Beauty School Life: What It's Really Like to Train at ISSA Colorado Springs
What is it actually like to go to beauty school?
Beauty school is unlike any other educational experience – it's part classroom, part art studio, part social hub, and completely transformative. At International Salon and Spa Academy (ISSA) in Colorado Springs, students discover that beauty education is hands-on, creative, and surprisingly fun.
A typical day includes:
Morning theory classes: Learning the science behind the artistry
Hands-on practice: Working with mannequins, classmates, and real clients
Creative challenges: Experimenting with new techniques and styles
Peer collaboration: Learning from and teaching fellow students
Real-world experience: Serving actual clients in our student salon
Skill building: Progressing from basic techniques to advanced artistry
What makes it different:
Immediate results: See your work come to life instantly
Creative expression: Every day brings new artistic opportunities
Supportive community: Classmates become lifelong friends and colleagues
Practical learning: Skills you can use immediately, not just theory
Confidence building: Watch your abilities grow week by week
Students often say beauty school feels more like joining a creative community than attending traditional classes.
What do beauty school students do for fun?
Beauty school students find joy in both their studies and the vibrant community they create together.
In-school fun activities:
Color challenges: Competing to create the most creative hair colors
Style competitions: Friendly contests for best updos or cuts
Theme days: Decades-inspired styling or holiday celebrations
Skill swaps: Students practicing on each other during breaks
Before-and-after reveals: Celebrating dramatic transformations
Guest artist visits: Learning from industry professionals and influencers
Student community activities:
Study groups: Making learning social and collaborative
Beauty supply shopping trips: Group outings to professional stores
Industry events: Attending hair shows and beauty conventions together
Social media content: Creating fun videos and posts about school life
Graduation celebrations: Marking milestones and achievements
Alumni meetups: Staying connected after graduation
What's the most exciting part of beauty school?
Students consistently mention several thrilling aspects of their beauty education journey.
First-time experiences:
Your first perfect haircut: The moment technique clicks into place
Color transformation success: Seeing a client's dream color come to life
Mastering a difficult technique: Finally nailing that challenging skill
Client compliments: Hearing "I love it!" for the first time
Graduation day: Walking across the stage as a licensed professional
Creative breakthroughs:
Artistic discoveries: Finding your unique style and voice
Problem-solving wins: Successfully fixing a challenging situation
Trend creation: Being the first to try a new technique or style
Portfolio building: Creating work you're genuinely proud of
Skill combinations: Blending different techniques for amazing results
Community moments:
Helping classmates succeed: Teaching and learning from peers
Industry connections: Meeting professionals who become mentors
Client relationships: Building trust and making people feel beautiful
Team projects: Collaborating on fashion shows or competitions
Celebration milestones: Marking progress with friends who understand the journey
How do beauty school students practice on each other?
Peer practice is one of the most enjoyable and educational aspects of beauty school.
Practice partnerships:
Buddy systems: Pairing up for regular practice sessions
Skill exchanges: Trading services – "I'll do your color if you do my cut"
Model rotations: Taking turns being the client and the stylist
Technique sharing: Teaching each other new methods and tricks
Feedback sessions: Honest, supportive critiques to improve skills
Fun practice activities:
Makeover Mondays: Complete transformations for willing classmates
Trend Fridays: Experimenting with the latest social media styles
Decade themes: Recreating vintage looks from different eras
Color experiments: Trying bold, creative colors on adventurous volunteers
Special occasion prep: Helping classmates prepare for events and dates
Learning benefits:
Diverse hair types: Working with different textures and lengths
Immediate feedback: Getting honest opinions from peers
Confidence building: Practicing in a supportive, low-pressure environment
Friendship building: Bonding through shared experiences
Skill refinement: Perfecting techniques through repetition
Safety and supervision:
Instructor oversight: All practice supervised by licensed professionals
Safety protocols: Following proper sanitation and safety procedures
Consent requirements: Clear agreements about what services to perform
Skill-appropriate tasks: Only practicing techniques you've been taught
Emergency procedures: Knowing what to do if something goes wrong
What are the funniest things that happen in beauty school?
Beauty school is full of laughter, learning moments, and memorable mishaps that become great stories.
Classic beauty school moments:
Color surprises: When the final result is completely unexpected
Mannequin mishaps: Those practice heads have seen some interesting styles
Product mix-ups: Learning the hard way that not all bottles contain the same thing
Time management fails: Realizing you have 10 minutes left and half a head to finish
Fashion show nerves: The chaos and excitement of student showcases
Learning curve laughs:
First-day jitters: Everyone's nervous energy creating comedy gold
Technique confusion: When your hands don't do what your brain thinks they should
Tool troubles: Figuring out which end of the curling iron to use (safely!)
