Collier High hair show is all about the do
By Bonnie Delaney
Staff Writer

With his long hair, beard and piercings, you might not think that Robert McCarthy would take the time to have his eyebrows waxed and plucked.

But he did on May 25 when he found himself in a salon chair at the Cosmetology Hair show at Collier High School in Marlboro, having warm wax applied to the areas above and below his brow line.

“Hey got to look good,” said McCarthy, 17, of the Parlin section of Sayreville and a senior at the high school, as cosmetology student Brenda Smith, 17, of Lakewood, pulled the strip of cooled wax off his brow and then finished by using tweezers to pluck the tiny remaining stray hairs that the wax had missed.

Waxing, plucking, styling, braiding, nail polishing, and massages were just some of the free services offered at the show, which was organized by 23 students in the cosmetology program at Collier, an alternative education program sponsored by Collier Services, a non-profit social service agency that gives boys and girls a chance to g row to their potential through educational, recreational and residential programs, according to the agency.

Smith, who was president of the hair show, said it was modeled after the annual International Beauty show held in New York City, which some of the cosmetology students have visited through class trips.

“I came up with this last year because not everyone can go to the show in New York,” Smith said. “This year is our biggest show ever.”

“We raised $500 through bake sales, selling candy grams at school on Valentine’s Day, and taking photos of students with Santa Claus to pay for the supplies and products needed to hold the show, said Allison Rauch, 18, of Shrewsbury, who was one of the organizers of the event.

She sat at a table handing out pamphlets and coupons entitling those who attended to a hot oil treatment, manicure, haircut or massage from students. She and Jacquita Jones, 18, of Edison, who also helped with fundraising, also answered visitors’ beauty questions.

Cosmetology teacher Bev Mercer said students were graded on their skills during the show.

“After high school, the students can continue their education at a vocational school or private school to get their license,” said Mercer, who added that the students share their talents throughout the year by holding beauty clinics for area senior citizens.
Many of the students plan to pursue a career in the field. Isaiah Hayes, 17, of Franklin said he would like to open up a hotel and restaurant with an affordable spa.

“I believe everyone should be able to feel like royalty,” Hayes said as he gave a paraffin hand treatment to a visitor.

Asia McLawhorn, 18, of Rumson massaged the neck and shoulders of Stephanee Feliciano, Bloomfield, who came to the hair show to visit her mother, teacher Bev Mercer.

“This feels great. I’m totally relaxed,” Feliciano said. McLawhorn said she hopes to become a masseuse.

Wacky hairdos on display included spiral curls, cornrows, twists, spikes and Mohawks and virtual makeovers, using a computer, allowed visitors to see what they would look like with a new hairdo or hair color.

“The hair show was a way for students to show off their skills and what they have learned through the program,” said Jackie St. Angel, Development Director for Collier Services.