Holiday Manicure & Nail Art

Watch our manicure process on a natural nail, as done by nail technician student Renee Luttrell.

Amber's: Inked

20 year old Phylicia Wymer is a unique student at Amber's.  With about 300 more hours until she graduates, she decided to memorialize her time at Amber's in a special way.

The Amber's logo tattooed on the inside of her right arm represents her time in beauty school, her future career, and her passion for the industry.  This tattoo also connects Phylicia with her mother, as she attended Amber's as well.  

Phylicia has three other tattoos, but this is her favorite!

After graduation, she plans on moving to Florida and eventually back to her home state, Ohio, to work in a salon.

Special Guest: Katie Cassaro

At Amber's, we value our student's education and invest in their constant growth by partnering with different education resources, like classes taught by product knowledge specialists.  Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of working with Katie Cassaro, an educator from Benniefactor and GAGE FOR MEN.  

Katie has been in the hair industry for a little over four years and works full time as a hairdresser in Indianapolis at Identity Hair Design.  As an educator for Benniefactor and GAGE FOR MEN, Katie travels to Louisville, KY monthly to take educational classes and keep up with the latest, cutting edge information.

At Amber's, Katie teaches the students product knowledge and practical application.  This includes teaching students how to recommend professional products for their clients as well as working hands on with the products.  

Katie said, "It is important [for students] to know what they're using and how to use it.  I truly feel that it starts them as soon as possible in uncovering guest's needs, dialogue, and professionalism - and it's never too soon to start that!"  

  While Katie typically partners with salons, Amber's is the only beauty school that Katie educates.  She travels here about every eight weeks, and she looks forward to working directly with the students.  
"Students are much more impressionable, more willing to learn, and more eager for it.  I love their enthusiasm.  They keep me fresh, and I learn from them as well.  It's a nice blend of give and take.  They make it possible for me to be a full time student, always and forever."

Meet the Student Series: Renee Luttrell

Meet Renee Luttrell!  We chatted with our only student studying to become a nail technician about her journey in the beauty industry and her time here at Amber's.

Renee Luttrell at home in our pedicure room.

After picking up and moving (nearly) across the country, Renee made the trek from California to Indiana about two years ago.  An enthusiastic woman with many passions, including music and writing, Renee was set on renewing her nail technician license in her new state.  This desire led her to Amber's door's.

Why did you pick Amber's?

It was the best fit for me.  I valued the personal attention I received when I came in to check out the facility as well as the warm, low stress atmosphere.  Now that I'm here, I appreciate that the learning environment is a slower pace, but is able to keep my interest.  I'm not overloaded.  

The climate is friendly - almost like family, and there is no drama!  I think this comes from Amber's commitment to professionalism and the influence of instructors.

How long have you been at Amber's?

Only a week! I just started this past Tuesday (4 days ago).

Tell me about studying to become a nail technician.

A student has to complete 450 hours to get their license.  It's important to note, however, that I'm not just learning how to do manicures, I'm learning artificial application.  My teacher is an instructor who did nails professionally for six years, so I'm confident that I'm receiving a great education.

So far, I've been able to work on a few students and patrons.

What are your goals?

Someday, I hope to open my own nail salon.  I want to be able to provide clients with great nails and the "extras" - ambience, coffee, music, and conversation.  I think I'll be able to develop those business skills because I see it happening here at Amber's anyways.  I'll be able to take the culture of Amber's with me once I leave, not just the training.

Renee Luttrell smiles for the camera.

Client Perspective: Betty Carter

Betty Carter is one of Amber's oldest and most loyal customers.  Today we feature her in our Client Perspective and honor her devotion to our services and our school.   

Betty Carter receiving her weekly service.

Do not let her age fool you - at 91 years old, Betty is full of youthful vigor.  Her bright personality and infectious smile will brighten anyone's day.   In her younger years, Betty attended Warner's Beauty School (which was located above a tea room on Jefferson Street) in Fort Wayne, IN.  She made a living running a hair salon out of her home and later working as a nurse at Ball Hospital. Betty was drawn to Amber's because of her background in the beauty industry and has been coming to Amber's for over 40 years.  Now, she comes in every Friday to get "washed and rolled up".  She enjoys spending time with the girls and watching them learn and grow. Thank you Betty!  We look forward to your visits every week.

Meet the Student Series: Ashlee Hidy

Meet one of our newest students, Ashlee Hidy!  We talk with Ashlee about her experience at Amber's as a new student and how her non-traditional status makes her a unique addition to Amber's family.

Ashlee, 29, smiles in our pedicure room.

Hailing from Hartford City, Ashlee is a bubbly 29 year old wife and mother who is working to balance her family life and student status.  Transitioning from a career in nursing, Ashlee just began her time at Amber's only a few weeks ago.

