Trying to find a school in Los Angeles that will perfectly prepare you for your job in the cosmetology field? You’ve come to the right place. Here we have a list of the top ten cosmetology schools in Los Angeles, complete with overviews, advantages of each school, career prospects, and even the price of tuition for each school or course.
- Michael Vincent Academy
Overview
The Michael Vincent Academy was founded by a celebrity photographer and his wife, who is a former recording artist and TV show host now acting as a celebrity makeup artist, stylist, and producer. The academy was created to fulfill the need for new talent in the industry.
An elite group of accomplished industry professionals makes up the Michael Vincent team. These professionals offer students a unique learning experience by working in a functional studio setting while learning the top industry tips.
Infinite internship opportunities are provided, and the location of the upscale Hollywood studio means students will learn their craft in the heart of LA’s fashion and arts district.
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Advantages
Because the learning experience happens in a studio setting, students get to practice their skills on models and celebrities on a regular basis, giving them a chance to network and to utilize their skills in the real world. They will also receive credits in magazines, movies, and other media as a result of this; this accreditation will jumpstart their career.
Career Prospects
Students’ careers have begun before they even graduate due to the credits they receive throughout their study. Business courses and professional internships also add to career possibilities.
Average Cost
To become a certified makeup artist, the cost of tuition is $2500. The airbrush artistry course also costs $2500. Finally, the business class costs $600.
- Elite Permanent Makeup and Training Center
Overview
This cosmetology school is unique because it focuses on permanent makeup. The Elite Permanent Makeup and Training Center offers courses such as Elite Brows, Elite Beauty, a 5 Day Refresher Course, an Eyelash Extension course, and a 3 Day Paramedical Course.
Employees have decades of experience and are sought out from all over the country because of their expertise in permanent makeup application. Students described professors as kind, gentle, and professional.
The hands-on approach taken by the Elite Permanent Makeup and Training Center gives students a chance to work on multiple models and activate their skills in the real world.
Advantages
Professors are readily available to assist students in finding a career after graduation. The professional environment of the Elite Permanent Makeup and Training Center prepares students for interaction and success in the professional world.
Career Prospects
Graduates can go on to become a permanent brow artist, a permanent makeup artist, or even a paramedical permanent makeup artist.
Average Cost
Elite Brows, Elite Beauty, the 5 Day Refresher Course, and the 3 Day Paramedical Course all cost $2500. The Eyelash Extension course costs $1200.
- JLS Makeup School
Overview
At the JLS Makeup School, you can become a certified makeup artist in only a week! Located in the heart of Hollywood, hands-on experience is an integral part of the learning process. Available courses include an Intensive Pro Makeup course, a Masterclass course, Advanced Portfolio courses, an Advanced Makeup course, a Bridal course, Zombie course, and others.
JLS Makeup School’s instructor has over 25 years of experience in the business. Her client list includes Nike, Estee Lauder, Armani, Fiat, Macy’s, and more. Using her experiences as inspiration, she personally designed a curriculum meant to turn a novice into a working professional.
Advantages
Students get hands-on experience with real models and actors at photo shoots, giving them a chance to network and further their career post-graduation. Students are provided with a variety of high-quality materials, allowing them to improve their skills even further.
Career Prospects
Student testimonials reported that they were booked as a makeup artist for a photo shoot directly after graduation. The support of the instructor up to and beyond graduation prepares students to find a successful career in the cosmetology field.
Average Cost
The Pro Makeup course and the Advanced Makeup course each cost $1850.
- Cinema Makeup School
Overview
The Cinema Makeup School was founded in 1993 by a professional makeup artist seeking to create a more comprehensive makeup artist school that offered up-to-date education to aspiring makeup and special effects technicians. The founder had a simple plan for success, which included shorter, more concentrated classes, up-to-date methods, and top working artists to serve as professors.
The school aims to give students a solid foundation for any job they seek. Another large part of the Cinema Makeup School curriculum focuses on professionalism, ethics, business, and history.
Advantages
The school is committed to a policy of “lifetime mentoring,” which means that graduates are permitted to use school property for personal projects and are encouraged to continue visiting their advisor.
Career Prospects
Graduates can apply to work with the school in various ways. The school provides resources and support to students to simplify the job search as well. Students are taught that being a makeup artist is a very viable career option and are given the tools needed to succeed in that area.
Average Cost
The Complete Track, which runs for 28 weeks, rings up at $23,175 with a lab fee of $3875. The 25-week FX track costs $20,175 along with a lab fee of $3625. Finally, the Fashion Track, which lasts 10 weeks, costs $8450 with a lab fee of $450.
- El Makeup School
Overview
El Makeup School was the world’s first school of makeup. It has an extensive hands-on education style that includes all areas of makeup. Students can select from beauty, corrective, theatrical, high fashion photographic, television, film, and special effects makeup.
The school was founded in 1966 in the heart of Hollywood. It provided the transition from makeup artist apprenticeships to makeup schools. El states that its goal is to “continually set the bar for our instructors and programs ever higher, so that our graduates will always be the most sought after and respected artists in the makeup industry.”
El Makeup School’s programs are updated twice a year to keep up with the current beauty trends. It is also one of the very few schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Advantages
All instructors are working industry professionals with years of experience. This brings an unparalleled level of current, real time techniques into the classroom. Each instructor specializes in a different area of the field, so students are able to learn from specialists in order to really hone their skills.
