When it comes to cosmetology, there are endless ways to bring creativity to life. Between styling, changing, and managing hair, there are different options to be explored. Teacher Lisa Adams has dedicated her life to supporting her passion for cosmetology and wants to inspire students to find their own beauty.
“It is a joy to educate students in developing their skills in the field of cosmetology,” Adams said, adding, “I am passionate about helping others have self-confidence in their own skin.”
Adams has been involved in the beauty field since 1999. Before her desire to teach cosmetology, she worked as a makeup artist. at a place called “Glamour Shots,” where she did the makeup for a professional photographer. Adams has always enjoyed working with hair, so she decided to pursue a career in cosmetology. She studied the arts and sciences of cosmetology and attended a school located near Longwood University.
“I have twenty-six years in the field of cosmetology, with ten years of teaching and two years of educating high school students in cosmetology here at FCHS,” said Adams. “I helped facilitate an academic and salon program, where I was at a virtual education center for about five years. I also taught in a licensed salon clinic and taught an apprenticeship program. I was there for eight years, and the program has been recognized by the Department of Professional Occupation and Regulations (DPOR) in Virginia,” she added.
Adams believes learning cosmetology goes far beyond just the idea of doing hair, and that science and beauty must work together to achieve the desired results. “Chemistry is an essential part of cosmetology, geometry is beneficial when cutting different angles for hair, plus art is necessary for color theory and hair styling,” she said.
Besides cosmetology, Adams has a variety of different interests. “I have a deep-rooted love for singing and music. At most of our family gatherings, we sit around a bonfire with guitars and string instruments, laughing, singing, and having a lot of fun. Every year, it is a family tradition for us to go to the Peaks of Otter to hike the big mountain to get a glimpse of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The views are spectacular,” she said.
Adams describes herself as “a Southern lady with Southern hospitality. I love hosting parties—birthdays, Christmas, Easter celebrations, New Year’s Eve—all kinds of fun. I like to set a table fit for a king. I love to cook, and no one who enters my home will leave hungry,” she said. She added, “Where I come from, we encourage and compliment all people, and everyone is nicknamed ‘sweetie,’ ‘beautiful lady,’ or ‘handsome guy’. We drink our sweet tea while sitting on the porch, looking at the horses running in the field. Most people who know me say I am like my dad because he always has a happy smile on his face, and he has a love for people.”
Adams wants to help students discover their success. She hopes to be able to spread her passion and teach others the knowledge she has gained. She wants her students to be inspired in their journey and have the courage to reach their goals.
“My ultimate goal is to help my students become successful in the career of cosmetology. I want to be able to encourage their progress and inspire them to continue their journey of learning about hair,” she said.
