California Beauty Schools

With its vast array of both natural wonders and Hollywood celebrities, California has a whole lot of beauty going on. That makes it a fitting place to embark on your career as a hair stylist, nail technician, make up artist, esthetician, or other beauty specialist. Look into a quality cosmetology program at a state-licensed beauty school.

Why You Should Attend Beauty School

Beauty schools help students become talented specialists in their chosen field, and teach a wide range of safety procedures and business strategies. The California Board of Cosmetology only grants licenses to applicants who have attended a state-approved school. As in every U.S. state, in California you cannot practice a beauty-related craft without a valid state license.

Most beauty schools offer a choice of specializations, such as hairdressing, hair styling, nail care, and skin care. Required courses vary depending on your chosen field, and may include hair chemistry, exfoliation, sanitation, nail treatments, facials, and hair removal. Future hair stylists should expect to spend about a year in school, while other programs, such as nail tech training, are much shorter.

Beauty Careers in California

In California, the average hourly wage for beauty professionals in 2008 was $9.65 for nail technicians, $18.78 for skin care specialists, and $11.99 for hairdressers, hair stylists, and general cosmetologists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nearly 40,000 Californians work in these professions. Cities that employ a large number of beauty specialists include Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San Francisco. The average hourly wage is highest in the Santa Cruz area.