Should You Start Beauty School This Summer? What You Need to Know
Why Do So Many Students Start Beauty School in Summer?
Summer is the single most popular time to enroll in beauty school, and for good reason. High school graduates are looking for a fast, practical path to a real career. Career changers have more flexibility to make a move. And for anyone who has been putting off the decision, summer has a way of making the timing feel right.
At ISSA in Colorado Springs, we see a consistent wave of new students every summer. Some are fresh out of high school. Some are adults stepping away from careers that stopped working for them. Some are parents returning to the workforce. What they share is the decision to stop waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Beauty School in Summer
Is summer a good time to start beauty school?
Yes, for several reasons.
Students who start in summer have the advantage of building foundational skills during a season when the student salon is busy. Summer is peak season for hair color, nail services, and skincare treatments, which means more client traffic and more hands-on practice hours earlier in the program. That early volume accelerates skill development in ways that are hard to replicate in slower seasons.
There is also a scheduling advantage. Students who begin in summer and complete a shorter program, such as esthetics or nail technology, can be licensed and working before the holiday season, which is historically one of the busiest booking periods in the beauty industry.
What programs can I start this summer at ISSA?
All of ISSA's programs are available for summer enrollment:
Cosmetology: 1,500 hours. 15 months full-time or 22.5 months part-time. Covers hair, skin, and nails with a broad scope of services and licensing.
Esthetics: 600 hours. 5 months full-time or 8.5 months part-time. Focused on skincare, facial treatments, and advanced skin services.
Nail Technology: 300 hours. Approximately 5 months full-time. Covers manicures, pedicures, nail art, enhancements, and sanitation.
Barbering: 1,500 hours. 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time. Covers men's grooming, clipper work, straight razor shaving, and beard design.
Hairstyling: 10 months full-time or 15 months part-time. A focused path for students primarily interested in hair services.
ISSA also offers continuing education certifications for already-licensed professionals looking to expand their skill set.
What are the summer beauty trends students should know about?
Understanding what clients want is part of being a great beauty professional. Here is what is driving client appointments this summer:
Hair: Sun-kissed color is the dominant request. Balayage, lived-in highlights, and brightening glosses are at the top of every booking queue. Lived-in, low-maintenance color that grows out gracefully is what clients are consistently asking for.
Skin: Summer is a high-demand season for treatments that address sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and hydration. Clients are also increasingly educated about SPF and barrier care, which means estheticians who can speak fluently about ingredients and skin health are in high demand.
Nails: Summer nail trends in 2026 are leaning into color and texture. Vibrant aura nails, abstract nail art, and fresh French variations are driving the most social media traction. Pedicure demand surges in summer, making nail tech services especially busy this time of year.
Brows and lashes: Lash lifts, tints, and brow lamination remain consistent year-round earners, with summer bringing a bump in requests as clients prepare for vacations and events.
How do I know which beauty school program is right for me?
The right program depends on what kind of work you want to do day to day.
If you love hair above everything else and want to work behind a chair doing cuts and color, cosmetology or hairstyling is likely your path.
If skin health, facial treatments, and the science of skincare genuinely excites you, esthetics is worth a close look. The K-beauty trend in particular has created a well-informed, deeply engaged client base that rewards knowledgeable esthetics professionals.
If you are drawn to the barbershop environment, the culture of men's grooming, and precision clipper work, barbering is its own rewarding specialty.
If you want a shorter path to licensure and love nail art, nail care, and working with clients in a focused service environment, nail technology gets you licensed faster than any other program.
ISSA's admissions team can help you think through the decision based on your specific interests and situation. That conversation costs nothing and comes with no pressure.
Do I need experience to start beauty school?
No experience is required. ISSA's programs are built to take complete beginners through to licensed professionals. Students range from 17 to 65 years old and come from every kind of background imaginable. The only real requirements are a high school diploma or GED and a genuine desire to learn the craft.
Can I attend beauty school part-time in summer?
Yes. ISSA offers both full-time and part-time tracks across all programs. The part-time evening schedule is designed for students who are managing work, parenting, or other commitments. It extends the total program length but covers the same curriculum and leads to the same Colorado state license.
How do I pay for beauty school?
Financial aid is available for students who qualify, including federal financial aid programs. Textbooks are included in each program's kit. ISSA's admissions team walks every prospective student through costs and available options during the consultation, before any commitment is made.
The most straightforward thing you can do is ask. Costs and financial aid eligibility vary by individual situation, and the only way to know what applies to you is to have the conversation.
What Is the Student Salon Experience Like at ISSA
ISSA's student salon is open to the public, which means students are working on real clients under the direct supervision of licensed instructors. This is not simulation practice. It is genuine, supervised, professional experience that builds the muscle memory and client communication skills that matter most in a real salon or spa setting.
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for the student salon, which means students who start now get more client hours earlier in their program. That is a real advantage.
Ready to Start This Summer?
The programs at ISSA are enrolling now. A 15-minute conversation with the admissions team is all it takes to get your questions answered and figure out whether this is the right move for you.
Contact ISSA:
📞 (719) 597-1413
📧 ISSACO@ISSACO.EDU
📍 5707 N. Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Hours: Mon–Thurs: 8AM–9PM | Fri: 8AM–5PM | Sat: 8AM–3PM
International Salon and Spa Academy (ISSA) is a locally owned beauty school in Colorado Springs, CO, in operation since 1971. Programs include cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, barbering, and hairstyling. Nationally accredited by NACCAS. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.