What Beauty School Is Really Like: A Week in the Classroom
If you’re considering beauty school, you’ve probably seen a lot of polished highlights online. Finished looks. Before-and-afters. People smiling confidently behind salon chairs.
What you don’t see as often is what the actual learning week looks like.
This post is here to fill that gap. Not to sell you a dream. Not to promise outcomes. Just to give you a realistic picture of what a typical week in beauty school involves so you can decide if this learning environment feels like the right fit for you.
The Structure of a Typical Week
Most beauty school programs follow a balance of theory, demonstration, and hands-on practice. While schedules vary by program and phase of training, a standard week often includes a mix of the following.
Classroom Learning
Some days begin in a traditional classroom setting. This is where students cover foundational topics such as:
Sanitation and safety standards
State regulations and requirements
Anatomy related to hair, skin, or nails
Product knowledge and ingredient awareness
Techniques and terminology used in the industry
This portion of the week is about understanding the “why” behind the work. It may feel similar to school environments you’ve experienced before, with note-taking, discussions, and quizzes.
Demonstrations and Skill Breakdown
Instructors regularly demonstrate techniques before students practice them. This can include:
Step-by-step breakdowns of services
Tool handling and setup
Proper client positioning
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Students observe closely, ask questions, and take notes before moving into practice. This part of the week is about slowing things down and learning through observation.
Hands-On Practice Time
A significant portion of the week is spent practicing skills in a supervised environment. Depending on where you are in your program, this may involve:
Working on mannequins
Practicing services on fellow students
Gradually transitioning into student clinic work
Practice is repetitive by design. The goal is familiarity, comfort with tools, and consistency. Instructors circulate, offer feedback, and help students refine technique over time.
Working in a Student Clinic Environment
As students progress, some of their week may take place in a student salon or spa setting. This environment is structured to support learning, not speed.
During clinic hours, students typically:
Follow proper check-in and sanitation procedures
Perform services under instructor supervision
Learn how to manage time during appointments
Practice professional communication
This experience introduces students to working with the public while still being supported in a learning-focused setting.
Feedback, Evaluation, and Reflection
Feedback is a regular part of the week. Instructors may provide:
Verbal guidance during practice
Skill evaluations or check-ins
Notes on areas for improvement
This feedback helps students understand where they are in the learning process and what skills need more attention. Progress happens gradually, not all at once.
Outside-the-Classroom Expectations
Beauty school also requires time and effort outside scheduled hours. A typical week may include:
Studying for written assessments
Practicing techniques independently
Reviewing notes or instructional materials
Preparing kits or tools for class
Time management becomes an important part of the experience, especially as training becomes more hands-on.
What This Week Tells You About Beauty School
A week in beauty school is structured, active, and focused on learning through repetition and guidance. It’s not passive, and it’s not instant. It’s a process that asks students to show up consistently, practice often, and stay open to feedback.
Understanding what a typical week looks like ahead of time helps set realistic expectations and supports better decision-making when choosing an educational path.
If you’d like to learn more about specific programs or explore whether this type of learning environment aligns with your interests, you can explore program details or schedule a visit to see the classroom and clinic spaces firsthand.
International Salon and Spa Academy is locally owned and lovingly operated, serving the Colorado Springs community with comprehensive beauty education and unwavering commitment to student success. We're proud to prepare the next generation of beauty professionals for thriving careers in our dynamic industry.