Why Do You Need to Go to School to Be a Hairstylist?

While you may be drawn to cosmetology because you have a natural talent for styling or treating hair, you need more than passion for hair to start your career. Cosmetology is a heavily regulated field. Salons and other settings only permit stylists to work if they have valid state licenses. In Florida, a student must complete 1,200 school hours in a certified cosmetology program before they can apply for state licensure.

How to Find a Good Hair School in Sarasota

A “hair school” is an institution that offers cosmetology programs. When investigating your options, confirm that any school you’re considering has state accreditation. If you complete studies at an unaccredited school, your class hours won’t be considered valid by the state. That means you will not be able to sit for the state licensing exam. What’s more, employers usually only recognize education from an accredited school. So, here’s a checklist of what to look for when choosing a hair school:

Accreditation: As shared above, accreditation is the first topic to cover when reaching out to cosmetology schools. Meridian College is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education within the Florida Department of Education.

A Complete Curriculum: When looking at schools, be sure to inquire about the curriculum. You should learn about as many facets of hairstyling and care as possible. Additionally, most programs have crossover studies. These extra skills will help you to become an all-in-one expert capable of offering services related to hair, skin, and nails.

Hands-on Training: Cosmetology school is a practical learning experience. While students will need to attend lectures, they will spend a large portion of their school time learning through hands-on instruction.

Quality Instructors: The goal is to work with industry professionals with years of experience working at, managing, or owning salons. Professors at cosmetology schools are true mentors who are eager to pass on their knowledge to the up-and-coming generation of beauty experts.

Small Class Sizes: Nobody wants to feel like they’re lost in a crowd in a large classroom. Smaller class sizes allow for personal attention from instructors. You’ll also have more opportunities to ask questions.

Career Services: While this is one of the most overlooked aspects of selecting a hair school, it’s extremely important. Ask any school that you’re considering about their career services for current students and graduates. In many cases, schools have relationships with local salons that increase a recent graduate’s chances of being hired.

Reputation: Do your research on what past and current students think about a program before making a commitment.

Class Hours and Options: If you’ll be attending cosmetology school while managing work or homelife duties, it’s important to find a program that offers a little bit of flexibility regarding classes. Many programs allow students to enroll on a part-time basis.

A respected and reputable school will be forthcoming about these details. When you contact a school, request a tour to look at the learning environment. You should also ask about graduation rates, where graduates often work following program completion, and the credentials of instructors.

What Do You Learn During Hair School?

Cosmetology programs are highly technical. While the emphasis is on becoming a capable and competent hairstylist, the truth is that a trained and licensed stylist plays the role of chemist, product specialist, artisan, and customer confidant. As part of your education, you’ll learn how products interact with other products to create desirable results. You’ll also learn how products interact with hair and skin. Here’s a list of the skills taught in a cosmetology program for future hairdressers:

• Haircutting
• Hairstyling
• Coloring and highlighting
• Perms
• Facials
• Chemical waving
• Scalp treatments
• Proper shampooing and rinsing techniques
• Manicure and pedicure techniques

Hairstylists provide services for a wide variety of hair types. They also provide tailored hair services that appeal to the needs of both men and women. Aside from learning about the technical aspects of cutting and treating hair, future hairstylists are also thoroughly trained in safety and hygiene practices. As a result, they can offer safe and hygienic care that protects both employees and clients. They also learn to follow all state laws and regulations regarding the handling of chemicals.

Most cosmetology schools also provide some business training. Hairstylists are truly entrepreneurs by nature. While some will go on to open their own salons or establish beauty lines, the ones who choose to work at salons will still be carefully cultivating their own dedicated client lists. Hair school often covers aspects of salon marketing, customer service, vendor management, and other parts of successfully running a salon in Sarasota.

There’s a Great Demand for Licensed Hairstylists

Hair is a hot market to be in. In fact, the entire cosmetology industry is experiencing growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has the demand for cosmetologists growing 11 percent through 2031. This is an enduring industry because people are willing to invest money in looking and feeling their best. For people who prioritize looking good, making an investment in professional hairstyling and salon services is a priority. Even the average person still sees paying for professional hair services as a worthy investment because it offers convenience and professionalism they just can’t get from at-home hair care.

