Beauty & Cosmetology lesson notes for SS1–SS3

What students learn

By the end of SS3, a student who has worked through these notes should be able to:

• Practise good personal hygiene and grooming and name the tools used for manicure, pedicure, makeup and hair styling
• Describe care routines for the skin, hair and nails and the treatments used for each
• Apply makeup, including corrective and traditional styles, and prepare for bridal and event work
• Explain how cosmetic products are formulated and the basic chemistry behind them
• Identify common skin disorders and describe how they are managed
• Apply safety, health and ethical standards, including rules on cosmetic products, in a salon or spa
• Plan and manage a small beauty business using business skills, client care and digital marketing
• Complete a project and write a report on it, and list the job opportunities in the beauty industry

What each class covers

Every topic is a separate lesson note, listed here in teaching order. Open any topic, or the term, to read it.

SS1 Beauty & Cosmetology 22 notes

First Term 7 notes

• Introduction to Beauty and Cosmetology
• History of Beauty and Cosmetology
• Personal Hygiene and Grooming
• Tools and Equipment I: Manicure, Pedicure, Makeup & Hair Styling Tools
• Tools and Equipment II
• Skin Care I
• Skin Care II

Second Term 7 notes

• Hair Care II
• Hair Treatments
• Hair Styling II: Hair Styling Tools
• Nail Care I
• Nail Care II
• What Are Cosmetics? Types & Uses
• Hair Styling I: Traditional Styling

Third Term 8 notes

• Introduction to Makeup I
• Introduction to Makeup II: Makeup Tools
• Makeup Application I
• Makeup Application II: Eyebrows & Eyeshadows
• Corrective Makeup
• Traditional and Cultural Makeup
• Cosmetic Chemistry
• Skin Disorders and Management

SS2 Beauty & Cosmetology 23 notes

First Term 7 notes

• Advanced Hair Styling I
• Advanced Hair Styling II
• Hair Colouring
• Hair Cutting
• Advanced Makeup II
• Cosmetic Product Formulation I
• Cosmetic Product Formulation II

Second Term 8 notes

• Salon Management I
• Salon Management II
• Business Skills I
• Business Skills II
• Entrepreneurship in Cosmetology
• Spa and Wellness Therapy I
• Spa and Wellness Therapy II
• Occupational Hazard in Cosmetology

Third Term 8 notes

• Dermatology Basics for Beautician
• Cosmetic Dermatology I
• Cosmetic Dermatology II
• Hair Removal Methods
• International Beauty Trend
• Ethics in Beauty and Cosmetology
• Regulation of Cosmetic Product
• Sustainable Beauty Practices

SS3 Beauty & Cosmetology 19 notes

First Term 7 notes

• Professional Makeup Artistry I
• Professional Makeup Artistry II
• Bridal and Event Management in Beauty
• Cosmetology Entrepreneurship Project I
• Cosmetology Entrepreneurship Project II
• Presentation of Projects
• Client Care and Psychology

Second Term 8 notes

• Advanced Spa Services
• Global Beauty Standards
• Cosmetic Chemistry II
• Health and Safety Regulations
• Digital Marketing for Beauty Business
• Job Opportunities in Beauty Industry
• Career Preparation
• WAEC/NECO Cosmetology Syllabus Revision

Third Term 4 notes

• Practical Sessions
• Field Work
• Independent Project Work
• Report Writing

How we prepare our lesson notes

Each note covers one topic for one class and one term, and the notes are arranged in teaching order. Every note has behavioural objectives, the lesson content in short sections, evaluation questions and an assignment drawn from the same note.

Before a note is published, it is edited for accuracy, plain language and the right level for the class. Teachers can then use it as a base for lesson planning and adjust it to suit their own pupils.

Every note is free to read online. A PDF or Word copy of one subject costs ₦1,000 for one term, or ₦2,000 for all three terms. If you find a mistake, tell us and we will correct it.

Recommended Beauty & Cosmetology textbooks

Books are grouped by class. The line under each title shows which list recommends it.

SS1 Beauty & Cosmetology textbooks 1 book

Name	Author	Publisher
Catch Them Young Beauty and CosmetologyFG NERDC approved list, 2026 to 2028Edition: 2026	BMI Finishing School	Bizness Matters Incubators and Finishing

SS2 Beauty & Cosmetology textbooks 1 book

Name	Author	Publisher
NERDC/EVANS Cosmetology for S.S. SchoolsSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Enono Obangulo & Patricia Obi	University Press PLC

SS3 Beauty & Cosmetology textbooks 1 book

Name	Author	Publisher
NERDC/EVANS Cosmetology for S.S. SchoolsSchool booklist – International School, University of Ibadan (UI-owned)	Enono Obangulo & Patricia Obi	University Press PLC

Based on the 2026/27 recommended lists. Editions change, so confirm the current edition with your school or bookseller.