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Finding confidence, creativity, and community at DC

With a new school year underway, we spoke to Durham College (DC) alumni about their experience, what they wish they’d known on the first day of classes, and the advice they’d offer to new students.

Alumni Spotlight: Fanoos Beissed

A graduate of the Cosmetic Techniques and Management program, Fanoos Beissed brought passion and creativity to her studies at Durham College (DC). With the help of supportive professors, she took her artistic ability to a new level and discovered a talent for special effects makeup.

Now a proud DC alumna, she hopes the students following in her footsteps find success in their programs and beyond.

What are some highlights from your experience at DC?

Some of my favourite experiences include connecting with classmates through group projects and campus events, exploring creative opportunities, and enjoying the welcoming campus environment. These moments made my time at DC memorable and helped me grow both academically and personally.

What advice do you have for new DC students?

Stay curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. It can feel overwhelming at first, but being proactive, seeking support when you need it, and connecting with peers will make your experience very valuable.

What would you say to new students in the Cosmetics program?

It’s honestly the most beautiful decision you’ll ever make. This program changed my life in ways I never imagined. The professors are kind and truly supportive. They make learning feel so natural and uplifting. You’ll never feel alone in your journey because they’re always there to guide and believe in you. Their guidance made all the difference in my journey, and I truly believe embracing this experience with heart and dedication will empower each one of you to succeed and shine in the beauty world.

My advice is to have fun, be creative, stay curious, practice with passion, and build genuine connections with classmates and incredible profs.

How can students benefit from DC’s Student Services?

I found several Student Services really helpful, including Student Advisors, Career Development, and the Student Academic Learning Services. I also loved the DC Spa, which is a great way to relax while seeing how students in Esthetics – Spa Management and Massage Therapy programs gain real experience. And I’m sure every student needs a little selfcare. Don’t hesitate to visit DC Spa.

What was the best part of your DC experience?

What I loved most about DC was the teachers we had. They weren’t just instructors, they were mentors, supporters, and genuinely kind hearted people who cared about our growth. Their passion, patience, and encouragement created a space where I felt safe to learn, explore, and become confident in my skills. They made the entire experience unforgettable and I really appreciate them.

What will you take away from DC?

I leave Durham College not only with skills and knowledge, but with priceless memories, lifelong friendships, and the feeling of being part of a family that believed in me.

How can students make the most of their time at DC?

Get involved! Join clubs, attend workshops and events, and take advantage of opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills. Balancing academics with social and personal growth helps you make the most of your time here. The more you get involved and build connections, the easier it becomes to find jobs and career opportunities after graduation. Trust me!

DC Spa offers a great experience for clients and students alike

Love a good spa treatment? Massages, facials and pedicures are among the services you can experience at the Durham College (DC) Spa, while also providing students the opportunity with real-world experience that will help their career progression.

For students in the Cosmetic Techniques and Management, Esthetician – Spa Management and Massage Therapy programs, the DC Spa provides an opportunity to put the techniques and customer service skills they’ve been building in class into practice.

“They get that hands-on, real-world perspective,” said Leslie Morris, Spa Manager. “In the classroom when they’re learning techniques, they’re working peer to peer so everyone’s mostly in the same age group. But diversity really starts to broaden when they work on paying clients—people are giving feedback, and all of that soft skill training comes into play.”

If you’ve ever been a client at the DC Spa, you know that’s a special experience too. Serving the wider community, the Spa sees a diverse group of people each week from retirees to DC employees. Top service choices include massages, facials, pedicures, facials and shellac manicures. Clients trade a slightly longer treatment time that allows students to learn and practice for really affordable prices ($13.50 for a manicure! $35 for a massage! See the rest of the pricing on their website at www.durhamcollegespa.ca). Massages, for example, are 75 minutes including both assessment and consultation time as well as the actual treatment.

“It’s a clinical practice, so students are creating a treatment plan based on needs and assessment,” explained Morris. Often the treatment recommendation involves multiple sessions, usually a maximum of three before clients are passed along to another student massage therapist.

Given the treatment options and pricing, it’s not surprising to learn that the DC Spa tends to book up fast. “The word is out about our spa,” said Morris. “We can see 40 to 60 people a day (100 a week), so there’s quite a bit of volume. Massage in particular books up and becomes waitlisted, and some people even plan when they want to come for whole semester, so they get preferred booking.”

While the online booking platform is easy to use, the Spa still takes in-person bookings and even walk-ins when available. The Spa’s top-quality products are available for purchase in its retail store, complimentary parking is available, and yes, they do sell gift certificates.

Morris says that clients come from all over—besides regulars, the past week’s customers included a police officer from Toronto who stopped in for a massage, and a first-year student who enjoyed her first facial enough to bring her mom along the second time. Compliments are also a regular feature at the spa, said Morris, reading from a recent client email. “I just wanted to reach out and compliment the amazing experience students at the Spa have created. I recently got my nails done there, and the student was amazing. She was so kind and took extra care during every part of the manicure. I just wanted to share that she created an amazing experience there, and I wanted to formally reach out to express what good work was done.”

Find out more about DC Spa including pricing and booking at www.durhamcollegespa.ca.

From ghouls to glitter: DC prof creates show-stopping makeup effects at Canada’s Wonderland

A Durham College (DC) faculty member is bringing big scares to Halloween, creating bone-chilling makeup effects for zombies, ghouls and creepy clowns for the annual Halloween Haunt event at Canada’s Wonderland.

Rachael Authors is the program coordinator for the Cosmetics Techniques and Management and Esthetician – Spa Management programs at DC. She’s also professional makeup artist who teaches her craft and every year her creativity flows at the Wonderland Halloween where she does special effects makeup for the performers who deliver pop-up scares and create a spooky scene for visitors.

“I love working on the team, the creativity involved, seeing the public enjoy our work is pretty fun,” said Authors. “I’d say it can be pretty scary at times.”

Over the past 16 seasons, Halloween Haunt has grown tremendously and so has Authors. She started as a junior makeup artist and is now a teacher in her field with two DC grads working with her at the Wonderland event.

This year she prepped the “monsters” for spots on Breakfast Television and CP24.

“I’ve done different things in makeup, in beauty and I’ve worked with big retail companies and cosmetic brands but I love characters and special effects and airbrushing so Haunt has been a special journey,” she said. “It’s fun to be part of a big event that is so well known in the city now. It’s an awesome time and I love Halloween.”

Authors holds two bachelor’s degrees — in life sciences and occupational health and safety — and also has a master’s degree in occupational therapy (OT) and a diploma in beauty and special effects makeup.

Her work at DC as a faculty member and program coordinator benefits from both her educational background and her work experience in film, television, retail and during special events like Haunt.

Special effects makeup is now part of the Cosmetic Techniques program with an introductory course.

“That’s what I love about the program, it gives students a taste – a little bit of everything to get them inspired and then they can go off and decide which area they want to go into.”

Once Halloween passes Authors isn’t quite done at Wonderland. She’ll go from ghouls to glitter as WinterFest ramps up during the holiday season.