By the end of the year there will be 40 qualified beauticians ready to make Wanganui a more chic and polished place, thanks to Wanganui UCOL's new Beauty Services certificate.
Programme co-ordinator Karen Snape said the new course was a response to local beauty and hair salon industry demand for more
beauticians and a large amount of inquiries from potential students.
"The only other courses they can do are in Palmerston North or in Wellington, and often when they go out of town to study, they stay out of town."
The students will learn both practical and theoretical knowledge of facial therapies, waxing, makeup application and nail augmentation.
And they will also learn how to make their clients comfortable, personal presentation and professionalism, tutor Helene Belliss said.
Forty students have snapped up the chance to be on the course, and had to be split into two streams because of the numbers.
A new beauty clinic has been installed for the practical side of the course, complete with ten beds and accompanying bedside lights, equipment tables, and a full range of kit for a range of beauty therapies including waxing, eyebrow tinting and shaping, manicures and pedicures.
At the end of the UCOL certificate, the students will also have National Certificates in Cosmetology level three, Beautician level four, and Nail Technology level four.
For Nina Gilbert, 18 and Nika Steele, 17, the certificate means they can follow their dream to becoming beauticians.
"The course is really interesting, and I love makeup. And it's been great to meet new people." Nina said.
"It's interesting, but it's really full-on, the theory work is quite hard, and it's always good to be around other people that like doing the same things you do," Nika said.
