Total Image Beauty Academy

The school is independent and is wholly owned by its parent company rather than operating as a franchise. Its campus covers more than 8,700 square feet on the second floor and includes a reception area, administration offices, a student lounge, a library, classrooms and a clinic floor. It sits near bus stops serving the Journal Square PATH station and the Port Authority in New York City, and a public parking garage is across from the building.

The school focuses on students with a Latin background and describes itself as a Latin beauty school. Its mission is preparing people for careers in cosmetology arts and sciences. Cosmetology and Hairstyling is offered in both English and Spanish, while the Skin Care Specialist and Manicure programs are taught only in Spanish by Spanish-speaking instructors.

Cosmetology students begin on mannequins and move to supervised work with clients in the student clinic in the second half of the program. Salon services such as haircuts, color, manicures, pedicures, facials and braiding are performed by students under licensed instructor supervision, and the school describes these services as affordable. Skin Care Specialist students likewise practice on clients in the second half of their program.

Career support includes a list of current job openings open to students, graduates and alumni, along with resume help, interview preparation and counseling. The school says it cannot guarantee placement but makes reasonable efforts to help each student find work. It keeps relationships with local salons and invites salon owners, guest artists and local skin care professionals to speak and give seminars to students.

Prospective students can schedule a tour of the classrooms and student clinic through the website. Enrollment involves a campus tour, submitting verification documents and a review of the application by the enrollment team and director. Federal aid is available for the Cosmetology and Hairstyling and Skin Care Specialist programs, and the school also offers payment plans and accepts cash, credit cards and personal checks.

Instruction pairs classroom lectures and demonstrations with hands-on skill practice and supervised client work, and instructors evaluate and test student work. Programs are designed to prepare students for the New Jersey state exam required for licensure.

The school describes its setting as relaxed, welcoming and fun.