Editor’s Note: There’s no better place to attend cosmetology school than Los Angeles, as this large city offers plenty of opportunities and unique educational programs for individuals looking to start a career in this field. In my experience, choosing the best cosmetology program can be confusing, which is why it’s important to take stock of the program’s pros and cons, matching them to your lifestyle needs and graduation goals. Doing this will help you make the best decision about your Los Angeles cosmetology school.
Los Angeles: home of Hollywood and all its stars. It’s also home to about 4 million people, making it an incredibly diverse city made up of people from around the world.
Since Los Angeles is home to musicians, celebrities, TV and movie production studios, and YouTubers, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the city is well-versed in grooming and looking good. In L.A., you can easily find a cosmetics store, hair salon, or makeup artist whenever you need one. Plus, there are many L.A.-based beauty brands that you can support, whether they’re brand new businesses or have a respected place on store shelves.
When it comes to cosmetology schools, L.A. residents are in good hands. There are plenty of schools to choose from all over the metropolitan area, so there’s bound to be one that’s easy to commute to. The Los Angeles Metro Rail has several lines in the city that will make traveling to and from school easy if you don’t want to get caught up in traffic.
With so many salons, spas, and schools in the city, a cosmetology job should be fairly easy to come by. You might have good chances of launching your career here, too, whether it’s your own business or making a name for yourself.
Job opportunities include hairstylist or makeup artist at salons, beauty consultant or manager at cosmetic retail stores like Ulta, or teaching at a cosmetology school. But that’s just the beginning of your career. You can aim to dress up the stars in Hollywood, but keep in mind that this will require a top-notch portfolio and some time to get your name recognized. (And let’s not forget that Disneyland uses a lot of actors and actresses who undoubtedly need their hair and makeup done each day.)
Many people move to Los Angeles to chase their dreams, start their careers, and enjoy city life. The city also brings in an impressive 50 million visitors each year to see all the sights and attractions. With so many people in one place, cosmetology graduates will likely find some form of success.
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The Best Cosmetology Schools in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles has a lot to offer when it comes to cosmetology schools. You may find it tough to choose which one is right for you, but that’s what we’re here for. We have five of the best schools to choose from in our article, and we talk about each one and what they offer. If you need more direction, our school finder will be able to help you.
We picked these schools because of their high ratings from students and clients and the quality of education they offer. We understand that everyone has a different budget, so we picked schools that offer a high-quality education at different price ranges.
Some of the schools can’t accept Federal Student Aid, but students can seek out third-party aid such as scholarships, grants, or loans. All of the schools are happy to help prospective students seek out resources to fund their education, so you can contact the school you’re thinking about to ask them questions.
TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy
TONI&GUY is a world-famous hair salon that has had the TONI&GUY Hairdressing Academy since 1990. The cosmetology program focuses on hair, but will also teach students about makeup, skincare, and products. The program will prepare each student to develop their career as a professional, so there will be many career opportunities after graduating.
The cost is on the more expensive side of cosmetology programs, but they accept federal financial aid and offer benefits for veterans and their families. Since they’re a worldwide company, you can trust that you’ll receive an excellent education for the price.
Cost: The total is estimated to be $24,535 for tuition, fees, and supplies.
Program Length: The 5-day full-time program can be completed in as little as 10 months. Call for more information about alternative programs.
Location: 464 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Financial Aid: TONI&GUY accepts federal financial aid and may offer scholarships. Contact them for more information.
Other Programs Offered: Other programs include barbering, esthetician, instructor, and advanced education courses.
Link: www.toniguy.edu
KC Beauty Academy
KC Beauty Academy is a family-owned school that opened in 2014. Although it’s still pretty new, there’s no doubt that this school has established itself in the community as a reliable school with great service. Better yet, it’s a 5-minute walk from public transportation, so it’s easy to get to.
The cosmetology program teaches cutting, coloring, and styling hair, makeup, manicuring and pedicuring, skincare, and eyebrow arching. The course also covers several areas of theory about sanitization, electricity, chemicals, and more.
Cost: Total estimated cost is $15,600.
Program Length: The program requires 1,600 hours and can be completed in about 12 months.
Location: 706 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Financial Aid: They accept federal Stafford loans and Pell Grants. Contact them for more information.
Other Programs Offered: They also offer barbering and esthetician programs, as well as apprenticeships and advanced courses. Once graduating from the cosmetology program, a crossover barbering program is available.
Link: www.kcbeautyacademy.com
Neihulé Academy of Beauty
Neihulé Academy of Beauty offers a cosmetology program that will prepare students to get hired soon after they graduate. The program will teach students to cut, color, and design hair, nail techniques, including manicuring, skincare and makeup, and product retailing. The program will also teach students helpful interview techniques and will help them build a resume that will help them get hired.
This school does not accept federal financial aid, but students will be able to use third-party resources, such as scholarships, grants, and loans, to fund their education.
Cost: The total cost is $21,682.82, but the price is subject to change. The school occasionally offers discount prices.
Program Length: The course requires 1,600 hours and can be completed in about 12 months.
Location: 305 East 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Financial Aid: Neihulé can’t accept federal financial aid, but students can seek out third-party financial aid such as scholarships and grants.
Other Programs Offered: They also offer programs for esthetics, massage therapy, microblading, and nail technology.
Link: www.neihuleacademy.com
Straight Perm Beauty School
Straight Perm Beauty School offers an affordable cosmetology program that will teach techniques for hair, skin, nails, and makeup. The course offers in-depth training for health and safety, anatomy, chemistry and electricity, and sanitation, so all students will know how to serve their clients safely.
The course will also cover additional areas of training such as professionalism, reception work, personal hygiene, and salon management. This part of the course will help prepare students for finding a job or opening their own salon.
Cost: The total cost for tuition, supplies, and registration fees is $7,724. Textbooks aren’t included and must be purchased separately; prices may vary.
Program Length: 1,600 hours are required. The program can be completed in 40-80 weeks, depending on if you take full-time, part-time, or evening classes.
Location: 3863 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90020
Financial Aid: This school isn’t eligible for federal financial aid; however, students may be able to find scholarships or other third-party options.
Other Programs Offered: Other programs include barbering, manicuring, and cosmetician training.
Link: www.straightpermbeautyschool.com
ZMS The Academy
ZMS The Academy offers a cosmetology program that will prepare students for a career. The course spends 1,100 hours covering hair, and the rest is dedicated to manicuring, skincare, makeup, eyebrows, and safety regulations.
Their cosmetology program price is on the lower end, which makes them a great candidate for prospective students. However, they don’t seem to be flexible when it comes to scheduling since they only mention a full-time program on their website. Of course, prospective students who are interested can call them to find out more information.
Cost: The total cost of the program is $12,500.
Program Length: 1,600 hours is required. The full-time schedule can be completed in at least one year.
Location: 2228 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Financial Aid: They accept federal financial aid, Pell Grant, and loans. Contact them for more information.
Other Programs Offered: Other programs they offer include barbering, body art technician, electrology, esthetician training, and manicuring.
Link: www.zmsacademy.com
Picking the Best Cosmetology School For You
A professional cosmetology certification is an expensive but rewarding endeavor and can open up a lifelong career within the beauty industry. But if none of the above courses inspire you to enroll, why not consider a rewarding new career as a professional makeup artist?
You can study online at your own pace and learn from industry experts from the comfort of your own home. Click here to get started.