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Topcurl Beauty Academy
Topcurl Beauty Academy

Topcurl Beauty Academy

Beauty school salon · 2 locations

The school is a private career school approved by Maryland and Virginia to operate in that capacity. It is working toward accreditation, a process it says can take up to two years. Its two locations are on Central Avenue in Bowie and on Richmond Highway in Alexandria, and tours are available by appointment. The Bowie and Alexandria campuses are open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 7pm, with a lunch closure from 1:30pm to 2:30pm each day, and are closed Friday through Sunday.

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About

The school is a private career school approved by Maryland and Virginia to operate in that capacity. It is working toward accreditation, a process it says can take up to two years. Its two locations are on Central Avenue in Bowie and on Richmond Highway in Alexandria, and tours are available by appointment. The Bowie and Alexandria campuses are open Monday through Thursday, 9am to 7pm, with a lunch closure from 1:30pm to 2:30pm each day, and are closed Friday through Sunday.

Every service is carried out by a student, with licensed instructors supervising the work. Instructors do not take bookings or work on clients directly. Students serve the public Tuesday through Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm and during sessions set aside for specific training. Visits run longer than they would at a professional salon, and the posted times do not reflect how long a service takes. Clients must sign a waiver before their appointment, or the booking is canceled. Chemical services are added only to styles. Children and guests are welcome only when they are being serviced, because seating is limited.

The school says its prices are half or more below current industry pricing for most services. Tipping is encouraged, and cash and Cash App are accepted. Payment options include interest-free in-house plans, state grants including WIOA, scholarships, personal loans, and Affirm and Afterpay with a financier fee. The school accepts VA Education Benefits and is an approved Veterans Affairs Certifying Agent. Scholarships from the Topcurl Foundation are for enrolled students and depend on donations and fundraisers.

Beyond the client services, the school offers training in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and makeup artistry, plus lash tech certification and instructor programs. It also provides exam preparation, including one-on-one private sessions on theory and practical exams, business mentorship, and consulting for people opening a salon or a private career school. Students are required to wear the school's logo uniforms, which can be bought after registering. Job placement support includes an employer list shared with licensed graduates only.

The school offers continuing education courses approved by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists and is an official vendor for them. Maryland requires six hours of approved continuing education for license renewal, and the school offers hands-on, look-and-learn and online classes. On-site training is available for groups of 10 or more.

Students learn by doing real services on clients, with licensed instructors overseeing the work. The school says its products are among the highest quality in the industry.

Locations

Specials & promotions

  • Up to 60% off pro salon pricing at the student clinic

    On their website as of Oct 30, 2026 · Where we saw it

Services

Final prices may vary.

Relaxer touch-ups, permanent waves, a relaxer with keratin treatment and soft curls, added only to styles.

  • Classic Relaxer-Touchup $80
  • Permanent Wave $90
  • Relaxer- Keratin Treatment $150
  • Soft Curl (Gena or Jerri) $150

Ponytail weaves and styles, quick weaves, sew-in weaves with leave-out, and closure weaves.

  • Ponytail Weave/Styles $100
  • Quick Weave $100
  • Sew In Weave- Leave Out $150
  • Closure Weave $175

Haircuts, shampoo and blow dry, classic and specialty styles, braids, loc retwists, silk press and twists.

  • Haircut Only $20
  • Shampoo & Blow Dry Only $40
  • Classic Styles $45
  • Basic Braids $60
  • Specialty Styles $60
  • Loc Retwist $75
  • Silk Press $75
  • Twist $75

Gel manicures and nail enhancements, both including free gel polish.

  • Gel Manicure $30
  • Nail Enhancements $50

The Dermalogica Express Facial.

  • Dermalogica Express Facial $45

Facial waxing and underarm waxing.

  • Facial Waxing $10
  • Underarm Waxing $25

Photos

  • Branded disinfectant jar on a salon counter
  • Instructor photo in front of Topcurl backdrop sign, with program text
Highlights
  • Services performed by students under licensed instructor supervision
  • Public student sessions Tuesday through Thursday evenings
  • School-stated pricing half or more below current industry rates for most services
  • Payment options including VA Education Benefits, WIOA grants and interest-free in-house plans
  • Continuing education approved by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
  • One-on-one exam preparation sessions
Good for
  • Budget-conscious clients
  • Clients with flexible timing who can book Tuesday to Thursday evenings
  • Veterans using VA Education Benefits
  • People training for cosmetology, esthetics, nail or makeup careers
  • Licensed professionals needing continuing education
  • Groups of 10 or more needing on-site training
Treats
  • Chemical relaxing and texture services
  • Hair extensions and protective styles
  • Braids, twists and loc maintenance
  • Silk press and styling
  • Gel manicures and nail enhancements
  • Facial skin care
  • Unwanted hair removal on the face and underarms
Techniques
  • Relaxer touch-ups
  • Permanent waves
  • Relaxer with keratin treatment
  • Soft curls
  • Ponytail weaves and styles
  • Quick weaves
  • Sew-in weaves with leave-out
  • Closure weaves
  • Basic braids
  • Loc retwists

Products & treatments

  • OPI
  • Apres
  • Wella
  • Dermalogica

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