Hairstylist how did you pick your school?

I really do have a passion for hair and would love to talk hair all day and get paid. I decided finally to go with my heart and go to school. I want to go to a good school that is going to teach me how to care for AA hair natural and relaxed. But I don't want to limit myself I also want to take care of other races hair too. My questions are:

How did you go about choosing your school?
How much research did you do on the school before joining?

And anything else you can throw in there as I am on my way out the door and don't have time for 20 questions. Right now the only school I have looked at is Regency Beauty Inst. Very clean and I like the atmosphere. I did not like the black ladies hair there. They all had horrible weaves and the lady giving me the tour had the nerve to keep staring at my twists. I was staring at her extra hairsprayed wiggy hairdo myself. It is right around the corner from me too. But I want to make MONEY so I want to go to a good school. 90% of their students get a job right out of school so that sounds good. I just want to make sure I am making the right descion as I have a hard time saying no and often go with the flow. HELP me! LOL

bumping......

I hated my school. I only went to that one because one of my high school friends was going to that one also.

I chose my school based on the national accreditation, mainstream location, curriculum, the fact that it is one of the largest schools on the east coast, financial aid was available, it was clean, bright and modern, and it didn't have a "ghetto" atmosphere. That an interview was required as the first part of the admissions process was also impressive to me.

I am planning on going to cosmetology school too, in January and i was looking up the tops schools as well because I want to best education possible. I think I've decided on Aveda; that's supposed to be the best one in NYC. I've been doing so much research and all the other ones out here just don't measure up.

Well how are you doing your research? Is there a national accreditation website?

I looked up Regency and saw alot of complaints about them. And some of the things mentioned I noticed when I went in for a tour. I really like them because they have the clean, modern, atmosphere. I will NOT go to a ghetto school. I want to make money when I am done so I want to go to a good school not a low class hood school.

bumping....

I looked up some accredited schools and regency is one but those bad reviews threw me off. I want to check out TINT and Toni and Guy as well though. they seem promising. I just need to do some more research on them.

I choose my school after going to a couple of other schools and doing a little research. When I walked in the door it just felt like "home".

Regardless of what school you choose you will still have to further your education after you graduate as there is not enough time at any one school to teach you everything. Most of the instructors are usually retired hairstylists and they don't know a lot of what's in. A lot schools just focus on getting you to pass the state board but the really good schools take you to the next level.

I have used a lot of my personal experience and knowledge from this very hair board and mixed it with a lot of things I learned about healthy hair care and have applied it to my business.

Hairstyling, for most, is finding out what you are best at. Your niche. Something that is not a burden, something you love to do. Focus on that. It can be more than one thing but usually people focus on just a small few. You don't want to be a "jack of all trades and master of none" in this business. I just doesn't work too well.

Geminigirl said:

I looked up some accredited schools and regency is one but those bad reviews threw me off. I want to check out TINT and Toni and Guy as well though. they seem promising. I just need to do some more research on them.

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My mind would steer me more towards the Toni and Guy school. They are very well known. I went to Paul Mitchell and they kept us abreast of all the new happenings in the industry. We learned a lot of things there that you wouldn't learn at just any school. I have met others from other schools, less expensive schools, and whoa....! Major difference.

You are def someone I wanted to hear from about this subject. Ok I will schedule a tour today to go check out the school asap. Gosh they are 30 minutes away I hope it is worth it. I def plan to use my skills on healthy hair care that I have learned on this board to put into my work. Atleast when I am researching it will be for something good not just for leisure. I am very excited that one day I will be talking to my clients about henna and moistuzing and sealing with oils, etc.

Anyways thanks for coming through.

Geminigirl said:

You are def someone I wanted to hear from about this subject. Ok I will schedule a tour today to go check out the school asap. Gosh they are 30 minutes away I hope it is worth it. I def plan to use my skills on healthy hair care that I have learned on this board to put into my work. At least when I am researching it will be for something good not just for leisure. I am very excited that one day I will be talking to my clients about henna and moistuzing and sealing with oils, etc.

Anyways thanks for coming through.

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Awesome to think about isn't it?!!

Go check out the school. When you take the tour you should get a feel within yourself if you would like for this place to be your home for the next 10 months. 30 minutes is not that far to drive for a good eduction. I did it and don't regret it one bit. Consider it an investment in your future. Also don't let the cost deter you from making a sound decision.

It is very good money in this industry and it's fun and you get to express yourself. So go for your dreams and make sure to practice, practice!

Another thing....

Schools can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 depending. I paid about $13,000 at Paul Mitchell but another school I checked out was $17,000. I choose PM not because of price but because I felt I would get the better all around education there. I still feel I did. I can do all nationalities of hair if I choose without being afraid of the differences.

Please keep us posted Geminigirl. I have thought about getting licensed but it is the haircare I like, not necessarily the styling so I don't know if it is really for me.

Balisi, which school did you attend?

