Hair Schools in Virginia

Browse our directory of hair design schools in Virginia, or skip ahead to learn about the state's hair design licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Hair Designer in Virginia

Great hair is always a plus, and for many people in Virginia, it's a necessity! If you want to help people discover the hairstyles, colors, and processes that give them the beauty they deserve, a career in hair design may be perfect for you. Studying hair design in Virginia can help you learn about haircutting, styling, coloring, and designing.

If you are ready to learn more about becoming a hair designer, let us put you in contact with beauty schools in Virginia that can help you do it! Just use our site to request more information from your top choices to compare heir programs!

State License Requirements

Hair design professionals in Virginia earn their cosmetology license to work legally in this state. If you have a goal of working in hair design, then you will have to complete a 1,500-hour training program, plus pass the state examinations to obtain your license.

Education Details

Cutting is a significant part of most hair designers' careers, so it makes sense that you spend a large amount of time studying cutting techniques! You may learn how to use different cutting tools, like shears and razors, to create the desired look. From mannequin heads to real customers, you'll work on dozens of heads before graduating. You may also spend lots of time learning about styling hair. Instructors may help you decipher client requests, figure out what styles are popular amongst different age groups, and create different styles using curlers, hair dryers, wraps, and other tools. Lots of chemical processes are used in a hair designing career, and it's absolutely essential that you always use these chemicals safely. While coloring hair, straightening hair, or perming hair, you may use many chemicals and mixtures. Your curriculum may spend lots of time covering these chemicals, how they're used, and how to safely use them on clients' hair. This part of your training requires lots of practice, so you may spend quite a bit of time working with hair processing chemicals.

License Renewal

Once you reach this goal, you will need to be mindful of the renewal process. Currently, cosmetology license holders in Virginia must renew their license every two years. The deadline will match the original date of issue, and will cost $105.

Virginia Hair Design Careers

To become a hair designer in Virginia and start building your career, you have to follow the licensing requirements determined by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. Hair designers must have a cosmetology license. While attending an approved cosmetology program, you must get at least 1,500 hours of training. After passing the Board's required tests, you can get your license. Salaries in Virginia tend to be higher than the national average, which is excellent for you as a Virginia hair designer! Hair designers in this state earn an average salary of $26,510 per year, according to O*Net. Job growth in this state is fairly stable. In the years between 2016 and 2026, O*Net expects an 11% increase in job openings.

Succeeding as a hair designer requires hard work and dedication, there's no way around it! When you start, you may be competing with other new stylists, as well as those that are more established in your community. Putting in long hours, making your clients happy, and honing your skills every single day can help you make a name for yourself in Virginia. Forbes offers advice from Sally Hershberger, a hair designer that used her skills to work with celebrities and even start her own business. Among her tips, Hershberger tells new stylists to be of service in any way possible, always keep learning, and know what you are good at. By focusing your work and studies in one specific area of hair design, you can become the very best in that area and become well-known for those skills. That's one way to measure success - having people travel specifically for your cuts, highlights, or natural-looking perms. As noted above, a career in hair design may require sacrifice and long hours. Be ready to work nights and weekends to be there when your clients need you. This can really pay off for you! If people are impressed by your work the first time they see you, they're more likely to change their schedule to fit in an appointment with you again. Though it can take some time and work, success in hair design can be in your reach.

Contact the Virginia State Board of Cosmetology

Elite hair care is an esteemed tradition in Virginia. As part of the overall beauty industry, hair design owns a prime place and it shows in the amount of popular salons throughout the state. Interested applicants consult these reference points to start.