When it comes to helping others, beauty-conscious students at Forsyth Central and West Forsyth high schools make the cut.

Both schools' cosmetology programs have adopted families in need this Christmas. They raised donations by doing hair, facials and manicures Thursday night at their campus salons.

Stephanie Holton and Jayna Durden teach the program at Central. Holton said part of the money raised will be used to buy a wig for a custodian at the school who has cancer.

"We always try to do a variety of community service-related things, but this one's kind of specific this year," Holton said.

Joyce Thomas, who teaches the program at West, said students there raised nearly $400 and fulfilled many requests for "luxury services."

"So we had a lot of pedicures, manicures, waxes and facials, those kind of things, which is unusual," she said. "I think it may be because of the economy right now. And I think, of course, it's close to Christmas time and everybody's just wanting to be a little pampered.

"So I think it went very well. I think the students found they could actually juggle several things at once, which is the way it is in a salon."

Thomas said the families the programs adopted were found through a West custodian who also is a minister.

"We try to get the students more involved in the community and giving back," she said. "Last night was definitely for a really good cause, so we were very pleased at the outcome."

Thursday night, Holton and Durden buzzed around Central's salon, helping students and dishing advice.

"Three quarters of what we're doing is color, if not more," Holton said. "We're also doing some haircuts and some manicures, so we're really busy."

And the students will be held accountable. Most of their clients are also classmates.

"It's good that they build that trust with each other," Holton said.  

Kenzie Childs, a junior at Central, has been in the program for three years. She applied cholesterol to parts of sophomore Kyanna Wright's hair to protect it from the reddish color being applied to the lower layers.

"I love it and I'm considering it for my career when I get older," Childs said.

Ashley Echols, a junior at Central and in her third year in the program, said she's a little particular when it comes to doing hair.

"I don't cut women's hair, I only cut men's hair," she said. "When it's fun color, I like doing it. But when it's just highlights, I don't."

Echols said she already knows she'll be pursuing cosmetology as a profession.

Junior Amanda Earhart is in her second year in the program. She was pleased the money raised would go toward helping others.

"It's a good cause," she said.