✦ Meet the Founder

Ms. Hood
Built to fill the gaps.

Licensed Oregon esthetics educator. Founder of Beauty University PDX. Educating since 2020.

I built a program that made melanin rich skin part of every chapter, not a footnote. Now I'm building the hub that helps other schools and educators do the same.

200+ Lash Students100% Grad100% LicensureEducating Since 2020
Ms. Hood, founder of Beauty University PDX, smiling with arms crossed
The story

I did the esthetics program thing.

I built the 7-month curriculum, taught two cohorts of students, and graduated 100% of them with 100% licensure.

I filled the gaps by redesigning the curriculum to strategically look at melanin rich skin (MRS) in every chapter of the textbook standards for esthetics. It was a success.

I built Beauty U to continue the work and to create a hub for educators and schools that are determined to be part of the mission: thorough education that brings melanin rich skin and textured hair into their school curriculum. That is the bare minimum of what beauty school should provide when it comes to inclusivity in education.

7Month curriculum built
100%Graduation
100%Licensure
200+Lash students
About me

Glam Lab PDX: a space built for mothers.

I've owned my salon, Glam Lab PDX, since 2020. I was a recipient of Prosper Portland grant funding to build my vision of salon suites with a kids room.

Here is the truth: society needs to step up and support mothers. Supporting mothers means creating spaces where we don't have to choose between a successful career and confidently raising our kids. Glam Lab PDX is my answer to that.

Lash Lab PDX and the work I'm dedicated to

I also own a lash supply store and run lash training. I've dedicated my time in this industry to filling gaps and teaching women streams of income. I'm passionate about seeing women thrive from start to finish: school, beauty school, passing state boards, and becoming confident, successful lash artists and estheticians.

Outside the work

I'm a Portland native, mother, wifey and community leader. I'm passionate about supporting others, building my community and tribe, and pouring into my friends. You'll find me enjoying the nature of Oregon, propagating and growing plants, teaching my kids, working on DIY projects and reading.

Portland NativeMotherWifeyCommunity Leader
Things I'm tired of

Enough.

  • Fast track training
  • Schools focused on money and not education
  • Schools focused on speed. In what other industry can you learn a 600+ page book in 9 weeks and truly retain it with confidence?
  • Educators leaning on students for peer education to fill the gaps in melanin rich skin and textured hair that the educators don't have the knowledge to cover themselves
What we need more of

Better.

  • Passionate students, led by passionate educators
  • Educators who've done the work in the industry
  • Diversity and inclusivity of melanin rich skin and textured hair in every curriculum in Oregon
  • Diverse educators
  • Educator standards: schools that don't just lean on freshly graduated students to teach classes and services they don't have thorough experience in
  • Schools that care about student experiences
Student voices

Learning with Ms. Hood

"The program prepared me to start my own studio/facility — and I continue to feel support from Ms. Hood even after school."

Gabriela R.
Former Student

"Amantha is more than a lash artist — she's a compassionate, caring human who wants her students' clients happy and walking around with healthy lashes."

Sheri W.
Former Student

Join the mission

Educators and schools, let's build this together.

Whether you're a student who wants the training school skipped, or an educator or school ready to make melanin rich skin and textured hair part of your curriculum, there's a place for you here.

Start a Training Let's Connect