Career prospects
Instructors help to facilitate externships for EI Makeup School’s student body as a result of their connections in Hollywood. In addition, the bar is set extremely high for students so that they are sought after as graduates.
Average cost
For the 12-month Artistry of Makeup program, the price is $16,500 with another $3000 for a lab fee and materials.
- Academy of Beauty LA
Overview
The Academy of Beauty LA looks to maximize the development and personal growth of each student, to help students discover their potential, and to give them the tools to function in the professional world.
Qualified instructors with valuable experience in the beauty industry run the courses, and guest speakers are often invited to further the students’ knowledge. A model facility helps the students to “learn by doing” rather than simply sitting in a classroom or watching a demonstration.
Advantages
Students love the incredible instructors and the accommodations that were made for their specific schedules. The school is partnered with several impressive brands, including Clairol, Dermalogica, and Murad.
Career prospects
By providing you with complete training, the Academy of Beauty LA prepares its students for the California State Board exams, which are necessary to pass in order to be a professional makeup artist. Achieving personal growth and discovering potential are two focuses of the curriculum that will help students to find careers. In addition, the school lists several careers available after graduation: hair stylist, esthetician, spa owner, hair coloring specialist, salon owner, beauty consultant, and product representative.
Average cost
The Cosmetology course costs a total of $8975.
- Academy for Salon Professionals
Overview
The Academy for Salon Professionals focuses on small class sizes and provides students with proven systems to help them become leaders in the beauty industry. The team of professors has been hand-picked and is friendly, fun, and focused on helping students succeed.
The school’s facility is described as upscale and modern with a New York vibe. It includes 3 classrooms, 40 styling stations, a spa room, and state-of-the-art equipment. A dynamic learning environment geared to visual and hands-on learners is provided.
The Academy for Salon Professionals partners with brands such as Loreal and Ayur-Medic.
Advantages
All instructors are trained in the latest trends and science technology by Loreal Professional. These instructors are expected to provide students with the very best technical and business skills. They also mentor students into a fulfilling and financially rewarding life. Students are also introduced to industry leaders and given opportunities to network.
Career Prospects
Graduates are highly sought-after by Loreal salons. The Academy for Salon Professionals strives to place each graduate into one of the top 10% of salons nationwide.
Average Cost
Cost varies depending on amount of financial aid given to each student.
- Pacific Beauty College of Los Angeles
Overview
The Pacific Beauty College of Los Angeles has a mission to create an environment of trust and respect, encourage a commitment to teamwork, prepare students for licensing, inspire a quest for knowledge and growth, and promote personal and professional development.
The founder of the school, who is also the proprietor, a cosmetologist, and an instructor, graduated from beauty school in 1963 and has been involved in the industry ever since. The faculty of the Pacific Beauty College of Los Angeles constantly attend seminars and classes to keep up with the latest professional techniques.
Advantages
Instructors teach students in a manner that prepares them for the outside world and for their future career. Preparation for board examinations is provided throughout the course and the curriculum is well-rounded to focus on various important aspects of cosmetology.
Career Prospects
The school mentions several career choices students have after graduation: hair colorist, makeup artist, nail specialist, or stylist. One of the goals of the Pacific Beauty College of Los Angeles is to translate education into job skills and job skills into employment.
Average Cost
The cosmetology course costs $3495.
- Aveda Institute Los Angeles
Overview
The Aveda Institute Los Angeles employs exceptional instructors, has an exclusive curriculum, and connects with the most successful, sustainable network of salon professionals in the industry.
Mastering technical skills while cultivating one’s own unique talents is an important goal at the Aveda Institute Los Angeles. The school aims to build you up as a professional and as an individual.
Aveda gives back to the community and has raised over $1 million for different charities, with a particular focus on the environment.
Advantages
The school is located in Westwood, a trendy neighborhood that provides a diverse clientele and gives students a chance to experience a typical salon environment.
Career paths are vast and varied. If a student preferred fashion, she could work on runway shows through Aveda Institute Los Angeles. If another student preferred a salon environment, she’d receive hands-on experience in the exploding industry.
Career Prospects
According to Aveda, its wide network in the industry provides great opportunities for employment when it comes to the 6500 salons in the nation.
Average Cost
The cosmetology program costs $22,975 along with an additional $2400 for books and supplies.
Overview
The Los Angeles Makeup School features three different programs: beauty makeup, special effects makeup, and airbrush makeup. It’s a newer school, but its seasoned instructors mean that the school’s collective expertise is more than impressive.
The curriculum integrates creative and leadership skills with the goal of developing graduates for the global industries of various types of makeup. Two types of course tracks are offered: certificate courses and diploma programs. Diploma programs are longer and more detailed, while certificate courses focus on one subject individually.
The Los Angeles Makeup School is affiliated with brands such as Nars, Make Up For Ever, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Laura Mercier, and Bobbi Brown.
Advantages
Graduates demonstrate an awareness of cultural diversity, think critically, value ethical choice, communicate effectively, and most importantly, possess the knowledge of artistry essential to their professions.
The school’s partnership with famous brands gives graduates an advantage as they seek jobs. The diploma program includes an amazing one-week destination photo shoot that will give students lifelong memories as well as valuable skills.
Career Prospects
Portfolio tours offer opportunities to network with potential employers. The Los Angeles Makeup School’s extensive list of celebrity and company clients shows the potential graduates can have.
Average Cost
Many different loans are available, but the tuition for the diploma program is $8800. Short programs range from $1050 to $3000.