Why did you decide to go to beauty school?

I wasn't happy as a nurse - I wasn't where I wanted to be.  I asked myself, if I could do anything in the world, what I would I do?  I knew the answer - I would go to beauty school and do hair!

Why did you pick Amber's?

Amber's is modern, clean, and professional.  I wanted a school who had a newer style with a fresher look - not a grandma kind of school!

I understand you are a "basic" student.  Tell me what that means.

I am in the Beginner's Course.  I am learning all of the cuts, the perm styles, how to do roller sets, manis, pedis, and facials.  You've got to learn all of the basics before you go out on the floor!  I've been in basic now for five weeks, which is about 200 hours.

What are you looking forward to most in regard to your time here?

Perfecting things as much as I can.  I want to immerse myself in this and learn everything I can before I graduate.  I want to be confident and successful by the time I leave.

Ashlee shows off her shears.

What are your goals?

In 10 years, I'd love to have my own shop with some girls and make a name for myself.  I want to have people say, "They're awesome! Go to them!".  Its not about the money, its about being happy.

What is your dream job?

I'm here! This IS my dream job!

What has been the best part of being at Amber's, so far?

Just being a part of this.  The girls and instructors are amazing.  I wake up everyday and I'm happy to come here.

What has been the hardest part of being here?

Overcoming perfection.  I hate not doing something well or not doing something perfectly.

How does Amber's accommodate to your life?

Amber's has a lot of flexibility.  If I needed a day or something, they would be understanding and work with me.  I don't feel anxiety.  I like that its structured but laid back at the same time.  Its not your typical college experience where if you're not there, you're failed.

Why would you recommend Amber's to a prospective student?

Amber's has a fantastic atmosphere with great instructors and reasonable tuition.  I am never afraid to ask or try new things.  Everyone is helpful and they foster the environment of learning.

Ashlee's chair is open! Will you be sitting there next?

Girl's Night Out

Last night the girls from Alpha Phi sorority joined Amber's Beauty School for a girl's night out!  The girls were treated to manicures, pedicures, scalp treatments, and styles.  
Scroll through the photos from the event and check out the short video at the end to see what a great time we had.  Thanks to all the fantastic girls and Amber's students for making this event possible!

Goodie bags were given out to each girl - each bag contained nail polish, candy, and stickers!

Four Alpha Phis relax in our pedicure station.

Craft time! The girls learned how to make homemade air fresheners.

Erin Kahre smiles big with her newly styled curls. 

Samantha Hunt is loving her pedi!

Scalp treatments are the ultimate relaxation.

Paige Walburn with her air freshener.

Our mani station was full all night!

Nikki Kellar enjoys her first ever pedicure.

Alpha Phis with our wonderful students.

  

DIY Halloween: Zombie Makeup

Student Brooke Kozak demonstrates how to create creepy zombie makeup just in time for Halloween!  Desiree Pierce models how to transform from the living to the living dead.

How To: Bump It

Student Brooke Matthews demonstrates how to bump it, or poof your hair, on model Rachel Vest.  Brooke uses Benniefactor b PROUD Holding Spray and b MORE Building Powder to complete this look.

In Session: Enrollment & Class Information

Are you a prospective student? Want to know more about the admission process and class information?  Read on in our interview with Sara Criswell, Instructor & Admissions Director at Amber's, for a different perspective on student life.
Tell me about the application and selection process for students: Students need to fill out an application, which can be filled out at Amber's, mailed in, or done online. (You can find the link for online application here.)  Once we have their application, it is reviewed, and if you fulfill the requirements, you'll be accepted.  We have on average 50 students per class, but we take almost everyone who is willing to dedicate themselves and learn!  

Paper applications waiting to be filled out!

How much does it cost for a student to go here? For a full time student, it costs $6,995 + $300 enrollment fee.  For a part time student, it's $7,495+ $300 enrollment fee.  Books and a cosmetology kit are included in this price.

Cosmetology Kit + Textbook

How long does it take for students to complete the program?   A full time student graduates from Amber's in 10 months, and a part-time student takes about a year and a half.
Does Amber's work with students to accommodate to their schedules and busy lives? Yes - we take part time students in high school, and we offer full time as well as part time classes.  Our students range from 16 - 50 years old.  Some are working, some are going to school, and some are balancing both plus a family.

What is a typical day like for students? Students come to Theory class for an hour in the mornings, where we use the Miladi textbook.  Then, students work on clinic floor assignments, like a 9 section perm, finger waves, or color application.  This is either done on other students or on their mannequin.  The rest of the day is left for hands on experience, so students work directly with clients.
How important is this real-life experience at Amber's? It's crucial! What they're doing here IS their business.  Everything that they're going to be doing out in the real world is hands on - and they're doing it now.  Theory is important because they need to learn the basics, but it is most important to be able to apply what they know.

