How to become A Cosmetologist

• Aesthetician
• Clinical Aesthetician
• Esthetician

What do Cosmetologists do?

A Cosmetologist would typically need to:

• Help clients improve on or acquire a particular look with the right hairstyle and hair coloring, manicured nails, a properly trimmed beard, or carefully chosen makeup
• Analyze client’s facial features, hair, skin, and scalp, research potential styles, confer with customers, and make recommendations to get the desired results
• Estimate knowledgeably how long a session may last; take detailed notes and photographs of work to maintain an up-to-date professional portfolio
• Maintain safe and healthy conditions while offering quality service by adhering to organization standards, legal regulations; clean and disinfect all tools and work areas
• Cut, shampoo, dry, condition, style and color hair; prepare hair for styling by analyzing hair condition and discussing hairstyle options; administer scalp treatments, if necessary
• Arrange, shape, curl, cut, trim, set, bleach, dye, and tint hair to achieve positive outcomes; care for and sell wigs and hairpieces
• Check stock, anticipate needs, source, budget and order materials and equipment from specialist suppliers to maintain inventory
• Perform administrative tasks, such as answering phones and making appointments
• Demonstrate and advise on optimum use of makeup; develop new hairstyles, makeup application techniques, and other beauty treatments
• Take appropriate action to minimize unpleasant side effects from the use of make-up/hairdressing techniques

Cosmetologists find jobs worldwide. Their workplace ranges across dressing rooms, stuffy studios, and freezing outdoor locations. Most work in a salon or spa with a soothing and tranquil atmosphere. Some perform skin treatments that are non-medical and work along with dermatologists at their offices.

Travel within a working day, frequent relocation, and absence from home at night are standard. Cosmetologists working in the film industry may travel to exotic locations.

Cosmetologists need to dress professionally. Lab coats may be mandatory for those working in a dermatologist's office.

Self-employed Cosmetologists often work long hours, promoting their business. While most jobs require a full-time commitment, part-time positions are available. Work schedules frequently include evenings and weekends when most clients can make the time. Working on a film or television project requires Cosmetologists to be on set before filming commences and remain on location throughout filming to re-apply make-up.

The majority of Cosmetologists work on a self-employed or freelance basis. They are contracted for projects, either directly or through an agent. Event management companies hire them for weddings and fashion shows. Cosmetologists can also choose to teach make-up courses in a drama or theatrical studies program offered by educational institutions.

Aspiring Cosmetologists commonly use word of mouth, networking, and speculative CVs to generate work, maintaining a photographic portfolio to demonstrate their range of skills.

Cosmetologists are generally employed by:

• Hair & Nail Salons
• Barbershops, Spas, & Resorts
• Film & Television Studios
• Theatres
• Video, Advertising & Commercial Companies
• Commercial, Fashion & Portrait Photographers
• Event Management Companies
• Education Institutions
• Dermatologists

Professional associations like Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie are a crucial resource for Cosmetologists. They offer superior networking and educational opportunities. Members can review industry standards, attend salon expos and trade shows, enter competitions, and take online and in-class continuing education courses.

Membership in one or more such associations adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials. It helps you enjoy better employment opportunities and to distinguish yourself from your colleagues.

• The need to work quickly and with a focus in time-pressured conditions; stand for long periods; travel with or carry tools and equipment
• Specialization, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to new trends; need to be pleasant and friendly even under trying circumstances
• Constant exposure to a variety of chemicals in specific jobs

Since a career in cosmetology requires specialized skills, aspiring Cosmetologists undergo intensive training for six months to a year. The training includes hands-on practice and, in most cases, an internship or apprenticeship. To partake of a lucrative internship while still studying, potential Cosmetologists must have a specific number of credit hours, a minimum academic score, and an authorized instructor’s permission or recommendation.

Informal training is just as important as formal qualifications. You will find that industry experience, whether paid or voluntary, is vital to professional development and the ability to get work. It may be earned backstage at amateur dramatic productions or in a beauty or hair salon. Job shadowing and carrying out work experience assisting a Cosmetologist can also help you gain valuable insights, develop your portfolio, build a network of contacts, and demonstrate your commitment to the profession.

Observation is one of the best ways to learn skills and techniques. Competition is tough, and professionals are often employed on reputation and popularity. A good starting point is to think of the contacts made during the study, particularly through work experience.

It is impossible to develop the skill set required to become a proficient Cosmetologist in a week or two. You need to undergo intensive training and get ample opportunity to hone and master the skills required over an extensive period.

Cosmetologists typically complete an accredited two-year program from a vocational or cosmetology school or a community college. Creative and practical skills take precedence over academic qualifications in this profession.

The program should ideally include basic safety & sanitation, hair care, aesthetics & hair removal, nail care, skin science, and salon management.

Cosmetologists need to obtain a license before practicing. Cosmetology programs often prepare students to sit for such licensing exams, typically including a written test and a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.

Prerequisites to get a license vary across locations. Generally, an applicant must be at least 16 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have graduated from an authorized cosmetology school.

An effective cosmetology certification course will educate you and help you handle the most difficult and demanding clients.

Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications. In the face of limited permanent positions and lack of a defined progression route, career development as a Cosmetologist usually means securing more number of temporary contracts and demanding higher rates of pay.

Your sense of confidence and how much experience and expertise you feel you have to offer will determine your decisions as to the right time to request higher rates of pay and bid for project work in a more senior role.

Overall, job opportunities are expected to be good. Many job openings will stem from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the occupation for other reasons.

However, Cosmetologists should expect intense competition for jobs and clients at higher paying salons. There are relatively few and for which applicants must compete with a large pool of experienced professionals. Having experience will help immensely in getting a job at a higher paying salon.

Cosmetology is a career option that includes much more than just the flawless execution of various technical skills. Most Cosmetologists wish to enhance or consolidate existing skills to open up new areas of expertise or produce better quality work within their specialist area.

Given the predominance of freelance work, training is often on the job, with individuals taking responsibility for their own continuing professional development (CPD). There are limited training opportunities, mainly based in commercial schools, but you will need to pay for them. You could join national associations and take advantage of discounted training courses, events, and information.

Further studies provide the opportunity to experiment, diversify, or obtain the specialist knowledge required. Students may enroll for postgraduate courses on Swedish Remedial Massage, Spa Therapy, Electrolysis course, and Lash Technician course.

A Brief History

The word 'cosmetology' derives from a Greek word meaning 'beautifying.’ Ancient Egyptian women used early forms of makeup to add color to their faces. Wig makers were much sought after in ancient Egypt when men and women regularly wore wigs. Roman poetry suggests the use of the first type of hot curler to curl women's hair. Cosmetology has evolved and varied through the ages, with some eras being more prone to lavish extravagance than others.

The Cosmetologists’ Style Guide

Cosmetologists must keep up with the latest trends and be ready to try new hairstyles, make-up, and treatments on their clients. Cosmetologists must appear neat and maintain a safe, sanitary, and healthy environment to make clients comfortable enough to want to return.

Customer-Centric Approach

Building on specific personal attributes will foster a good relationship, even a friendship, between a Cosmetologist and client and help develop and maintain a loyal client base. A caring and nurturing personality, the ability to create a soothing ambiance, and meticulous attention to detail, blended judiciously with your creative and practical professional skills, will propel top-tier customer service.

Tools of the Trade

Cosmetologists depend on haircutting and styling tools like hair dryers, electric trimmers, and scissors for their work. You must be comfortable using beauty tools ranging from makeup sponges and brushes to nail files and clippers to hair removal systems such as tweezers, waxes, and lasers. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word and Outlook, would come in handy when corresponding with clients and other professionals.

Handy Resources

Online publications, blogs, books, magazines, and other resources will educate you in various aspects of cosmetology. You will learn how to build clientele and cope with daily stresses in a salon, and what the real challenges and benefits of working as a Cosmetologist are.

Typically, these resources offer novice and seasoned professionals useful advice about the career and insights into what it is like to work and survive in the field. They also provide tips for interviews and for setting up your salon. You will also find product reviews, how-to tutorials, skincare advice, the latest hairstyles, hair coloring trends, beauty show news, nail polishing tips, and more.

Specialization

Some Cosmetologists specialize in makeup and hair for theater, television, or film, working on sets or even privately for famous actresses and actors. Makeup artists that work in film and television do not always have to make the actor or actress look their best but portray them older, younger, sick, or even deceased depending on the role. Some Cosmetologists specialize in special effects makeup, which can involve transforming someone to look like a completely different character, such as a vampire, werewolf, or zombie.

Cosmetologists may also develop their lines of skincare and haircare products as well as makeup lines. A new type of Cosmetologist is becoming popular, who provides beauty and skin care services for those unable to leave their bed.

Tailored Treatments

Skin therapies may include relaxing treatments such as facials and massages or correction of acne, eczema, dry skin, or other issues. Bear in mind that Cosmetologists are not allowed to diagnose unknown skin conditions and must refer clients with such issues to a qualified dermatologist.

Anti-aging treatments aim to eliminate wrinkles and create younger-looking skin. They may include deep pore cleansing, facial exfoliation, cellulite treatments, and body wraps. Medical anti-aging treatments such as botox must be carried out by a medical doctor and cannot be performed in a spa.

Features that make a Good Cosmetology School

Great Prime factors that determine the quality of a cosmetology school are accreditation, cost of attendance & financial aid, career assistance, size of the classes, and versatility of the institute.

People have used various concoctions throughout history to improve their facial appearance, including blood for cheeks and lips, chalk powder, crocodile dung, and even lead.

Who does not like being a style influencer at the forefront of cool? By the time you read this, there will be another new cosmetology trend. And just maybe you will be the one to usher in the next big one!

A career in cosmetology can seem glamorous but is not necessarily easy. However, if you love making people look and feel beautiful, the joy you experience as a Cosmetologist can make any challenging day worthwhile. Keep a kind heart. Look out for one another. And remember: Diversity is what makes us beautiful. And hey. You’ve gotta grind if you wanna shine!