The Charlotte Beauty Student's Resource Guide
Consistently ranked as an up-and-coming best place to live, Charlotte, North Carolina, has everything a beauty professional needs to thrive. If you're looking to launch your beauty career in Charlotte, this diverse city boasts a higher-than-average salary for cosmetologists in the state and excellent job growth opportunities.
Learn about beauty industry salaries and employment prospects in Charlotte, some of the best salons in the city, beauty specialties to consider, top supply shops, and other local resources.
Salary and Job Growth for Charlotte Beauty Careers
Employment opportunities are projected to grow for cosmetologists, estheticians, barbers, and nail technicians in North Carolina over the next several years—making Charlotte an ideal place to study and build your beauty career.
| Career | North Carolina Salary | Charlotte Salary |
| Cosmetologists | $29,210 | $32,450 |
| Estheticians | $46,110 | $39,400 |
Statewide data and local data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021).
CareerOneStop reports the following anticipated employment change in North Carolina versus nationwide.
| Career | North Carolina Growth | National Growth |
| Cosmetologists | 12% | 19% |
| Estheticians | 13% | 17=9% |
| Barbers | 11% | 18% |
| Nail Technicians | 14% | 33% |
North Carolina employment change (2018–2028) and national employment change (2019–2029) information is from CareerOneStop (2021).
Top Beauty Employers in Tampa and St. Petersburg
There are a variety of unique places to work in the beauty industry in Charlotte, including these women- or minority-owned salons. Keep in mind that while the below businesses represent some of the best of Charlotte, they may not be currently hiring. Contact the salons directly for specific employment information.
Skye Salons
8500 Pineville-Matthews Road, Suite M
Charlotte, NC 28226
Entrepreneur and style activist Shassity Stevenson opened Skye Salons in 2020 during the pandemic. As Charlotte's first Black and female-owned luxury salon, the business skyrocketed into success at a time when many others suffered financially.
Unlike other salons in the nation that lost revenue when COVID-19 hit, Skye Salons' luxury suite concept allowed the salon to maximize its profits. Each suite is self-contained, which adheres to COVID-19 safety protocols and allows the stylists to maximize their earnings. The suites each have top of the line hair dryers, processors, and high-tech ventilation.
Stevenson has also been featured in many stylist publications. She showcases her work in magazines and bridal guides, offers professional beauty advice on her website, and runs the Curly Littles Campaign. This movement provides support and hands-on learning to parents who struggle to manage their children's curly hair.
Hair's Your Glory
3907 South Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28209
When they met, salon owners Lisa Harris and Keva Gallardo had no idea that they'd eventually work together to design a sanctuary for people to get their hair done and feel more empowered.
Harris and Gallardo met in the late 1990s when they worked in the same salon, and they immediately got along. Together, the women opened the Hair's Your Glory Salon in Charlotte in 2001. The salon has a family-like atmosphere, and the team specializes in natural hair.
Browzilla Beauty Studio
8815 University East Drive Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28213
Renita Michelle started Browzilla Beauty Studio in 2014 after earning her esthetics license. Today, the salon's customer reviews rave about the customized brow experience and services.
Browzilla is all about eyebrows, and the studio mainly provides brow waxing and tinting services. However, the salon also offers standard facials, facial waxing, lash lifts, threading, and semi-permanent makeup for brows. The eyebrow wax doesn't irritate sensitive skin, and customers can book services online.
Renita also provides tutorials, courses, and other brow tips on her website via Brows U.
Specialties and Certifications Charlotte Beauty Students Should Consider
You need a license to work as a cosmetologist, esthetician, barber, nail technician, or makeup artist in North Carolina. If you want to apply makeup, perform hair removal, or place eyelash extensions, you must earn an esthetics license with a focus on these areas.