The girl's: in action!

Are students graded? They are tested once a week in Theory class, and we use the traditional A-F grading system. 
What are the requirements for students to get their license? Their license takes 1500 hours to complete.  The state requires that they finish the 1500 hours, and 150 can be job shadowing hours, so they can try out salons before they commit to a job.  We require that students take a practical, and they are also required to take a final test in Indy, which is multiple choice and taken on the computer.  Amber's has an extremely high success rate in terms of graduation - about 95-100% of our students graduate every year.
How successful are Amber's graduates? They are extremely successful and vary in the jobs they hold.  Many are hairdressers, both local and across the country, and some are even opening their own salons!
How is Amber's different than any other beauty school? What sets Amber's apart is that it is a family owned business, and the family is active in it.  It is smaller, and we don't have several locations, so we can keep our education and what we do at a high standard.
Why would you recommend beauty school? First, if its your passion, its your passion.  It's a business that makes people feel good, and making people feel good is good for everyone involved.

How To: Shampoo & Condition with Gage for Men

Watch student Alissa Jackson and model Brooke Matthews teach you how to properly shampoo and condition short hair in 6 easy steps.

In this video we used Gage for Men shampoo & conditioner.

A History of Amber's

Characterized by its excellent hands-on education, fantastic service, and its sleek, modern appearance, Amber's Beauty School is not your average space.  Large graphics adorn grey walls, along with eye-catching pops of yellow, welcoming all to its cozy, yet industrial style feel.  Amber's is easily one of the sleekest, most modern facilities in Muncie.  Clients are greeted by friendly faces, talented students, and comfortable surroundings.  With a student base in the mid-50s, Amber's has steadily been growing since its new business owners, Brian and Brook Shrieve bought the company four years ago.  Yet, Amber's did not begin this way - passed down as a family business, Amber's Beauty School is rooted in humble beginnings, and small-town community.

Amber's Beauty School - Now

We sat down with Butch Shrieve, former owner of Amber's Beauty School and Brian's great-uncle, to uncover the history behind Amber's.
Tell me about the founders of Amber's. The name "Amber" comes from Amber Hunter.  She went to beauty school in Hillsboro, Il in the late 20s, and then decided to open her own school in Vandeleigh, Il.  Later on, around 1927, she decided to move the school to a larger town - Alton, Il on the Mississippi River.  At this time, the school was called Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture, and it was located on 401 Henry Street.   Amber's brother, George, had a job working on the railroad.  He decided to go to beauty school because the beauty industry was stable in the 20's, at the time of the Great Depression.  He graduated around 1928.
Amber's sister, Marjorie (Butch's mother) also wanted a part in the beauty industry.  Instead of attending beauty school, she received her education through apprentice training, which is about 2,000 hours of working in a salon.
The Central Illinois School of Beauty Culture was extremely successful - in the beginning year they did 1,000 machine permanents (now known as perms), and 999 the next year!

A machine permanent.

Why did Amber's move to Muncie? Amber's moved to Indiana in 1935.  The Indiana Beauty Board suggested South Bend or Muncie, and Amber and George picked Muncie because it was on the same railroad line George worked on.  In 1936, the name was changed to Amber's Beauty School.  At this time, the school was located on 803 E. Washington Street, and was owned by Amber, Bell Casey (Amber's sister), Marjorie, and her husband, George Shrieve.

George, Marjorie, and their son, Butch, outside of Amber's on E. Washington Street.

Are the other locations in Illinois still in existence? No, everything in Illinois is gone.
How important is the idea of family to Amber's? Family is the backbone of the business.  It's been passed down to family members, and we love this industry.  When I was young, my family lived above the school, so I was raised there.  In 1956, I attended beauty school, where I met my wife, Patricia.  We worked for Amber's and owned the business together for 52 years.
How does the community affect Amber's, and vice versa? Well, I'm 75, and I've lived here all my life.  Amber's has made a huge contribution to the community, with probably around 5,000 graduates trained in Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Henry, Madison, & Grant counties.

Far left: Pat & Butch inside Amber's in the 1960's.

In 1982, my wife Pat and I opened a new school location on White River Boulevard.  We trained vocational students and well as regular students.  We were busy back then - we had about 150 students at a time, about 250 customers in a day, and 13 instructors on duty.  One day we did 92 perms! What I've noticed about this industry is that it runs on a cycle.  About every 15 years it peaks, then evens out, then peaks again.  Now, the opportunity to make money is better, because clients come in every once in a while and splurge, instead of once a week.
What is your secret to success? You're gonna get paid, so don't worry about that.  Your job (as a hairdresser) is to make people feel better about themselves.  Hair is so important to women - I remember seeing women come in with a hospital bracelet on their wrists!  Also, your business and your employees have to have a personality.  The most successful employees are the ones that connect with clients.

