Beauty School Secrets
"Classroom Mythbusters" by Beauty Apprentice
I’ve heard my share of insults about beauty school, some merited and some blatantly wrong. Whoever assumed beauty school is the easy way out of getting a four-year degree has probably never touched a makeup brush in their life. Yes, it’s a beauty junkie’s dream to study the nuances of hair, makeup, nails, and skin on a daily basis, but this incredible opportunity isn’t all fun and games. Remember secondary school concepts like uniforms, tardies, and absences? They’re all fully enforced. This is the strictest, most regimented environment I’ve ever experienced, and I’m here to debunk some beauty school myths for those misinformed folk.
Myth #1: Beauty school is not serious.
This phrase makes me laugh. I’ve actually found beauty school to be more demanding than high school, with stricter rules and more work than I imagined. Many people think we’re just beauty-obsessed airheads who play with mannequins, but there’s substance under the makeup. Students spend the first half of the day in a classroom that looks like any other lecture hall. We study theory, complete with textbooks, handouts, and homework.
Myth #2: There are no rules in beauty school.
You’d be surprised by the long list of guidelines we’re required to follow. Students are under the constant scrutiny of the teaching staff and the government (after all, we’re certified by the State Board). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can stop in any day of the week for random checks. If our beauty kits are not to code, we face hefty fines, even as students. And the tiniest infraction—a lingering hair on your kit or a misplaced item—can cost you. Our department’s reputation is on the line, so our instructors keep us in check every day.
Myth #3: Beauty school is an easy alternative to a four-year degree.
Difficulty is a subjective concept, but beauty school can be just as mentally and physically taxing as any bachelor’s degree program. As a graduate of the university system, I sure do miss the flexibility of my old schedule. Midday naps, coffee runs, and long breaks are now virtually impossible. In beauty school, we’re given time cards to record every detail of the day, from the 8:10 a.m. check-in to the 4:45 p.m. checkout. I go to school Monday to Friday, with no exceptions. With mandatory breaks and a 30-minute lunch period, I feel like I’m trapped in secondary school again. Many students appreciate a structured schedule, but I forget how exhausting it can be to maintain such a consistent routine.
I must admit, I originally had many preconceived notions about beauty school before I started the program. After completely adjusting my life to this new endeavor, I’m living proof that it’s no joke. Safety hazards, bureaucratic guidelines, and a rigorous schedule can prove impossible for some—two students quit on the first day. If you decide to enter the world of cosmetology school, remember: It’s not as easy as it apparently looks.
Sep 27, 2011
Emma M.
I am in Esthetician school and I can tell you it was a lot harder than my two years of college. But I LOVE it!
Sep 23, 2011
Collins O.
Where il i get a replant of hair...some friendz of mine had bay head.
And i have a sensitive skin wit pimples on ma face.what can i apply to get ride of d pimple...plz help.
Sep 23, 2011
Collins O.
Fashion got me endowd.
Sep 22, 2011
Nora V.
When I took Cosmetology in high school, it basically was a joke, unless you were one of the students who actually cared. The teacher was lazy, smoked all the time and Hung out in another teachers class room, and 75% of the girls in there just wanted to straighten their already stick straight hair, put on make up and gossip. I, and two other girls where the only legit serious ones in there, and I didn't learn anywhere near as much as I could because everyone there has their thumb up their butt.
Sep 22, 2011
Valencia F.
I really do consider my current education in aesthetics technology comparable to my stint in the Air Force. Talk about stringent *rolls eyes*. If I'd known this about this program I would have surely endured the last 11 months to graduate with my BA in Bus Admin-Mgt. Sheesh! At least then I could forgo the micro-management, wine-colored scrubs and sterile white shoes. Not to mention the lugging of my beloved heavy Dermalogica bag and affectionately boring Jane Iredale makeup just to check in.
I didn't see a mention of practicals being done on each other. My face and décolleté became a battleground for pH balancing acts and violent effleurage techniques. 3 months and I'll be finished with the nonsense...now to decide on finishing that four year degree or enroll in a makeup school...
Sep 22, 2011
Angel D.
Shes right beauty school is no joke. ive been in beauty school for over a year now and its super crazy and super strict. also you have to make the hours and show up if you dont you could get your financial aid cut.
Sep 22, 2011
Dejeri L.
LOVE THIS POST! too many people underestimate beauty school, but man I've had to use my brain more than I ever have since I started attending for Esthetics back in April. From textbook work & tests on skin, anatomy, electricity, nutrition & more (not to mention MAKEUP is the longest chapter & most difficult of all the tests) to having to complete a certain number of pacticals and have to bring in a certain number of referals!
For all aspiring beauty school students I have to say, BRACE YOURSELF. it takes an extreme amount of focus, a willingness to learn, tough skin & memorization skills. In anything you do you have moments where you just want to quit, beauty school can be exhausting, but on the plus side YOU WILL LEARN MORE THAN YOU IMAGAINED YOU WOULD! The reward is greater than the cost believe me. You get introduced to a side of the beauty world you probably never knew existed and you get to build great relationships with your instructors, your classmates & of course YOUR CLIENTS. You learn how to run your own business, book clients, retail products and get great discounts from places like MAC, sallys, Makeup Forever & more!
I say if you wanna do it GO, what could you possibly have to lose? Forget all of the people who won't take you serious (there will be many), you need haters anyways. If anything love them by taking a step that most people are too scared to take. Beauty School is the best decision I have ever made in my life. I graduate on October 6th & can you say EXCCCCITEDDDDDDD! The beauty world hasn't seen nothing yet xoxoxo
Sep 22, 2011
Valencia F.
Sep 22, 2011
Tiffany V.
I've gone to college and now I am in beauty school. Beauty school is more of your decision to succeed. Whether you pass or fail written work doesn't matter in a bigger picture. We can retake tests that are fairly easy, and I know that is not the case for 95% of college classes. Having gone to college already, I do find that there are numerous grammar errors on tests and it frustrates me. I consider myself to be intelligent and by letting errors slide in the text book and on exams could very well be the cause of why Beauty Schools get a bad rep. On any given test I can find at least two questions with grammatical errors and another five that if argued properly should be thrown out. That makes at least 7 out of 30 questions and the difference between passing and failing.
Some Beauty Schools you can manage to slide by barely passing, but you're not going to be successful in the long run. You build your client list by doing a great job and doing it consistently. Like college, it is what you make of it. Maybe I find Beauty School to be easier because I enjoy it more and as long as you want to succeed you are given the chance to try and try and try until you get it right. Even if written work is hard for you, you are given the opportunity to succeed with your practical work.
Some rules we have FYI:
Must wear all black shoes, black socks, and black pants with lab coat over.
No cell phones except during breaks.
If you show up late, you are docked hours.
Unlike college, you have to attend, you have a dress code, and you cannot have your cell phone out.
Sep 22, 2011
Tanya A.
Yeah I really hate when people look down on me because im in beauty school like Im to stupid for a 4 year or university! They have no idea!
Sep 22, 2011
Jennifer H.
Although I haven't gone to beauty school, it seems that everyone has this notion that "non-traditional" education is easy. I'm majoring in Interior Design and I've received the same type of rude, condescending comments. Our program is rigorous, time-consuming, selective, you name it. It's HARD. I've come to realize that the same stereotypes are found among other art degrees as well. It's unfortunate, so I definitely sympathize. Your art school sisters understand. <3
Sep 24, 2011
Joan-Allison D.