Esthetician and Cosmetology School FAQs
Get answers to your most pressing cosmetology and esthetician school FAQs. Start here to help ease the decision-making process.
Choosing the right beauty school is a big decision, and we want you to feel confident in your choice. We’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our programs, professional tools, scheduling, financial aid, and more.
How much does your program cost?
Brillare believes in transparency when it comes to tuition. Here’s a breakdown of the costs for each program:
For a full breakdown of costs and financial aid options, visit our Tuition & Fees pages.
When’s the next start date?
Our next start date is Monday, May 12, 2025.
However, Brillare offers multiple start dates throughout the year for both our cosmetology and esthetician programs at our Cleveland and Chattanooga campuses. Visit our esthetician and cosmetology start date calendars for the latest schedule and upcoming enrollment dates.
What’s your schedule?
Our cosmetology and esthetics programs are designed to be flexible while maintaining a structured learning experience.
We also encourage all prospective students to visit another school before enrolling and experience our SalonSpa firsthand with a free service—this allows you to meet our students and ask them about their experience at Brillare. Check out our weekly schedules for a detailed breakdown of class times and commitments.
Is your school accredited and licensed?
Yes! Brillare is a licensed and accredited non-profit beauty institute recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our accreditation allows students to apply for FAFSA and financial aid opportunities.
Do you offer financial aid?
Absolutely. Brillare provides financial aid options to qualified students, including federal aid, grants, and scholarships. Our team is here to guide you through the FAFSA process and help you explore available funding options.
What’s the difference between cosmetology and esthetics?
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatments, including everything from basic skin care and nails to hair care and more. Esthetics specifically relates to those who specialize in a variety of skin care services. Brillare offers both cosmetology and esthetician programs, which focus on different aspects of the overall field of cosmetology.
Our future cosmetologists specialize in hair cutting, coloring, and styling services.
Meanwhile, we train estheticians with a focus on skin care, facials, waxing, and body treatments.
Brillare can help you choose the best fit for your career goals.
What comes in the professional kits?
We equip our students with professional-grade tools to ensure they’re prepared for real-world salon and spa environments.
Cosmetology kits include Babyliss styling tools, Wahl clippers, Shark Fin shears, mixing bowls, brushes, mannequin heads, and more.
Esthetics kits feature Dermalogica and PCA skincare products, waxing tools, BT-GEAR equipment, and facial essentials.
These kits are yours to keep, so you graduate with the tools you need to start your career.
What is the MedSpa program?
Brillare offers advanced training through our Esthetics program, designed for estheticians who want to specialize in high-end skin treatments. Students learn techniques such as advanced peels, dermaplaning, and LED light therapy. This program gives students a competitive edge for working in medical spas and dermatology clinics.
Where do your students go once they graduate?
Brillare graduates go on to work in high-end salons, resort spas, cruise ships, and medical spas. Many of our students also open their own businesses.
We host on-campus employer networking events where salons and spas meet our students, providing them with career opportunities before they even graduate. Plus, we offer continuing education workshops to help alumni expand their skills.
What kind of learning environment and hands-on opportunities will I have?
Brillare students learn in fully equipped classrooms and SalonSpa training spaces with real clients.
Cosmetology students start with mannequin training before moving on to cutting, coloring, and styling real hair in our salon.
Esthetics students work on each other before transitioning to spa clients, learning advanced skincare treatments firsthand.
Do you have multiple locations?
Yes! Brillare has two campuses:
Each location offers cosmetology and esthetics programs with the same high-quality training and hands-on experience.
What’s the application process like?
Applying to Brillare is simple:
Brillare Beauty Institute is committed to providing aspiring beauty professionals with the training, tools, and support they need to succeed. Whether you’re interested in skincare or hairstyling, our programs are designed to equip you with real-world experience and expert instruction.
We’re here to help! If you don’t see your question here, contact us directly to speak with an advisor.