Education & Classes in Chicago

A cadre of accomplished students mans hp: the college's three Chicago-area salons, where they learn the beauty trade while enhancing client appearances for less than at standard studios. Founded in 1979, the college instructs fledgling stylists in the latest trends and aesthetic remedies with products from Moroccanoil, Wella, and Dermalogica. At all three locations, sleek black styling chairs contrast with colorful bottles of hair products and OPI nail polish set amid the comfort of plush pedicure chairs. As students ply their skills on ravishing haircuts and clarifying facials, aesthetics pupils use carefully blended botanicals to add aroma, hydration, and palm-sized zen gardens to manicures and pedicures.

Colors & Bottles' founder Jessica Burley and her band of talented local artists are dedicated to supporting local emerging talent and businesses through art instruction held at nearby venues. Their resident artists travel to local eateries and art galleries, where they teach students of all skill levels to fashion dimensional masterpieces through step-by-step instruction. They also kindle creativity during private parties held at the location of your choice, asking only that the destination be outfitted with enough tables, chairs, and paint-by-numbers templates of the Sistine Chapel ceiling for all invitees. Colors & Bottles has received a nod for their engagingly creative events on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and within the pages of the Columbus Dispatch.

Like many people, Kenneth Geary had a childhood nickname. “Skinnie Piggy.” The moniker was bestowed upon him by his grandmother due to his large appetite and high metabolism. The name has stuck, as Kenneth and co-owner, Monica Rodriguez, have not only dubbed their sweets shop "Skinnie Piggy" but have also incorporated its meaning into the concept of the store. Executive chef Elizabeth McCabe handcrafts a daily menu of freshly-baked pies, poundcakes, and cupcakes, most of which come in Hog (huge), Skinnie (regular), and Piglet (mini) sizes, an innovation that gained praise from ABC7, Chicago Magazine, and Pop Sugar. Amid pink polka dotted walls decorated with local artwork, customers can dispense gourmet treats such as Jelly Belly’s from clear containers, and peruse more than 25 types of nostalgic candies, from Fun Dip to Zotz Fizz. The sweets boutique also caters special occasion parties and business meetings with confectionary bouquets and candy boxes.