Beauty School FAQ: How do I find the best beauty college near me?
If you’ve been asking Google to find the “best beauty school near me,” then you’ve got a good head on your shoulders.
Because the beauty industry is booming, and the demand for beauty specialists is growing as we speak!
In this post, we’ll go over the different types of beauty schools and licenses. We’ll also help you find the best beauty school near you.
Best Beauty School Near Me: Table of Contents
- What is a Beauty Specialist?
- How to Find the Best Beauty School Near Me
- Cosmetologist License Requirements by State
- The Different Types of Beauty Licenses
- Beauty Job Employment Outlook
- How to Choose the Right Specialty for You
What is a Beauty Specialist?
Beauticians beautify the nails, skin, and hair. Many of them are also expert makeup artists.
If you become a beautician, you get to choose from a wide range of beauty specialties. Since there are so many beauty licenses available, you can pick and choose which type of beauty specialist you want to be.
For example, cosmetologists study it all: hair, skin, and nails. However, there are beauticians who focus on something ultra-specific, like estheticians. Estheticians focus only on skin care, so their training doesn’t include hair and nails. Another specific example is nail technicians, who are trained only in nail care.
How to Find the Best Beauty School Near Me
In order to find the best beauty school near you, consider using Campus Explorer. Since it uses the information you enter to create personalized results, you’ll receive insider info on the best beauty colleges near your location, right in your inbox.
The first step is to enter your info into the handy toolbar below. And then, voila! You’ll start receiving custom recommendations for the best beauty schools near you.
Notably, this is a no-strings-attached tool. So, you can always change your mind and hit “unsubscribe” to stop receiving emails tipping you off to the best beauty schools in your location.
Cosmetologist License Requirements by State
In the United States, each state’s Cosmetology Board has different training requirements. They also have slightly different types of cosmetology licenses.
While some states don’t offer apprenticeships, others allow you to earn your beauty school hours by working as an apprentice instead of going to school. An apprenticeship involves working at a licensed salon, and also learning the trade under a licensed cosmetologist.
Looking at your home state’s requirements is a great place to start when searching for beauty academies.
Because of this, we highly recommend checking out this comprehensive list of beauty license requirements by state.
Beauty School Requirements by State
for Cosmetologists, Barbers, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, Instructors, & More!
Here’s a brief list of cosmetology requirements that are the same in most states:
- Typically, beauty school admissions require students to have a high school diploma or GED. (Although some beauty training programs admit high school students in the 11th and 12th grades.)
- Then, they must complete roughly 250 to 2,000 training hours, depending on the state and license type.
- They also must pass the cosmetology state board exam. The state board exam typically has two parts: first a theory section, and also a practical (“hands-on”) section.
In order to pass your cosmetology state board exam with flying colors, we recommend the Milady Standard books. Because they will definitely serve as stellar study guides!
What Kind of License Can I Get at a Beauty School?
In this section, we’ll look at the different types of beauty licenses and what they mean.
Barber License
A licensed barber stylizes and cuts men’s and boy’s hair.
Licensed barbers’ responsibilities include :
- Cutting & styling hair
- Dying & highlighting hair
- Shampooing & conditioning hair
- Accepting payment from their customers & doing credit card/cash transactions
Notably, a large part of their income is from tips.
Because of the nature of their job, barbers also learn about safety and sanitation practices.
In order to learn more about a barber’s job description, check out “What are the job requirements of a licensed barber?”
Cosmetologist License
Often, licensed cosmetologists work as hairstylists and hairdressers. But their training covers all things related to beautifying the hair, skin, and nails.
In fact, this is the most comprehensive profession in the salon industry.
Cosmetology training includes massage techniques, safe sanitation practices, and also business skills.
Additionally, cosmetologists are responsible for knowing what types of products to use for different hair, skin, and nail types. Having a good knowledge of products also helps them sell to their clients as they educate them about the best beauty care routines to do at home.
Even though cosmetology school takes longer than some other beauty specialties, a cosmetology license gives you many more career options.
Electrologist License:
What is an electrologist?
In short, a licensed electrologist uses an electrical process to take out unwanted hair at the root. This process is referred to as electrolysis, and it is also useful for removing unwanted blemishes such as moles and warts.
Because electrology is such a complex specialty, we’ve included the educational video below.
