Why September Might Be the Smartest Month to Start Beauty School
September Is the New January for Career Decisions
There is something about the end of summer that forces clarity. The long days are shortening, routines are resetting, and for a lot of people the question that got shelved over the summer comes back louder than ever: when am I actually going to make a move?
September has a back-to-school energy that does not require you to be in school to feel it. And for prospective beauty students, that energy has a practical edge. Students who enroll at ISSA in September are positioned to finish shorter programs by early spring, just as the industry enters one of its busiest booking seasons. Students in longer programs hit their advanced clinic hours in the heart of fall and winter, when the student salon is fully active and client hours are plentiful.
The timing is better than most people realize. Here is what you need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Beauty School in September
Is September a good time to enroll in beauty school?
Yes. ISSA enrolls students year-round, and September is one of the strongest entry points on the calendar. There is no semester system or fixed academic year at a beauty school the way there is at a traditional college. Your program starts when you start, and your timeline runs from your enrollment date.
September also carries a practical advantage for students considering shorter programs. A nail technology student who starts in September can complete the program before spring. An esthetics student starting full-time in September is positioned to be licensed before the spring wedding and event season gets underway.
What programs are available for September enrollment at ISSA?
All of ISSA's programs are open for September enrollment:
Cosmetology: 1,500 hours. 15 months full-time or 22.5 months part-time. Covers hair, skin, and nails with the broadest scope of services and licensing of any program ISSA offers.
Esthetics: 600 hours. 5 months full-time or 8.5 months part-time. Focused on skincare, facial treatments, and advanced skin services. A September full-time start puts graduation around February 2027, right at the start of wedding season.
Nail Technology: 300 hours. Approximately 5 months full-time. The fastest path to licensure ISSA offers. Students who start in September can be licensed by early 2027.
Barbering: 1,500 hours. 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time. Covers men's grooming, clipper cuts, straight razor shaving, beard design, scalp treatments, and the client consultation skills that build a loyal following.
Hairstyling: 10 months full-time or 15 months part-time. A focused program for students whose primary interest is hair services.
Continuing Education: ISSA offers standalone certifications for licensed professionals looking to add services including dermaplaning, eyelash extensions, cosmetic resurfacing, electric nail file, and waxing.
What beauty trends are clients asking for this fall?
Part of being a strong beauty professional is knowing what is walking through the door before it arrives. Here is what is shaping the fall 2026 service menu:
Hair: The shift from summer brightness to fall depth is the most consistent seasonal transition in any salon. Warm brunettes, rich coppers, dimensional auburns, and deep chocolates are what clients begin requesting in September and carry through the holiday season. Glossing services are also surging as clients want shine and vibrancy without a full color overhaul.
Skin: Fall is the most important treatment season for skin. Clients come in addressing cumulative summer sun exposure through hyperpigmentation treatments, brightening services, and barrier repair. The appetite for ingredient-informed consultations is growing, and estheticians who can speak knowledgeably about actives like vitamin C, retinol, and niacinamide are building loyal clientele fast.
Nails: Fall 2026 nail trends are running deep and moody. Rich plums, warm burgundies, terracotta, and forest greens are leading the seasonal shift. Textured finishes and negative space nail art are translating social media traction into real appointment requests.
Brows and lashes: Consistent year-round earners with a fall boost. Clients are prepping for holiday events, family photos, and end-of-year occasions. Lash lifts, tints, and brow lamination appointments are strong through November and December.
How long will it take to finish beauty school if I start in September?
That depends on your program and your schedule:
Nail Technology: Approximately 5 months full-time. A September start puts graduation around February 2027.
Esthetics: 5 months full-time or 8.5 months part-time. Full-time graduates finish around February 2027.
Hairstyling: 10 months full-time or 15 months part-time.
Barbering: 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time.
Cosmetology: 15 months full-time or 22.5 months part-time.
Part-time evening schedules are available across all programs for students who are working, parenting, or managing other commitments alongside their training.
What do I need to enroll at ISSA?
A high school diploma or GED is the primary requirement. No prior beauty experience is needed. ISSA's programs are built to take complete beginners to licensed professionals. Students range from 17 to 65 years old and arrive from every imaginable background. The real requirement is a genuine desire to learn and the consistency to show up and do the work.
How much does beauty school cost and how do I pay for it?
Tuition and fees vary by program. The most accurate and complete cost information comes from a direct conversation with ISSA's admissions team during your consultation, which is free and carries no obligation.
What is consistent across all programs: textbooks are included in each program's kit, and financial aid is available for students who qualify, including federal financial aid programs. ISSA's admissions team walks every prospective student through all available options before any commitment is made. The only way to know what your specific situation looks like financially is to ask.
What happens after I graduate?
After completing your program hours, you take the Colorado state board exam. It has two components: a practical hands-on portion and a written portion. ISSA's curriculum is built to prepare students for both.
Testing facilities in Colorado include the Garden of the Gods location in Colorado Springs and locations in Denver. Once both portions are passed, your Colorado state license is issued and you are eligible to work as a licensed professional.
What can I do with a beauty license in Colorado?
A Colorado beauty license supports a wide range of professional paths depending on your program:
Salon or barbershop employment
Booth rental, operating independently within a salon or shop
Day spa or resort spa settings
Medical spa environments
Bridal, special event, and editorial work
Film, television, and commercial production
Nail studios and nail bars
Salon or studio ownership
Continuing education and advanced certifications
Beauty education and instruction, after meeting additional state requirements
Why choose ISSA over other beauty schools in Colorado Springs?
ISSA has been training beauty professionals in Colorado Springs since 1971. Locally owned, nationally accredited by NACCAS, and veteran-led since 1999. Here is what that translates to for students:
Live client experience from early in the program. ISSA's student salon is open to the public. Students work on real clients under the direct supervision of licensed instructors. That is not a simulation. It is the kind of experience that prepares you to perform professionally from day one of your career.
Instructors who have worked in the industry. ISSA's educators understand what clients actually ask for, what state board examiners look for, and what it takes to build a career that lasts.
Scheduling that fits real life. Full-time days and part-time evenings across all programs. You do not have to put everything else on hold to attend.
Financial aid available. ISSA's admissions team works with every prospective student to explore what is available before enrollment.
More than 50 years of graduates in Colorado Springs. The ISSA community runs deep here, and that alumni network is something students carry with them long after graduation.
This Time Next Year
Here is a simple way to think about it. If you start at ISSA this September, this time next year you could be a licensed cosmetologist halfway through building your clientele. A licensed esthetician six months into your first spa job. A licensed barber with a chair of your own.
Or you could be exactly where you are right now, still thinking about it.
The programs are enrolling now.
Contact ISSA today:
📞 (719) 597-1413
📍 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.