Universal College of Beauty
Beauty school salon in Los Angeles, CA
The school was founded in 1929 by Hazel D. Williams, who set it up to offer beauty education to African American students at a time when they were turned away from training elsewhere. It is now owned and operated by Kenneth and Belinda Williams, the founder's grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and Jasmine Williams serves as School Director and handles daily leadership. The school says it has trained cosmetologists in the area for over 90 years.
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The school was founded in 1929 by Hazel D. Williams, who set it up to offer beauty education to African American students at a time when they were turned away from training elsewhere. It is now owned and operated by Kenneth and Belinda Williams, the founder's grandson and granddaughter-in-law, and Jasmine Williams serves as School Director and handles daily leadership. The school says it has trained cosmetologists in the area for over 90 years.
The cosmetology course is 1000 clock hours of technical instruction and practical work, covering scalp, face, and hand analysis, salon procedures, daytime and evening makeup including false strip lashes, water and oil manicures and pedicures, and brush-on nails, wraps, and tips, along with personal growth and career and business development. The barbering course is 1000 training hours and covers cuts and fades, custom designs, straight-razor shaves, beard and mustache care, braiding, and brow trimming. The esthetics course mixes theory, hands-on practice, and clinical experience, and includes facials, waxing and threading, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, lash and brow tinting, body treatments, skin analysis, and additional instruction in ethnic skincare.
Clients visit on set client service days, Thursday through Saturday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Walk-ins are accepted on those days, and services are not booked by appointment. Because services happen in a teaching environment, visits can run longer than expected. Chemical services, natural styles, extensions, and braiding must be started before noon on client service days. Price quotes are not given over the phone; a consultation in person is needed to determine what a service will involve. Seniors receive 10% off all services on Thursdays.
Applicants have a one-on-one consultation about their goals, and an advisor helps map out their educational path. Prospective students can schedule a campus tour, and all applicants are shown the facility. The school states it is accredited by NACCAS and offers financial aid to those who qualify, plus scholarships and training opportunities. Student placement is offered but not guaranteed. Enrollment in cosmetology, esthetics, or barbering is advertised starting at $500 down, and the school says the enrollment fee includes a professional Dermalogica kit and an iPad. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, a Social Security card, and a California ID or driver's license. Applicants who immigrated and cannot provide a diploma copy should contact admissions.
Training combines hands-on practice with an advisor-guided plan for each student, and smaller class sizes and guest speakers are part of the curriculum.
A working teaching salon where students perform services under instructor supervision.
Specials & promotions
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10% off all services for seniors on Thursdays
Seniors only; applies on Thursdays
On their website as of Oct 30, 2026 · Where we saw it
Services
Final prices may vary.
Haircutting and styling for everyday and special occasions, color and highlights, conditioning and reconstruction, and chemical services such as perms, relaxers, and reformation. Braids, extensions, and specialty services are also offered.
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Blowouts Price at booking
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Braids Price at booking
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Chemical reformation Price at booking
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Extensions Price at booking
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Hair coloring Price at booking
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Hair conditioning Price at booking
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Haircutting Price at booking
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Hair reconstruction Price at booking
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Hairstyling Price at booking
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Highlights and lowlights Price at booking
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Perms and relaxers Price at booking
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Specialty services Price at booking
Makeup services for clients, taught in the school's cosmetology course for both daytime and evening looks.
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Makeup Price at booking
Manicures and pedicures, including water and oil methods, offered alongside the school's nail training.
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Manicures and pedicures Price at booking
Photos
Meet the team
Their website doesn't list the team, so we don't either.
- Highlights
- Accredited by NACCAS
- Walk-in client service days, Thursday through Saturday
- Seniors receive 10% off all services on Thursdays
- Client services use Cecred hair care and Dermalogica skin care
- Hair coloring uses the Goldwell Color Line
- Has ties to Beyoncé's BEYGOOD and CECRED initiatives
- Good for
- walk-in clients
- seniors on Thursdays
- people training for a cosmetology, barbering, or esthetics career
- students seeking financial aid
- clients who want supervised services at a teaching school
- Treats
- haircuts
- hair color and highlights
- relaxers and perms
- braids and extensions
- blowouts and styling
- makeup
- manicures and pedicures
- facials
- waxing and threading
- Techniques
- blowouts
- perms and relaxers
- chemical reformation
- hair reconstruction
- highlights and lowlights
- braiding
- extensions
- water manicures
- brush-on nails
- nail wraps and tips
Products & treatments
- Cecred hair care
- Dermalogica skin care
- Goldwell Color Line
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