All You Need to Know About Finding a Hairstyling School
Finding a school specializing in hairstyling can be critical for budding stylists that want to break into the burgeoning beauty industry. Many prospective students are willing to dedicate themselves to a cosmetology program if they find a school that meets their requirements.
In this guide, we’ll help you hatch a plan for finding a beauty school that is an ideal fit for you. To help narrow down your broad search, first determine your priorities. Here are common considerations you can take when reviewing beauty colleges:
- Is the accredited cosmetology school located near you?
- Will you get a well-rounded education and training?
- Do the staff and faculty foster a creative and supportive environment?
- Does the school offer financial aid, loans, or grants?
- Are the schedules conducive to a work-life balance?
- How long will a program take to complete?
- Will you get to train with real clients?
- Will you have developed a portfolio by the end of the program?
- What are the cosmetology requirements in Washington state?
After you decide what’s essential, you can hone in on a beauty program that complements your artistic skills and is designed to teach you everything you want to learn.
Touring the Campus
Visit the campus if you’re drawn to a school for its location and philosophy. Cementing your decision on a school will be simpler once you tour the facilities, meet the instructors, and talk with other students. Before you visit, plan a list of questions to ask that will help form your decision.
Here are some prompters to help you get started!
- Ask instructors about the curriculum and format
- Ask admissions reps about the application process and financial aid
- Ask other students about their experience
Hypothetically, let’s say you’ve toured the campus, and the staff and students answered your questions, but you still feel uneasy about the decision. The unease can stem from worries about the cost, sacrificing your personal life, or keeping up with your training.
First, you must address your budget to see if you need any financial assistance. Virtually all qualifying students apply for some financial aid options. There are also grants, scholarships, and monthly payment options. Ensure you’re honest about your wishes when speaking to the instructors. If one of your priorities is to have time for beauty school, work, family, and social life, find out if the schedule is flexible enough to meet your expectations.
Takeaways students get most excited about after touring campus:
- Feeling assured they will get the experience they need to succeed
- Feeling comfortable in the bubble of learning in a safe environment
- The sense of starting a new adventure and having a fresh start
- Embarking a journey that leads to a new career
- Making connections and friends and working with clients
Researching the Curriculum
Each school has different program offerings giving students a unique and diverse education in beauty. In cosmetology, you’ll learn a wide variety of skills, including hair styling, hair color, hair cutting, and salon management. Beauty school programs should give you access to real clients and hands-on training once you master traditional techniques and the essential performing skills.
Students will find exceptional mentors, guiding them every step of the way, from comprehending the material to acquiring hands-on experience to ensuring a student feels comfortable pursuing a future career in beauty.
Barbering
Budding barbers will learn to master their shears and do various traditional and trendy cuts, including the fade, the French cut, the slick back, and more!
In addition to cutting techniques, students should learn how to provide a pampering experience while being efficient and organized at their stations.
Esthetics
To lead a promising career path as an esthetician, students should learn the following skills:
- Safety procedures
- Skin anatomy
- Skin analysis
- Facial massage
- Waxing
- Facials
- Basic chemistry
- Beauty product formulations
Esthetician students will gain real-world experience in the student salon while learning the operations of a salon owner, how to administer facials, and best practices for client relations.
Nail Technician
When exploring the characteristics of a cosmetology program, you want to make sure you’ll do deep dives into learning how to become a proper nail tech if that interests you. In the beauty business, especially if you work professionally as a nail technician, hair stylist, barber, or esthetician, students must become licensed professionals before working in a salon.
A quality beauty college will equip you to feel prepared for the licensing exams. Check with your state board to ensure you will meet all the requirements to practice working in a salon as a nail technician.
Hair Stylists
Soon-to-be cosmetology students should learn the beauty industry from the inside out. Cosmetology beauty school programs will teach students everything from hairstyling and color theory, and haircutting for traditional and trendy styles. One of the final and most essential stages of the program should include the following studies:
- Portfolio and resume development to help launch a career in beauty
- Exam preparation to become licensed cosmetologists
Evergreen Beauty College
Evergreen Beauty College embodies all the traits for molding skilled future beauty professionals. The dream of having a successful career is attainable with our caring, experienced, and talented founders and staff.
Whether you decide on a beauty career as a makeup artist, nail technician, esthetician, barber, or hair stylist, the staff at Evergreen Beauty College will share their passion for beauty while helping students reach their potential.
We offer programs spanning barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, and more. Our devoted students will share their testimonials with would-be beauty professionals on how they can enjoy a work-life balance and still excel in Evergreen’s beauty programs.
Learn about Evergreen Beauty College’s awards and accreditation program. And schedule a tour today. You’ll find that our customer service is truly here to serve you and provide you will all of the information needed to effortlessly begin your journey as a student and beauty professional.
FAQs About Tips for Finding a Hairstyling School
How long does it take to complete a cosmetology program?
Beauty colleges usually require between 1,200 and 1,800 hours of cosmetology training.
When styling real clients, will a cosmetology instructor supervise me?
Yes. Students develop their independence when getting hands-on experience. Still, instructors are standing by to jump in or answer students’ problem-solving questions.
Am I guaranteed a job after graduating from a cosmetology program?
Students can only work in a salon with a cosmetology certificate from an accredited school and pass the exam. While there’s no guarantee of landing a job after graduation, your chances will be higher.