Are you looking for a fun activity for your student salon?  Try the Grab Bag Updo Design Challenge. Create a brown paper bag for each student participating in the design challenge.  In the bag, place 6 or 7 random objects such as a nail file, pencil, paper clip, perm rod, wax stick, etc.  Have each student create an updo on their mannequin head using at least 5 of the 7 objects that are in the bag.  Make it interesting by telling them they must use a specific item that is common to all bags.  Identify the rules by letting them know whether heat, product or water can be used and/or whether or not the final design must be a true updo.  Implement a time limit of 30 minutes for an added challenge.

After each student has completed their design, have educators not working in the student salon judge the final design based on creativity and principles of design (Proportion, Balance, Rhythm, Emphasis and Harmony) found in Chapter 14 of Milady Standard Cosmetology, 13^th Edition.  Keep each mannequin anonymous while the educators are judging.  After, show your community the talent of your students by placing photos of the winning designs and students on your school’s Facebook or Instagram page.

This activity idea was shared with me by the amazing team at Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology in South Carolina.  Here are a few pictures of the mannequin designs completed by their students during their Grab Bag Updo Challenge.