Des Moines Nails Program

Nails Program

325 hours | 11 weeks

Our Nails program incorporates theory and hands-on learning to provide you a complete understanding of beauty and wellness. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the Iowa state licensing exam.

Great Stories Start at Aveda Institutes

Mia Dinh

Owner / Manager, Hammer & Nails

Hollywood, CA

I wanted to be an artist, I wanted to be a teacher, and as I got older, I wanted to be a therapist. Being a hair stylist allowed me to be all of those things.

Natasha Perkins

Salon Development Partner at Aveda

Indianapolis, IN

I’ve always wanted to be a hairstylist.

Marie Pannell-Biggs

Educator at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

I was working at a beautiful salon where I met someone that invited me to do New York Fashion Week

Jesse Sullivan

Educator at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

To this day I still have some family members who don't qualify what I do as a career, but I don't let that bother me because I know that I'm affecting change in the world.

Daniel Holzberger

Salon Owner, Award-Winning Stylist, Van Michael Salon

Atlanta, GA

At this point, I have worked editorial, I’ve done hair shows, I’ve done education for Aveda for years and years and years. I’ve worked behind the chair, I’ve owned salons , I’ve owned barber shops, I own a scissor company, I’ve even worked for Aveda in a warehouse. If you go into cosmetology your options are limitless, they really are.

Levi Gragg

Senior Stylist, Nurtur Salon + Spa

Columbus, OH

It was one of the first times I thought, oh my god this is a career that I haven’t thought about that opens up a lot of doors for me.

Bethany Brown

Education Manager at Aveda Institute

Columbus, OH

Being a cosmetologist is something I’m passionate about, but my real purpose is to educate people.

Savina N. Woods

Owner/Creator, Porcelain Doll Beauty

Charlotte, NC

I started Porcelain Dolls Beauty, which is a custom wig line. I have my own hair extension line as well, but my brand mostly focuses on women with hair loss issues, like alopecia, hair loss from chemo, and things of that nature.

About Nurtur Aveda Institute

The Nurtur Aveda Institute was founded to create some of the most successful entrepreneurs in hair, skin and nail esthetics, makeup and total body wellness. Our students are educated by accomplished professionals, using innovative curriculums that blend professional techniques with retail and business-building skills.

 

The Nurtur Aveda Institute emphasizes personal well-being as well as environmental responsibility. Using Aveda pure flower and plant essences and plant-based products, we affirm the relationship between personal beauty, wellness and the environment.

The Nurtur Aveda Institutes dedication to Aveda and its network of salons and spas is exemplified by their commitment to educating future professionals at the Nurtur Aveda Institute.

Award winning education

We pride ourselves on providing high quality education to our students. Our Institutes and students have been honored by Modern Salon Magazine, the North American Hairstyling Awards, the Professional Beauty Association and more!

See our awards

Photos by Keith Bryce

  • 11 Scheduled Weeks | 325 Hours

  • 325 Hours | 11 Scheduled Weeks. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the Iowa Licensing Exam.

  • 11 Scheduled Weeks | 325 Hours will enable you to be ready to take the Iowa Licensing Exam.

Results-based skin care

Start your skin journey with Ultraceuticals

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Cosmetology Blog

60 Nurtur Aveda Institute Students Selected for the 2026 PBA Beacon Program

This year, 60 Nurtur Aveda Institute students were selected to participate in the Professional Beauty Association’s 2026 Beacon Student Program. With this year’s class, 436 of our students have been selected for Beacon since 2005. The PBA Beacon program gives beauty school...

Nurtur Aveda Institute Columbus Student Derek Robinson Named 2026 NAHA Student Hairstylist of the Year

Derek Robinson has officially earned one of the highest honors a cosmetology student can achieve. The Nurtur Aveda Institute Columbus student has been named the 2026 Student Hairstylist of the Year at the Professional Beauty Association’s North American Hairstyling Awards...

Nurtur Aveda Institutes Student Jaleiah McNeil Named Finalist in National Intercoiffure Competition

We’re excited to celebrate Jaleiah McNeil, a Nurtur Aveda Institutes student who has been named one of just five finalists in the 2026 Intercoiffure America Canada Student Contest! Presented by Intercoiffure America Canada (ICA) in partnership with Pivot Point International, the...

Chlorine Recovery: How to Save Your Hair from Pool Water

Summer pool days can wreck your hair. Learn the ultimate chlorine recovery routine to protect, detox, and repair pool-damaged hair using botanical care. There is nothing quite like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot day. But while your mind and body love a good swim, your hair absolutely...

Brilliant Future Scholarship

We're excited to announce our annual Brilliant Future Scholarship. This is an opportunity for 2026 graduating high school seniors who start in our July or August 2026 classes to be awarded a scholarship toward their education! GUIDELINES AND RULES To qualify for the...

Get the Skills to be a Beauty Professional