Clients from a Style Show in the 1970's

Amber's now - making people feel good about themselves!

What are you most proud of in regards to Amber's? Beauty school is an art form.  Many students are into it - and they have a passion for it.  At Amber's, we are able to do a good job with the training and keep the cost down, way below other schools.  Also, we have extremely loyal clientele.  Some have been coming in for more than 50 years!

Meet the Student Series: Maria Muhlenkamp

It's time to meet more of our fabulous students! We chatted with Maria Muhlenkamp, a recent graduate from Amber's, about her journey through beauty school and her plans for the future.   

Maria Muhlenkamp, 18, shows us her pearly whites in the pedicure room.

A native from Jay County and a graduate from Jay County High School, 18 year old Maria has always loved doing hair.  In high school, she attended Amber's part time, and after graduation, transitioned to a full time student.  Her passion for this industry pushed her to follow her dreams and become what she's always wanted to be - a hairdresser!  

How did you get here? What led you to pursue this path?

I've always loved doing hair.  I started doing hair for weddings before I came to Amber's.  I found Amber's through Google, and it looked appealing, nice, and clean.  When I came in for my information session and tour, I loved it so much I signed up that day!

Tell me what you did as a student at Amber's:

As a student, you work on clients, do hair, and you study.  Before I graduated, I had spent a LOT of time studying!

Do you have a job lined up now that you've graduated?

Yes.  I'll be working as a hairdresser at Oasis Salon in Portland.  Eventually, though, I want to work at a salon in Coldwater, OH, where most of my family lives.

How do you feel like Amber's prepared you for getting your job?

Amber's teaches their student to be professional.  Something I'll always remember is to "treat clients like you would want to be treated".

What would you say to people who think beauty school doesn't compare to college or a real profession?

You're wrong! You can make just as much money as a hairdresser as you can being a nurse - and the schooling doesn't cost as much.  Also, you have to work hard to get through school.

What do you love most about Amber's?

You can make Amber's work for you.  Amber's will work around your schedule, and my relationships with the instructors and other students have been awesome.

What advice would you give to someone who was considering becoming a student at Amber's?

Try it! It doesn't take very long to get through the program if you work hard.  I would absolutely recommend it.

Maria poses at her station.

Good luck, Maria! We know you'll be successful!

DIY: Hair Bow

Ever wondered how to create a fabulous hair bow? Watch our tutorial by our students Carly and Brooke to unveil the secrets!

Meet the Students Series: Morgan Beeks

Ever wondered what its like to be a student at Amber's Beauty School?  We sat down with the bright and bubbly Morgan Beeks as she dished us the details.

Morgan Beeks, 18, smiles for the camera.

Hailing from Fairmount, IN, 18 year old Morgan recently graduated from Madison-Grant High School.  She attended Amber's part-time during her high school career, and upon graduation, started attending Amber's part-time as well.  Inspired by her great-grandma, who was a hairdresser and owned a salon in her house, Morgan always knew that beauty school was her calling.

How did you get to Amber's? What led you to pursue this path?

I've always loved doing hair and fashion, and I've always wanted to do it.  Senior year of high school I started looking around (for beauty schools) and I found Amber's.  I used Google to find different schools in Indiana and Amber's was also recommended by a hairdresser I knew.  Once I visited Amber's, I loved it, especially because it is modern.

Have you ever considered a different career?

I tried going to vocational school to become a nurse, but it didn't work out.  

Tell me what you do on a day to day basis.

I get here around 8:00 AM.  We have class (for part-time students) once a week, where we learn a chapter and take a test at the end of the week.  My favorite subjects so far have been Color and Makeup.  We spend the rest of our time working with clients.  Most of mine are older women, but I have some younger guys come in here too.

What are your long term goals?

Once I graduate in December, I want to go to Indy and try to get into one of the bigger salons.  Eventually I want to own my own salon one day.  I'd like to do everything that normal salons do, like waxing and manicures (along with hair), but I'd also like to travel to special events like weddings and do the hair and makeup there.

What do you love most about Amber's?

I feel like its a more modern school, so I learn more modern things, like haircuts.  Also, everyone gets along here so its a better climate.  They really live up to their motto (old school, new style).

What advice would you give to someone who was considering attending Amber's?

Yes! I would totally recommend going to Amber's.  You'll have a blast.  I've had so much fun, and learned so much.  Its been an overall great experience.

Morgan shows off her tools of the trade at her station.

Morgan relaxes at our pedicure station.