Brenton

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Brenton
Brenton is a post-16 learner who has just
completed his GCSEs. He has always been
interested in hair and beauty and how products
are made, trialed and marketed particularly as
they are often in the media through TV and
magazines. After discussions with his careers
advisor, Brenton decided to do the Advanced
Diploma in hair and beauty studies as it contains
a range of units that appeal to him, including
cosmetic science, product research and design and
development. He is interested in the science of
the hair and beauty sector and how products are
developed and advertised. He wanted to keep his
options open, so decided to take two AS levels
alongside the Diploma, in subjects that will
complement cosmetic research and science. He
would love to produce his own range of cosmetics
one day.
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Brenton Advanced Diploma in hair and beauty
studies
additional and specialist learning 360 GLH
generic learning 180 GLH
principal learning 540 GLH

• Business location and design for hair and beauty
• Event management and enterprise for hair and
  beauty
• Product research, design and development within
  hair and beauty
• Exploring business management for hair and
  beauty
• Exploring media and image within hair and beauty
• Exploring the world of spas
• Business planning and finance within hair and
  beauty
• Cosmetic science

3 x functional skills at level 2 (prerequisite)
A Level Chemistry (360 GLH) Chemistry was an
ideal choice alongside the Diploma. It would be a
distinct advantage for Brenton if he pursued a
career in cosmetic research or development.
extended project qualification (120 GLH)
10 days work experience
personal, learning and thinking skills (60 GLH)
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Work experience
Extended Project
Brenton knows the importance clinical trials play
in testing cosmetic products and that strict
guidelines govern this area. Brenton chose a
range of cosmetic products and looked at two
commonly used formulations. He then investigated
if the formulations varied to see if any of them
had the potential to create health
problems. Brenton explored the types of
substances some companies tested on animals. He
researched levels of skin irritancy, potential
eye tissue damage, toxicity and the reasons why.
Having done this he investigated alternative
testing methods, for example where companies make
use of cell and skin tissue cultures, and
sophisticated computer models. He produced
leaflets and information posters for college and
he delivered a speech to his group suggesting
that animal testing should be abolished. He
highlighted cosmetics that still relied on this
method, supporting his views with empirical
evidence. He produced a report to pull together
all his findings which his lecturer agreed would
be a valuable addition to the course reference
material.
Brenton spent his work experience at a pharmacy.
He was initially deployed on the cosmetics
counter, giving customers advice and guidance
about the type of products available and their
associated benefits. During this time he
conducted an informal customer satisfaction
survey to ascertain which products they were most
happy with, finding the most popular products and
discovering the reasons why. Brenton saw a great
marketing opportunity and asked if he could
arrange a demonstration of facial and nail
products in the shop getting help from some of
his college friends. This was agreed and Brenton
organised and marketed the session. He insisted
on high levels of professionalism from his
friends and produced guidelines on acceptable
levels of presentation and behaviour, which they
all adhered to. The session was a great success
and the pharmacy now stocks a whole new range of
cosmetic products.
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