Educational Requirements - Cosmetologists In order to work as a hairstylist or cosmetologist, one must attend a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. In some states one must earn a high school or equivalency diploma as well. Training programs in hairstyling and cosmetology last approximately nine months and may result in earning an associate degree. Manicurist training programs are not as long.
Product Educator
As a product educator-distributor, you will need to possess good communication skills, people skills, and a dynamic image. Product educators must be poised and good at listening, observing, and speaking to groups. They are based out of local supply houses and travel to specific regional territories selling professional products to licensed professionals and establishment owners. In addition, they are required to provide product knowledge classes and if licensed, to present product demonstrations at area salons and schools. If you enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and sharing your knowledge, this may be the perfect position for you.
Salon Owner
As a salon owning, you will take on a variety of responsibilities and challenges. You will enjoy exercising your creativity, versatility,and independence, as long as you do not mind making hair decisions and working long hours running your own salon allows you to set a standard for the quality of service you bring to the workplace. You can choose the products and services and determine the level of skill you demand for your staff. Owning a salon means assuming responsibility for paying bills, payroll, and taxes. Contract your local small business bureau and obtain literature about businesses in your area if the idea of owning a business interest you.
Platform Artist
A platform artist should enjoy being on stage, performing for people, sharing knowledge, and traveling. as a platform artist, you will most likely work out of a salon during the week. But on weekends, you will travel to local or national hair shows to demonstrate the most current trends and techniques, or to represent products for professional product companies. Salon experience is a must, as well as excellent communication skill and stage presence.
Hairstylist for TV, Movies, or Theater
If you like the idea of working with celebrities, you may want to consider this career option. You can choose to style hair for a weekly TV show, be a make-up artist for the latest theatrical production, or even create the newest alien race as part of a special-effects team for a science fiction movie. Working in this area will allow you to color hair, add texture, use hair extensions, work with wigs, or simply style hair. Who know? There may even be a Academy Award in your future.
Wig or Extensions Specialist
As a specialist in hair extensions or wig services, you can work with clients to create subtle or dramatic changes in their hair length, texture, and color by adding extensions through braiding, weaving, bonding, gluing, or sewing. Or you may enjoy working with cancer patients who are experiencing hair loss as a result of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Assisting them with wig selection and fitting can make a real difference in the quality of their lives. Another possibility is to become a men's hair replacement specialist. You can specialize in treating men with hair loss through various nonsurgical procedures such as hair weaves, hairpieces, and other hair replacement methods.
Texture Service Specialist
If you enjoy creating an entirely new look for your clients, consider becoming a texture service specialist. All hair has a natural look, or movement or wave pattern, but many clients choose to change these aspects of their hair. By specializing in chemical texture services,you can give clients the look they want simply by adding or removing curl in varying degrees. Or perhaps you will want to get involved in product research and development. Whichever area you choose, rest assured that these, too are very lucrative parts of the cosmetology profession.
Haircolor Specialist
If you have an eye for color,you may what to pursue this vocational direction. A color technician or hair colorist selects the best color, formulates it, and processes it to enhance a client's hair. This is an extremely creative area of the industry. You my want to specialize at a salon, become a color trainer, work for a color manufacturer, for become a platform artist demonstrating your techniques. As a hair colorist, it is imperative that you continue your education by attending advanced hair color classes. This will give you a creative edge and provide you with special and highly marketable skills. In addition,the art of color correction is a very lucrative business and requires extensive knowledge of hair color and related products.
Career Opportunities
At this point in your journey you may not know whether you prefer working with hair, nails or skin. Even if you do have something in mind it is best in the beginning to leave yourself open to other possibilities. Let you're learning guide you and take each classroom with an open mind and a wholehearted and desire to learn as much as you can. Some of the best-known people in the beauty industry changed vocational direction in the course of their studies. You have many career possibilities ahead so let us take a look at some of them.
Salon Stylist
As an entry-level cosmetologists you may be expected to perform all the services offered in the salon. These will vary depending on the type of salon you choose to work in. In addition, you may be asked to handle the reception desk duties such as meeting and greeting client, answering the telephone, making appointments, calling clients to remind them of upcoming appointment's and selling the retail products to clients. You will also need to focus on refining your practical skill, building a clientele, and be referring client to other specialist in the salon. You will keep your record cards updated, practice good customer relation skills and consumer safety, and be dependable and on time for your appointments. You will be responsible for keeping your work area clean and sanitary, as well as helping with that sanitation duties in the salon.
Educational Requirements
Educational Requirements - Cosmetologists
In order to work as a hairstylist or cosmetologist, one must attend a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. In some states one must earn a high school or equivalency diploma as well. Training programs in hairstyling and cosmetology last approximately nine months and may result in earning an associate degree. Manicurist training programs are not as long.
