Field Work – SS3 Beauty & Cosmetology Lesson Note (Third Term)

Field work is a planned visit to a real beauty workplace, such as a salon, a spa or a cosmetics factory, where students observe how professionals work.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the purpose of a field work visit.
2. Prepare properly for a visit, including dress, tools and mindset.
3. Say what to observe in a salon, a spa and a cosmetics factory.
4. Explain why a spa uses dim lighting, soft music and scents.
5. Write a post-visit report with the four required parts.

Why do we go on field work?

We go on field work to see beauty practice in a real workplace instead of only reading about it.

• Observation: students watch professionalism in action, in a salon, a spa or a factory that makes creams.
• Recording: students ask questions and take notes.
• Reporting: students write a report on what they saw and learned.

What is the purpose of the visit?

There are three main purposes of a field work visit: to see industry standards, to understand workflow and to learn about career paths.

• To see industry standards: how professionals clean their tools and talk to difficult clients.
• To understand workflow: what happens from the moment a client walks in until the client pays and leaves.
• To learn about career paths: you may see jobs you never thought of, such as a Quality Control Officer in a factory or a Spa Receptionist.

How should you prepare for the visit?

You prepare by getting your dress, your tools and your mindset right before the visit.

• Dress code: you represent your school, so wear your uniform neatly or a professional apron.
• Tools: bring a notebook and a pen, because a professional always takes notes.
• Mindset: be a “Silent Observer” and watch the smells, the sounds and the way people move.
• Behaviour: arrive on time, greet the staff politely and follow your teacher’s instructions.
• Respect: ask permission before you take photographs or touch any tool or product.

What should you observe at Station 1, the professional salon?

A salon is a busy workplace where hair and beauty services are given to clients, so look at the system and not only the hairstyles.

What should you observe in a salon?

• The greeting: how the receptionist or stylist welcomes the client, and whether there is a consultation (asking questions) before work starts.
• Organisation: whether the floor is swept immediately after a haircut and the mirrors are clean.
• Tool management: whether the steriliser is in use and combs are kept in a disinfectant solution (such as Barbicide) when not in use.
• Chemical safety: how relaxers and dyes are stored, and whether they are labelled clearly.

What questions can you ask the stylist?

1. “What is the most common hair problem your clients have?”
2. “How do you handle a client who is unhappy with their look?”
3. “Which tools do you find the most difficult to maintain?”

What should you observe at Station 2, the wellness spa?

A spa is a quiet, peaceful place where the main product is relaxation, while a salon is usually louder and busier.

What are the key observations at a spa?

• Ambience: notice the dim lighting, the soft music and the scents from essential oils.
• Privacy and draping: notice how therapists use towels to keep the client covered and comfortable during a massage or body scrub.
• The consultation form: look at the paperwork, because spas usually ask about allergies and medical history for safety.
• Product knowledge: listen to how the therapist explains the benefits of a “Mud Wrap” or a “Seaweed Facial”.

Why does a spa use dim lighting, soft music and scents?

A spa uses dim lighting, soft music and scents to calm the client’s nervous system and help the client relax.

• Dim lighting: reduces glare and gives a restful mood.
• Soft music: covers outside noise and slows the client’s pace.
• Essential oil scents: add a pleasant smell that supports calm.

What is the “quiet” rule?

The “quiet” rule means that staff speak in soft “Spa Voices” (whispers) so the client stays relaxed.

• Your task: notice how the quiet voices change the way the client feels.
• Your own behaviour: keep your voice low during the visit.

What should you observe at Station 3, the cosmetics factory?

A cosmetics factory is a place where creams, lotions and shampoos are made in large quantities, so accuracy and safety matter most.

What should you look for in the factory?

• The mixing room: large vats blend lotions and shampoos, and workers follow the “Formula Sheets” exactly so every bottle is the same.
• Packaging and labelling: watch the labels go on, and check for the NAFDAC number and the expiry date.
• Quality Control (QC): look for the laboratory where samples are tested so the cream does not grow mould or change colour.
• Protective gear: notice the hairnets, gloves and lab coats, because contamination is the biggest risk in a factory.

What is the business side of the factory?

The business side is how the company decides which products to make.

• Question to ask: do they follow trends, or solve specific problems such as dark spots or dry hair?

How do the three workplaces compare?

The salon, the spa and the factory differ in their main product, their atmosphere and their key safety focus.

How do you write the post-visit report?

A post-visit report is a written account of what you saw and learned, and a good one has four parts.

1. The introduction: say where you went, when you went and who you met.
   • Where: the name of the salon, spa or factory.
   • When: the date of the visit.
   • Who: the people who received or guided you.
2. The walkthrough: describe exactly what you saw, in the order you saw it. Example: “First, we saw the reception area. Then, we moved to the mixing room where they make hair food.”
3. The most important lesson: state what surprised you, such as how much cleaning is involved or how many people it takes to run a spa.
4. Career reflection: write “Based on this visit, I think I would enjoy being a [Job Title] because…”

What makes a report good?

• Accuracy: write only what you really saw.
• Order: keep the four parts in sequence.
• Evidence: use your notes, with examples on hygiene and safety.
• Clear language: use short, plain sentences.

Evaluation

1. State the three purposes of a field work visit.
2. List four things you should observe in a professional salon.
3. Why does a spa use dim lighting, soft music and essential oils?
4. Name two things to check on the packaging of a cosmetic product in a factory.
5. List the four parts of a good post-visit report.

Assignment

Write a post-visit report on your field work visit, using the four parts: introduction, walkthrough, the most important lesson and career reflection. Include at least two observations about hygiene or safety.