Who Can Enroll in Cosmetology School?

While rules vary by state, Florida requires cosmetology school enrollees to either be at least 16 years of age or already have a high school diploma/GED. After enrolling, most students complete their degrees in 12 to 24 months. To apply for licensure by examination, students must complete a total of 1,200 school hours at an accredited cosmetology school.

There’s no prerequisite required to attend cosmetology school. In fact, you only need passion for hair to start attending hair school. Of course, any kind of experience that you do bring to the classroom will only help you to succeed in your journey.

Some students enroll directly after high school because they know exactly what they want to do in their careers. Other students come to cosmetology school after working in other industries for several years. It’s very common for people to be drawn to this career after discovering that a “desk job” or corporate life just isn’t for them.

They may also crave creativity, human interactions, and the ability to create a flexible work-life balance that comes from being a licensed hairstylist. Of course, some people who enroll in hair school have an ambition to own their own salon or beauty brand one day. It’s important to note that a cosmetology license is needed to open your own salon even if you intend to employ other people to cut and style hair, while you manage the business side of things.

Final Thoughts

Are you curious about what enrolling in hair school could mean for your future? The first step is simply getting more information about a program’s curriculum. Learn more about how to enroll in hair school in Sarasota today.

Want to Learn More?

Did you enjoy learning about hair schools in Sarasota? You might be a natural cosmetologist. Meridian College offers a Cosmetology training program that prepares you to deliver high–quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Their hands–on Cosmetology training program gives you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a cosmetologist.

The post Is There a Hair School in Sarasota? appeared first on Meridian College.

How Do You Become a Hairstylist in Sarasota?

An easy way to become a hairstylist in Sarasota is to complete a cosmetology program at Meridian College. Not only do you learn your new trade but cosmetologists in Florida need to be licensed to practice their trade. A prerequisite to getting a license is completing an accredited cosmetology diploma program. After graduation you are prepared for the licensing exam and your first day as a cosmetologist.

Where Can I Work as a Hairstylist in Sarasota?

There are many great places to work as a hairstylist in Sarasota. From local hair salons and haircutting franchises to some top-quality salons in Florida. Here are a few hair salons in the Sarasota area. Inquire to see if they are hiring:

The Little Salon

1776 Main St

Sarasota, FL 34236

The Little Salon is a boutique salon in Downtown Sarasota that has a concentration on hair cutting and coloring with a focus on suitability.

Inspiration Salon

126 N Orange Ave

Sarasota, FL 34236

Inspiration Salon is located in Downtown Sarasota. They offer haircuts, chemical services, hair extensions, blow dry, barber services, hair smoothing treatments and waxing services.

Spa Hollywood

5780 Swift Rd

Sarasota, FL 34231

Offering haircuts and styling since 1991. Located in Sarasota and catering to men, women, and children.

Indeed Job Listings

As of May 2022, the following companies are hiring hairstylists, cosmetologists, and salon assistants in the greater Sarasota area.

• LG Howard & Company
• Besame Studio LLC
• The Met Fashion House Day Spa & Salon
• Great Clips
• Nuovo Salon Group
• Sally Beauty Supply
• Blow La
• Sassy Hair on Siesta Key
• Supercuts
• JCPenney
• Christian Dior
• Key Salon & Boutique
• Fantastic Sams Cut & Color

How Do You Become a Hairstylist in Sarasota?

There are many steps to become a hairstylist in Sarasota. From graduating from cosmetology school, to getting a cosmetology license and then preparing for the job search, Meridian College is with you every step of the way.

Step #1: Graduate from Cosmetology School

The first step in the process of becoming a hairstylist in Sarasota is to attend and graduate from Meridian College. We offer a cosmetology program that can be completed in as little as 10 months, attending full-time. To supplement your classroom lectures, we offer hands-on experience cutting and styling the hair of mannequins, fellow classmates, and real customers in our student run salon. You will learn the latest techniques in hairstyling, cutting, coloring, facials, makeup, and nail care. We offer small class sizes, so you get one-on-one attention from industry experienced instructors.

