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The CA Board of Barbering & Cosmetology accepts two learning systems, Milady (Clifton Park, NT) and Pivot Point International, Inc. (Evanston, IL).

Which one is better depends entirely on your preference. Both systems teach the basics, just in different approaches.

Even though I attend a Pivot Point Membership School, I ordered a Milady textbook just for the extra help.

Having both side by side to compare (Milady’s Standard Cosmetology 2012 and Pivot Point’s Salon Fundamentals 2010), I actually prefer Milady. By just reading through the same chapter (hair cutting) in both books, this is what I’ve learned.

They both have more or less the same basic information but Milady’s goes more in depth whereas Pivot Point’s textbook seems to skim over everything.

Pivot Point uses mathematical terms (elevation, projection, inclination, etc.) or invents their own (hair cutting is referred to as ‘hair sculpting’ and combing the hair is called ‘distributing’). They also encourage you to see the haircut as an abstract form and to fill out what they call a ‘sculpting sheet’ for each haircut where you have to draw the haircut step by step. If you’re fond of math (or something like it), this may be great for you. I just found it stupid.

Milady’s uses the standard terminology and skips the futurism to tell you things such as how to cut hair to a client’s face, which type of shears would be more beneficial to which haircut, how your posture affects how you cut and how to correctly switch hands while palming your shears so you don’t stab anyone in the neck. It also has additional information on how to use shears if you’re left handed and how to get them custom fitted if need be.

Pivot Point either disperses this information in other chapters (face shapes are discussed a chapter before haircutting) or omit it entirely (types of shears and lefties aren’t mentioned at all).

Milady’s is also a whopping 1090 odd pages while Pivot Point is just under 700, which is also something to think about when choosing which you’d prefer to carry to class back and forth each day with the added weight of your workbook, notebook and supplies.

Pivot Point’s educational system also includes an additional five supplemental textbooks (Texture, Color, Hair Design, Sculpture & Salon Success) and one workbook, one test review booklet, a day planner, a ‘Pivot Point’ pin to wear on your scrubs and certificates for you to hang once you finish each textbook (and Mardi Gra beads for some reason).

I’m not for sure what Milady’s package includes but the bundles I’ve seen include two supplemental textbooks (Hair Cutting, Hair Color & Texture), two workbooks, one study guide, one exam review book and a CD. They also offer the cosmetology book and accompanying workbook in Spanish, which is great.

Some say Pivot Point is easier to learn precisely because it sticks to just the basics and (if you ignore the pseudo-math) is simplistic.

But if you’re more old fashioned and enjoy reading for leisure (yes, I’m boring), you might prefer Milady for all its detailing and going over the little things. Plus, their textbook looks like a magazine and that amuses me.