The Beauty Student's Guide to Success in Miami and Fort Lauderdale
South Florida is a great place to be if you're a student in beauty school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Sunshine State has the fourth-highest employment level of hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists of all states and the second-highest employment of skincare specialists.
Whether you’re in school or considering a school for cosmetology, barbering, hair design, esthetics, and beyond, we’ve got you covered with info about becoming a beauty professional in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale metro area.
Salary and Job Growth in Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beauty Careers
As of 2021, cosmetologists and other beauty professionals in Miami and Fort Lauderdale earned similar amounts to those in the rest of the state. Here's what individuals in beauty careers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale earned and how those amounts compare to statewide figures.
| Career | Florida Salary | Miami / Fort Lauderdale Salary |
| Cosmetologists | $33,680 | $35,400 |
| Estheticians | $41,090 | $43,360 |
| Barbers | $31,270 | Unavailable |
| Nail Technicians | $31,450 | $32,900 |
Statewide data and local data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022).
The following chart details the expected career growth in several beauty industry professions over the next several years.
| Career | Florida Growth | National Growth |
| Cosmetologists | 12% | 19%% |
| Estheticians | 14% | 29% |
| Barbers | 11% | 18% |
| Nail Technicians | 13% | 33% |
Florida employment change (2018–2028) and national employment change (2020-2030) information is from O*Net (2022).
Notable Beauty Employers in Miami and Fort Lauderdale
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are the most diverse cities in Florida, meaning that many of their salons and spas offer a tremendous diversity of services and staff. We've highlighted several below that are located in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale metro area earning top reviews from customers and an impressive range of services. (Note: They may or may not have employment opportunities available.)
Bella Donna Hair Salon
11925 West Sunrise Boulevard
Plantation, FL 33323
Established in 2016, Bella Donna Hair Salon offers an extensive range of skin, lash, and hair services. These include color touch-ups and bleach to color removal, blow-dry, up-dos, Brazilian blowouts, keratin treatments, scalp and thinning-hair services, men's haircuts, extensions, and a large selection of skincare and hair removal services.
Because Bella Donna sees a diverse, largely Latinx clientele, many on its team are proudly 100% bilingual in English, Spanish, and even Russian and Hebrew.
True Hair Miami
3449 Northeast 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
Ellie Menocal, often referred to as "the extension queen," founded True Hair Miami in 2011 aFortr being disappointed by the lack of selection in quality extensions. Her extensions are made with 100% real virgin hair from South America in more than 30 shades. The salon receives top reviews from customers and has been rated Best Extensions in Miami Magazine.
True Hair Miami offers cuts and hair treatments for women, men, and children, as well as esthetic treatments, including collagen treatments, fillers, and lash extensions.
Miami X Hair & Nail Bar
16507 Northeast 6th Avenue
North Miami Beach, FL 33162
Black-owned Miami X Hair & Nail Bar was created in June 2013. It offers a comprehensive menu of services for Black hair, including braids and dreadlocks, locs, wraps, weaves, customized wigs, extensions, as well as natural hair blowouts and presses, color, washes, and up-dos. Other services include manicures and pedicures.
PURE Spa
2000 North Ocean Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
Located on the 11th floor of the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, PURE Spa strives to provide guests with a Scandinavian spa experience that emphasizes well-being, much like the increasingly popular idea of hygge. It offers unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean, hanging chairs for a feeling of freedom and lightness, and treatments that may be received either indoors or out.
Services include massage, body care and bathing, facials and other skincare treatments, nails, and waxes. Additionally, PURE's focus on holistic well-being extends to taste—the Pelican's executive chef offers a menu of foods and cocktails to enjoy while visiting the spa.
Specialties and Certifications Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beauty Students Should Consider
The State of Florida requires practitioners to be licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to work in barbering or cosmetology, including hair care, cutting, styling, waxing, nail treatments, and skincare.
Because of the evolving and diverse needs of the local clientele, many beauty industry professionals in this region may specialize in niche treatments and services, including:
Many salons offer this training in-house, such as Kijana Salon & Blow Dry Bar, The Glam Institute, or Pearl Lash, or will assist staff with obtaining this training elsewhere. Some beauty schools may offer this additional certification.
Beauty School Scholarships and Grants for Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beauty Students
Florida's Office of Student Financial Assistance administers several scholarships and grants for postsecondary students in Florida. These include several options for students in vocational programs (career-education), such as those attending beauty schools in Florida.
Learn more about types of financial aid for beauty students and how they work.
Top Beauty Student Supply Stores in Tampa
CosmoProf
With two stores in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, Cosmo Prof offers professionals access to over 25,000 products from some of the finest brands in the beauty industry, as well as in-store and web-based continuing-education courses weekly.
Call: (954) 763-3996
Visit: 1015 North Federal Highway #1011, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Elegant Beauty Supplies
As one of the largest retail beauty product and human hair extension suppliers in the U.S., Elegant Beauty Supplies carries relevant professional salon products and tools. President and CEO George Mobassaleh earned the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2017 and spearheads the company's efforts to be inclusive and support diversity. Though it is a retail outlet, Elegant offers discounts for beauty industry professionals.
