How to Become a Hairstylist: Taking Steps Toward An Education In Beauty

If you love styling hair, keeping up with the latest beauty trends, and working with people, then becoming a hairstylist could be a great choice for you. Education as a hairstylist allows people to make a living while also expressing their creativity. Some hairstylists enjoy being able to work for themselves, make their own schedules, and help others feel more confident.

Getting a degree as a hairstylist can be quicker than many other education paths since it doesn’t require a traditional college degree, but it won’t happen overnight. The time it takes to become a hairstylist depends on the beauty school you attend, whether you take classes full-time or part-time, and how hard you apply yourself after graduation. The cosmetology program here at The Studio Academy of Beauty is 1600 hours, which can be completed in as little as one year. You can also fast-track your education to focus exclusively on hairstyling with our 1000 hour hairstylist program. We are the only school in Arizona to offer this focused hairstylist program, and it’s available at all three of our campuses in the Phoenix area! 

Keep reading to learn what it can take to become a professional hairstylist!

The First Steps Towards Becoming a Hairstylist

Look Up Cosmetology Schools in Your Area

Once you decide that becoming a hairstylist is the right choice for you, look up some beauty schools in your area. Browse their websites and social media pages to see what they have to offer. While you’re researching beauty schools, it’s also important to check whether or not they have a state-approved cosmetology program. Different states have different requirements for becoming a hairstylist, so you need to make sure the school you attend has a program that will prepare you to sit for the state licensure exam.

If you know you want to work exclusively as a hairstylist, your search for the right school maybe even easier, since The Studio Academy of Beauty is the only school in Arizona offering a hairstylist program that’s up to 600 hours shorter than a full cosmetology program. We also have three locations across the greater Phoenix area, so you don’t have to commit to a long commute to attend the right beauty school program. Once you decide on your prospective schools, it’s time to visit them in person by taking a tour.

Take Tours of Different Beauty Schools

Contact a few of the beauty schools that you’re interested in attending and set up tours of their campuses. Going to see each school in person will give you a much better idea of their culture and atmosphere, so it’ll help you decide which one is best for you.

Your tour at The Studio Academy of Beauty will allow you to talk with an admin rep so you can learn more about all our programs, class schedules, financial aid, and anything else you might want to know. You can schedule a tour by calling your preferred campus in Phoenix, Chandler, or Tolleson directly, or fill out our contact form and we’ll get in touch with you.

Attend Cosmetology School

Once you decide on the beauty school you want to attend, you may have the option to apply for financial aid*. Qualifying for financial aid can make tuition much more affordable, and the first step is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The admissions team here at The Studio Academy of Beauty can help you discover what type of financial aid you may qualify for and take the next steps toward applying. 

While attending cosmetology school, you’ll learn a variety of beauty skills and get lots of hands-on training. The curriculum varies depending on which beauty school you choose, but here are the skills you’ll learn in the hairstyling program here at The Studio Academy of Beauty:

• A variety of techniques for cutting hair, focusing on the latest trends and tools, including face-framing, razor cuts, and fades.
• Hair coloring with foiling techniques and advanced color formulations.
• Runway-ready editorial styling techniques include blowouts, pin curls, and finger waves, thermal curling, and flat ironing.
• Immersive product knowledge to help you make great recommendations to all your clients.
• Understanding of different hair types and relaxing/smooth down treatments for ethnic hair.
• Modern hair perming techniques to achieve perfect curls.

Attending beauty school is a big step towards your new future, so once you graduate, take a moment to celebrate with your friends and family!

What to do After Graduating from Beauty School

Pass the State Licensure Exam

After you graduate from beauty school, there are still some steps you need to take to become a hairstylist. You need to pass the cosmetology state board test to get your state license, so make sure you’re prepared before you take the exam. The Studio Academy of Beauty is located in Arizona, so graduates from our school need to take the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology licensing exam to become professional hairstylists.

Find a New Job as a Professional Hairstylist

Once you pass the state licensure exam, congratulations! You’re well on your way to becoming a hairstylist. You can find a job as a hairstylist in a few different ways. If you’ve already been working at a salon as part of your cosmetology education, you can try to become a hairstylist there. You can also contact salons in your area and apply to become a hairstylist at one of those locations. Your cosmetology school may also offer job placement assistance to explore.

Another option is to become an entrepreneur and start your own business as a hairstylist. To do this, you can either rent out space in a salon or open your own shop. Starting your own business as a hairstylist is riskier than the other options, but many people find it highly rewarding. It’s up to you to decide which career path is best for your unique lifestyle and goals!

Start Your Beauty Education at The Studio Academy of Beauty

The Studio Academy of Beauty has everything you need to get a great cosmetology education in Arizona. We have flexible class schedules, a knowledgeable staff, and our cosmetology program covers many useful beauty skills. We also have three convenient locations across the Valley: Phoenix, Chandler, and Tolleson. When you enroll at one of our schools, you can feel confident that we’ll help you develop the right skills for your trade. 

Are you ready to take the next step towards becoming a hairstylist? Contact us to schedule a tour of one of our campuses today!

*Financial Aid available to those who qualify.