Professional Image (Dress Code)

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Effective June 1, 2026

Cosmetology, Make-up Program, Eyelash Extension and Nail Academy students must maintain the following professional dress code:

A professional image is a requirement for successful participation in school.

  1. Core and Phase One students must wear all black
  2. Phase Two students may wear black or white in any combination
  3. Clothing must be professional, clean, and free of stains and tears
  4. Shoes should be solid black, closed-toe with a closed back, professional, and comfortable for all Future Professionals.  Non-athletic black professional sneakers with black laces. No logo’s or emblems on the side or top part of the sneaker.
  5. Name tags must be worn at all times ($15.00 replacement fee for lost name tags or $2.00 daily rental name tag)
  6. Hair must be clean and styled prior to arriving at school. Hair may be pulled back neatly with a fashionable clip. Ponytails and messy buns are not acceptable.
  7. Cosmetics must be applied prior to arriving at school, using trend-appropriate makeup techniques
  8. Solid black pants or slacks must be professional style/material. Leggings are to be worn under shorts, skirts and dresses or a shirt that falls at mid-hip. Shorts, skirts and dresses above the knee must have solid black tights or legging underneath. Shorts, skirts and dresses must be fingertip length or longer.  Shorts, skirts and dresses may not be shorter then fingertip length.
  9. Only Paul Mitchell track jackets are allowed.
  10. Nail Academy and Eyelash Extension Future Professionals must have their hair pulled back in a low bun, ponytail or neatly pulled back with a fashionable clip.
  11. The following is a list of unacceptable dress:    
    1. Tennis shoes, gym shoes, foot thongs, Crocs, or beach sandals, backless ballet slippers, or canvas shoes with logo or canvas with netting material
    2. Tank tops, sleeveless tops, backless shirts, cold shoulder, or boat neck shirts
    3. Sweatpants, hoodies and sweatshirts; nylon, fleece or terry cloth material
    4. Printed T-shirts other than those with a PAUL MITCHELL logo;
    5. Gym wear, spandex or biking shorts
    6. Summer shorts without tights or leggings
    7. Midriffs, crop tops that reveal any part of the body and revealing necklines
    8. Color stripes or patterns, floral prints on clothing or shoes
    9. Shoes or slippers made of mesh or any see through material
    10. Hats, scarves, head wraps that cover the entire head are not allowed
    11. Sunglasses are not allowed
  12. Students who fail to comply with the professional dress code will be asked to get into appropriate attire.

Esthetics students must maintain the following professional dress code:

  1. Esthetic students must wear black scrub bottoms and the scrub top provided by the school, a black undershirt is allowed.
  2. Clothing must be professional, clean, and free of stains and tears.
  3. Non-athletic black professional sneakers with black laces. No logo’s or emblems on the side or top part of the sneaker.
  4. Name tags must be worn at all times. ($15.00 replacement fee for lost name tags, or $2.00 daily rental name tag)
  5. Hair must be clean and styled prior to arriving at school. Low ponytail or low bun only if hair is longer than chin length, using a pony tail elastic or pulled back neatly with a fashionable clip.
  6. Cosmetics must be applied prior to arriving at school, using trend-appropriate makeup techniques.
  7. Only Paul Mitchell track jackets are allowed.
  8. Fingertip length nails only, no acrylic nails permitted, clear, french, nude or light pink polish allowed.
  9. The following is a list of unacceptable dress:
    1. Tennis shoes, gym shoes, foot thongs, Crocs, or beach sandals, or backless ballet slippers
    2. Tank tops, sleeveless tops, backless shirts, cold shoulder, or boat neck shirts
    3. Sweatpants, hoodies and sweatshirts; nylon, fleece or terry cloth material
    4. Printed T-shirts
    5. Gym wear, spandex or biking shorts
    6. Summer shorts without tights or leggings
    7. Midriffs, crop tops that reveal any part of the body and revealing necklines
    8. Color stripes or patterns, floral prints on clothing or shoes
    9. Shoes or slippers made of mesh or any see through material
    10. No hats, scarves, head wraps that cover the entire head are not allowed
    11. Sunglasses are not allowed
    12. No long nails, no colored polish allowed
  10. Students who fail to comply with the professional dress code will be asked to get into appropriate attire.

