Four gloved hands performing skincare treatments on a woman's face, representing the hands-on training provided in esthetician night classes.

Cosmetology School vs. Esthetician School vs. Beauty School – how naming is confusing students and damaging the industry.

One question we get asked over and over and over again – and a major concern we have for the industry at large is… what is the difference between your school and others. Interestingly the information is pretty straight forward as far as licensing and from the school’s perspective, however, we’ve noticed a major disconnect with students searching for a rewarding career.

Cosmetology School vs. Esthetician School vs. Beauty School

Basically it comes down to what we technically name things (because of the licensing requirements and the guidelines set by each state), and what the general public “thinks” things are called. Before we get to the technical break downs let me provide an example of what I’m referring to:

The other day we had a student come in (let’s call her “Becky”) she had signed up for a Cosmetology Program locally at another Cosmetology School in Bonita Springs, and after going through the program she was surprised that she basically would be learning nothing in relation to skincare and Esthetics specifically and was mostly (virtually ONLY) covering hair styling. Her main passion was skin and skincare and esthetics and she felt she was conned into a program that didn’t fit her.

Unfortunately this is due to a number of reasons…

  • Many schools don’t take the time to really sit down with their prospective students to learn about them and understand your goals and ensure that our programs meet (and exceed) your goals and expectations.
  • Licensing and state requirements dictate that certain language be used, and often that language is a little confusing to prospective students. We literally are not allowed to advertise ourselves as either a beauty school or a cosmetology school! Even though most students (we’ve encountered) are ACTUALLY looking for skincare and esthetics programs when they’re looking into such programs.

Cosmetology School vs. Esthetician School vs. Beauty School The Real Breakdown

It’s very important you understand what the differences are between cosmetology (and cosmetology school), esthetician school and beauty school are. In the following three sections we’ll break down not just the differences between Cosmetology Programs & Schools, Esthetics Programs & Schools, and Beauty Programs and Beauty Schools – but also breakdown the technical details (what we’re confined to by the state licensing boards) as well as the common way our students think about search terminology.

What is a Cosmetology School?

Cosmetology School – Here’s a breakdown of what a cosmetology school ACTUALLY provides, as well as the common misconceptions around the term:

Cosmetology (Technical)

According to the DBPR (FL) Website:

Cosmetology License – A “cosmetologist” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of cosmetology which includes the mechanical or chemical treatment of the head, face, and scalp for aesthetic rather than medical purposes, including, but not limited to, hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, hair coloring, permanent waving, hair relaxing, hair removing, pedicuring, and manicuring, for compensation.

Notice that’s very little related to skincare – and when they elaborate on the “mechanical or chemical treatment of the head/face” – the elaborations of the procedures virtually ALL INCLUDE details around haircare. In fact your average cosmetology program includes only approximately 10-20 hours of any kind of esthetics or skincare training (and often not hands-on). Cosmetology programs are over 90% hair-care related.

In our experience students are EXTREMELY frustrated when they learn this.

A Cosmetology School is technically a school that provides cosmetology licenses (hair care licenses). They are NOT an esthetics school. Now they MAY offer esthetics programs and licensing (more below) but often do not, and often sell these programs are something other than they truly are, wasting tens of thousands of their students dollars and months of their lives studying and training for things you as a student don’t truly care about.

Cosmetology (Prospective Students) – We find students BELIEVE that when they’re searching out a “cosmetology school” that they are in fact looking for a school that provides various disciplines and licensing (once completed) for various sub-categories of specialization. For example… they approach cosmetology schools looking to become an esthetician, or a hair stylist, or a massage therapist. They DO NOT understand that taking a COSMETOLOGY program DOES NOT TEACH YOU ANYTHING ABOUT ESTHETICS OR QUALIFY YOU TO BECOME AN ESTHETICIAN.

Unfortunately because of the rules however, we’re not allowed to advertise ourselves as a “cosmetology program.” That’s why it’s so important to REALLY vet your school and REALLY understand ahead of time what the program entails and what the final license you’ll receive upon completion will allow you to do.

Esthetician School – What You Need to Know

Esthetician school is specifically designed to provide students with a focused education in skincare, facials, body treatments, and other esthetic services. Unlike cosmetology schools, which tend to cover a broad spectrum of beauty services with an emphasis on hair, esthetician schools are solely dedicated to skin health and beauty. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

Esthetics (Technical)

In Florida, an esthetician license qualifies you to perform a wide range of skincare services, including:

  • Facials and skin treatments
  • Hair removal (such as waxing and threading)
  • Microdermabrasion and chemical peels
  • Makeup application
  • Basic dermatological treatments for beauty purposes

Esthetician programs provide an in-depth education on skin anatomy, skin health, and how to treat a variety of skin types. In contrast to the mere 10-20 hours of skin-related training in cosmetology programs, esthetician programs provide several hundred hours (typically 300-600 hours, depending on state requirements). This ensures that students are fully prepared to work in the skincare field as soon as they graduate and obtain their license.

