Nearest for students
Student beauty, wellness and self-care services
Students get discounts on food, clothes, tech and entertainment — beauty, grooming and self-care should be student-priced too. Nearest helps high school, college, trade school and online students find independent professionals near them — haircuts, braids, barbers, nails, lashes, brows, makeup, skincare and more — with booking, payment and appointment day handled in one app.
Bookings are available in cities where professionals are live. Check your city — if it isn't open yet, you can ask to be told when it is.
Student-friendly prices
- No service on Nearest costs more than $150, add-ons included. Professionals set their own prices within that limit.
- The price you see already includes Nearest's $5 booking fee per service, so there's no surprise charge at checkout. A travel fee is added only if the professional comes to you.
- Some professionals post Model Calls: discounted appointments where they practice a technique or build a portfolio. Results can differ from a standard service, and some list requirements.
How booking works
- Create an account and verify you're a student — a school ID photo and selfie, proof of enrollment if your school doesn't issue IDs, or a code sent to your school email. Students 13–17 also need a parent or guardian to approve from an email Nearest sends them.
- Find a professional by service, price and area, and look at their work, hours and reviews.
- Request a time. Standard bookings are at least 24 hours ahead; same-day bookings are possible only for openings a professional posts, until 12:00 PM Central, at least 4 hours out. You aren't charged yet.
- The professional accepts (or declines — then you're not charged).
- Pay to confirm within 12 hours of acceptance. Available credits apply first.
- On the day, the address appears from 12:00 AM Central. Check in when you arrive (within 100 feet), then finish the appointment in the app so the payment is released.
Cancellations and credits
Nearest uses credits instead of cash refunds. Cancel 24 hours or more ahead and the full amount becomes credit with that professional. Cancel later or miss the appointment and the $5 protected deposit goes to the professional; the rest becomes credit with them. If a professional cancels, you get the full amount as credit you can use with anyone. Details are in the Terms.
Safety basics
- Professionals verify their identity with Nearest. Verification confirms a real person — it isn't a background check or an endorsement of skills.
- Phone numbers and emails aren't shared; keep messages in the app.
- Services marked 18+ only can't be booked by students under 18.
- Tell your professional about allergies or sensitivities, and ask for a patch test if you're unsure.
- You can end or decline an appointment if you feel unsafe, and report it in the app.
Planning for prom, homecoming and graduation
- Book four to six weeks ahead for prom and graduation; event weeks fill fast.
- Ask about a trial for makeup or hair, and how long the appointment takes on the day.
- Getting ready with friends? Ask about back-to-back times.
- Bring photos of the look you want and what you're wearing.
Not affiliated with schools
Nearest checks that you're a student, but it's an independent company — not affiliated with, endorsed by or partnered with any school or school district. Appointments happen at the professional's location or at an address you provide; Nearest doesn't arrange appointments at schools.
Guides for students and parents
- How students can save on beauty, grooming and self-care
- Student grooming on a budget: haircuts, fades and beard care
- Prom and homecoming beauty budget planner
- A parent's guide to teen beauty appointments
Common questions
Does Nearest charge students a booking fee?
Yes — a $5 booking fee per service. It's included in the total you see before you pay, so there's no surprise charge at checkout.
When do students pay for appointments?
After the professional accepts your Nearest request. You then have 12 hours (or until 1 hour before the start) to pay in full. Your payment is held until you complete the appointment's finish steps, then released to the professional.
Can parents or guardians help with booking?
Yes. Students book from their own verified Nearest account, and for students 13–17 a parent or guardian must approve the account from an email before the student can book. Parents are responsible for payments on a minor's account.
What happens if a professional declines a booking?
Nearest tells you right away and you aren't charged, because you haven't paid yet. Pick another time or professional. If nobody answers in time, the request expires the same way, with no charge.
How do refunds or cancellations work?
Nearest uses credits instead of cash refunds. Cancel 24 hours or more ahead and the full amount becomes credit with that professional. Cancel later, or miss the appointment, and the $5 protected deposit goes to the professional while the rest becomes credit. If a professional cancels, you get the full amount as general credit.
Is Nearest affiliated with a school or school district?
No. Nearest is an independent company. It verifies that users are students, but it isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or partnered with any school or school district.