So, you have a passion for the beauty industry and you’re ready to begin your journey to an exciting new career in the world of hair, skin, and nails. How much will it cost to attend cosmetology school, and can you afford it?

Earning your cosmetology certificate may not be as expensive as you think – especially with the help of scholarships and grants to support aspiring students. Join us for a guide to the average cost of cosmetology school and some of the popular financial aid options available.

Read more: How to prep for your esthetician state board exam

What factors can affect the cost of cosmetology school?

The overall cost of cosmetology school varies based on a number of factors, including:

Your location

Your city and state will greatly impact your tuition rate. Cosmetology schools in large, metropolitan areas tend to cost more than those in smaller towns and more rural areas. Keep in mind that state regulations, including minimum training hours, will also play a role. 

T...

 Owning your own business can be an exciting, challenging, and highly rewarding experience, but how can you know where to start? Today, we’re discussing what it takes to open a successful nail business!

Why open a nail business?

Starting a nail business is about more than just manicures — it’s a means to financial independence. Here are several reasons why many esthetics professionals choose to open their own nail business:

Potential for profitability

Nail salons typically have lower start-up costs than other beauty businesses like medical spas. A consistent demand for your services and high degree of scalability mean you could potentially grow your business in the future. As an independent, self-employed nail artist, the sky is the limit. 

High level of client retention

One great thing about nails is that they just keep growing. Many clients schedule regular maintenance appointments, which helps ensure a steady income for you and your employees. Loyalty programs can sweeten the ...

The holiday season is a fantastic time to offer deals and discounts for new and returning clients. People are often open to spending cash during this time of year, whether they’re treating themselves or purchasing lavish treatments for friends and family.

If you’re curious about running lucrative promotions during the holidays, you’ll want to join us for our best promo ideas to get new customers in the door and encourage repeat business from your existing clients!

Why run holiday promotions for your salon?

You’ll find plenty of great reasons to run holiday promotions for your salon or med spa business during the Christmas season. Here are just a few to keep in mind: 

The seasonal appeal

Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, people start looking for sales, specials, and discounted prices on gifts and services. While some are more inclined to buy luxury products for personal use, others are searching for the perfect gift for that friend who has everything. 

Boost product and servic...

 In many states, laser hair removal can only be performed by licensed medical professionals such as nurses, physician’s assistants, and doctors. However, some places allow estheticians to offer laser hair removal services as long as they meet certain training qualifications. 

Whether your state requires physician oversight for these procedures or places no limitations on laser hair removal, you’ll want to understand the factors that may affect your business. Today, we’re discussing how to add laser hair removal treatments to your service menu as an esthetician!

What are the training and safety regulations for laser hair removal?

While training requirements vary by state, you can expect certain licensing regulations to remain consistent in most areas. Here are some of the training and safety protocols for laser hair removal: 

Training and education for estheticians

Laser hair reduction training is generally not included in most esthetician school programs since these courses primar...

 The process of opening a medical spa is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking, but it could be the decision that brings your dreams to life. Today, we’re discussing how medical spas differ from other facilities and offering tips on opening a thriving practice!

How are med spas different from day spas?

Medical spas are unique businesses that offer clients top-tier services. Here are some of the ways they stand out from other types of spas:

Treatments focus on deeper skin concerns

It’s common to find med spas operating within — or in conjunction with — dermatology offices. That’s because these businesses naturally complement one another. Patients with certain skin conditions or cosmetic concerns can receive treatments they know their doctor would approve of. 

Invasive vs non-invasive treatment options

Day spas are typically limited to non-invasive procedures only. They may offer massages, facials, manicures, and body wraps, but they can’t go more than skin deep. 

On the other hand...

 For those looking to combine the results-driven services from medical practitioners with the relaxing and rejuvenating treatment you receive at a standard spa, medical spas are just what the doctor prescribed. Today we'll be going over what constitutes a med spa, what services you may find there, as well as how a med spa compares to a standard day spa. 

What is a med spa?

Medical spas, more commonly known as med spas, are establishments where both rejuvenation and medical-grade service come together to provide significant results without the standard downtime of surgical procedures. This combination of skincare and medical practice brings results that are tailored specifically to each client's skincare needs. 

Do med spas require special licensing?

Yes! Opening a spa that provides more medical-grade services will require both a medical license and a business license in order to operate. Generally each treatment or service is overseen by a board certified medical professional. 

Ei...

 Plenty of estheticians dream about opening their own spa business. They might imagine cultivating the perfect environment, crafting a luxury spa menu, and providing expertly curated treatments to high-end clientele.

If that sounds like you, you’re not alone! But you’ll need to work out the logistics before diving into this endeavor. Join us for a complete guide to opening your own spa and becoming a successful business owner.

What to know before opening a spa business

Before planning your grand opening, here are some key aspects you’ll want to nail down:

Reviewing your finances

Your personal finances will likely serve as a foundation for business loans and other funding. This is also a good time to calculate startup costs, overhead, and other business expenses. 

Understanding licensing requirements

Each state has distinct requirements for spa businesses. You and your staff must be compliant in order to stay in good standing with your jurisdiction’s oversight board. Understand t...

 If you’re passionate about skincare and helping people look and feel their best, you might wonder how you can utilize your skills as a master esthetician. It turns out that the process is relatively straightforward, depending on your location. In fact, many states don’t recognize master estheticians with dedicated licenses. 

Today, we’re discussing the differences between a standard esthetician and a master esthetician and how you can advance in your beauty career.

What is a master esthetician?

A master esthetician is a highly trained skin care professional who can offer advanced treatment techniques. Here’s how they differ from your average esthetician:

What sets master estheticians apart?

Master estheticians undergo extensive training to help their clients manage a range of skin conditions with products and beauty treatments. They’re anti-aging specialists who understand how to work with different skin types to give their clients a healthy, youthful glow without plastic surg...

 Beginning a career in health and beauty is an exciting time in your life. Choosing the right field for you is more important than you think.

Choosing between becoming an esthetician or cosmetologist sets you on a career path. But the differences aren’t always understood.

We’re getting down to business with these two rewarding but very different specializations. 

Let’s get rolling!

The main differences between estheticians and cosmetologists

Before you leap into a training program or course of study, you must understand what you’re signing up for. The primary differences between estheticians and cosmetologists are easy to grasp.

The spaces estheticians work in are different than cosmetologists

Cosmetology studios and salons focus on hair, nails, and makeup. These specialties require equipment other than what’s necessary for estheticians. A thriving run shop has booths for individual professionals, each designed for the modality.

Esthetician spas and salons focus on skin heal...

Getting out of a commercial salon is one of the biggest steps you can take as an esthetician. There are plenty of spots to rent a small space and experience a taste of running your own business.

Salon suites are the way to go if you’ve already established a clientele and want a more private space. Usually, these suites are in a larger business that rents out space to a variety of health and beauty experts.

Even though you may dream of a space totally your own, salon suites are the perfect spaces to build your brand. Once you’ve established your business, then it might be time to move into a traditional salon of your own.  

Fed up with working for someone else? Salon suites are the next best thing to owning your own shop.  

We’re taking a look at the pros and cons of this business model, so strap in!

Things to think about when considering renting a salon suite

Building your brand is one of the most important things you can do as a future beauty business owner. Working ...