Shady Business! Beauty School Student Leah Messer Operating Illegal Salon, State Board Launching Investigation
Feb. 9 2015, Published 7:09 a.m. ET
Leah Messer claims to feel "beyond ecstatic" about running her new makeup and hair styling salon, Gloss.
However, the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists is not so thrilled with the 22-year-old Teen Mom 2 star’s business venture, RadarOnline.com can exclusively report.
"This business is very much illegal," a spokesperson for the board tells Radar. "We will be launching an investigation."
So what’s the problem with three girlfriends charging $60 for makeup sessions and $300 for beauty pageant preparations? First of all, none of the stylists, Messer and pals Leslee Pannell and Crystal Spinks, are licensed cosmetologists.
Though the MTV star mom of three claims her company boasts "trained professionals with experience," she is merely "a cosmetology student with more than a year of schooling left," the board spokesperson reveals. "As a student, you cannot perform services outside of the school."
Furthermore, Messer’s business promotes "on location" services, which is also illegal in West Virginia.
"They have to have an actual shop," the spokesperson explains. "They need a location for clients to go."
The board’s director will handle the case, and will determine if fines or other consequences are in order.
After promoting Gloss on Twitter, skeptical fans immediately questioned its legitimacy.
"How can you charge people when you have no actual training?" one follower asked.
"I don’t understand how she can legally do this," another tweeted. "She isn’t licensed…Chelsea got in deep sh*t for it!"
On the last season of Teen Mom 2, Messer’s castmate Chelsea Houska, 23, fought accusations she was paid for cosmetic services before obtaining her license.
But Houska, who graduated from cosmetology school last year, eventually got her license and is now employed at Body Sculpting Day Spa in her native Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Should Leah’s salon be shut down? Sound off in the comments.