Highland's cosmetology department gets new imaging software

By Carol Heuser, The Journal-Standard

Is it time for a new look? Maybe you just lost weight and want a new hairstyle to flatter your new svelte shape, or maybe you are seeking that promotion and want a clean, professional look.

But which style to choose? There are thousands of styles out there, so how do you know if any given style is right for you?

Well, the choices are easier now, thanks to the new Cyber Imaging software that has been donated to the Highland Community College Cosmetology Department.

Who knew that the science of computer technology and the art of cosmetology would blend to create a fun and useful tool in helping to choose a new do?

I was fortunate to be one of the first to get a chance to try the new equipment. I was a little nervous. What were they going to do to my hair?

But I soon relaxed when I met the friendly staff and started having fun choosing a new style. First, they set me up in front of a computer screen and took my picture. Then they took another picture after they pulled all my hair away from my face. This is how they can get other styles to fit over my head and not have my hair in the way.

Then the computer needs input about my hair texture, my age and even my lifestyle. This narrows down the selections so I don't have to go through more than 1,000 images before I get to something I like.

Although my children told me to see what I looked like in a Mohawk, thank goodness that was not a choice!

And then the real fun began - choosing styles.

Cathie Schmerse, my personal style consultant and the program coordinator for the Department, would simply click on a style, and it would magically be transferred to my head. Some of them, I must admit, looked pretty wild, but that was part of the fun.

I would ask her to try some styles, or she would click on some she thought would look good on me. I was surprised at how nice some of the styles looked on me, since I had never considered them myself.

We also got to play with the color. This was really impressive. She actually chose a color for me, based on my skin-tone, that was very close to my original color!

I also got to try electric blue and bright orange, but that is definitely not me. Every hair color can be modified also, by adding a little or taking away some of the primary color, to make a unique shade.

In the end, I had five hairstyles and colors to choose from, each of which was printed out on a card titled "The New Carol Heuser." It was so much fun, and so enlightening. I haven't decided which cut to get yet, but I know change is coming soon.

Others can benefit from this new technology, too. As far as Highland can tell, this is the only Cyber Imaging system in northwest Illinois. The cost of a consultation is only $35 and includes a 10 percent discount on the salon services chosen.

Those who have hairstylists can come for a consultation, then take the card to their regular hairdressers to have the change done.

According to Schmerse, the software is not only a great benefit to the customers, but also a great learning tool for the students.

"This will help the student learn to be better consultants. They will be able to help people chose hairstyles that compliment a customer's facial structure, and will also help with choosing a color that compliments a person's skin tone," said Schmerse.

Virginia Hutmacher-Ames, who donated the money for the equipment, is happy that she could help.

"I have been a hairdresser for 45 years, and I think this will really help the students become more creative and better stylists," said Hutmacher-Ames.

Hutmacher-Ames, who has been a long-time contributor to Highland, will be honored at a reception introducing the new equipment to the public from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. There will be refreshments, and demonstrations of the new equipment during that time. Cosmetology students will also be doing manicures and pedicures.