Can I Do a Hairdressing Course Online?

Find out how much it costs to do a hairdressing course online, what to expect, and how to find the right hairstyling course for your goals.

Do you have a flair for style, dextrous hands, and a passion for bringing creative visions to life? Hair styling might be the career path you’re looking for. You don’t need a degree to become a hairdresser, but you need training and lots of practice.

If you can’t attend a hair styling school in person, don’t worry! A number of reputable training institutes offer online instruction on how to be a hairdressing teacher and stylist. Here’s what you need to know about online hairdressing courses, including the cost, what to expect, and how to find the right hair styling course for your needs.

Can you do a hairdressing course online?

Yes, you can learn how to become a hair stylist online. Take a course offered by a training institute to become a certified hairdresser. You’ll have to pay a course fee and pass various assessments, but you’ll be qualified for employment as a hairstylist.

If you’re an independent learner and highly self-motivated, you can teach yourself how to be a hairdresser by experimenting and following online instruction materials produced by talented hair artists.

This is a good choice if you already have some experience working with hair and want to start your own side hustle without spending money on a course. That being said, you need to take an accredited course if you live in a region where the hairdressing profession is regulated by a trade association.

Do I need a license to be a hairstylist?

Whether you need a certification or license to cut hair depends on where you live. Local trade association rules in some regions stipulate that you can’t earn money from hairdressing without certification. Elsewhere, you’re free to cut and style hair with or without formal training.

Check with the trade organization, beauty association, or apprenticeship board in your state or province to find out what rules apply in your jurisdiction.

How much does a hairstyling course cost?

You can expect to pay around $900-$1,200 for an online hair styling course leading to certification. This typically includes the cost of learning materials, including a kit with all the styling equipment you’ll need. There may be additional fees for transcript requests.

How much do hairstylists earn?

As a hairdresser, you could earn anywhere from $23,914 to $35,365 in the United States, according to Salary.com. As of September 2023, the average annual salary of a hairdresser in the US is $28,801 (not including tips).

Earnings depend on various factors, including where you work, skill level, experience, and client base. You could earn more if you’re among the cream of the crop in your field, specializing in certain services or maintaining a very loyal client base.

What do you learn in an online hair styling course?

Hairdressing students learn how to cut, color, and style hair. Courses introduce you to the science of hair health, how to understand different textures, safety and sanitation procedures, and how to identify good products.

You’ll explore techniques for producing different styles and review skills related to consulting with customers. Listening and correctly interpreting clients’ requests is key to becoming a successful hairdresser.

Advanced courses may also go over business skills for salon management, marketing, and brand building.

What do you get in hairstylist kits for students?

Most course kits include all the essential tools you’ll need to practice techniques and complete assessments. Exact kit components may vary, but here’s what you could receive.

Curling iron

Curling irons use heat to rearrange hair proteins, which allows hair to be temporarily reshaped.

Curling irons can be spring clamp, marcel, or wands. Spring clamp curling irons are the “traditional” inexpensive kind that create classic curls. Marcel curling irons require more experience and can be turned without using both hands. Curling wands are clipless and require manually wrapping hair around the barrel.

Barrels range from ⅝” (which produces small, tight curls) to 2 ½” (which produces thick, loose curls). Features typically include the ability to adjust the temperature, quick heat-up, auto shut-off, and a tangle-free swivel cord for easy maneuvering.

Curling irons cost anywhere from $20 for a basic model to hundreds of dollars for salon-grade ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium models.

Straightener

Like curling irons, straighteners (also known as flat irons) use heat to temporarily rearrange hair proteins, in this case, to smooth out curls and waviness. This tool can also be used to reduce the appearance of damage.

Straighteners are designed with different widths and materials. Narrow plates are around 1” and work well for short hair or detailed styles. Wider plates can be up to 3” and are suitable for long hair. Plates can be made of ceramic, tourmaline, titanium, or a blend.

Most models have an automatic shut-off feature for safety. Some are designed with extra features that manage frizz and prevent hair from snagging. Straighteners are similarly priced to curling irons, with models ranging from $20 or less to hundreds of dollars.

Mannequin training head

When you’re just starting out, it’s best to practice—and make your first mistakes—on mannequin heads.

Your student hairstyling kit may include a fake head with hair of varying lengths and colors. Some feature 100% human hair, although you might get synthetic or blended hair. The quality of the model impacts whether the hair can withstand heat, dye, and other treatments.

