If you've been to cos school, please read.

Feb 15, 2016

Jessica D.

I don't know anyone in real life to talk to about this, and I feel there's a good chance that someone here that can help me with this.

So I'm starting cosmetology school soon, primarily for everything hair. I had a tour with Regency Beauty Institute just a couple of days ago, and I loved it! Everyone I met was so nice, the establishment was perfect, and I love their method of lessons, which was using an iPad for demos of what you need to do with an instructor in the room in case you need more help. It sounds like I would thrive there. However...

I also have a tour with Paul Mitchell The School tomorrow... And I kinda don't even want to go, I loved Regency so much lol. Not to mention, a few of the girls I talked to at Regency didn't seem too thrilled when I mentioned my Paul Mitchell tour. They did not talk down on it at all, but just something about their attitude towards it made it seem like it wasn't all that great. The woman I was working with even said, with a smile even, "Yes, definitely do your research and comparing. But I have a feeling you'll be back."

I feel like it's the responsible thing to tour more than one place, but I really like Regency so much already, I feel like I already made my decision. I was leaning towards them before the tour even. Should I still do the tour, despite how much I like Regency and the not-so-great vibes I get about Paul Mitchell?

So what I'm asking is... What's the deal with Paul Mitchell? Did you go and like it, or dislike it? Have you also "heard things" about it? Also, if you went to or heard things about Regency, I'll hear that too! Any other advice for me about to start cos school will be welcomed as well. Thanks to those who read this and any input or advice you might share with me.

Feb 15, 2016

Lara C.

I have never been to cosmotology school and can't really give opinions but I think it would be a good idea to visit the other school... I did that with university and even if I wasnt 100% about the school I saw it and was able to decide for sure that I didnt want to go there. I think it would be a good decision, youll be able to compare.

Feb 15, 2016

Roz X.

If you go to Paul Mitchell, they'll train you on their color line. Pravana in my view blows their color line away as does Redken. Consider which color lines Regency will teach you if that's important to you.

Feb 15, 2016

Roz X.

(I'm not a stylist, but some of my best friends are.)

Feb 15, 2016

Brenda G.

I been to Cosmo school and went to a school that did not teach me anything. I learned more from the friends I made there then from the teachers. I had a Friend attending Paul Mitchell at the same time I was in beauty school. she seemed to have learned more to be able to work in the real world, but did not pass her state board exam and I did. I think my school focuses a lot more on preparing us for the exam. So that may be something you want to consider.

Feb 15, 2016

Michelle W.

With anything, take a look at both schools. Maybe going to one will solidify you in your first choice and in the mean time you can look at both schools curriculum, lines they carry, pass rate, and so on... This way you can be confident in making the right decision!

Feb 16, 2016

Kaitlin M.

I'm going to Paul Mitchell and I'll be starting in 13 days exactly. I chose Paul Mitchell because to me, they teach you what you actually need to be in the beauty world, not just the stuff on the state board test. I live in New Jersey and it's illegal for me to work as a makeup artist if I am not licensed, so I have to go through a school program. I like the way that Paul Mitchell is set up academically. There are 3 different sections of the program. The beginning section teaches you the very basics about everything you'll be learning, kinda like dipping your toes into the water while getting new information each week that builds. On each Friday, they give a test and you'll need to get a passing grade to move on to the next week of lessons. Then the second section goes way deeper into everything, rounding out your schooling. The final section is when they put you out on the beauty floor. PM offers an honors program at my location, which if you're accepted into, you'll see more clients daily than if you weren't in the program. They also teach you how to clean and sanitize all your tools, towels, work space. You also get to work at the front desk, learning how to schedule clients and balance your business. You also learn marketing so you can sell yourself and your business. I'll also be learning eyelash extensions, ombré/baylage techniques, and extensions. PM also has guest artists from all over who visit. I also believe they work with MAC Cosmetics to supply extra makeup classes. I'm going to do more of makeup, but I'm also planning on doing hair, skin and nails. I hope this helped. Oh! And at Paul Mitchell, you have a certain attire. For my first 600 hours, I have to wear a white top with black bottoms and black shoes. I'll also be given my PM white jacket. Then for the rest 600 hours, I'll be wearing all black with my PM black jacket. The PM kit is huge, you get everything for hair, a full waxing kit, a full makeup kit, a full grooming kit and 4 mannequin heads along with your text books. If you have any other questions, feel free to write me on here!

Feb 16, 2016

Jessica D.

Wow, thanks so much, Kaitlin! I do have one question... From an objective view, why would people react the way they did towards it?

Even before a tour with either school, just by the initial over-the-phone consult, I was already leaning towards Regency. Paul Mitchell seems... I don't know, more about their business, rather than schooling. It's hard to explain. Regency asked about me and my interests and goals the first time on the phone, whereas PM is making me write a 200 word essay about why I chose them and requiring a certain outfit just for a tour. Idk, it just seems more about them and less about me, which I feel isn't the right thing for any school of any kind to do... Not saying it's a bad school or choice in any way whatsoever, just my personal feelings towards it and why I'm not personally interested. Could that be why others also sorta rolled their eyes when I mentioned it?

Feb 16, 2016

Nicci M.

Definitely take a look at both schools, I don't know what it is but where I live everyone's very judgmental towards the girls who went to Paul Mitchell because they assume they're very stuck up and arrogant. However everyone I know who's went there was super nice so not sure where that assumption comes from lol! I've heard it's a great school, if I had the money I would've went there instead! But go for wherever you feel more comfortable because cosmetology school tends to become your second home/family! xx

Feb 16, 2016

Stacie H.

I took cos in high school, all morning long in both grade 11 and 12. Paul Mitchell sounds pretty much exactly what I went through so I honestly don't think that what they offer is anything exclusive. You had to interview to get in for both years, and we did the same things. Theory and basics first, then more in to coloring and cutting, and esthetics, like facials nails and waxing, and working the front desk and then taking clients eventually. We also did makeup but obviously a high school does not have the budget to have Mac come in. We also took tests and they got us into the apprenticeship program, which in Canada is necessary to become licensed. Which was awesome because I've never had to pay to take en exam. Anyways my point is, I took this in high school so they are not trying to be fancy at all, and it sounds a lot like Paul Mitchell. Maybe less hardcore. I think with any school you choose you're getting the same kind of things. I do agree with the comments above saying that Paul Mitchell will teach you with their color and product line, and you should decide if that's something you want. I am not sure what regency uses but sometimes it's nice to learn with people who aren't biased towards a line. Hope this helped :)

Feb 16, 2016

Holli J.

I know I'm going to regret saying this, but it was my experience. When I was in St. Louis looking for schools people had the same attitude your describing about Paul Mitchell so I asked my friend who was at the school why they felt like that. She said it was unfortunate, but since some schools opened up to scholarships and loans a lot of minorities now had the opportunity to join and that classes that were dominantly white were now not. I'm not saying the ladies at Regency are racist, but maybe some people are uncomfortable with it? The school I chose in the end is mostly black, and I can tell you that it doesn't matter.. at all. You choose what's right for YOU and don't let anyone else's opinion but your own influence your choice :)

Feb 19, 2016

Jessica D.

Holli, I'm confused... Why does race/socioeconomic status affect the school or lessons?

Feb 23, 2016

Holli J.

Not everyone feels the same as us that it doesn't matter.