Ever wonder what it's like to be a Jean Madeline Aveda Institute student?

Here, Melanie is sharing some beauty school insight, beauty favorites and advice for aspiring Jean Madeline Aveda Institute students.

Introduce yourself.

Hi, my name is Melanie! I'm a cosmetology student at the JMAI University City location. I'm from Bucks County, PA but always find myself in the city. I've always had a strong interest in beauty and fashion. I feel that choosing a career in the beauty industry is a great way to showcase your creativity and connect with others.

What inspired you to go to beauty school?

Although I was unsure of what I wanted to do after high school, I always knew that I would choose a career that would allow me to be creative. I began taking art classes to become a clothing designer and realized I was more interested in the models' hair and makeup than the clothes. After countless hours of watching videos, reading blogs and standing in front of mirrors practicing, I decided that a career as a cosmetologist is the perfect way to combine my love of art and beauty.

What is your favorite Aveda product?

Picking one is too hard, I'm a huge fan of Aveda's products! I have a natural curl and find that the Be Curly Masque is the perfect pick-me-up for my hair. There's also Brilliant Universal Styling Creme. It leaves my hair smooth and shiny! Lastly, I've been obsessing over the new Texture Tonic – it adds texture effortlessly.

Share your favorite beauty trend.

My favorite trends at the moment are faded, pastel-like hair color and fashion colored roots.

What is your dream job after graduation?

I'd love to be become a professional hair colorist at a reputable salon. Formulating and different techniques of application fascinate me. You can achieve so many dimensional and custom looks. Color is so fun!

Have any advice for aspiring JMAI students?

With so many things to learn, it's crucial that you're there and focused. Always take the opportunity to ask questions and better yourself as a stylist. Most importantly, have fun and be positive! You'll be finishing before you know it, so make the best of it and enjoy yourself!