I, myself, haven't done too much research, but I do know that I am strongly leaning towards the Paul Mitchell school also because I know they hold a very good name in the hair business. I even have their phone number in my cell. Once I get out of the Navy, i should be finished with my bachelors and thats when i plan to go to their school.

If I lived near an Aveda Institute I would chose to go there. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to do it, keep my job until I'm done and not spend and arm and a leg because I already have student loans from my bachelors and MBA programs.

vkb247 said:

Please keep us posted Geminigirl. I have thought about getting licensed but it is the haircare I like, not necessarily the styling so I don't know if it is really for me.

Balisi, which school did you attend?

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That's the only part I like too, the haircare part.

I don't want to do weaves, braids, ponytails or extensive updos.

If I could do rollersets or flatirons all day, while keeping hair healthy, I would be happy.

dontspeakdefeat said:

My mind would steer me more towards the Toni and Guy school. They are very well known. I went to Paul Mitchell and they kept us abreast of all the new happenings in the industry. We learned a lot of things there that you wouldn't learn at just any school. I have met others from other schools, less expensive schools, and whoa....! Major difference.

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Thanks for sharing this DSD.

Bumping for more input!

I want to do hair too! Weaves and healthy hair.

I also want to be an instructor of some sort

I am more interested in haircare but I can do some styling just need some practice. I refuse to do extra hard gelled weaves and all that other nonsense. I will make sure my customers are satisfied while maintaing healthy happy hair. I do what I need to get through school but when I get out there I won't be doing all that nonsense. I want to learn to do sew-ins and all of that.

I didn't see any PM schools in my area. But I will keep you all posted. I hope to be touring the school Monday if not Tuesday.

Regency their school cost 17,000 about now so the price for PM sounds great. I love some of his products and wish I could go there. Regnecy is upping their price in the new year too so I have to hurry and decide.

Ok well I went and checked out two schools on Wednesday. Toni and Guy and what was suppossed to be Tint School of makeup and Cosmetology.


I will start with the last one. First I was driving all around looking for this school because it is in a shopping plaza with no building number. I saw a sign that said Jones Beauty College and decided to stop in there and ask if they might know the school I am looking for. When I went in it was small and very dingy. Not a nice looking school at all. There was a black girl in front of me that wanted to get her weave washed and styled. The front desk lady was very confused and needed assistance. So another lady came out and told her they don't do that there.

When I got up there I asked her what the address was and she told me. And I was like ok? I was having a hard time finding ya'll. That's when she explained they were bought out and were now Tint and blah blah. I told her I had an appt. But looking around I could see I wasn't going to get much of a tour because I could see everything from the front door.

She gave me some paper and told me to sit down and fill it out and she would be right back. I noticed the receptionist and the Lead lady I guess were mexican. I then noticed all the students were mexican with a few whites. I noticed everyone coming into school was mexican. Then I started hearing "areba areba blah blah blah spanish" And I was like *** this balled my paper up and dipped. What they gonna teach me how to do Mexican/white hair? no thanks. The fact that they don't know how to care for extensions. that is not a school for me.


Now Toni and Guy. AMAZING and I could totally see myself there. I didn't like that we had a group tour, cause my tour lasted about two hours with all the questions and the way everyone likes to ramble. They have very good job placement(97%). I don't know anything about Bed head products so I was a little bummed that they have TIGI products. Everything about the school sounds Amazing. The school itself is nice. There was alot of commotion going on though and everything looked scattered and I didn't like that.

Everyone cuts, Especially the guys, NICE. I got a bag with some information goodies in it. And he gave us all a coupon for a free haircut. I am very nervous about this cause I haven't had my hair cut since I chopped it myself. Plus he said they like to straighten natural hair to cut it. SO I am undecided about the cut thing.

The school looks very fun and like I would learn alot. I love the kit. Downside to this school is there is a $100 registration fee and they want a $500 deposit on the kit. So $600 to start. Where Regnecy only wants $75 and I would get hands on training with the nails, massage, etc. At Toni and Guy it looks like they really focus on hair. He said hair and makeup but I didn't hear much if anything at all about makeup during the tour. They also teach you about mani/pedi but you don't actually perform it on anyone. Which I find strange.

Anyways me and the other black girl on the tour were like...uh they talking to much. So we kinda left and when outside she told me there was A Paul Mitchell school here too. I looked and they are in the Carollton area. Anyways. Now I want to check them out before deciding because they are a good well known school too. Maybe there admittance fee might be cheaper. So right now I am still undecided but I am hoping to check out PM school ASAP.

Geminigirl said:

Ok well I went and checked out two schools on Wednesday. Toni and Guy and what was suppossed to be Tint School of makeup and Cosmetology.


I will start with the last one. First I was driving all around looking for this school because it is in a shopping plaza with no building number. I saw a sign that said Jones Beauty College and decided to stop in there and ask if they might know the school I am looking for. When I went in it was small and very dingy. Not a nice looking school at all. There was a black girl in front of me that wanted to get her weave washed and styled. The front desk lady was very confused and needed assistance. So another lady came out and told her they don't do that there.

