Do you enjoy making people feel good? Do you have a talent for hair and makeup, and an appreciation of fashion? Would you like to work as a beautician or cosmetologist? If your answer is “Yes!” then becoming a cosmetologist might be the right career path for you. Cosmetologists are professionals who style hair and apply makeup. They also sell products that enhance their client’s appearance. Career options specific to cosmetology include barbering, nail care specialist, make-up artist, skin care specialist, wig maker/fitter or hairdresser.
In the United States, there are a number of cosmetology schools that you can enroll in to learn a variety of skills and techniques about hair care, skincare, and nail care. Cosmetology is a term used for beauty professionals who have graduated from a licensing program at a beauty school or cosmetology institute. According to statistics from Career Infonet, the job outlook for many different areas of this industry is good over the next decade. In addition, most states require their beauty professionals to be licensed by completing instruction through an accredited school and passing both written and practical examinations for licensure.
In order to become a licensed professional in the field of cosmetology, it is necessary to attend beauty school and then pass the licensing examination. Career Infonet reports that there are more than 3,000 schools throughout the United States that offer full-time programs for students who wish to become cosmetologists. Cosmetology training generally takes nine months or longer depending upon the type of program you choose and whether or not your state requires continuing education credits for license renewal.
There are several different types of cosmetology programs available to prepare beauty professionals for work in the salon/spa industry:
1. Hair Styling – Includes both men’s and women’s hair styles as well as cutting children’s hair. Curling irons , hair dryers , flat irons , and a variety of chemicals may be used during this process.
2. Hair Coloring – Involves coloring hair using either rinses or powder. Students are taught about the different types of color, how to mix them, where to apply them, and how long they should remain on the head prior to washing out.
3. Hair Weaving & Extensions – Program students learn various methods of weaving or attaching extensions into natural hair . They also learn about proper care of these attachments as well as removing them when necessary.
4. Manicures & Pedicures – Training includes study of correct nail anatomy , filing , shaping , buffing (removal of ridges), massaging , and applying polish . Licensed professionals must know how to remove cuticles without causing pain or injury, trim hangnails , and push back the cuticle.
5. Make-up Application – Knowledge of skin anatomy, chemistry, and physics are involved in learning how to apply foundation , concealer , blusher, eye shadow , mascara , eyeliner, brow liner , lipstick /lip gloss, and related products safely. Special effects make-up for movies or theater is also part of this training.
6. Skin Care – Cosmetologists learn about both facial and body care including cleansing , toning with astringents , exfoliation with scrubs or loofahs, facial massage techniques to improve circulation and stimulate the tissues, aromatherapy oils used for relaxation or stress relief after a hard day at work, masks that hydrate the skin as well as revitalize it, and the proper application of sunscreen.
7. Nail Repair & Artificial Nails – Specialized equipment is used to repair chipped or broken nails . Knowledge of acrylic liquid monomer , acrylic powder polymerization , sterilization procedures, and salon sanitation are part of this training. Students learn how to apply various types of false nails as well as soak-off nail gels . These can come in solid colors or with glitter for a spiced up look during the evening hours.
8. Hair Replacement Systems – Includes wigs , hairpieces , toupees, falls , rug sets, and related products designed to give a person a full head of hair if he/she has little or no naturally occurring strands on top.
9. Alternative Career Training – State-licensed cosmetologists may also receive specialized training in one of the above categories or choose to attend a school that offers an alternative career spa technician program such as waxing, massage therapy, nail technology, and esthetics (skin treatments).
The most popular method is attending beauty school and then taking the State Board exam which requires a fee of $75 per part plus any additional fees your state board requires for testing. You must pass both written and practical exams before becoming a licensed professional. Each state has its own minimum requirements regarding age and number of hours training required.
It is important to check with your local county health department or state licensing agency for specific details as they vary from state to state. Your beauty school will be able to provide additional information on the testing process. After passing the state board exam, cosmetologists have the option of continuing their education through advanced courses of study offered by some colleges and universities.
To get a job in this field, it is important that you are comfortable working with customers and doing all of the following:
– Shampooing hair
– Cutting hair
– Drying hair
– Perming hair
– Straightening hair
– Styling hair according to customer’s wishes
A cosmetologist should also be skilled at both giving relaxing scalp massages as well as performing precise facials . You will need strength to manage heavy salon chairs or equipment since this job requires a lot of standing and sitting. You must also be able to manage busy work schedules, sometimes working late into the evening or on the weekends. If you are shy, you may find it difficult to get new customers because solo beauty professionals frequently rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from previous clients in order to stay in business.
Financial aid for cosmetology training is limited although some schools offer scholarships and grants based on financial need. Federal loans and private funding sources such as banks/credit unions and SALLIE MAE (student loan lender) are other available options if your credit score is above 680. Most states require that students applying for cosmetology student loans have no prior credit problems such as bankruptcies or foreclosures.
Cosmetology students must be at least 17 years of age or older and have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for federal financial aid as well as cosmetology student loans. Grants and scholarships are offered to those with exceptional academic records, usually an overall 2.5 GPA and higher math and reading scores than other students in the same grade level. It is important to ask your beauty school about the availability of these programs before enrolling so you can build your college funding plan around them if necessary.
