One Stop Beauty School

The school grew out of One Stop Beauty Salon, which opened in 2011 at Division and Kostner on Chicago's west side. After the salon added a second location in 2021, the school was started to meet a need for training.

The Nail Technology 350-hour program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. It covers manicures, pedicures, acrylics, gel polish, sanitation and safety, and can be finished in 8 weeks or spread over up to 52 weeks. Nail students work with real clients from the start. The curriculum is split into basic training, practices and procedures, related concepts and business practices. Refresher and instructor-level nail programs are also offered.

The Esthetics Program is fully approved by the State of Illinois through IDFPR and is designed around state licensing requirements. The 750-hour course includes facials, waxing, hair removal, brow shaping, tinting, lash lifts, eyelash extensions and professional makeup, alongside scientific concepts and business practices. Microblading and microshading brow training is available as a program option. Esthetics refresher and instructor programs are offered as well.

Beyond initial training, the school offers state board exam prep for nail technology and esthetics, with nail prep materials available in Spanish and Vietnamese, and a free mock exam each weekday evening from 5 to 8 PM. Continuing education classes on nails, lashes and brows serve licensed professionals who need CEUs to renew. The school also hosts advanced workshops led by industry educators and Chicago Nail Bash networking events.

The Student Salon lets clients book nail and waxing services performed by students in training. Prices are 60% less than at professional salons, appointments take longer than they would elsewhere, and free fix sessions can be scheduled with the student. Clients sign a form before their appointment. The One Stop Beauty Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit set up in 2021, raises money for scholarships for people in reentry or recovery programs to train as licensed nail technicians.

Nail students practice on real clients from the start of the program, and the school says its instruction comes from experienced professionals. A certificate from the school is not a legal license.