Wilmington Esthetician School

The Nurtur Aveda Institute in Wilmington, NC was founded to create some of the most successful entrepreneurs in hair, skin and nail esthetics, makeup, massage 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 Wilmington 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.

 

Great Stories Start at Aveda Institutes

Jake Ivins

Cosmetology Educator at Aveda Institute

Chapel Hill, NC

It’s about the students & watching them grow. That’s where my satisfaction & fulfillment comes from.

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

Johnny Haeger

Celebrity & Freelance Stylist, Self-Employed

New York, NY

Its great being my own boss but I don’t think I would have been able to do any of that without the ton of education and foundation I received from Aveda

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.

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.

Toni Robinson

Educator at Aveda Institute

Chapel Hill, NC

If you enjoy your work then it doesn’t matter how many hours you put into it.

Katie Hammonds

Education Manager at Aveda Fredric's Institute

Indianapolis, IN

Working on movie sets are moments that I’ll never forget.

Megan Bitterman

Educator at Aveda Institute Columbus

Columbus, OH

I went to a 4 year college... did corporate America for about 7 years and did not enjoy that grind whatsoever. I just did not feel the payoff. So, I found Aveda, took a tour and signed up!

Become an Esthetician in 5 Months!

Nurtur Aveda Institute Wilmington is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Persons wishing to make comments should either write to the Executive Director of the Commission, Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, or submit their comments through the Council’s website (www.council.org). Persons making comments must provide their names and addresses.

ESTHETICS PROGRAM

600 hours

Nurtur Aveda Institute Wilmington's Esthetics Program teaches skin care, body care, waxing & makeup with an emphasis on high-touch techniques using high-tech delivery during spa clinic treatments. Upon completion, you will be ready to take the North Carolina licensing exam. 

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

We're excited to announce the 2025 Brilliant Future Scholarship Contest. This is an opportunity for graduating 2025 high school seniors starting our cosmetology program in June, July, or August to be awarded a scholarship toward their education!

More Info

Federal Financial Aid

Federal student aid is available to qualified students. Those that qualify may be awarded a Pell grant, Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and/or Direct Parent Plus loan. In order to be considered for aid, a student must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The amount of financial aid that a student may be awarded is based on a student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution), which is determined by his or her FAFSA application.

Nurtur Aveda Institute Wilmington School Code – 013850

Complete the FAFSA Online

 

Veterans Education Benefits

Students eligible for Veterans Education benefits may be able to use these funds to help finance their education. Our institute currently accepts all forms of Veterans Education benefits, with the exception of the yellow ribbon program. The school will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other instructional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA.

For more information regarding Veterans Education benefits, contact VA’s National call center at 1-888-442-4551 or visit www.va.gov. For additional information, eligibility criteria, and instructions on how to apply for VA Educational Benefits”, visit benefits.va.gov/gibill.

  • Depending on consistent attendance, it takes 21 scheduled weeks to complete the 600 hour Esthetics Program.

  • Depending on consistent attendance, it takes 21 scheduled weeks to complete the 600 hour Esthetics Program.

  • Throughout the year we offer a number of different schedules including a night school option to let students choose the schedule that works for them.

  • The cost for students at Nurtur Aveda Institute Wilmington Esthetics Program is estimated at $14,238.00, which includes tuition, student kit charges and other expenses as well.

    We've got a financial plan for everyone including options for Federal Financial Aid, Scholarships, Grants, in-house financing, Veterans Benefits and more. Our Financial Aid experts are here to help you find what you qualify for and create the right financial plan for you!

  • To qualify for an Esthetics License in North Carolina, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of North Carolina's minimum required training hours and then take the state's Esthetic board exams.

  • Esthiology is esthetics. Esthetics is the practice of skin care and related skin beautification. This can be by the means of a facial, body treatment, waxing, or even makeup application.

  • An Esthetician provides services focused on skin care including, but not limited to, skin treatments, facials, makeup application and hair removal.

  • Both occupations are licensed skin care specialists. Generally, Estheticians focus on cosmetic treatments, and Aestheticians’ roles are more medical.

Results-based skin care

Start your skin journey with Ultraceuticals

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Cosmetology Blog

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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...

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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...

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Aveda Esthetics vs. Medical Esthetics: Which Path is Right for You?

The beauty and skincare industry is booming, and there has never been a better time to launch a career as a licensed esthetician. However, as you begin researching your options, you will quickly notice that the field splits into two distinct, highly rewarding paths: Aveda Esthetics and Medical...

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