What Is the Best Esthetician School to Attend?

Renée Rouleau in front of Catherine Hinds School with diploma

Updated 6/26/21. Being an esthetician is such a rewarding career. After all, I’ve been one for over 30 years and love it more than ever. I attended the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics outside of Boston and recently went back for the first time since I was a student in 1990. (See the above picture of my visit!)

I now live in Austin, Texas, and will occasionally speak at the local esthetic schools to future esthetic graduates, as you can see me doing on my Instagram. I always enjoy seeing what the schools are teaching these future estheticians. Surprisingly, other than some new advancements in skincare, the general curriculum is very similar to when I attended.

Many esthetics schools have a basic program that requires a minimum number of hours as required by the State in order to operate as an entry-level esthetician. The schools usually also offer advanced courses at a higher fee for more advanced training.

I’m often asked for my opinion on the best esthetics school. That’s a hard question for me simply because I only have experience with the one that I attended. However, I do have some thoughts on how to go about finding one.

How to Find the Best Esthetics School in Your Area

Here are my five tips to help you find the best esthetics school in your area:

1. Be sure that being an esthetician is truly your passion and you’re ready to commit to the profession

I love the profession and it works for my lifestyle, but you need to be sure it works for you. To help you decide, read more about the pros and cons of being an esthetician.

2. Ask other skincare professionals for esthetic school recommendations

Use social media to ask around for recommendations. Or, if there is a school that you are interested in, look at the followers of that school and message them to see what their experience is like.

3. Interview the schools and ask a lot of questions

When you are looking for a school, it is similar to interviewing with a potential future employer. You are interviewing the school to see if it’s a good fit for you. You’ll be spending a lot of money to go to school and probably taking out loans so you really need to get a good feel for their program and culture.

4. Decide which program is best for you

I have always felt that the best education doesn’t come from school, but with hands-on experience working in a skincare spa, clinic or salon. When you work for someone else, it’s like getting paid to learn. If you are on a budget, then just do the basic courses at school and take advanced courses from skincare vendors. There are always continuing education opportunities at trade shows and from skincare companies that will also give you a certificate of completion that you can attach with a resume.

5. Meet the teachers

I think it’s best to ask to meet your teachers before you enroll. Do they have a professional disposition and look like a good leader? How long have they been practicing esthetics? Many students are hired as a teacher right after they graduate and they will not be able to share “real world” experience. Anyone can teach you how to pass an exam, but it’s the stories of those who have actually worked in the spas and clinics that I personally felt were the most interesting. This is a value add to your hour requirements.

When I attended school, I did the basic class, which was 300 hours. Since I already had a job waiting for me, I opted to not take the additional programs the school offered. I was fortunate because, at this job, my co-worker (who was also my mentor and later business partner) was a former instructor at my esthetics school when it first opened, and she helped them develop their curriculum.

In my case, I was ready to get working and knew that I would receive continuing education at my new job. Thirty years have passed and I love being an esthetician more than ever. If you love skincare and are passionate about lifelong learning, this profession is for you!

I have been interviewed on many podcasts that are geared toward estheticians. If you want to learn more about a career in esthetics, listen to them here for more of my advice. You can also read about the five esthetician rules I live by.

Disclaimer: Content found on www.ReneeRouleau.com and Blog.ReneeRouleau.com, including text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website or blog.

Comments:

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  1. I am 38 and have always wanted to work in skincare. Is it too late for me to become an esthetician? I live in the Knoxville, TN are and am wondering if this career is profitable? Do you find that estheticians starting out need to keep another career? Thank you for your help.

    Posted By: Tennille Denton  | 

    Reply
    • Hello Tennille, Of course it’s not too late for you to begin a career as an esthetician. Yes, the career can be very profitable but it all depends on what kind of facility you work in and more importantly, how dedicated you will be building your clientele and keeping them loyal. You can be successful both part time or full time, it’s just a matter of how ready you are to dive in. Read more tips here.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  2. I have always had a passion for skin care and have been doing some research about being an esthetician, it seems like the perfect fit for me. but i would like to be working in a dermatologists office, would I need any further education other than an esthetician license to do that?

    Posted By: vanessa r.  | 

    Reply
    • I can’t speak for all doctor’s offices but from what I understand, they usually bring in trainers to teach an esthetician how to use the peels and lasers that they offer, so an esthetician license is all that is needed.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  3. Do you have a recommendation for an esthetics school in Austin?

    Posted By: Laurie  | 

    Reply
  4. I have many hours for aesthetics since 1982, along with hours in the mid 2000s, however I never licensed! I decided to get my massage therapy training, liscened and national liscense. I have taken Aromatherapy Courses, along with Hydrotherapy. I truly have the ultimate passion for Eathetics! I returned to a nearby Paul Mitchell school, yet, I this particular location is running his program in a cramped, uncleanly environment. He has tried to avoid giving me hours off for my past trainings’, however, I see he’s allowed this for another classmate! Please direct me n how you would handle this situation?

    Posted By: Bella  | 

    Reply
    • I would simply speak to him and express your concerns. That’s about all you can do, I would think.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  5. I’m looking into Paul Mitchell and ogle esthetics program in. Dallas area. Which school is best for someone who wants to get more into medical esthetics? I’m really interested in micropeels, Microneedling, facials. Also which school do you recommend for continuing education because I know the schools just teach the basics.

    Posted By: Regina  | 

    Reply
    • Hello Regina, I’m not sure which schools offer those programs so you’ll have to interview with each of the schools and do some research.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  6. Hi! What best school would you recommend here in New York? I want to be part time esthetician while doing modeling. Thank you so much! 🙂

    Posted By: Chat  | 

    Reply
    • I’m not familiar with the schools outside of Dallas so you’ll have to just research.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  7. Would you be able to recommend a school in Southern California (Irvine)? Many out there but looking for a reputable one. I am 44 yrs old and would like to start a new career. Thank You Advance for your help!!!

    Posted By: Jennifer  | 

    Reply
    • Hello Jennifer, I’m not familiar with schools in your area so you’ll have to just research and ask around. Go get a facial from someone and see what they have to say.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  8. What is the best school in Columbia , South Carolina?

    Posted By: Itzel  | 

    Reply
    • I’m not familiar with any schools there so read this post for my tips.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  9. Would you recommend Catherine Hinds continuing education programs (like the weekend special classes) or the 1200 hour master program for an already licensed esthetician?

    Posted By: Brittany  | 

    Reply
    • Hi Brittany, I’m all for education but also all for saving hard earned money. I did just the basic program at Catherine Hinds way back when but I also had a great mentor (a co-worker) who I learned a lot from so I didn’t need that extra education. You might also want to start interviewing (or at least checking out) jobs that interest you to see if they have their own training program, or if they expect you to come fully ready. Hope that helps…and it’s a great question!

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply
  10. Hello, I am truly amazed of all the information your provide on this site. I am interested in putting a SPA in El Paso, TX or New Mexico Area. What Esthetician school do you recommend me in this area?

    Posted By: Jacqueline Lopez  | 

    Reply
    • I don’t know the schools there at all, so just follow my tips in this post.

      Posted By: Renée Rouleau  | 

      Reply

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