When it’s time for a haircut, fresh color, or a new style, a traditional salon might be the first place that comes to mind. But getting your hair done at a beauty school is another option worth considering.
The main difference comes down to price and who’s doing the work. A beauty school costs less because supervised students perform the services, while a traditional salon costs more and keeps you with one licensed professional from start to finish. When comparing a beauty school vs salon, think about what matters more for this particular appointment, saving money and trying something new, or sticking with a stylist you already know.
If you’ve never tried student salon services, here are a few reasons to give them a closer look.
1. You Can Keep Up With Your Beauty Routine for Less
Haircuts, color, facials, manicures, and other beauty services can add up, especially when they’re part of your regular routine. Since student services are part of the training experience, beauty school salon prices are typically lower than what you might find at a traditional salon. That can make it easier to keep up with the services you get regularly or try something you don’t normally book.
2. There’s More on the Menu Than You Might Think
Getting your hair done at a beauty school doesn’t necessarily mean stopping in for a basic trim. Depending on the school, you may also find color, highlights, styling, facials, waxing, makeup, manicures, pedicures, and more. If you’re comparing a beauty school vs salon, take a look at the full service menu. You may have more options than you expect.
3. Student Salon Services Give Students Experience With Clients
There are some things students can only learn once they start working with people. An appointment gives them a chance to practice consultations, listen to what someone wants, communicate throughout the service, and put the techniques they’ve learned into practice.
They also get experience working with different preferences and requests instead of practicing the same scenario in a classroom. For students preparing to enter the beauty industry, that time with clients is an important part of learning the job.
Inside Rizzieri’s Student Salon and Student Spas
At Rizzieri School for Beauty and Wellness’ campus, student salon services are available across hair, skin care, and nails.
- Hair services include haircuts, blowouts, thermal and formal styling, color, highlights, balayage, relaxers, perms, and select hair and scalp treatments.
- Skin care services include customized facials, back facials, facial and body waxing, makeup applications, HydraFacial, and other select treatments.
- Nail services include manicures, pedicures, gel services, dip, hard gel, and acrylic nails, nail repair, nail art, and more.
Students are still learning, so supervision is built into every appointment. Each service starts with a consultation between the student, guest, and instructor, and the licensed instructor supervises each appointment.
For students, these appointments are also a chance to get comfortable with the parts of the job that go beyond technique, from working with clients and managing a service to using professional products and building client relationships.
Experience Rizzieri School for Beauty and Wellness From Either Side of the Chair
Searching for a student salon near me in South Jersey? Rizzieri’s Student Salon and Student Spas are located at its Voorhees Township campus, within minutes of Philadelphia. Check current services and seating times before your visit.
If you’re more interested in being behind the chair, Rizzieri offers Cosmetology, Skin Care, Manicuring, and Teacher Training programs for students interested in careers in beauty. Book a campus tour today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a beauty school cheaper than a traditional salon?
Yes, student salon services are typically priced lower than a traditional salon. Since every service is part of a student’s training and supervised by a licensed instructor, Rizzieri is able to offer hair, skin care, and nail services at a lower cost while guests still receive hands-on, personalized care.
What’s the difference between a student salon and a regular salon?
At a student salon, your service is performed by a student working toward licensure, with a licensed instructor supervising every appointment and starting each one with a consultation. At a traditional salon, your service is performed directly by a licensed professional with no supervision involved. Both can deliver a great result. The difference mainly comes down to price, who’s actually doing the technique, and whether you want to work with the same stylist every time.
Are there age requirements for booking student salon services?
Yes. Children must be at least 5 years old for a haircut. Guests must be at least 13 for color and chemical services, facials, acrylic nail services, and facial waxing. Body waxing is available to guests 18 and older.
Can I receive a hair service if I have extensions?
No, students at Rizzieri School for Beauty and Wellness don’t perform services directly on permanent or bonded hair extensions through the campus salon. Your stylist will look at your natural hair underneath and figure out the right approach, whether that’s working around the extensions or recommending removal first. For extension services, Rizzieri also operates full-service salons in Moorestown, Voorhees, and Washington Township. Clip-in extensions you bring with you can still be styled at the school for special occasion looks.
What happens if I need a correction after a hair service?
If you are not satisfied with a hair service, you can return within seven days of the original appointment for a correction and pay only for product usage.