Client communication: Learning to translate "just a little trim" into actual measurements
Mirror moments: Seeing your own reflection after classmates practice on you
What's the student salon experience like?
The student salon is where classroom learning transforms into real-world experience – and it's often the highlight of beauty school.
Client interactions:
Nervous excitement: Your first real client appointment
Consultation skills: Learning to listen and understand what clients want
Trust building: Developing confidence in your abilities
Problem solving: Handling unexpected challenges professionally
Satisfaction moments: Seeing clients love their new look
Skill application:
Real-world pressure: Working with actual time constraints and expectations
Diverse challenges: Every client brings different hair types and requests
Technique refinement: Perfecting skills under instructor supervision
Speed development: Learning to work efficiently without sacrificing quality
Professional behavior: Practicing workplace etiquette and communication
Learning opportunities:
Instructor guidance: Getting immediate feedback and correction
Peer support: Classmates helping and encouraging each other
Client feedback: Honest reactions to your work
Variety exposure: Working with different ages, styles, and preferences
Confidence building: Proving to yourself that you can do this professionally
Fun aspects:
Transformation reveals: The excitement of dramatic before-and-afters
Client stories: Hearing about special occasions and life events
Team atmosphere: Working alongside classmates in a professional setting
Skill showcasing: Demonstrating techniques you've mastered
Pride moments: Realizing you're actually becoming a professional
How do beauty school students celebrate milestones?
Beauty school is full of achievements worth celebrating, and students find creative ways to mark their progress.
Academic milestones:
First successful cut: Treating yourself to your favorite coffee
Passing major exams: Group celebrations at local restaurants
Mastering difficult techniques: Social media posts showing off new skills
Halfway point: Parties to celebrate being halfway through the program
Final exams passed: Relief celebrations with classmates
Skill achievements:
Perfect color match: Taking before-and-after photos to remember the moment
Client compliments: Sharing positive feedback with friends and family
Instructor praise: Feeling proud when teachers notice your improvement
Peer recognition: Being asked by classmates to help with their techniques
Portfolio pieces: Creating work good enough for your professional portfolio
What makes ISSA's beauty school experience special?
International Salon and Spa Academy creates a unique environment that makes beauty education both effective and enjoyable.
Community atmosphere:
Small class sizes: Personal attention and close relationships with instructors
Diverse student body: Learning alongside people from all backgrounds and ages
Supportive environment: Encouragement and help when you need it most
Local connections: Strong ties to Colorado Springs beauty community
Family feeling: Students, staff, and instructors who genuinely care about each other
Modern facilities:
Professional equipment: Training on the same tools you'll use in your career
Comfortable learning spaces: Environments designed for both study and practice
Student salon: Real-world experience in a professional setting
Technology integration: Current tools and techniques used in the industry
Safety focus: Clean, well-maintained facilities that prioritize student wellbeing
Experienced instruction:
Industry professionals: Learning from instructors who've worked in the field
Current knowledge: Training in the latest techniques and trends
Individual attention: Instructors who know your strengths and areas for improvement
Mentorship approach: Guidance that extends beyond just technical skills
Career preparation: Instruction that prepares you for professional success
Flexible programs:
Multiple schedules: Day and evening options to fit your life
Various programs: Cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, and nail technology
Continuing education: Ongoing learning opportunities for graduates
Career services: Help finding employment after graduation
Alumni support: Lifetime connections and professional development
Ready to experience the fun side of beauty education?
Beauty school isn't just about learning skills – it's about joining a creative community, making lifelong friends, and discovering your artistic potential in an environment that celebrates creativity and growth.
What you can expect at ISSA:
Supportive community: Classmates and instructors who want you to succeed
Creative challenges: Daily opportunities to express your artistic vision
Real-world experience: Hands-on training that prepares you for your career
Personal growth: Confidence building through skill development and achievement
Professional preparation: Training that goes beyond techniques to include business and life skills
Next steps:
Schedule a campus tour: See our facilities and meet current students
Attend an information session: Learn about our programs and community
Talk to current students: Get honest perspectives on the ISSA experience
Meet our instructors: Connect with the professionals who'll guide your education
Explore financial aid: Understand how to make your beauty education affordable
Contact ISSA to start your beauty school adventure:
Phone: (719) 597-1413
Email: ISSACO@ISSACO.EDU
Address: 5707 Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Join our community:
Follow us on social media to see student work and school events
Attend our open houses and community events
Connect with our alumni network
Discover how ISSA can help you turn your passion for beauty into a rewarding career
At ISSA, we believe beauty education should be engaging, supportive, and fun. Our locally owned and operated school creates an environment where students thrive academically, creatively, and personally. We're not just teaching techniques – we're building a community of beauty professionals who support each other throughout their careers.
Come discover why ISSA students consistently say their beauty school experience exceeded their expectations and prepared them not just for careers, but for success in life.