shade, respectively. Check the curtains periodically until you achieve the shade you want. Note, though, that the final shade will usually be a bit lighter than it appears when wet. Agitate the curtains continuously. If you are machine dyeing the curtains, set the machine on an agitate cycle and continue agitating the fabric the entire time. If you are dyeing the curtains in a tub, stir the fabric every few minutes using a large painting stick or board.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Fill a large tub with hot water. Prepare the dye. Mix in the dye. Soak the curtains. Place the curtains in the dye bath. Add salt or vinegar. Soak for several hours.