Charlotte also features many salons that focus on Black hair. You need 300 hours of training and a natural hair care specialist license from an approved school if you want to perform natural hair care services. Consider expanding your offerings by looking for schools that teach the following techniques:
Dermaplaning, microblading, needling, and permanent makeup aren't covered by esthetician or cosmetology licenses in North Carolina. You may need additional training and permits to perform these services. For example, microblading gets lumped in with tattooing licenses in North Carolina.
Beauty School Scholarships and Grants for Charlotte Students
Other than the scholarship opportunities available at your beauty school, the best place to find North Carolina-specific scholarships is through North Carolina Scholarships and Grants Programs. The site features a wide range of scholarships and grants for college and vocational school students in North Carolina, including grants for cosmetology students.
Greater Steps Scholars also offers $1,500-$4,000 scholarships to residents of public housing that is managed or owned by the Charlotte Housing Authority. Applicants must be attending or planning to attend college, vocational, or technical school.
Top Beauty Student Supply Stores in Charlotte
As you check out the below beauty supply stores in Charlotte, be sure to ask about potential student and professional discounts.
CosmoProf
CosmoProf offers thousands of products at wholesale prices for all beauty professionals, and they have several locations in Charlotte. You can find equipment, tools, and supplies from the best manufacturers. They even have online tutorials and continuing education courses.
Call: (704) 717-7420
Visit: 1001 East W.T. Harris Boulevard C, Charlotte, NC 28213
SalonCentric
SalonCentric offers a wide variety of products and tools for hair, skin, and nail professionals. They have three locations in Charlotte and many more locations throughout the state. You can also sign up for events or classes (online or in-person).
Call: (704) 752-0876
Visit: 8314 Pineville-Mathew Road Suite 903-904, Charlotte, NC 28226
Ann's Beauty Supply
Ann's Beauty Supply is one of the best supply stores in Charlotte. The store has it all, from hair tools and weaves to makeup, eyelashes, and tools for nail technicians. The store does not currently have a website, but you can learn more about their three locations through Facebook.
Call: (704) 553-7049
Visit: 6119 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28217
Tisun Beauty
Tisun Beauty has a wide collection of beauty and hair products. You can find wigs, extensions, weaves, and any hair care product you may need. They also provide reasonable discounts for professionals.
Call: (704) 597-5690
Visit: 5420 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28213
EC Beauty Supply
East Coast Beauty, or EC Beauty Supply, has an excellent selection of hair products, including hairstyling and barbering supplies, clippers, wigs, extensions, and hair care products. The store is co-Black-owned and an excellent resource for all your Black hair care needs.
Call: (704) 525-0749
Visit: 1237 Tyvola Drive Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28210
Queen City Beauty Supply
Queen City Beauty Supply is an excellent place to turn for cosmetologists, hairstylists, and barbers—especially if you offer Black hair services. They provide wigs, extensions, hair braiding tools, clippers, trimmers, and more.
Call: (704) 508-9015
Visit: 2925 East WT Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28213
Nile Beauty Supply
Nile Beauty Supply is a Black-owned store with a variety of products and competitive pricing. You can find wigs, extensions, hair supplies, and other professional beauty equipment. However, this small store does not have much of an online presence.
Call: (704) 392-3868
Visit: 4005 Sunset Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
Charlotte Beauty Supply
Charlotte Beauty is a local, friendly beauty supply store with a great selection and excellent prices. They have natural human hair wigs, hair products and supplies, makeup and eyelashes, and other retail beauty items.
Call: (704) 392-3551
Visit: 3019 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208
Other Resources for Charlotte Beauty Students
North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners
The NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners is the licensing board for beauty careers in North Carolina. They provide an abundance of licensing, school, exam, and license renewal information for beauty professionals.
North Carolina Board of Barber Examiners
This board covers licensure and exams for barbers. They also have a list of licensed barber schools in the state and other resources for aspiring and current barbers.
NC Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy
For cosmetologists who want to expand into offering bodywork, the board regulates massage and bodywork therapy and renews licenses.
North Carolina Chapter of American Barber Association
Members of this barber association gain access to apprenticeships, certificates, and licensure guidance.