Dymond Designs Beauty School

The school grew out of a cosmetology apprenticeship program that began in 2013. Dymond Designs Beauty School opened as a school in 2017 and was founded by Marlene Brooks. It sits near downtown Detroit at East Jefferson Avenue.

The school runs three programs. Cosmetology is 1,500 clock hours and covers hair cutting and styling, hair coloring, chemical relaxing, cold waving, manicuring and facials. Esthetics and Advanced Esthetics are each 750 clock hours. Esthetics covers skin science, facials, hair removal, makeup, skin care products and salon and spa management, and ends with Dermalogica certification. Advanced Esthetics adds chemical peels, HydraFacial treatments, lash extensions, brow lamination, waxing, lash lift and tint, brow rehab, special effects makeup and body cupping, and students earn certifications as an esthetician, HydraFacialist and lash extensionist. Cosmetology can be finished in about 45 weeks full-time or 66 weeks part-time, while the esthetics programs take about 23 weeks full-time or 35 weeks part-time.

Training happens on the clinic floor under licensed instructors. Students take written exams at the end of each unit and are evaluated on practical work. Full-time students are expected to attend 35 hours a week, and esthetics students must check in by 8:30am for day class or 5:00pm for evening class. Advanced Esthetics coursework is delivered through the CIMA platform and Zoom, so students need a laptop or another electronic device, while practical evaluations and mock exams are held in person under proctoring. Cosmetology prepares students for the Michigan LARA state licensing exam, and Advanced Esthetics students may sit for the state exam after 400 clock hours or after finishing the full 750 hours.

The student salon and spa offers services at lower prices than professional salons, which gives clients a way to book and students a way to practice on real appointments. Admissions staff offer campus tours and can discuss start dates, financial aid and campus visits. Financial aid options include FAFSA, loans, veterans benefits and other funding, and the school provides a net price calculator to estimate costs. Programs are approved for veterans education and training benefits.

The school describes its mission as up-to-date training with an innovative curriculum, with job placement after graduation as its central goal. Its stated vision is to teach current trends and practical skills so students graduate as certified professionals in core, adaptive and creative areas. The school describes itself as providing the highest level of education in the beauty industry, and says its staff bring more than 25 years of combined experience in education, cosmetology, business and finance.

Students learn through hands-on clinic work and classroom instruction covering design, cutting, coloring, relaxing, extensions and multicultural techniques, with practical evaluations at the end of every unit.