Cosmetologist - As a career option

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“The most beautiful makeup of a woman is passion. But cosmetics are easier to buy.” - Yves Saint-Laurent

Introduction

Beauty cannot be tamed; it is wild and insidious. However, beauty needs the rearing that every life force does. Cosmetology has to do with some of the most common words that we’ve been hearing for centuries. Hair, skin, beauty, salon, parlour, etc. Yes, that’s right, we’re referring to the beauty industry.

Cosmetologists are beauty experts who work with health and wellness parlors or beauty treatment enterprises. These people can spot the difference in skin types, hair types, skin requirements etc. and provide you with a reported information of your skin, scalp, and hair problems, so that you always look your best.

What is the role of a Cosmetologist?

Cosmetologists are people on the cutting edge of trends and styles in hair and beauty techniques, and they can transform their clients from simple to spectacular in a single sitting. According to the Princeton Review, cosmetologists “are often the initiators of style and change.”

Cosmetologists also sometimes called “beauticians,” aren’t limited just to hairstyling. Their job description might also involve doing manicures, pedicures and nail services, and even the basics of applying makeup for customers.

They should also be knowledgeable in the field of Aesthetics, the division of cosmetology which focuses on skin care and includes services like facials, extractions and wraps, though some states require an Aesthetician license to perform these services professionally.

Also, they must feel comfortable consulting with hair and nail clients, asking questions and offering suggestions to deliver the best beauty services possible. A successful cosmetologist is outgoing and personable, can work well with their hands, does not mind standing for lengthy periods of time, and is willing to put in the work to market themselves to keep clients coming back and referring their friends.

Skills and abilities required to become a Cosmetologist

The skills, abilities and aptitudes of a cosmetologist are not limited to good communication and consultation skills; a creative bent and eye for good-looking design; appointment scheduling and management; understanding of the effects of various beauty products; recommending product regimens to clients; hairdressing, hair colouring, straightening; using tools like clippers, scissors and razors; chemistry of colour and colour theory; physiology of the skin, hair and nails; etc.

Career prospect of a Cosmetologist

A career in cosmetology can lead to a variety of professions in the beauty industry. Some of the job opportunities for cosmetologists may include hairstylist, nail technician or salon or spa manager, just to name a few.

Some licensed professionals choose careers in the beauty industry as beauty magazine editors or consultants, while others become sales or marketing specialists in the cosmetics industry, and still, others go on to teach beauty school and pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation.

Some famous job titles of a licensed Cosmetologists

• Beautician
• Hairstylist
• Hairdresser
• Wedding Stylist
• Nail Technician
• Manager Stylist
• Salon Assistant

How to become a Cosmetologist?

The first step in becoming a cosmetologist is finding a cosmetology or beauty school that fits your needs. At cosmetology schools, students learn the skills and techniques needed to pass their state licensing exam for hair, nails, makeup, safety and sanitation.

Every state has slightly different training hour requirements to be able to sit for the cosmetology board exams. Cosmetology is the broadest and most encompassing of the beauty disciplines since it covers hair, nails, makeup and skin care all in one program.

Some cosmetology schools may also offer courses in salon and spa management, top business practices, professionalism and ethics courses, and may even include elements of chemistry, anatomy, biology and physiology in their curriculum.

Most beauty and cosmetology schools require a high school diploma or a GED equivalent to enrol, but check with the state in which you plan to enrol to be sure, and always contact the school directly to find out their unique regulations. The minimum age required to enrol in school varies from state to state.

State beauty license requirements vary by state, so the length of the training program may also vary slightly by state. On average, it takes students 9 to 15 months to graduate from a cosmetology program. Many schools offer flexible scheduling that allows you to take night or weekend classes to accommodate work and family life, so part-time students may take longer to graduate than full-time students would.

Cosmetology school tuition costs vary depending on the types of courses, hours of instruction needed, the location of the school, as well as their facilities and equipment. The cost of cosmetology school can also be affected by what's included in the price of tuition, like books, supplies, cosmetology kits, or smocks, or aprons, etc.

A day in the life of a Cosmetologist

Hi, I’m a cosmetologist and I work with a health and wellness parlour as the Beauty In-charge. I work for about ten hours a day and meet about 50 people for their beauty related issues on a daily basis.

I also supervise client sessions for hair-styling and skin treatments. Yes, it’s a tough life. But this is something that I can do for a long time without feeling fatigued, it comes naturally. That’s why I’ve been doing it for the past 15 years. Here’s a day in my life:

9:00 AM: Just got to work.

9:15 AM: I’m expecting a Supplies Report from my Center Manager. Depending upon that I’ll have to chalk out the supplies for next month.

9:30 AM: My first appointment for the day is with a lady who we’re treating for skin conditioning.

10:30 AM: The client has reported a lapse in service. This is not the first time that a similar complaint has been made by a client regarding the same staff member. We need to fir this chap.

11:00 AM: The centre looks quite the usual. A customer just walked in. I’ll have to take a Customer Counselling Session.

11:45 AM: We just made a new client. Tea time!

12:15 PM: I have to supervise a skin treatment that one of our old customers is going to take.

12:20 PM: That skin treatment is cancelled. Our client is unwell. We will check if we can replace it with some other client.

12:30 PM: Mrs Raheja is expected by 1:15 for the same treatment that she had pending from her beauty package.

1:30 PM: We’re running a little late but at least there is a client on the chair. Because visuals aid learning more than words, I’ve called our trainees to observe the procedure of the treatment so they can learn quicker.

3:15 PM: We just got done with Mrs Raheja’s treatment, she looks so much better. I need some lunch now.

4:15 PM: A customer wants to counsel about hair treatments.

5:15 PM: Another client in the bag. I make a client card for her and write the specifications for her treatment, and we’re set to go.

5:30 PM: I’ll need a cup of tea. Need to check the appointment register and walk-ins register.

6:10 PM: I’m done for the day, good to go home now.

Are you interested in becoming a cosmetologist? We hope this article has added something valuable to your research about this profession. Have your say in the comment box below. Enjoy Reading!