10 Free Online Cosmetology Courses to Level Up Your Beauty Career in 2025

Whether you work as a or spend your days in a salon and your nights dreaming of starting your own business, you know how to hustle.

In fact, you probably spend a good chunk of your free time thinking about how to improve your skills, land more clients, make more money — and generally live the good life.

The good news is: There are a ton of free online cosmetology courses to help you grow.

The beauty of this industry is that you can constantly explore new trends and directions.

It’s why we love hair and beauty conferences so much — and why we host so many webinars with beauty experts.

Yours is a profession where it pays — quite literally — to never stop learning.

But if you can’t make it to an in-person event or enroll in an in-person cosmetology training because the cost is just too steep, these free online cosmetology classes will scratch that self-improvement itch just fine.

PS. These courses are supplemental to exams required for licensed cosmetologists and nail technicians. These free learning opportunities can also help you decide if you should pursue your beauty interest as a full-time career.

10 Free Online Cosmetology Courses

1. Color Theory for Makeup (Skillshare)

If you’re considering a career as a professional makeup artist for the first time, this is a pretty great class to test the waters. Skillshare offers a free trial to get you started, so you can explore learning beauty basics for free with makeup artist Mira Metzler.

2. Beauty Therapy Course (Upskillist [formerly Shaw Academy])

This in-depth course promises “practical training in carrying out treatments, as well as in-depth theoretical knowledge” on topics including skincare, body treatments, and hair removal. You’ll start with basics, flow into advanced skincare, then straight into professional makeup techniques.

According to Upskillist, this course can be completed in four weeks — which is exactly the length of their free trial…

3. Makeup and Nails Certification Course (Upskillist [formerly Shaw Academy])

Want to dive even deeper?

This sixteen-week course with almost 52,000 online students will get you certified in advanced techniques.

(Note: after Upskillist’s 4-week trial, learning will cost $69.99 per month)

This cosmetology certification is designed for beginners but could also be used as a refresher for long-time makeup artists.

As one reviewer puts it, “I am glad I actually took this program because it has enlightened me on so many things I normally take for granted when applying makeup.”

4. Beyond Black Friday Holiday Sales Course

Yep, us!

We partnered with beauty industry expert, Nina Tulio, to offer a completely free 4-week online course dedicated to generating more revenue during the busy holiday season as a small business owner.

Specifically designed with hair and beauty industry folks in mind, Vagaro is a booking app that sends free classes straight to your inbox, so you can watch them whenever it’s convenient.

5. How-to Beauty Courses (Huda Beauty on YouTube)

“YouTube is not an online cosmetology course!”

Ok, fair, but hear us out!

Some of the most talented makeup artists out there are self-taught — or at least self-taught lite — and even many certified makeup artists rely on YouTube to learn all the new techniques that surface constantly.

Our point: Don’t write this free online education off!

This channel by celeb makeup artist and beauty influencer Huda Kattan is a great one to start with if your goal is to stay current and pick up the occasional skill between client sessions.

6. Hair Color Industry Classes with Shannon VanFleet (YouTube)

Another gem available for free on YouTube, these mini classes are taught by hair extension specialist and YouTuber Shannon VanFleet.

And, if we’ve sold you on the idea of learning by watching, we’ve rounded up a bunch of our favorite hair and beauty industry YouTube influencers over here.

7. Alison Courses in Cosmetology

If you haven’t heard of Alison Courses, you’re missing out.

It’s similar to Upskillest and other certification programs. It offers Certificate Courses, which last between 2-4 hours, and Diploma Courses, which last between 8-10 hours.

You can sign up and learn more from certified award-winning beautician Kristina Bagrova about:

8. Get Free Cosmetology School Education via Financial Aid

If you’re looking for a true cosmetology school experience, don’t assume that it’ll force you to go into debt. Many programs offer financial aid if you dig hard enough and reach out to the appropriate people.

In 2021, many of these makeup courses have also moved online. We recommend Googling “cosmetology programs near me,” and then heading straight to the Financial Aid page of local programs to see what pops up.

Want proof?

Peach Phillips, a YouTuber in the hair and beauty community, got a free cosmetology degree through some serious financial savviness — plus a few meetings with the financial aid department at TCAT.

Here’s her video that breaks down exactly how she did it:

9. Online Makeup Academy

Brazilian makeup artist Mariana Bull is sharing everything she knows from her studies at Make-Up Designory and her real-world application for Vogue, Chanel, OK Magazine, and various celebrities.

Students can earn an OMACA-approved certificate after completing modules in:

Sanitation and hygiene
Skin prep
Natural makeup and smoky eyes
Casual and glamour makeup
Bridal makeup
Mature skin makeup
Male grooming
Working with kids in beauty
Imperfections and cool eyeshadow techniques
Halo eye, lashes, eyebrows, and strobing
Photoshoot etiquette
Makeup application for sensitive skin and acne
And more!

Plus, Online Makeup Academy students get a 40% off makeup artist discount to a variety of cosmetics brands, like Make Up For Ever, L’Oreal, Stila, Naked Cosmetics, Beautyblender, Anastasia Beverly Hills, NYX, Smashbox, and Temptu.

10. QC Makeup Academy

It’s never too late or too early to begin a career in beauty! Learn cosmetology and makeup techniques online with these flexible courses from QC Makeup Academy.

Get essential training with their foundational courses in:

Makeup artistry
Skincare consulting
Global beauty
Portfolio development
Special FX
Airbrush techniques
Hair styling
Fashion
And more!

QC Makeup Academy is also a MAC Pro Eligible School, which means cosmetology students enjoy discounts on MAC Cosmetics products online and in store.

They also have preferred brand partners with 5-40% discounts on makeup products.