When it comes to a prestigious career that is equal parts artistry, creativity, and up-close and personal customer service, few things compare to the beauty industry. And if you’re looking to get expertly trained and set upon a lucrative career path as a hairdresser, cosmetologist, esthetician or makeup artist Brittany Beauty Academy of Levittown, New York is your best bet for success.
Brittany Beauty Academy’s current President and CEO is Gary Ferrara who purchased the school in 1999. What Brittany Beauty Academy offers is a career in hairdressing, cosmetology, esthetics, waxing and makeup artistry.
“Here, you can learn all aspects of hairdressing, cosmetology and esthetics. Gary said in the past seven years we’ve also started offering aesthetics, which is everything to do with skin, waxing, and makeup. All the programs we offer are for licensing. Everyone has to take a test, and we train them for that test and once they pass they’ll have an actual license to practice in New York.”
Brittany Beauty Academy also offers a standalone 75-hour waxing course, in addition to a 250-hour nail technology course, and a makeup techniques program that comes in at 84 hours.
“It’s a one-stop school,” Gary said. “We offer so much, but it’s up to you to figure out what direction you want to take your career in.”
Gary noted that, as one of the oldest and largest beauty schools on Long Island, Brittany Beauty Academy has served as a trailblazer by the sheer number of comprehensive courses that they offer to their students, forcing other beauty schools in the region to consistently up their game or get left by the wayside.
It could be literally said that the beauty industry runs in Gary’s blood. He’s one of five brothers, all of whom became hairdressers that were trained by their father, himself a successful owner of 8 beauty schools throughout the tri-state area.
After his father passed away, Gary and his brothers followed different career paths, but all remained in the beauty industry; now, at the age of 67, Gary has been involved in the industry for a whopping 42 years.
Early on, Gary had an extensive career cutting hair in top salons throughout New York City before opening his own salon in Port Washington with his brother, Robert. Eventually, when Brittany Beauty Academy was available for sale, Gary felt it was in his best interest to move on from Port Washington and open up his own beauty school. As time went on, he also acquired a second campus in the Bronx.
Brittany Beauty Academy’s sheer scope is impressive; at any given time, Gary and his expert staff could be juggling anywhere from 175 to 190 students. Day and night time courses are available, so anyone looking to pursue a career in beauty should be able to find courses that accommodate their busy schedule.
In addition, Brittany Beauty Academy offers extensive job placement services for graduates throughout Long Island and the tri-state area once you’ve become licensed; Gary and his staff stand by you the whole way, from crafting your skill set to helping you become gainfully employed.
Financial aid is also available for those who qualify, which should put an education in the beauty arts field within reach of just about anyone who is interested in pursuing it.
Brittany Beauty Academy only hires the most qualified instructors that are licensed and have more than eight years of working experience in their individual fields. The school’s own beautiful facility accurately replicates the experience of being in an actual salon, and students can practice on paying customers while being overseen by licensed professionals.
“All of our instructors are very motivated and very caring individuals,” Gary said. “And you have to be a caring individual when you work with people and their hair.”
Looking back on a long and successful career in the beauty industry – first striking out on his own as a professional hairdresser and eventually pivoting to becoming a teacher to pass on his skills to a new generation – has filled Gary with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and it’s something he’s looking forward to continue doing for many years to come.
“Thousands and thousands of people who have gone from my school into a livelihood that is very lucrative, and you can make a lot of money in this industry if you work hard,” he said. “Brittany Beauty Academy has been an accredited beauty institution since 1968 and we change lives every day. It’s been a great experience helping all of these people pursue a career in beauty, and it’s something I’m very proud of.”
To find out more about Brittany Beauty Academy, please call 516-731-8300 ext. 302 or visit https://brittanyacademy.edu.