Other Requirements - Cosmetologists:
All personal appearance workers, including hairstylists, hairdressers and cosmetologists, but not shampooers, must be licensed. Upon completion of a state-approved training program in cosmetology, one usually must take a state-administered licensing exam. There are generally separate exams for manicurists, pedicurists, and skin care specialists.
Advancement - Cosmetologists:
As hairstylists and cosmetologists become more experienced and gain a following, they can expect their earnings to increase. Some manage salons or decide to open their own. Others become sales representatives or image consultants. Some decide to teach in barber and cosmetology schools.
Job Outlook - Cosmetologists:
Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018, but the amount of growth will vary by specialty. For example, job growth for skin care specialists is projected to be faster, through 2018, than it will be for other occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earning - Cosmetologists:
Cosmetologists earned a median annual salary of $23,330 ($11.21/hour) in 2009. Wages varied by actual job title.
Day in a Cosmetologist's Life:
On a typical day a cosmetologist might perform some of the following duties, depending on his or her specialization:
Cuts, trims and shapes hair or hair pieces
Bleaches, dyes, or tints hair
Combs, brushes, and sprays hair or wigs to set style
Attaches wig or hairpiece to model head and dresses wigs and hairpieces
Massages and treats scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes
Administers therapeutic medication and advises patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions
Recommends and applies cosmetics, lotions, and creams to patron to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance
Shapes and colors eyebrows or eyelashes and removes facial hair
Cleans, shapes, and polishes fingernails and toenails
Updates and maintains customer information records, such as beauty services provided
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much cosmetologists currently earn in your city.
Day in a Cosmetologist's Life:
On a typical day a cosmetologist might perform some of the following duties, depending on his or her specialization:
Cuts, trims and shapes hair or hair pieces
Bleaches, dyes, or tints hair
Combs, brushes, and sprays hair or wigs to set style
Attaches wig or hairpiece to model head and dresses wigs and hairpieces
Massages and treats scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes
Administers therapeutic medication and advises patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions
Recommends and applies cosmetics, lotions, and creams to patron to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance
Shapes and colors eyebrows or eyelashes and removes facial hair
Cleans, shapes, and polishes fingernails and toenails
Updates and maintains customer information records, such as beauty services provided
In order to work as a hairstylist or cosmetologist, one must attend a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 16 years old. In some states one must earn a high school or equivalency diploma as well. Training programs in hairstyling and cosmetology last approximately nine months and may result in earning an associate degree. Manicurist training programs are not as long.
Other Requirements - Cosmetologists:
All personal appearance workers, including hairstylists, hairdressers and cosmetologists, but not shampooers, must be licensed. Upon completion of a state-approved training program in cosmetology, one usually must take a state-administered licensing exam. There are generally separate exams for manicurists, pedicurists, and skin care specialists.
Advancement - Cosmetologists:
As hairstylists and cosmetologists become more experienced and gain a following, they can expect their earnings to increase. Some manage salons or decide to open their own. Others become sales representatives or image consultants. Some decide to teach in barber and cosmetology schools.
Job Outlook - Cosmetologists:
Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018, but the amount of growth will vary by specialty. For example, job growth for skin care specialists is projected to be faster, through 2018, than it will be for other occupations requiring post-secondary training or an associate degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earning - Cosmetologists:
Cosmetologists earned a median annual salary of $23,330 ($11.21/hour) in 2009. Wages varied by actual job title.
Day in a Cosmetologist's Life:
On a typical day a cosmetologist might perform some of the following duties, depending on his or her specialization:
Cuts, trims and shapes hair or hair pieces
Bleaches, dyes, or tints hair
Combs, brushes, and sprays hair or wigs to set style
Attaches wig or hairpiece to model head and dresses wigs and hairpieces
Massages and treats scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes
Administers therapeutic medication and advises patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions
Recommends and applies cosmetics, lotions, and creams to patron to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance
Shapes and colors eyebrows or eyelashes and removes facial hair
Cleans, shapes, and polishes fingernails and toenails
Updates and maintains customer information records, such as beauty services provided
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much cosmetologists currently earn in your city.
Day in a Cosmetologist's Life:
On a typical day a cosmetologist might perform some of the following duties, depending on his or her specialization:
Cuts, trims and shapes hair or hair pieces
Bleaches, dyes, or tints hair
Combs, brushes, and sprays hair or wigs to set style
Attaches wig or hairpiece to model head and dresses wigs and hairpieces
Massages and treats scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes
Administers therapeutic medication and advises patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions
Recommends and applies cosmetics, lotions, and creams to patron to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance
Shapes and colors eyebrows or eyelashes and removes facial hair
Cleans, shapes, and polishes fingernails and toenails
Updates and maintains customer information records, such as beauty services provided
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