How to Prepare for Beauty School While Still in High School

If you’ve ever found yourself braiding a friend’s hair in the cafeteria, experimenting with bold makeup looks for spirit week, or scrolling endlessly through nail art inspo on TikTok, you might already know that beauty is more than just a hobby for you—it’s a passion. The best part? You don’t have to wait until after graduation to start chasing that dream.

At Moored Beauty Schools, high school students can get a head start through our High School Program. That means while other students are counting down to graduation, you could already be earning real cosmetology hours and learning skills that will put you way ahead of the game.

So, how do you prepare for beauty school while you’re still balancing high school classes, activities, and everything else teenage life throws at you? Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Start Dreaming Big (and Writing It Down)

Before you even walk into your first beauty class, think about what excites you most. Do you see yourself…

• Coloring hair in a busy salon?
• Perfecting bridal makeup looks?
• Running your own spa one day?

Your interests may change as you gain more experience, but writing down your dreams now helps you stay motivated when things get tough. Think of it like creating a “vision board” for your future in beauty.

2. Learn the Basics of Professionalism Early

Beauty school isn’t like a typical high school elective—it’s training for a career. That means showing up on time, being prepared, and treating it like a job. Here are a few habits you can start building right now:

• Be on time (even five minutes early).
• Dress the part. You don’t need a full salon uniform yet, but start getting used to presenting yourself neatly.
• Take notes. Whether it’s in math class or beauty class, building that habit helps later.
• Respect the space. Salons and classrooms require teamwork—practice cleaning up after yourself and pitching in.

3. Stay on Top of High School First

We know—it’s tempting to focus on what you want to be doing (hello, balayage practice) and forget about the rest. But keeping your grades strong is key for two reasons:

1. Some high school programs require minimum academic standards to join or stay enrolled.
2. Good study habits will carry over when you’re memorizing state board exam material later.

Think of your core classes as giving you “bonus tools” for your beauty career. Chemistry comes in handy with hair color formulas, business classes help with salon management, and even English builds communication skills for client consultations.

4. Practice Your Craft Outside the Classroom

You don’t need a professional kit yet to start experimenting. Here are some low-pressure ways to practice at home:

• Offer to style your sibling’s or friend’s hair for school dances.
• Try out new nail polish designs on yourself.
• Follow makeup tutorials on YouTube or TikTok and recreate the looks.
• Volunteer to help backstage with hair or makeup for school plays.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s to build confidence and muscle memory so that when you get your professional tools, you’re ready to go.

5. Get Familiar with Beauty Language

Cosmetology has its own vocabulary, and learning it early helps you feel more comfortable in class. You don’t need to memorize a textbook, but you can start small:

• Watch tutorials and pay attention to the terms stylists use.
• Follow beauty influencers who also explain why they do certain techniques.
• Create flashcards of common terms like “cuticle,” “developer,” “layers,” or “blend.”

6. Build Your Time-Management Toolkit

Balancing high school, beauty school hours, homework, and a social life is no small feat. Here’s how to avoid feeling overwhelmed:

• Use a planner. Whether digital or paper, write everything down.
• Set priorities. Ask yourself: what absolutely must get done today, and what can wait?
• Don’t forget downtime. Schedule time to relax or hang with friends—you’ll need it to recharge.

This kind of time management is one of the best skills you can take into your adult life.

7. Strengthen Your Soft Skills

Technical skills will take you far, but in beauty, people skills are just as important. Here are a few to start working on now:

• Listening. When a friend tells you what they want in a style, repeat it back to make sure you understood.
• Confidence. Even if you’re still learning, practice speaking with assurance.
• Positivity. Clients love being around someone who makes them feel good about themselves.

Think of every interaction—whether with teachers, classmates, or customers at your part-time job—as practice for future client relationships.

8. Connect with Mentors and Role Models

Do you know someone in your community who works in beauty? Ask if you can shadow them, even for a few hours. Or, if you don’t know anyone personally:

• Follow stylists on Instagram and see how they showcase their work.
• Ask Moored instructors or current students about their journey.
• Join beauty forums or groups online for inspiration.

Having someone to look up to helps you picture what’s possible for your own career.

9. Talk to Your Family and Friends

Your support system matters. Let your family and close friends know why beauty school excites you. Share your goals and how this high school program fits into them. That way, when you’re juggling late nights or early mornings, they’ll understand why it’s worth it—and hopefully cheer you on.

10. Keep the Bigger Picture in Mind

Yes, the High School Program gives you a head start, but it’s just the beginning. After graduation, you’ll still need to complete your full cosmetology hours, pass your state exams, and keep learning as trends evolve.

The advantage? You won’t be starting from zero. You’ll already have hours under your belt, confidence with your tools, and a clearer vision for the type of beauty career you want to build.

Final Tips for Success

Here’s a quick checklist to keep you on track:

• Stay organized with your schedule.
• Practice at home when you can.
• Keep grades strong in your high school classes.
• Work on communication and confidence.
• Ask questions—lots of them!
• Dream big, but focus on small daily steps.

Your Beauty Career Begins Now

Starting your beauty education in high school is more than just a cool opportunity—it’s a launchpad for your future. At Moored Beauty Schools, you don’t have to wait to get your hands in the game. By preparing now—mentally, academically, and personally—you’ll be ready to step into the salon world with confidence.

Think of this as your “sneak peek” into your dream career. You’re building skills, making connections, and gaining a head start on everyone else. Most importantly, you’re proving to yourself that your passion for beauty isn’t just a passing interest—it’s the beginning of your future.

So go ahead, start practicing those curls, organizing that planner, and dreaming up the looks you can’t wait to create. And when you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to Moored Beauty Schools to learn more about our High School Program or book a tour. Your beauty career starts here—and we’d love to help you make it happen.