If you live in Big Bear Lake and want to learn professional hair braiding, our Natural Hair Braiding & Styling Certificate is roughly 30 miles away at our San Bernardino suite. The 40-hour class meets Thursday afternoons, is taught by a California-licensed cosmetologist, and starts in spring 2027.
Braiding in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a mountain resort town with year-round residents and visitors, and few braiders on the mountain.
Local braiders in the Inland Empire charge roughly $120 to $550 per install depending on size and style. Natural hair braiding with no cutting and no chemicals does not require a cosmetology license in California (Business and Professions Code §7316), so graduates can start booking clients once their business is set up.
Getting to class from Big Bear Lake
Class is held at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, CA 92401. From Big Bear Lake, most students take Highway 18 or 330 down the mountain to the 210. Classes run 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., so plan for traffic on the way home.
What you will learn
- Hair and scalp basics, sanitation, safe tension and client consultation
- Cornrows, feed-in braids, box braids and knotless braids
- Twists, coils, loc maintenance, goddess and Fulani styles, and kids' styles
- Pricing, booking, Instagram photos, finding your first 10 clients, and a final portfolio shoot
- Supervised practice on real clients, who sign a consent form before every service
Class details
- Starts: Spring 2027, exact dates coming soon
- Schedule: Thursdays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., 10 weeks (40 hours)
- Tuition: $2,500 total, all supplies included, with funding help available
- Class size: 8 to 10 students
- Free options: a free 2-hour intro to braiding workshop and a braiding workshop for parents
Working as a braider in Big Bear Lake
Before you take clients, check Big Bear Lake's business license and home occupation rules, since every city sets its own. Many braiders work mobile, visiting clients at home, or rent a booth in a local salon. We cover all of this in the business module.
See the full program details, then apply online and tell us you want "Natural Hair Braiding & Styling." Questions? Call (909) 454-7076 or email info@ayangbahfoundation.org.
FAQ
Is there a braiding class in Big Bear Lake?
Our class is held in San Bernardino, roughly 30 miles from Big Bear Lake. It is one of the few structured braiding certificates in San Bernardino County that includes business training.
Do I need a license to braid hair in Big Bear Lake?
No state license is needed for natural hair braiding, twisting or locking with no cutting or chemicals. You will still need a business license for the city where you work.