A community college on the Southside offers a program to support the growing beauty industry, train the next generation of cosmetologists and provide affordable services to the community.
Students in Palo Alto College’s cosmetology program offer low-cost services from Monday through Saturday at the Cosmetology Learning Studio.
The discounted services are hair, nails, skin and waxing.
Lydia Hannawi, academic director of the program, said the services are open to the public.
“For any individual receiving services, it could be people from the community and students or staff from this campus,” Hannawi said. “That community would also include Texas A&M University-San Antonio.”
The program offers an associate of science of cosmetology degree and associates of science operator degree, as well as certificates.
The beauty industry is expected to grow by 8.4% per year through 2028, according to a 2024 study released by Euromonitor International, a market research company.
There are 103 students enrolled in the cosmetology program. Student enrollment is mainly female and about 1% of students are male.
Students must pass the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Cosmetology Licensing Exam to practice their skills in Texas.
“Students are required to learn about beauty through lecture and theory and then required to practice it in a lab. What better way for them to gain experience than to work on actual customers?” Hannawi said.
Hannawi said the discounted services not only benefit the community, but students as well.
Hannawi said these low-cost services help the community who want to get these services done while on a “budget.”
The most popular services are skin and hair related services. Their prices range from $20-30 for the most basic services.
Hannawi said there will always be an instructor overseeing students in the studio and feedback is encouraged.
The program allows students to practice on customers rather than a mannequin to receive feedback on their skills. It also provides customers with affordable services that are otherwise costly at other professional salons.
Hair, skin and nail services are provided by cosmetology students in the Cosmetology Learning Studio for an affordable cost and monthly specials are offered.
“We are saving individuals sometimes 60%-70% on services compared to a professional,” Hannawi said.
The most popular service is the facial service. Haircuts are also popular within the salon. Approximately 25-30 people visit the salon per week for services.
Payment methods available are credit and debit cards. Tips are not allowed for students, but guests can leave a monetary donation in the donation box offered for the salon to use for graduating students.
Customers who have children must accompany them during the appointment if the salon permits it.
Appointment times for services range from the morning to evenings depending on the days. Appointments are made through calling the salon directly.
To book an appointment, contact the salon at 210-486-3177.
For more information about the cosmetology program at Palo Alto College, visit https://www.alamo.edu/pac/experience-pac/campus-life/campus-resources/cosmetology-learning-studio/.
The program offers specials each month throughout each semester for the studio to book more appointments for students.
Currently, they are offering November specials. These specials target all areas of services that the studio has to offer.
The studio currently only books appointments on the phone and will not have an online booking system in the future due to the schedules changing every semester.
The studio currently accepts card, cash and contactless pay.
While students cannot receive gratuity, customers are welcome to leave a donation to the program.
For more information regarding services and appointments, you can visit https://www.alamo.edu/pac/experience-pac/campus-life/campus-resources/cosmetology-learning-studio/ or call at 210-486-3177.