Effective September 1, 2026

Personal Hygiene

Future professionals are expected to maintain a polished, professional appearance and uphold the highest standards of personal hygiene at all times. Hair must be clean, groomed, and styled prior to arriving at school. Nails must be clean, well-groomed, and maintained in a professional manner. Makeup, hair, and overall appearance should reflect the standards of the beauty industry and present a professional image that is appropriate for a public-facing environment. School attire must be clean, freshly laundered, free of stains or tears, and worn in accordance with the school's dress code. Chewing gum is not permitted anywhere within the school.

Future professionals are expected to arrive fully prepared for the school day. Personal grooming, including hair styling, makeup application, or other appearance-related preparation, must be completed prior to clocking in. Time spent completing personal grooming after clocking in is not considered education or instructional time and will result in an advisory. Any time missed because of noncompliance will be recorded in accordance with the school's attendance policies.

Dress Code

Students are required to be in dress code upon clocking in. If dress code is not adhered the student will not receive hours for that day. 

Dress Code may not be altered or modified in any way. Any time missed because of dress code violations will be recorded in accordance with the school's attendance policy.

Future professionals may not wear skirts or dresses shorter than knee length, jeans, any type of leggings worn as pants, jeggings, sweatpants, shorts, skorts, warm-up pants, or other athletic or casual apparel. All apparel must be free of rips, tears, stains, embellishments.

Shirts that expose the midriff or are designed as a midriff, crop-top or waist-length styels are not permitted as part of the dress code.

Hats, bandanas, and other head coverings are not permitted unless worn for documented medical or religious reason approved by the school. In addition, sunglasses are not allowed.

Cosmetology/Eyelash/Nails/Make Up 

Future professionals are expected to maintain a professional appearance that reflects the standards of the beauty and wellness industry. All clothing must be clean, well-fitting, and in good condition.

Shirts: Shirts must provide full coverage of the shoulders, underarms, chest, midriff, lower back, and abdomen at all times, including while raising the arms, bending, or reaching. Shirts displaying graphics, writing, or logos are prohibited unless they are school-approved or school logo apparel. 

Pants: Pants must be professional in appearance and solid black. Capri-length pants that extend below the knee to at least mid-calf are permitted. 

Skirts: Skirts or dresses must be knee length. Any cut or openings must begin at the knee.

Footwear: Shoes must be professional, clean, and in good repair. All footwear must be closed toes. All footwear must be solid black (including soles), non athletic and professional. Any shoe laces must be black. 

Hair: Hair must be clean, neatly styled, and prepared prior to arriving at school.

Accessories: Accessories may be in color and should complement a professional appearance. 

Makeup: Makeup, when worn, must be applied prior to arriving at school and should reflect current, professional industry trends. 

Nails: Fingernails must be clean and well-maintained

Esthetics/Massage 

Each future professional will receive the required school scrub top on their first day. The uniform must be worn at all times while on campus or participating in school-sponsored activities unless otherwise authorized by the school. Uniforms must be clean, neatly pressed, free of stains, tears, or alterations, and maintained in a professional condition that reflects the standards of the beauty and wellness industry.

Only school-approved Paul Mitchell track jackets may be worn over the required uniform only in class. Only the uniform is allowed in the clinic classroom.

Future professionals enrolled in the Esthetics and Massage Therapy programs are expected to maintain a clean, polished, and professional appearance that reflects industry standards. 

Hair: Hair must be clean and neatly styled prior to arriving at school. Hair that extends beyond chin length must be secured in a low ponytail or low bun using a simple hair elastic or a professional, fashionable clip. 

Makeup: Makeup, when worn, must be applied prior to arriving at school and should reflect current, professional industry trends. 

Nails: Fingernails must be clean, well-maintained, and no longer than fingertip length to ensure safety and sanitation during services. Artificial nails are not permitted. Nail polish, if worn, must be limited to clear, French manicure, nude, or light pink shades to maintain a professional appearance and support infection control standards.

Accessories: Accessories may be in color and should complement a professional appearance.

Professional Dress/Fundraising Theme Days 

Professional Dress and Theme Days are intended to encourage creativity, engagement, and school culture while maintaining the professional image expected within the beauty and wellness industry. Theme days, such as Jean Day, are reserved exclusively for traditional blue denim jeans. Participation in designated theme days is optional; however, all attire worn during these events must remain appropriate for an educational and client-service environment and comply with the school's established dress code and professional appearance standards. The school reserves the right to determine whether attire is appropriate, and future professionals whose clothing does not meet dress code expectations may be required to change into compliant attire.