GC Library: Cosmetology: Open Access & Online Resources

Open Access & Online Resources

Tools and Tutorials
Associations and Agencies

ASCP Etsy Talk Podcasts
The ASCP Esty Talk podcast will delight you with insights and sound bites from entrepreneurs, influencers, and experts inside and outside the professional skincare industry.
Beauty Launchpad
Creative Age currently publishes Beauty Launchpad, Beauty Store Business, The Colorist, DAYSPA, INSPIRE, Medesthetics, Nail It!, NAILPRO and Surgical Aesthetics.
Behind the Chair
This site provides information related to all areas of the cosmetology field.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers
The BLS site lists information about occupations such as the nature of the work, training, other qualifications, and advancement employment, job outlook, projections data, earnings, and occupational employment statistics data.
Business Plan for a Startup Business
Writing a business plan is an opportunity to carefully think through every step of starting your company so you can prepare for success.
This is your chance to discover any weaknesses in your business idea, identify opportunities you may not have considered, and plan how you will deal with challenges that are likely to arise. A well-written business plan can help convince investors or lenders to finance your business.
This template includes instructions for each section of the business plan, followed by corresponding fillable worksheet/s.
After you complete the 11 worksheets, you will have a working business plan for your startup.
Cosmetology State Board Exam Sample
This is a timed 100-question test that is similar to the state board exam. It can be used as a practice test in preparation for the exam.
FDA on Cosmetics
A direct link to the Food and Drug Administration page on cosmetics. Includes information on recalls and safety information regarding the cosmetics industry.
Glossary of Cosmetology Terms
Glossary of cosmetology terms compiled from dictionaries to beauty guides.
Hair, Hairstyles and Beauty Resources
The links on this page will help you learn about hair, hair anatomy, hair growth cycle, hair styling techniques, hair cutting tools and techniques, hair removal procedures, hair disorders and find images of the latest hairstyles.
Hair Price Calculator
Get a free value estimation with this handy hair price calculator from BeautyMag.
Hooked on Nails
An educational website on everything nails, from how to safely use acrylic, to chemical reactions and skin safety.
Live About: Beauty
Live About (an IAC Company) is one of the largest sites on the Internet that helps nearly 90 million people each month discover, learn about, and be inspired by topics ranging from parenting and healthcare to cooking to travel. Live About is for anyone who has a question, a problem, a passion or just wants to learn something new.
Modern Salon Education Center Webinars
Free upcoming and on-demand webinars to help you grow your career.
Modern Style eBooks
Access free eBooks about the following subjects: career, color, extensions, full service, and industry news. You must create an account to access the free eBooks.
Think Dirty
The Think Dirty app helps you to understand how "clean" ingredients really are.

ASCP (Associated Skin Care Professionals)
ASCP is the nation’s largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey who are passionate about skincare, ASCP is your essential partner. ASCP empowers you to reach your highest potential by providing innovative business solutions, unmatched quality education, vital professional liability insurance, and a dedicated team that cares about our members’ success and is always willing to go the extra mile for our members.
ISBN (International SalonSpa Business Network)
The International SalonSpa Business Network (ISBN) represents the global voice for the professional beauty industry's multi-location salon and spa segment. The ISBN members have salons and spas throughout the world. Working together, multi-location salons can affect positive change for our business and our industry.
NCEA (National Coalition of Estheticians Association)
The NCEA is a voluntary coalition of estheticians (to include other licenses/certifications that refer to the individual who performs skin care services under a state regulatory agency), manufacturers/distributors, schools (corporations), and associations. The mission of the NCEA is to define standards of practice through certification and continuing education accreditation to represent and advocate for the esthetic profession.
PBA (Professional Beauty Association)
PBA provides Members with valuable resources, support, and connections to help elevate and grow careers and the industry: empowering Members to do their best work while supporting and advocating for them along the way.
(SIA) Spa Industry Association
SIA offers free membership to the industry across the globe. As a member of the SIA, you’ll receive access to an exclusive Benefits Program, business-building resources, free industry magazine links, Spa & Wellness reports and snapshot surveys, industry connections across the globe, and a research department to help find an answer to your question, regardless of what they are.

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Open Access & Online Resources