Video: How Electrolysis Works
Esthetician License
Estheticians are skin care specialists, so they specialize in things like waxing, facials, makeup application, microdermabrasion, and body peels & wraps.
In order to become an esthetician, you must first attend an accredited esthetician school. After that, you’ll need to pass your state’s esthetician exam.
Here are the most popular employers for estheticians:
- Traveler Accommodation
- Offices of Physicians
- Personal Care Services
- Self-Employed
- Health & Personal Care Stores
(Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
In order to learn more about becoming an esthetician, check out:
- The Ultimate Esthetician Exam & Study Guide
- Can You Really Go to Esthetician School Online? (State by State Requirements)
- How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist
- How to Find a Medical Esthetician School Near Me
Nail Technology/Manicurist License
Another option is to get a Nail Technician or Manicurist license. (The title and type depends on your home state’s Cosmetology State Board.)
Nail technicians and manicurists perform a variety of duties, including:
- Treating callouses
- Moisturizing the hands & feet
- Applying special designs & nail polish
- Putting on & removing artificial nails
- Filing toenails & fingernails
- Gently massaging the hands and feet
If you want to become a nail technician or manicurist, then you must attend an accredited beauty school to get your license.
You’ll also need to pass the state board exam. But don’t worry! We have study guides and practice exams to help you prepare. The Milady Standard Nail Technology textbook is another excellent resource.
Beauty Specialist Employment Outlook
The beauty industry is growing rapidly, and so the employment outlook in this specialty is especially high. As more people in the US are starting to embrace pampering services, the demand continues to grow.
Below, we’ll take a look at the projected growth rate for a few different types of beauty specialists. Needless to say, you can expect a good job market when you graduate. This is one of the most compelling reasons to enroll in a beauty college near you.
Cosmetologists/Barbers/Hairstylists
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists will increase by 13% between 2016 and 2026.
That’s 87,600 new jobs in ten years!
Estheticians/Skin Care Specialists
Comparatively, the job growth rate is about the same for estheticians, at 14% between 2016 and 2026. (Or 8,500 new jobs in ten years.)
Video: Esthetician License Information by State
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNgeHILTMg
Nail Technicians
In May 2017, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median pay of $11.17 per hour for manicurists and pedicurists. Between 2016 and 2026, there is an expected growth rate of 13%, which means 16,700 new jobs.
Like the previously mentioned specialties, the Nail Technician employment outlook is fantastic.
How to Choose the Best Beauty Academy/Specialty for You
It’s important to give yourself enough time to really examine all of your options in the beauty industry, in order to figure out where you would find the most joy and satisfaction.
Here is a list of tips that might help you narrow down your options:
- Since Nail Technology generally requires less training hours than others, this is a great fast track specialty for those wishing to become licensed beauty practitioners as soon as possible.
- If you’re interested in the most multi-faceted license, then a Cosmetology License might be best for you. If you want to do all the things, then this is your best bet. You’ve got to be willing to take the most training hours, but the pay off will be worth it. If there’s a part of cosmetology that you’re especially interested in, such as Makeup Artistry, then make sure to take as many classes that focus on this as possible.
- If you’re interested in a more focused license with fewer training requirements, then consider becoming an Esthetician or Electrologist.
- Again, make sure to check your state licensing requirements and types of licenses available. For example, Tennessee offers a Natural Hair Stylist License. If something this specialized is available in your state, then check it out to see if it’s something you could benefit from. The Natural Hair Stylist license only requires 300 hours in Tennessee, while becoming a full-blow cosmetologist requires 1,500 training hours.
How to Find the Best Beauty School Near Me
Final Thoughts
We created this post to help you find the best beauty college near you, and also because we know how tough (but exciting!) it is to decide on a career path and enroll in school.
Now it’s your turn! The next two steps are easy, we promise.
- First, research beauty specialties, and then apply to beauty schools near you. You can learn more about being a beautician by reading the articles listed below.
- Next, you should also start applying to beauty academies near you by signing up for Campus Explorer. Campus Explorer will send you helpful hints about affordable beauty colleges in your area.You can unsubscribe from this free tool at any time, so it really is worth a shot.
Although taking these first steps, especially applying to beauty schools near you, may push you out of your comfort zone, you need to do it. You’ve got this!
If you have any more questions or comments, then please let us know in the comments section below.
Cheers!