Cosmetology Program in El Cajon, CA
If you’re looking for a cosmetology school in El Cajon, Bellus Academy offers hands-on training in hair, skincare, nails, makeup, client services, and professional beauty industry skills.
Students can choose between our 1,000-hour Cosmetology Foundation program and 1,500-hour Advanced Cosmetology program while gaining practical experience in our supervised Student Salon & Spa.
Located on East Main Street in El Cajon, our campus serves students throughout El Cajon and surrounding East County San Diego communities.
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Cosmetology Foundation At-a-Glance
El Cajon, CA • 1073 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92021 • 619-442-3407
Program format:
Hybrid
Online Learning + Hands-On Training
Program Length:
7-10 Months
Day or Night Schedule
Financing:
New Lending Options
More Ways to Fund Your Education
Campus Location
El Cajon
1073 E. Main Street
Program Focus
Hair, Skin & Nail Training
Develop practical cosmetology skills through training in haircutting, hair coloring and styling, skincare, makeup, nail services, and other professional beauty techniques.
Foundation + Advanced Training Options
Choose the 1,000-hour Cosmetology Foundation program or build on those skills with the 1,500-hour Advanced Cosmetology program and additional specialized training.
Hands-on Salon Experience
Gain supervised experience in Bellus Academy’s Student Salon & Spa while building confidence, refining your technique, and developing essential client service and professional skills.
Cosmetology Foundation Program in El Cajon
Bellus Academy’s 1,000-hour Cosmetology Foundation program provides training in hair, skin, nails, safety, client services, and the business side of cosmetology. The program is designed to help students build a broad foundation of technical and professional skills they can continue developing throughout their beauty careers.
Training Includes:
- Wet and thermal styling
- Chemical waving and straightening
- Haircutting and hair coloring
- Nail enhancements
- Facials and skincare basics
- Brow shaping and hair removal
- Lash lifts and brow lamination
- Manicures and pedicures
- Business fundementals and retailing
- TikTok Shop training
- Vitality wellness program
- Infection control and equipment safety
- California laws and regulations
Students also receive instruction in online marketing, personal branding, retailing, client retention, and business fundamentals while refining their skills through supervised Student Salon & Spa experience.
Cosmetology Foundation Program Schedule
- Day schedule: Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Night schedule: Monday – Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
New TikTok Shop Training
Learn to create content and sell beauty retail products online, skills that can help grow your income alongside your beauty and wellness career.
Health and beauty made up 79% of all U.S. TikTok Shop sales in 2024, totaling $1.34 billion according to Capital One Shopping research. At Bellus Academy, every student learns how to build a personal brand, create content, and sell beauty retail products online, taught through a licensed course from Jenn Lyles, a Top 1% TikTok Shop creator, and included in your total program cost.
Advanced Cosmetology Program in El Cajon
The 1,500-hour Advanced Cosmetology program provides additional training for students who want to expand their technical, creative, and professional beauty skills. With more time dedicated to advanced techniques and specialized services, students can further develop their versatility across multiple areas of cosmetology. Building on the facials, brow and lash services, nail care and business fundamentals introduced in the Cosmetology Foundation program, Advanced students go on to earn additional certifications and complete salon owners and financial literacy training.
Advanced Training Includes:
- Advanced haircutting
- Advanced hair coloring
- Hair extension training & certification
- Eyelash extension training & certification
- Advanced technical and creative techniques
- MUD Makeup Fundamentals certification
- Client-centered design
- Salon ownership and business management
- Financial literacy
- Goal setting and job search preparation
- TikTok Shop training
- Vitality wellness program
Advanced Cosmetology students receive 500 additional training hours compared with the Foundation program. Specialized education includes Dream Catchers Systems hair extension techniques and Borboleta Classic + Volume eyelash extension training, and MUD makeup fundamentals certification, along with additional hands-on practice in the student salon and spa. Advanced students also complete salon ownership coursework and Qnity’s Money Pro financial literacy curriculum, which is exclusive to the Advanced Cosmetology program.