Step #2: Get Cosmetology License

In order to work as a hairstylist in Sarasota, you must hold a cosmetology license from the State of Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation. They administer an examination to cosmetology applicants, who have completed at least 1,200 hours in a cosmetology program.

The exam has two parts, written theory and written clinical. Each part is administered with 65 questions and must be completed within the 2-hour time limit. The written theory portion of the exam focuses on general safety and sanitation procedures, client services, facials, makeup and hair removal, manicuring and pedicuring, and professional, legal, and ethical laws and rules. The written clinical portion of the exam focuses on hair coloring, hair lightening, permanent waving and chemical relaxing, scalp and hair care, hair cutting, hair shaping, and hair styling.

Step #3: Find a Job at a Sarasota Salon or Spa

At Meridian College, we also support you on your job search. We help you build an eye-catching resume, prepare you for interviews, help you build an album of hairstyles and haircuts you are proud of from your time in the classroom, and identify the right job for your passion. We have ties to the Sarasota community and find out about opportunities for cosmetologists and hairstylists directly from employers. Salon owners know that graduates of Meridian College are fully prepared to start working on day one and have the qualities and skills they are looking for in a hairstylist.

What Do You Learn During a Cosmetology School?

Cosmetology school is a great place to learn about hairstyling, hair cutting, hair coloring, facials, mani-pedis, and makeup application. Below is a description of each class that is offered at Meridian College:

Haircutting

Instructors help you master haircutting techniques for different clients including women, men, and children. Whether you are creating a fade for men, an updo for women or faux hawk for children, you learn the many techniques needed to create personalized styles for your clients. In addition to lectures on hair theory, you will work in a student run salon helping real clients. During this hands-on experience, you use the actual hair care tools and equipment that you will use in a real salon or spa. This will help you build confidence in your skills and help clients trust your hair related decisions.

Hairstyling

During your cosmetology training, you will learn effective hairstyling techniques. Whether you want to recreate celebrity hairstyles or use your creativity to create a personalized hairstyle that fits your client’s facial attributes. You will become proficient in popular styling techniques, including blowout services, updos, hair extensions, and braids. You will also learn how to use many styling products like pomades, sprays, and mousse. All throughout the cosmetology program, there will be an instructor to mentor you about hairstyling and offer a wealth of information from their formidable experience.

Hair Coloring

Your hair coloring training starts with proper chemical handling and safety as advised by OSHA. When handling chemicals and hazardous waste, there are certain protocols to keep everyone safe. You will learn how to use, store, mix and dispose of hair coloring chemicals and follow OSHA protocols and guidelines. After mastering the management of hair coloring chemicals, you will learn how to create highlights, lowlights, single foils, cap highlights, and retouch hair.

Facials

Facials are taught in cosmetology classes, allowing you to offer additional services in a salon or spa setting. Whether dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, or chemical peel, you will learn the proper technique to provide facials for clients to improve skin health, unclog pores, and exfoliate their skin.

Mani-Pedi

An additional service you can offer clients after graduating from a cosmetology program are manicures and pedicures. You will learn the different techniques of massage, hot wax treatment, nail shaping, nail art and general foot hygiene. There are many tools that you will become familiar with during the cosmetology program, and you will build your confidence as you offer real clients, manicures, and pedicures in the student run salon.

Makeup

It can be difficult for the average person to create professional makeup styles, so you will get expert instruction from the cosmetology instructors on how to use makeup, how to clean the skin before and after applying makeup, and some unique techniques to offer clients a personalized look.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to become a hairstylist in Sarasota, it is time to learn more about Meridian College. We help you learn your new craft and support you with career services to find the job that matches your knowledge and skills. You bring the passion, and we will supply you with the tools and techniques to become a successful hairstylist.

Want to Learn More?

Are you ready to enjoy the many opportunities available in cosmetology? Meridian College offers a Cosmetology training program in Florida that prepares you to deliver high–quality beauty and hair services to both men and women. Their hands–on Cosmetology training program gives you the skills you need to start an exciting career and become a leader in the beauty industry.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a cosmetologist.

The post How Do I Become a Hairstylist in Sarasota? appeared first on Meridian College.