Call: (305) 836-0680
Visit: 6970 Northwest 17th Avenue, Unit B, Miami, FL 33147
Exclusive Beauty Supplies
Exclusive Beauty Supplies is a wholesaler of beauty products, extensions, styling tools and appliances, and personal protective equipment for salons and licensed cosmetologists in Florida and other southern states. Professionals also gain access to Exclusive's magazine of products and a roster of continuing education events.
Call: (954) 451-3557
Visit: 4557 North University Drive, Lauderhill, FL 33351
LGBTQ+-Friendly and LGBTQ+-Owned Spas and Salons in Miami and Fort Lauderdale
In the last decade, the beauty industry has come a long way in terms of representing different gender identities and sexual orientations, with many companies and beauty professionals prioritizing LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
However, even with the strides made in the industry as a whole—especially regarding advertising and marketing—many LGBTQ+ consumers and employees want to make sure the local beauty businesses they choose will provide a welcoming, inclusive environment for them.
As a cosmetology student in south Florida, working at a beauty business that supports inclusivity enables you to make a real difference. Here are some LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly salons and spas to check out in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas.
Strands for Trans
Strands for Trans maintains a map of trans-friendly barbershops and hair salons all over the world. The below salons and spas in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas have pledged to end discrimination and create trans-friendly spaces for all.
La Verde Salon & Spa
1025 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Ste. 13
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
(954) 456-6224
With services that include hair care, facials, manicures and pedicures, and foot massages, La Verde Salon & Spa offers something for everyone.
The Fringe Hair Salon
901 Progresso Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 632-0433
The Fringe Hair Salon aims to have every client leave feeling “emotionally boosted” after their coloring, cutting, and styling hair services. Potential positions at the salon include senior stylist and master colorist.
Dick’s Service Station
3528 NE 12th Ave.
Oakland Park, FL 33334
(954) 353-5507
Award-winning Dick’s Service Station offers traditional barber and salon services, including haircuts, fades, highlights, beard trims, razor shaves, nose waxing, and more.
The Shop
4157 N. State Road 7, #39
Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313
(954) 358-9457
The Shop in Lauderdale Lakes boasts positive reviews on its no-frills website. Give them a call or post a message on their “Get Quote” form for more information.
Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC)
With more than 600 member companies, the MDGLCC provides a searchable directory of gay- and lesbian-owned businesses in Miami-Dade county. The following spas and salons are members.
Jaxson Maximus Fine Men’s Salon and Custom Clothiers
1100 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 106
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 262-5747
A Salon Today “Salon of the Year” recipient in 2020 and an Expertise.com “Best Barbershop in Miami” in 2021, Jaxson Maximus combines a men’s salon with a tailor shop and custom clothier. Possible job openings at the salon include licensed barbers and hairstylists.
Intuition Stylists
80 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 297-4767
The nail and makeup artists and salon stylists at this full-service beauty salon specialize in a “modern twist on classical elegance.” The Intuition Stylists are dedicated to helping clients discover their inner beauty.
Skn Elements
7295 NW 2nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33150
(305) 773-7138
Esthetician services at Skn Elements include waxing, permanent makeup, medical esthetics, and various cosmetic and skin care services. The medspa occasionally hires licensed estheticians.
Gayborhood
Since 2010, Gayborhood has been the country’s largest resource for finding businesses that are welcoming to the LGBT community. Their goal is to connect people with companies that welcome everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Gayborhood features the below two salons.
Peter of Weston
2814 Weston Rd.
Weston, FL 33331
(954) 217-0200
Peter of Weston offers hair sculpting, color services, and discreet extensions in private rooms to provide a safe environment for LGBTQ+ clients.
Tracy Kinison Hair & Makeup
3960 Hypoluxo Rd. Suite 102
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
(865) 742-2306
Tracy Kinison provides haircuts, color and chemical services, and bridal styling and makeup. Her commitment to excellence and the personal atmosphere enable clients to relax and enjoy the salon experience.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Resources
FGCU compiled a comprehensive Resource Guide for Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Students. Within, students can search for recommended providers in many categories, including “Electrolysis, Laser Hair Removal, Hair Restoration,” and “Salons, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Wig Shops, etc.”
Recommendations come from various organizations that actively advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in south Florida, including Equality Florida, Visuality, SunServe, and LBT Health.
Other Resources for Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beauty Students
Florida Board of Cosmetology
The state's Board of Cosmetology, part of the DBPR, oversees licensing and regulation for cosmetologists in the state.
Florida Association of Cosmetology and Technical Schools (FACTS)
This association of Florida cosmetology and technical schools and industry professionals supports rigorous educational standards and beauty practices by offering networking, continuing education, news, and regulatory guidance to members.
Florida Spa & Wellness Association
FSA is an association for spa and wellness professionals, offering education and networking opportunities, as well access to its list of available positions and informative publications about industry news.