MI Cosmetology study materials
MI Cosmetology study resources

MI Cosmetology study plan

MI Cosmetology · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Scientific Concepts (infection control, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, electricity)

  • Differentiate cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization, and match each implement type to its required level of decontamination.

  • Diagram the layers of the skin and the structures of the hair follicle, labeling at least 20 landmarks from memory.

  • Categorize bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites by type, portal of entry, and the salon services that create exposure risk.

  • Demonstrate the correct sequence for handwashing, glove use, and workstation sanitation between clients.

Your checkpoint

A 40-term infection-control and anatomy flashcard deck plus a self-made 50-question quiz scored at 85% or higher.

Week 2

Scientific Concepts (infection control, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, electricity) & Hair Care and Hairdressing (cutting, styling, chemical services, coloring)

  • Classify 10 salon products as acidic, alkaline, or neutral and state their approximate pH ranges on a chart.

  • Explain oxidation, reduction, and neutralization as they apply to hair and skin services.

  • Identify electrical safety practices including GFCI protection, grounding, and safe use of galvanic and high-frequency devices.

  • Sequence the hair growth cycle and label the cuticle, cortex, and medulla functions.

Your checkpoint

A one-page pH and product-chemistry reference chart plus a 30-question chemistry/electricity quiz scored at 80% or higher.

Week 3

Hair Care and Hairdressing (cutting, styling, chemical services, coloring)

  • Execute four basic haircuts on a mannequin (blunt, graduated, layered, and uniform layer) using consistent sectioning and elevation.

  • Select appropriate styling tools and products for fine, medium, and coarse hair textures and justify each choice.

  • Compare razor cutting and shear cutting, stating when each is indicated and the safety precautions for each.

  • Describe the sectioning, tension, and product requirements for blow-dry, thermal, wet, and updo styling.

Your checkpoint

Photographs and a written self-critique of two mannequin haircuts scored against a sectioning-and-elevation checklist.

Week 4

Hair Care and Hairdressing (cutting, styling, chemical services, coloring)

  • Sequence a virgin relaxer application from patch test through neutralization, including base control and scalp protection.

  • Predict the effect of developers, lighteners, and permanent, demi-permanent, and semi-permanent colorants across hair levels 1 through 10.

  • Calculate processing intervals and identify when a patch test or strand test is required.

  • Diagnose three common chemical failures (overprocessing, uneven lift, scalp irritation) and state the corrective service.

Your checkpoint

A set of 10 procedure cards covering color and relaxer services plus a 40-question quiz scored at 80% or higher.

Week 5

Skin Care and Esthetics & Nail Care and Manicuring

  • Perform a skin analysis, identify skin types, and list five contraindications that postpone or cancel a facial service.

  • Sequence a basic facial including cleansing, exfoliation, massage manipulations, mask, and product selection.

  • Demonstrate a basic manicure and pedicure sequence, including nail shaping, cuticle care, and safe filing technique.

  • Distinguish nail and skin disorders from conditions and identify which findings require referral to a physician.

Your checkpoint

Two completed service checklists (facial and manicure) with 90% or more of the steps performed correctly and signed off.

Week 6

Michigan Cosmetology Law, Rules, and Regulations

  • Cite the Michigan requirements for obtaining, renewing, and reinstating an individual cosmetology license.

  • List Michigan sanitation rules for implements, linens, and salon premises, including required frequencies and recordkeeping.

  • Explain Michigan scope-of-practice boundaries, stating what a licensed cosmetologist may and may not perform.

  • Describe the disciplinary actions and penalties that apply to violations of the Michigan cosmetology statute and administrative rules.

Your checkpoint

A 25-item Michigan law flashcard set built directly from the official act and rules, self-tested to 100% recall.

Week 7

Salon Business, Ethics, and Professional Practices & Scientific Concepts (infection control, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, electricity)

  • Draft a salon budget covering booth or chair rent, supply costs, insurance, and estimated taxes.

  • Write a client consultation script and a recordkeeping system that protects client confidentiality.

  • Compare employee and booth-renter arrangements and their differing tax and insurance implications.

  • Apply ethical standards to 20 workplace scenarios involving confidentiality, pricing, and advertising.

  • Re-drill the two lowest-scoring domains from the week 4 milestone until each reaches 85% or higher.

Your checkpoint

A one-page salon business plan plus 20 written ethics scenario decisions with justifications.

Week 8

Scientific Concepts (infection control, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, electricity) & Hair Care and Hairdressing (cutting, styling, chemical services, coloring) & Skin Care and Esthetics & Nail Care and Manicuring & Michigan Cosmetology Law, Rules, and Regulations & Salon Business, Ethics, and Professional Practices

  • Complete two full-length timed practice exams under exam-day conditions.

  • Convert every missed item into a flashcard and re-test until recall is 100%.

  • Recite Michigan sanitation and safety rules from memory without notes.

  • Prepare exam-day logistics including identification, paperwork, testing-center rules, and a pacing strategy.

Your checkpoint

A final 100-question cumulative exam scored at 85% or higher with a written error log of every missed item.

Milestones

Week 2: Score 80% or higher on a 50-question cumulative quiz covering all four Domain 1 subareas.

Week 4: Score 80% or higher on a 100-question practice set combining Domains 1 and 2, with no domain below 70%.

Week 6: Achieve 100% recall on the Michigan law flashcard set and 85% or higher on a 40-question skin and nail services quiz.

Week 8: Score 85% or higher on both full-length timed practice exams and demonstrate zero repeat errors on the written error log.