Esthetics (Prospective Students’ Perception)

Students seeking esthetician programs often have a clear focus: they want to become skincare specialists. Many students are drawn to these programs because they are passionate about skincare, beauty treatments, and helping others achieve their best skin. Prospective students may look for programs that offer hands-on experience, modern equipment, and job placement support upon graduation.

When searching for schools, students should confirm that the program’s curriculum aligns with their career goals. If you’re passionate about skincare, make sure you’re enrolling in an esthetician program specifically and not a cosmetology program with limited skincare training.

As we know from examples like Becky, confusion often arises because schools sometimes advertise their cosmetology programs broadly, and students mistakenly believe they will receive thorough skincare training. This is why it’s crucial to carefully vet schools and understand the licensing and curriculum involved.

Beauty School – What It Actually Offers

Beauty School is actually not a technical term, however per the DBPR and licensing requirement boards schools like The Skin Care Academy are not technically allowed to mention this word in any kind of advertising. Ironically, however, most students are LOOKING for schools exactly like The Skin Care Academy when they’re searching for a beauty school.

Beauty schools are often marketed as all-encompassing institutions for anyone looking to enter the beauty industry. However, the reality of what a beauty school offers can be quite different depending on the program you choose. While the term “beauty school” might imply comprehensive training in all aspects of beauty, including hair, skin, and nails, most beauty schools primarily focus on cosmetology—especially hair care. Let’s break it down:

Beauty School (Technical)

From a licensing perspective, beauty schools usually focus on cosmetology licenses. A typical cosmetology license allows professionals to work on:

  • Haircutting, coloring, and styling
  • Hair treatments, such as perms and relaxers
  • Basic nail care services, like manicures and pedicures
  • Limited skincare services, such as basic facials (although, as previously mentioned, these are often a small portion of the curriculum)

Many beauty schools might offer cosmetology programs that give students a taste of everything, but the main focus remains on hair care. These programs are designed to meet state licensing requirements for cosmetologists, which often means they include a wide range of services—but the depth of training in non-haircare disciplines (like skincare) is usually minimal.

For example, a cosmetology program might include only 10-20 hours dedicated to skincare, which pales in comparison to the hundreds of hours an esthetician program offers. So, if your primary interest lies in skincare or esthetics, attending a beauty school that focuses on cosmetology could leave you feeling frustrated and undertrained in your area of passion.

Beauty School (Prospective Students’ Perception)

Many prospective students approach beauty schools with the belief that they’ll get a well-rounded education in hair, skin, and nails. This is where the term “beauty school” can be misleading. Prospective students often think they’ll learn a little bit of everything and leave fully equipped to handle multiple specialties. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Beauty schools typically focus on cosmetology, and the curriculum is usually structured to meet the state’s licensing requirements for cosmetologists. Students often discover—sometimes too late—that most of their training revolves around hair services, leaving limited time for other areas like skincare or makeup application. This can lead to dissatisfaction, particularly for students whose true interest lies in esthetics.

The Disconnect: As seen in cases like Becky, students sometimes feel “tricked” into attending a cosmetology program when their real goal was to become an esthetician or focus on skincare. Unfortunately, the term “beauty school” doesn’t always make this distinction clear, and many schools use it as an umbrella term to attract students, regardless of their specific career goals.

How to Choose the Right Beauty School

If your goal is to work in hair care, cosmetology-focused beauty schools are the right choice for you. They will provide you with extensive hands-on experience and all the training you need to pass your cosmetology license exam. You’ll learn about hair cutting, coloring, styling, and chemical treatments—everything you need to become a successful hairstylist.

However, if you’re more interested in skincare, makeup, or esthetics, it’s important to understand that beauty schools generally won’t provide the in-depth training necessary to excel in those fields. You may find some introductory courses on skin and nails, but the majority of your education will be centered around hair care. For a more specialized education in skincare, esthetician schools are the better option.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, beauty schools primarily focus on cosmetology, despite the broad appeal of the term. If you’re looking to enter the world of haircare, this is the path for you. However, if your passion lies in esthetics, skincare, or makeup, hair removal, etc. be cautious when selecting a school and make sure you’re enrolling in an esthetician-specific program that aligns with your career goals.

The key takeaway? Vet your school carefully—just because it’s labeled a beauty school doesn’t mean it will provide the specialized training you’re looking for. Ensure the program you choose will help you earn the right license and give you the skills you need for the career you want to build.

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