Program Schedule
- Day schedule: Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Night schedule: Monday – Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Why Choose Bellus Academy for Cosmetology Training?
At Bellus Academy El Cajon, students combine digital learning with hands-on training designed to build technical ability, client confidence, and professional beauty industry skills. Classroom instruction, practical training, and supervised Student Salon & Spa experience work together to prepare students for the next step in their cosmetology careers.
Benefits Include:
- Experienced licensed educators
- Hands-on Student Salon & Spa training
- Professional equipment and student kits
- Hybrid and digital learning resources
- Career services and job search support
- Externship opportunities for eligible students
- Industry events and competition opportunities*
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
*Participation in competitions and networking opportunities may vary and is not guaranteed.
Cosmetology Externship Opportunities
Eligible Bellus Academy Cosmetology students have the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience through an externship while completing their Cosmetology education. Students can apply what they learn in the classroom in a professional salon environment and gain valuable hands-on experience.
Benefit of completing a cosmetology externship include:
- Gain real-world salon experience
- Build confidence working in a professional enviroment
- Develop professional relationships and industry connections
- Learn salon operation and workplace expectations
- Strengthen your resume
- Explore potential career opportunities before graduation
Cosmetology Training for El Cajon & East County San Diego Students
Bellus Academy’s El Cajon campus provides an East County cosmetology training option for students who want to pursue beauty education closer to home. Students travel to the campus from El Cajon and nearby communities throughout East County San Diego
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Santee
- Lakeside
- Spring Valley
- Lemon Grove
- Alpine
- Rancho San Diego
- Casa de Oro
- Bostonia
- Granite Hills
- Surrounding East County communities
Located at 1073 E Main St in El Cajon, students can train close to home while building beauty industry skills and preparing for California cosmetology licensing goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cosmetology Foundation El Cajon
Bellus Academy’s El Cajon campus offers the 1,000-hour Cosmetology Foundation program and the 1,500-hour Advanced Cosmetology program.
Yes! Eligible students have the opportunity to gain real-world industry experience while completing their cosmetology education. The externship allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom in a professional salon environment while gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Yes! Students in the Advanced Cosmetology Program receive specialized training and graduate with certifications in Hair Extensions (Tape-in, Weft, and K-Tips), Eyelash Extensions (Classic and Volume), and MUD Makeup Fundamentals. These additional certifications help students expand their skill sets and prepare for a wider range of opportunities in the professional beauty industry.
Cosmetology Foundation can be completed in approximately 7 months on the day schedule or 10 months at night. Advanced Cosmetology can be completed in approximately 10 months during the day or 15 months at night.
Yes. The cosmetology program combines digital learning with on-campus practical training. Students receive a tablet to access the digital learning platform, while hands-on services and practical training take place in person.
Yes. Students receive hands-on training and have opportunities to refine their skills in Bellus Academy’s supervised Student Salon & Spa while working with clients under instructor supervision.
Bellus Academy is located at 1073 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021, serving students from El Cajon and communities throughout East County San Diego.
Cosmetology Foundation provides 1,000 hours of training in essential cosmetology, safety, client service, and business skills, including facials, brow and lash services, and nail care. Advanced Cosmetology expands the program to 1,500 hours, giving students 500 additional training hours along with advanced techniques, certifications in hair extensions, eyelash extensions, and MUD Makeup Fundamentals, and salon ownership and financial literacy training
Ready to Begin Cosmetology Training in El Cajon?
Explore Bellus Academy’s Cosmetology Foundation and Advanced Cosmetology programs, visit our El Cajon campus, or speak with Admissions about which program fits your goals.
Request Info | Schedule a Tour | Apply Now
Is a Career in Cosmetology Right for You?
Take the Bellus Academy “Cosmetology Career Training Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
