Esthetician student practicing facial treatment at Hyphen Beauty School

How to Choose the Right Esthetician School in Orlando

Choosing the right esthetician school is the most important decision you’ll make as you begin your career in skincare and beauty. The program you choose determines how confident you feel working on clients, how quickly you earn your Florida facial specialist license, and how prepared you are to step into a spa or medspa role right after graduation.

For women in the Orlando area who are ready for a career change, understanding what to look for in an esthetics program is essential. Below is a practical guide to help you compare schools and identify the one that truly supports your goals.

1. Understand Florida’s Licensing Requirements

Before choosing a school, it’s important to know what Florida requires. To become a licensed Facial Specialist (esthetician), the Florida Board requires 220 hours of approved training. There is no state exam, but the training must cover facials, sanitation, hair removal, makeup, and skincare theory.

Hyphen Beauty School meets Florida’s requirements exactly and offers a hybrid format that allows students to complete up to 100 hours online through an easy-to-use eLearning platform. The remaining hours are hands-on, delivered on campus so students gain real experience with clients.

Schools that offer programs longer than 220 hours may sound appealing, but length does not always equal quality. What matters is the depth of hands-on practice and the structure of the curriculum.

2. Compare the Curriculum

When evaluating programs, review the specific treatments and technical skills taught. A complete esthetics curriculum should include:

  • Professional facials (cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masking)

  • Skin analysis and treatment planning

  • Waxing and hair removal

  • Brow shaping and tinting

  • Lash tinting and lash extension basics

  • Makeup application and color theory

  • High-frequency, LED therapy, and introductory advanced modalities

Hyphen’s curriculum is built around these core competencies using professional Dermalogica products, ensuring students learn with the same tools they will use in real spa environments.

3. Look for a Flexible Schedule That Fits Your Life

If you’re currently working retail, hospitality, or service-industry shifts, the school’s schedule will significantly impact your success. Many esthetics programs require students to attend 4–5 days a week, making it difficult to balance school with full-time work.

Hyphen’s esthetician program is designed for working adults. Students attend two days per week for hands-on training, and the remaining theory is completed online. This structure allows students to maintain their income while preparing for a new career—something many Orlando-area residents need.

4. Evaluate Tuition, Fees & What’s Included

Beauty school costs vary dramatically. Some esthetics programs in Florida cost $8,000–$14,000 for the same 220 hours required by the state. Hyphen keeps tuition affordable at $4,540, making it one of the most cost-effective esthetics programs in Orlando.

Your kit is also an important factor. At Hyphen, students receive a Dermalogica skincare kit, a lash kit, and essential esthetics tools—all included in the program. This ensures students are practicing with professional-grade products from day one rather than low-cost or outdated materials.

Ask each school if the kit is included in tuition, what brand they use, and whether additional supplies are required.

5. Class Size & Learning Environment

Small class sizes allow instructors to give more individual feedback and coaching. Schools with 20–25 students per class create a better learning environment than large, lecture-style programs. Hyphen limits class sizes and ensures every student receives personalized attention during hands-on sessions.

A good esthetician program should feel supportive, encouraging, and focused on helping you grow—not rushed or overcrowded.

6. Hands-On Training Through a Student Spa

Real-world practice is essential. Before graduating, students should have opportunities to work on live clients in a supervised setting.

Hyphen’s on-campus student spa allows esthetics students to perform:

  • Customized facials

  • Waxing services

  • Brow and lash treatments

  • Makeup services

This experience helps students build confidence, speed, and professionalism long before stepping into their first job.

7. Consider Reputation, Partnerships & Job Outcomes

Your school’s reputation matters. Look for schools with partnerships or brand affiliations, such as Hyphen’s relationship with Dermalogica, which signals professional-level training.

Job placement support is also important. Hyphen has a strong track record of graduates working in spas, medspas, hotels, and independently. Students benefit from career guidance, resume help, and resources for building a clientele.

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Start Your Journey to Becoming an Esthetician Today

If you’re ready to begin your skincare career, Hyphen Beauty School offers everything you need: affordable tuition, flexible schedules, bilingual instruction, and hands-on spa practice.

With a 95%+ placement rate, a 2-day per week schedule and one of the fastest completion times in Florida, Hyphen is the smart choice for anyone ready to become a licensed Esthetician.

Book your tour today and see why students across Central Florida choose Hyphen to launch their beauty careers. Call our admissions staff at (321) 323-3216 so they can arrange a tour and block off 5-minutes with your future instructor.

Esthetics

Advanced chemical peels
Body wrapping
Lash extensions

Makeup artistry

Microblading

Microdermabrasion
Microneedling.

Hyphen Beauty School Orlando

501 N Wymore Rd, Suite 100

Winter Park, FL 32789

Telephone: (321) 323-3216

Hyphen faces Interstate I-4 off Lee Rd, making your commute quick and accessible from anywhere in the greater Orlando area.

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