Typically, mannequin heads cost around $50. Hairstyling practice wigs vary in price from under $50 to well over $100 for premium, long-haired versions.

Mannequin head holding clamp

To prevent mannequin heads from toppling over, clamps are used to fasten the heads to flat surfaces. A sturdy design ensures the head remains stationary when you’re practicing styling.

Your student hairstyling kit may include one of these clamps. It may be fixed or equipped with a swivel feature for easy, 360-degree movement. Some clamps are made with materials designed for thick surfaces.

Mannequin clamps usually retail for $10-$30, but premium models can cost more.

Hair extensions

Hair extensions add length by fastening long sections to existing hair. There are different ways to secure extensions, including clips, tape, beads, sewing, and heat fusion. Length, color, and texture options are also enormously diverse.

Your kit may come with real human hair extensions. Preferred for their seamless blending and longevity, real extensions offer a natural appearance and can be styled, dyed, and treated like normal hair.

Typically, hair extensions cost around $100-$500+. Professionally applied, luxury extensions can cost thousands of dollars.

Professional comb set

To learn how to style like a pro, you need a set of high-quality, durable combs resistant to heat and chemicals. Your set will likely include wide-toothed, detangling combs as well as fine-toothed combs for precision styling.

Tail combs, barber combs, and cutting combs are commonly included in professional sets. If you bought one of these sets on your own, you would be out $10-$50 or more.

Hair styling accessories

Accessories kits for hairdressing students usually include tools like sponge pads for volume, pull hairpins for weaving, coiled pins for hidden support, U-clips for sectioning, and more.

Depending on the brand and comprehensiveness of the kit, the retail price can range from $10 for simpler sets to $50+ for more extensive collections.

How long does it take to learn hairstyling?

If you take an accredited course, you can learn how to be a hairstylist in around 6 months. Some online courses let you learn at your own pace with no set deadline, while others require students to follow specific deadlines.

Of course, this is just the beginning. It’s a good idea to take advanced courses periodically or learn independently from professionals to stay up to date with the latest styles and techniques.

What can you do with an online hair stylist certification?

Becoming a certified hair stylist can open up many opportunities in the beauty industry. The availability of online training programs makes it easy to start learning. When you’ve completed an online hairdressing course, there are several paths you can take.

Get employed as a hairdresser

Start building up your work experience and learn techniques from other skilled stylists by joining a salon or spa. You stand a better chance of landing a job with formal training from an accredited beauty institution.

Start your own hairstyling business

If you have an entrepreneurial side, taking an online hairstyling course can be a stepping stone to starting a business. Open a home-based salon to keep costs low and maintain a friendly, personalized touch. Or get closer to your customer base by operating in a busy, commercial location.

Keep learning to develop comprehensive skills

The broader your skill set, the better you can market your services to potential clients and employers. While getting certified as a hairstylist is a great way to start a beauty career, there’s so much more the industry has to offer.

Consider getting specialized training in a related field like cosmetology, hair coloring, or aesthetics (skin treatment).

What to look for in an online hairstyling course

When comparing online hairdressing courses, consider the following points:

• Price: While it’s tempting to prioritize courses with the lowest prices, make sure you’re getting a valuable education. Compare the course content and learning outcomes before settling on a price that suits your budget.
• Certification/licensure: Does the course you’re interested in come with a recognized certificate or diploma? In some regions, this may be required for you to work as a hairdresser. It also helps establish trust with clients.
• Regular instructor feedback: The best online hairstyling courses come with regular, constructive feedback from experienced instructors. This will help you improve your skills and avoid making mistakes.
• Kit with supplies: Head knowledge doesn’t mean much without practical application. Look for a course that provides a comprehensive kit with essential supplies and opportunities to get hands-on training.

An online hairstylist certification isn’t just a formality. It can lead to a creative, engaging career in an industry with many opportunities to grow and make your mark. Whether you’re looking to join a team or work independently and grow your own brand, the opportunities are endless.

I’m already a hairstylist. How do I create and sell hair tutorials?

Wondering how to be a hairdressing teacher? If you’re an experienced, creative stylist looking to grow an online following, selling online courses and hair tutorials can be a good source of side income. Get started by creating a website to display a portfolio of your work and client testimonials.

BlurBay makes it easy to start a website even if you have no coding experience. Choose a ready-made template and customize it to match your brand. Publish content in a variety of formats and sell products. BlurBay charges 5% of your earnings, so you don’t have to worry about covering ongoing hosting or subscription fees.