So as I guy perusing the mall, I have often been curious and a little befuddled by the sights and sounds that surround beauty salons. I actually think that the word salon is some sort of code for no men allowed, the woman’s version of the golf course or the garage. So when the opportunity arose to do a story about the Georgia Career Institute, an institute that teaches all those skills, I thought I could ask about all those weird smells, why women had to plan an entire day around a haircut and exactly why they had to wear masks to paint their finger nails. But as fate would have it, I was in for much more than an explanation. By the design of Promotions Coordinator, Deanna Payne, I was going to experience first hand these foreign rituals and practices. And just to add to my trepidation, the Pulse editor decided to send a photographer to document (and embarrass me during) these monumental events. But being the manly type that I am, nothing scares me. . . other than very young children, Aisle 14 at Kroger’s (you’ll just have to go look for yourself) and carnival barkers. I’m only kidding about one of those . . . you decide.

So, as I entered the GCI building, located at 1233 Commerce Park Drive, I was a tad nervous. I had made my mind up that I would know everything that was about to happen to me before I allowed it, just in case it might involve girly talk, estrogen injections or something else of that nature. But my mind was soon put as ease as Deanna presented me with a schedule of what was about to happen to me.

First up, was an hour long massage. Heck Yea! Now, this I know and understand, as I love to be rubbed on. If there was going to be any uncomfortable challenges to my manhood, it would have to wait till after my massage!

Now just for informational purposes, G.C.I. is a cosmetology training facility and all work is performed by students. All students are required to complete varying amounts of class room hours before they are allowed to work with the public. And I will add, everyone I met this day was professional and knowledgeable about their chosen field.

I took my massage with the very capable and talented, Ilona Guzman. I asked Ilona, if she had any comment about the school and she quickly and confidently replied, “I like how complete these programs are. The state requires 500 hrs of training, GCI requires 900.”

Ilona gave me a massage that exceeded my expectations. At one point, I think I melted through the table all the way to the floor or maybe I just dozed off. Either way it was a great massage; yeah, it’s tough being Tony.

Only Mr. Lehew has the foresight to strategically schedule his day of beauty on the very day a chili contest is happening

After the massage, I met photographer Russell Hilliard in the lobby, the man who was going to record these compromising events for all times. I what to make sure his name is known, I will explain why later. Since it was just before Halloween, there was fury of activity going on around the school including a chili cook-off, a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest. Russell and I were asked to be judges for all three. We judged the chili first, there were eight entries and we had to try them all, several times. As I have explained once already, it’s tough being Tony. After debating and retrying several entries, we declared the winners. First place Cathy Thomas and a close second to Misty Davis. Later in the day, Russell and I, along with two instructors, judged the pumpkin carving contest. This required some debate, but winner was a very artistic depiction of Sponge Bob carved by Danielle Ringleben.

And finally we judged the costume contest. There were many inventive and attractive entries in this contest but all judges agreed on the winners. Second place went to Megan Foster who, dressed as a police officer, gave us all tickets for being judges. First place went to Ryan Dunegan who hand painted her own skeleton costume which included her unborn child skeleton in her abdomen, now that’s creative!

Next up on my magical mystery tour of all things woman, was the signature Georgia Career Institute Facial. As I walked into this quiet, serene room, I was met by the smiling Meghan Wood. Meghan started to explain to me what I was going to be experiencing but I stopped her and said “Let it be a surprise;” my thinking being if I knew I might not go through with it. The first thing Meghan asked me to do was wash my hands with a gritty but very pleasant smelling wash. Then she asked me to place my hands in a vat of hot paraffin (that’s wax). I did so, but with some befuddlement as I knew not what this was for. After removal, my hands were placed in plastic bags and I was instructed to lay down on very comfortable table and Meghan commenced to giving me a facial. This consisted of 2 cleanses, an exfoliating scrub, a “skin nourishing” mask (her words not mine), moisturizers, toners (I have no idea what that does) and a facial massage. At the hands of Ms. Meghan, all of this felt wonderful. During the facial, Meghan explained that she has a lot of fun doing this and has learned a lot in a short amount of time. The bags of paraffin were removed from my hands and as predicted, they were very smooth, maybe the smoothest they have been since I was mere child.

Now, the last part of the treatment requires some explanation. A piece of thin gauze was place over my face and Meghan began to move a wand about my face that pulsed with sound and electricity, again I was nervous. In what must be some technology that came from the Roswell crash, Meghan explained this was a treatment for acne. Well, it worked, I have no acne. And I must add, I am in my mid forties and that is the most attention anyone has ever paid to my face.

A man's mani

After a short break, I went into the next station of foreign intrigue, to get my hands and feet done! Remember earlier when I mention Russell the photographer? Well, here is where he is incriminated into this plot also. At the insistence of Ms. Payne, he joined me in getting his feet and hands done! The official term for the service we received was Spa, Mani, Pedi with Paraffin. I was familiar with 2 of those words, Spa and because of recent experience with my hands, paraffin, the other two had to be explained. For those that are unfamiliar, manicure is a treatment of the hands and pedicure is a treatment of the feet. They started with our hands and repeated the same procedure for the feet, cuticle cleaning, shaped and buffed the nails, exfoliating scrub a super hydrating mask and something called finishing butter. Then our feet were covered in strips of gauze that had been dipped in paraffin. And as before, my feet were the smoothest I can ever recall. Dana Chounlamountry worked on me and Sally Williams worked on Russell for better than an hour. Both Sally and Dana had a back ground in this field. Dana’s family was always into cosmetology and Sally came over form the dental field, which she explained is surprisingly similar to cosmetology. Again, I am in my mid forties and this is the most attention anyone has ever paid to my hands or feet. Now, I am a man who really enjoys a good foot massage and Dana did and excellent job, and from the look on Russell face, so did Sally.

Last on the agenda for the day was much needed haircut; now I am back in my comfort zone. Ms. Jessica Foster cut my hair this day. Not only did she do a great job, she was a joy to chat with. Jessica decided to give up her old profession in the leasing business and pursue her dream.

“I always had a passion for art, being creative and I love working hands on with people. I remember dressing my Barbie’s hair when I was a child,” she said, adding that Barbie’s hair doesn’t grow back, so after a few stylings she had to get new Barbies. Jessica’s passion for hair showed through as she fussed over my hair with sculpting gels and various other products, none of which I truly understood. I didn’t really have the heart to explain that basically I wash, comb and forget. None the less it was a great haircut and fun experience.

Now with this very interesting day in the books, I got some information from the staff about just what GCI was. It’s become their motto that GCI is the best kept secret in town. For the services they provide, their prices are lower than any place I know of. A one-hour massage is $35. Pam White Martin designs packages similar to what I received for Pamper Your Staff Days.

“It’s a unique gift that requires no hams, no turkeys and no hangovers,” she said.

When asked if she thought men would be interested in this package, Pam said “A real man gets a manicure, a facial, a massage, because you need to take care of yourself.”

Cosmetology is a good-paying career according to Davis. And Lead Instructor Robert Mick stated “We care about our students and train them to get gainful employment.”

GCI has approximately 200 students and is open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to set up an appointment, call (615) 896-0702. Don’t be surprised if you see me there.