If you dream in acrylic and are the queen of miniature mosaics, a career as a nail technician may be the one for you.
Working in cosmetology comes with a host of benefits, not the least of which is the ability to spend your days doing what you love. As a nail technician, you’ll not only be paid to express yourself creatively, but will be able to utilize your artistic talents to make the world more beautiful one hand at a time.
Fortunately, Texas is one of the best states in which to find employment as a cosmetologist, and in the business-centric city of Dallas, beauty is a fast-growing industry with plenty of opportunity for budding professionals.
But before you can become the world’s next Ran Kowatari, Nancy Mc or Ashley Crowe, you’ll need to get some hands-on training and experience to be competitive in this ever-expanding market.
While you may be able to obtain such experience—and afterward, your license—with an apprenticeship at a local salon, earning your diploma from an accredited beauty school can give you an edge over the competition that will be valuable throughout your career.
To help you find the perfect program to suit your interests and needs, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best nail schools in Dallas. Included in the description of each of these four schools is information regarding financial assistance and scholarship availability, as well as the low-down on the types of program(s) offered.
Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails
Ogle School has two Dallas locations, including one in North Dallas, and offers a full cosmetology program with nail beautification and care incorporated into the curriculum.
The school, which has been in operation since 1973, touts a “salon-modeled and student-centered” approach. It’s also a Wella Signature School, granting students access to the latest products and tools from some of the industry’s most renowned brands, including Nioxin, Wella and Sebastian.
Students can choose between part-time or full-time, and day and evening classes. The full-time program can be completed in as few as 11 months, and the part-time program in as few as 18.
Those who qualify may receive financial assistance through Federal Student Aid, VA benefits and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services. The school also offers scholarship opportunities.
MJ’s Beauty Academy is a private family-owned corporation founded in 1998 with Margaret “MJ” Jackson and her husband Stan at the helm. According to the website, MJ—or “Mrs. J”—comes from a line of beauty industry professionals spanning three generations, and worked in the field for several years as a salon owner before opening the school.
The academy, which is accredited by the NACCAS, offers training in nearly every aspect of entry-level cosmetology and esthetics, including nail care and beautification. Students can opt for the full cosmetology program or the manicure program.
Qualifying students can receive financial assistance through Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Service benefits, Veterans Affairs or Federal Student Aid.
The Metroplex Beauty School, an NACCAS-accredited academy, is located just outside of Dallas in Mesquite. It began as the Dallas Cosmetology School in 1972.
The school emphasizes face-to-face customer interactions, and, according to the website, boasts a graduate employment rate of over 75 percent.
Metroplex is also an OPI preferred school, utilizing OPI kits and products in its coursework. Attending an OPI preferred school also affords students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with exclusive OPI products.
Metroplex also prides itself on being more affordable than the majority of other beauty schools, with additional financial assistance options including Federal Student Aid, VA benefits and a limited amount of available scholarships.
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology, accredited by NACCAS, offers a manicure program at the Grand Prairie location. The program consists of 600 hours of coursework, which can be completed in 19 weeks for full-time students or 25 weeks for part-time students. The school offers both evening and daytime classes. Upon completion, graduates receive their diploma.
According to the school’s website, Tint offers students the opportunity to work with photographers, artists and models on fashion shows in Dallas, New York and Los Angeles, giving them a major leg up on the competition with experience on the front lines of fashion.
Those who qualify can receive financial assistance through Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Service benefits, Veterans Affairs or Federal Student Aid, as well as scholarships. The school also welcomes international students.