Beauty school is one of the most misunderstood types of trade school. Many people have misconceptions about cosmetology school and what it’s really like to go through that training.
If you’ve considered working in the beauty industry, you owe it to yourself to read about 13 of the most common myths that get circulated about beauty school.
1. Beauty School is Easy and Anyone Can Do It
Cosmetology school combines classroom training with practical hands-on training. Everything you learn in theoretical terms, you must learn in clinical training. There is nothing easy about it, but a good instructor and faculty can help you learn these skills with patience and confidence.
Students will eventually practice in the student salon on real clients. You must have in-depth training in hair styling, hair cutting, coloring, and thorough knowledge of anatomy and how chemical processes affect the skin, hair, scalp, and nails.
At the end of the training, students must pass a practical exam for the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to earn their licensure as a cosmetologist. This path takes dedication and hard work.
2. Cosmetology is for Women, Barbering is for Men
One of the stereotypes about the beauty industry is that women become cosmetologists, and men always become barbers. The truth is, anyone can become a cosmetologist or a barber. Anyone can choose either type of training, or they can even get training and become licensed to be both. According to a survey by Zippia, 93% of cosmetologists are women, and 7% are men. But more men are choosing to become cosmetologists and have successful careers in the beauty industry.
3. Beauty School is Only for People Naturally Gifted at Cosmetology
Some people are dissuaded from enrolling in beauty school, because they believe a beauty career is only for people with naturally endowed cosmetology talent. That isn’t true! You can put in the work to become an expert at hairdressing and cosmetology. By studying the skills you need to become a professional at hair, skin care, and nail care, you can become just as talented as anyone who you admire in the beauty industry. All it takes is dedication to learn the necessary skills and techniques, and a passion for learning new concepts.
4. Beauty School is Too Expensive
For those worrying about the cost of beauty school, going to cosmetology school is less expensive than going to a regular four-year college. In the state of California, you must go through an approved training program of at least 1000 total hours before they can take the State licensing exam.
Are you going to get your money’s worth? Every school will have different programs, different perks, different prices, so compare what the quality of education is, the culture, the job placement rate, and career trajectory of previous graduates. Do your planning and research before deciding.
If you still think that cosmetology training is out of reach, remember that financial aid is available, including loans, grants, and scholarships. Graduating from beauty school might be a lot more affordable than you realize.
5. Beauty School is Only for Young People
Though the perception is that beauty school is mainly for younger students, the truth is beauty school is for people of all ages, demographics, and backgrounds. Older students can do just as well as younger students and start their beauty career with the benefit of plenty of life experience.
Some people want to pursue their true passion, or make a career change, so they go to cosmetology school to get a new start. The beauty industry is still growing and hairdressers of a all ages are needed.
6. Cosmetology School is Not a Real Education
Many people think only four-year colleges are “real” schools, but cosmetology school is a different type of school that is just as valuable for helping students find a career they love. In each state, cosmetology schools are accredited by their regional junior college association as well as the state Board of Cosmetology. Traditional college is all classroom and book learning, but beauty school is a combination of classroom learning and hands on learning. There are many people whose learning style is a hands-on style, sometimes known as kinetic learning. Beauty school is a fully regulated type of trade school, which is just as likely to help you get a job as a graduate degree from a four-year college.
7. Beauty School is Only for People who Can’t Get into Traditional College
A big misconception about beauty school is that is only for people who are underachievers, or who can’t make it in regular college. There is a social stigma that prevents people from pursuing beauty school because they think people might look down on them.
The reality is that many people enjoy working in a creative field like cosmetology and they thrive in a job where they get to work with people. Even people who are highly educated choose this career path because they are passionate about the beauty industry.
Cosmetology school attracts people from a diverse set of backgrounds and academic qualifications. For students who are willing to put in the work and learn new things, beauty school is the first step to an exciting new career.
8. Going to Cosmetology School Means You’ll Always Be Doing the Same Thing Forever
Many people consider going to beauty school but worry that they’ll be cutting hair for the rest of their career. While hairstyling is a major aspect of cosmetology, it is far from the only career option cosmetologists can pursue.
Beauty schools may have different curriculum, but often teach other skills such as skin care and nail care. A few cosmetology programs such as the one at Campus at Sacramento, teach students business and marketing skills that they can use to further their beauty career. There are many specialized skills within cosmetology, and several career paths you can explore, including the following:
· Beauty specialist in a spa at a resort or cruise ship
· Nail artist or manicurist
· Skin care specialist
· Brand manager for beauty company
· Beauty journalist or blogger
· Salon owner or manager
· Product developer for beauty company
· Hairdresser for acting or stage productions
· Beauty and hair makeover for weddings and special occasions
· Cosmetology instructor
9. You Don’t Have to Go to Beauty School to Work in the Industry
Many states require you to go through a state approved beauty school before you can be licensed as a cosmetologist. There are several states where you can be licensed separately for specific roles like esthetics or nail care, if you go through the appropriate education programs. But in most cases, a cosmetologist license will cover those licensing requirements. In California, you must complete beauty school to be licensed, which is required to work in cosmetology.
Even in states where you can work as a cosmetologist without a license, attending beauty school teaches you techniques which are difficult to learn on your own. Going through beauty school is, at the least, a competitive edge when seeking a job. In most cases, a requirement to work in the beauty industry.
10. Cosmetology is Not a Viable Career
The cosmetology field is growing, and there is a great demand for hairdressers with a high degree of skills. Contrary to popular belief, cosmetologists earn real money, and it is a rewarding career. In California, the mean average wage for cosmetologists and hairdressers in 2023 was $46,600[1] according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The number of cosmetology jobs in the US is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average of all jobs. Cosmetologists can work not only in salons, but also in spas, or even their own studios.
11. Every Beauty School is the Same
You might figure that it doesn’t matter what beauty school you attend because they’re all the same, right? Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Many accredited beauty schools in California teach the required curriculum and meet the mandatory training hours required to take the licensing exam. But their training may differ from that of another school. Each school has different instructors, experience, product partners, and culture.
At Paul Mitchell the School at Campus, we use the cutting edge training from Paul Mitchell, our instructors have years of experience in the beauty industry, and our culture is about teaching students the skills in hairdressing and skin care they need, and also the business skills that they need to thrive. You can schedule a tour of our Sacramento cosmetology training facility and student salon to meet the staff and instructors and get questions answered.
12. Cosmetology is Only for People Who Want a Real Job
Cosmetologists are an important part of their communities, their clients neighborhood, and provide aesthetic beauty benefits that make their clients feel empowered in their daily lives. The beauty industry is a place where people can thrive in a fulfilling career.
13. There is Little Financial Aid for Beauty School
Beauty schools are a type of trade school, but they are also eligible for federal financial aid just like traditional college. The financial aid department at Campus can help you find ways to finance your cosmetology training with several options, including the following:
- Student loans
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Programs for military veterans
Become a Licensed Cosmetologist at a World-Class Program
At Paul Mitchell the School at Campus in Sacramento, we offer hands-on training with cosmetology experts to give students a career-oriented beauty school education. The Paul Mitchell system prepares students with a diverse set of skills they can use to launch their cosmetology career. Students get the chance to work with real clients at our guest services clinic to put their skills to the test. Graduates will walk away with a wide range of skills in hair, skin, and nail care that will prepare them to work as a cosmetologist or start a salon. The focus on fundamentals has equipped students to pass the California State Cosmetology Board Exam and go on to build successful careers in cosmetology.
The program is about 30 weeks, and financial aid is available for eligible students. Contact our Admissions team for more information.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes395012.htm#st , retrieved September 4, 2024