When I got up there I asked her what the address was and she told me. And I was like ok? I was having a hard time finding ya'll. That's when she explained they were bought out and were now Tint and blah blah. I told her I had an appt. But looking around I could see I wasn't going to get much of a tour because I could see everything from the front door.

She gave me some paper and told me to sit down and fill it out and she would be right back. I noticed the receptionist and the Lead lady I guess were mexican. I then noticed all the students were mexican with a few whites. I noticed everyone coming into school was mexican. Then I started hearing "areba areba blah blah blah spanish" And I was like *** this balled my paper up and dipped. What they gonna teach me how to do Mexican/white hair? no thanks. The fact that they don't know how to care for extensions. that is not a school for me.


Now Toni and Guy. AMAZING and I could totally see myself there. I didn't like that we had a group tour, cause my tour lasted about two hours with all the questions and the way everyone likes to ramble. They have very good job placement(97%). I don't know anything about Bed head products so I was a little bummed that they have TIGI products. Everything about the school sounds Amazing. The school itself is nice. There was alot of commotion going on though and everything looked scattered and I didn't like that.

Everyone cuts, Especially the guys, NICE. I got a bag with some information goodies in it. And he gave us all a coupon for a free haircut. I am very nervous about this cause I haven't had my hair cut since I chopped it myself. Plus he said they like to straighten natural hair to cut it. SO I am undecided about the cut thing.

The school looks very fun and like I would learn alot. I love the kit. Downside to this school is there is a $100 registration fee and they want a $500 deposit on the kit. So $600 to start. Where Regnecy only wants $75 and I would get hands on training with the nails, massage, etc. At Toni and Guy it looks like they really focus on hair. He said hair and makeup but I didn't hear much if anything at all about makeup during the tour. They also teach you about mani/pedi but you don't actually perform it on anyone. Which I find strange.

Anyways me and the other black girl on the tour were like...uh they talking to much. So we kinda left and when outside she told me there was A Paul Mitchell school here too. I looked and they are in the Carollton area. Anyways. Now I want to check them out before deciding because they are a good well known school too. Maybe there admittance fee might be cheaper. So right now I am still undecided but I am hoping to check out PM school ASAP.

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Toni and Guy sounds a lot like Paul Mitchell. It sounds like more of a culture than a hair school.

Don't let the bolded deter you from choosing the school. Most cos. schools are like that. You can do it on students but they don't offer the service to clients. You are not going to get 100% of any school that focuses on cosmetology. It is required for them to touch on everything but the main focus is hair. They hair massage schools and nail schools for the other things. Most stylist don't do all those extras anyways. There is no time for it. Your going to make the most $$$$ from doing hair.

You don't have to cut your hair. You can wear it as you please. In this profession you are free to express yourself. I love that part of it.

Stay away from the other school. They sound bootleg and probably the only thing you would learn there is how to pass the state board.

BUMP!!

I am going to check out the PM school next spring!

I know you are in DFW. My friend LOVES Paul Mitchell and her school is in Addison by the tollway area.

Good luck on picking your school

Yes the PM school is in the Carollton area just like the TGA. I still reallt like TGA but I hope I can find a cheaper fee. Otherwise I am going to save up.

Staying away from Regency your right. TGA or PM would look much better on a resume when I am done.

Also I didn't see very many of "us" at TGA. Which is fine. But I do want to learn about makeup. Especially for my skin tone. And that is something that I would like to get out of this experience. The good thing he was explaining is that whenever I want to learn about something all I have to do is ask. So if I feel like makeup isn't being touched on enough for ME then I will ask for more guidance in that area.

I thought Cosmetology was only for hair. When I found out it was makeup too I was ecstatic.

I chose my school because it has been around for many years and is well know in S.F......but to tell you the truth, most of these cosmetology schools won't teach you things that you are looking for....especially when it comes to textured(or AA hair). They only teach you how to pass state board; not how to keep textured hair long and healthy. The best way to get great knowledge about styling and caring for ALL hair (especially black hair) is if you extern, become an apprentince or assist at a really good salon with a great hairstylist that has been in the business for many years and has a clientale with healthy hair to prove their expertise in caring for and maintaing healthy hair. Learn from A veteren stylist that is more concerned with the HEALTH of the hair rather then the style, texture, and color of hair. I Had to learn this the hard way.....I worked for a stylist who created beautiful hair styles and weaves but did not know how to keep the real hair healthy. Hope this helps and good luck!

I know it's been several months, but which school did you choose? Do you like it? I'm in the DFW area and plan on checking schools out this week. I've already checked out OGLE and really liked it. They claim to train their students to work in a "high end" salon.

I'm planning on going to cosmetology school as well and decided on Empire Beauty school or formerly Blaine, I'm in the NE area. What do you all think about this choice?

However I'm not excited about learning about mani and pedis and feel like it's a waste of money for me to learn about that stuff. Why not teach me something else instead of manis and pedis in hair school? Then again, it's cosmetology....

The advice I received is that all the schools are generally the same so might as well pick the ones that are accredited that make sense for you financially.