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The beauty industry is booming. From James Charles, to Jen Atkin, to Charlotte Tilbury and beyond, beauty influencers and YouTubers have become part of the social fabric. We have more beauty products to choose from than ever before, and the demand for glam teams is at an all-time high.
At Raritan Valley Community College, you can fulfill your beauty school dreams with three distinct career tracks. Read on for details about our Esthetics, Cosmetology, and Make-Up Artistry programs, and check out the beauty industry’s impressive job market statistics!

Esthetics – Skin Care

Skin care specialists are in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, esthetician positions are projected to grow 17% by 2029—a rate much higher than the average job. It’s no wonder esthetician school enrollment is on the rise.

If you’re wondering how to become an esthetician in NJ, check out RVCC’s Esthetics program. You’ll learn about various skin care treatments, from electrotherapy to the physiological effects of massage. Explore the foundations of make-up and master the techniques needed to give clients a new look.
Before you graduate, you will spend 50 hours working in a spa to gain hands-on, practical experience. All graduates receive the industry recognized Association of Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) membership, as well as a Beauty Essentials Make-Up Certification by Make Up Designory (MUD). Local job placement assistance is provided. Our courses include:

• Esthetics – Foundations
  Learn the basic skills and techniques to prepare you to work as a skin care specialist. You’ll learn about infection control, anatomy of the skin, excess hair, facial & body procedures/treatments, and more.
• Esthetics – Advanced
  Prepare to work in a salon/spa environment. You’ll learn about electrotherapy and corrective make-up techniques, skin machines & light therapy, as well as advanced treatments for today, corrective makeup and post-surgical makeup, and more. At 300 hours of instruction, you may be eligible to receive your student permit. 

Check here to view requirements and register!

Cosmetology

The job market for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow a whopping 19 percent by 2030, making cosmetology a seemingly recession-proof career.
If you’re an aspiring hair stylist looking for a cosmetology school or barber school in NJ, you’ve found it! RVCC’s Cosmetology program teaches you the skills and expertise to be successful by working with actual clients at our on-campus Protégé Salon.
All graduates receive their industry recognized PBA (Professional Beauty Association) membership. Local job placement assistance and financial aid are available for those who qualify. Our courses include:

• Cosmetology Foundations
  Learn the basic skills and techniques to get you ready for working on actual clients. This course covers shampooing, hair & scalp care, decontamination & infection control, introduction to haircutting & hairstyling, thermal styling, hair design & extensions, and more.
• Cosmetology Advanced
  Learn how to become a cosmetologist in NJ and prepare to successfully pass your state licensure exams. The course covers such topics as barbering & men's haircutting, hair coloring, chemical texturizing, spa services (hair removal, facials, manicures, and pedicures), NJ laws & certification, and state board preparation. At 600 hours of instruction, you may be eligible to work in a salon with a student permit.
• Cosmetology Practicum (100 Hours)
  Gain the professional experience needed to work in the cosmetology field. Emphasis is placed on working safely and competently in a salon environment while maintaining a consistent level of professionalism throughout the entire practicum.

Check here to view requirements and register!

Make-Up Artistry

Make-up artist jobs are expected to grow 8% by 2028, offering plenty of opportunity for people interested in working in the field. Are you an aspiring make-up artist who has been googling “schools for make-up artistry near me?” RVCC is a Make-Up Designory (MUD) Partner School, offering a top-notch training program. It provides students from around the world with a rigorous education in the intricacies of professional make-up artistry for film, television, fashion, theatre and retail. Our courses include:

• Beauty Essentials (84 Hours)
  This introduction to make-up emphasizes the techniques required in today’s multi-faceted industry. You’ll learn about facial analysis, base matching and application, correction, contours, and highlights, and more.
• Bridal Make-Up (21 Hours)
  After just a handful of classes, you’ll learn the techniques used to do a successful consultation with a bride and family members. We will focus on the lucrative world of wedding make-up and what is required to successfully run a bridal make-up business.
• Airbrushing (35 Hours)
  Airbrushing has become one of the premier ways of applying make-up. In just six evenings, we demystify the art of airbrushing and show how to properly care for and maintain it. Learn how to apply beautiful, flawless beauty make-up that is being required by the major studios as well as demanding clients.

Check here to view requirements and learn more about the program.

Attend Our Beauty Professions Information Session

To learn more about RVCC’s accredited Cosmetology, Esthetics, or Make-Up Artistry programs, be sure to attend one of our upcoming Beauty Professions Information Sessions.

We’ll help you understand the difference between an esthetician vs cosmetologist vs. make-up artist—as well as explain the program requirements for each. The session takes place in the RVCC Workforce Training Center at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, New Jersey. It’s a popular event, so please be sure to register now to reserve your seat!
For more information, contact Mariana Rodriguez Garcia at mariana.rodriguezgarcia@raritanval.edu.

About RVCC

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.