Cosmetology students at the Center for Career Services got a behind-the-chair look at the beauty industry on Monday, Oct. 19, when celebrity hairstylist Tina Pearson and members of her team from Tina Pearson Salon in Edgewater, N.J., visited the school.

Ms. Pearson, whose clients have included singer Jill Scott and model Naomi Campbell, spent both the morning and afternoon sessions with students. All three Cosmetology classes filled the room for the experience.

The visit centered on Ms. Pearson's line of scalp detox products. Students watched live demonstrations that included digital scalp analysis, which gave them a close look at how scalp health is assessed. They also saw how the products are applied. The hands-on format showed how professional-grade care and cutting-edge technology come together in a modern salon.

Ms. Pearson also shared the story of her own career. She began as a lead stylist at BET Networks, moved into work as a celebrity hairstylist, opened her own salon, and eventually launched her own product line. Each step, she told students, built on the one before it, and each started with a foundation in cosmetology.

That foundation, she stressed, opens far more doors than many people realize. Cosmetology can lead to careers in salons, media, entertainment, product development, and business ownership. She encouraged students to get as much experience as possible working behind the chair in a salon, which she called the best training ground for any stylist. She also noted that the industry offers strong earning potential for those who are hungry to pursue it.

The visit came about through a personal connection. Ms. Pearson is a friend and former coworker of Vanessa Newby, one of the school's Cosmetology instructors. Ms. Newby's relationship with her longtime colleague brought a team of working professionals into the classroom, giving students a rare chance to hear directly from someone in Ms. Pearson who has built a career at the top of the field.

The Center for Career Services thanks Ms. Pearson and her team for sharing their time, talent, and expertise with Cosmetology students.