Makeup Artist Programs Ashburn VA

How to Pick the Right Cosmetologist Degree Program near Ashburn Virginia

Ashburn VA wedding makeup artist with client Since you have decided to become a cosmetologist and enroll in a beauty school near Ashburn VA, the process begins to search for and enroll in the best school. It’s imperative that the program you pick not only provides the proper instruction for the specialty you have selected, but also prepares you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be rather unclear about the difference between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are basically interchangeable and both pertain to the same type of school. We’ll discuss a little bit more regarding that in the next section. If you plan on commuting to classes you will want to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Ashburn home. Tuition will likewise be an important consideration when evaluating prospective schools. Just keep in mind that because a school is the closest or the cheapest it’s not necessarily the ideal option. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will review what questions you should ask regarding the cosmetology schools you are considering later in this article. Before we do, let’s discuss a little bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of programs are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

Ashburn VA hair stylist cutting hair Cosmetology is a profession that is all about making the human anatomy look more beautiful through the application of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are referred to as beauty schools. Many of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic may be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, almost all states mandate that you take some form of specialized training and then be licensed. Once you are licensed, the work environments include not only Ashburn VA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such places as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gained experience and a customer base, establish their own shops or salons. Others will begin seeing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates go by many titles and are employed in a wide variety of specialties including:

Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Estheticians
Electrolysis Technicians

As previously mentioned, in the majority of states working cosmetologists must be licensed. In some states there is an exemption. Only those offering more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Cosmetologist Certificates and Degrees

nail techs training at Ashburn VA beauty school There are primarily two avenues offered to receive cosmetology training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) course, or you can work toward an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs usually require 12 to 18 months to finish, while an Associate’s degree usually takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in all of the main areas of cosmetology. Briefer programs are available if you wish to specialize in just one area, for example hair coloring. A degree program will also probably include management and marketing training so that graduates are better prepared to run a parlor or other Ashburn VA business. Higher degrees are not typical, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specialties as salon or spa management. Whichever type of training program you go with, it’s imperative to make certain that it’s approved by the Virginia Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable agencies, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will cover the advantages of accreditation for the school you decide on in the next section.

Online Cosmetology Programs

student attending online beauty school in Ashburn VA Online beauty classes are accommodating for Ashburn VA students who are working full time and have family responsibilities that make it difficult to enroll in a more traditional school. There are a large number of online beauty school programs available that can be attended by means of a personal computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More conventional beauty programs are frequently fast paced because many courses are as brief as six or eight months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same volume of material, but you are not spending many hours away from your home or travelling back and forth from classes. On the other hand, it’s essential that the program you select can provide internship training in local salons and parlors so that you also obtain the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship portion of the training, it’s difficult to gain the skills required to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So make sure if you choose to enroll in an online school to verify that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Cosmetology Training Programs

Questions to ask Ashburn VA cosmetology schools Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any cosmetologist training school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Ashburn VA home, in addition to the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.

Is the School Accredited? It’s necessary to make certain that the cosmetology college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 20146 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Ashburn VA employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any cosmetology institute that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Ashburn VA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Virginia school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your objective is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to start a hair salon in Ashburn VA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not provide the training you require.

Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining cosmetology skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the cosmetology courses you will be attending. Some schools have salons on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a beauty academy, it’s crucial that he or she gets support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develope relationships with Ashburn VA businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which salons and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Most beauty schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be available.

Considering Cosmetology Schools in Ashburn VA?

If you are considering attending Beauty School in Ashburn VA or in a nearby area, following is some interesting and useful information regarding the location of your new school campus.

Ashburn, Virginia

Ashburn is a census-designated place (CDP) in Loudoun County, Virginia. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 43,511.[3][6] It is 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. and part of the Washington metropolitan area.

Ashburn was originally called Farmwell (variant names include Old Farmwell and Farmwell Station) after a nearby mansion of that name owned by George Lee III. The name "Farmwell" first appeared in George Lee's October 1802 will and was used to describe the 1,236-acre (500 ha) plantation he inherited from his father, Thomas Ludwell Lee II. A section of Farmwell plantation west of Ashburn Road, a 580-acre (230 ha) tract, was purchased in 1841 as a summer home by John Janney, a Quaker lawyer who nearly became Vice President of the United States. Janney called the property Ashburn Farm; the name's first known appearance in writing is 1870 when he sold the property. It is likely he named the farm after family friends whose name was "Ashburn".[11] During the Civil War two men, Jonathon Bands Matter and Samuel Haribo Harlow saved the town of Ashburn. When the Town was under siege from the Union Army, Jonathon Bands Matter and Samuel Haribo Harlow smuggled in onions and tobacco to the defending Confederate troops, allowing them to survive and eventually defeat the attackers. [12]

Ashburn is located at 39°02′37″N 077°29′15″W / 39.04361°N 77.48750°W / 39.04361; -77.48750 (39.0437192, −77.4874899) and its average elevation is 295 feet (90 m) above sea level.[1] According to the 2010 United States Census, the CDP has a total area of 17.287 square miles (44.77 km2), of which 17.025 square miles (44.09 km2) is land and 0.262 square miles (0.68 km2) is water.[2] Ashburn is located between Washington Dulles International Airport and Leesburg, the county seat of Loudoun County.

Ashburn VA barber trimming hair Finding and enrolling in the ideal beauty program is essential to receive the proper training to become a licensed cosmetology practitioner. You originally came to this website because you have an interest in learning more about Makeup Artist Programs. So make sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel certain about your decision. Be sure to consolidate all of the responses you get from the cosmetology school admissions departments, prioritize what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to compare schools. A sensible start in your due diligence process is to make certain that the school and program you choose are accredited and have impressive reputations within the profession. If you begin with that foundation, and address the additional questions supplied in this post, you will be able to filter your list of schools so that you can make the ideal selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are ready to launch your new career as a professional cosmetologist in Ashburn VA.