Cosmetologist Career Information

Personal appearance is an important element in developing confidence and self-esteem. Most of us want to look good because looking good often means feeling good. That's why we have cosmetology. Information, products, and services that can help people look their best are always highly sought-after (as are the professionals that help us take our individual beauty to a higher level). So, what is a cosmetologist?

What is a Cosmetologist?

A cosmetologist is:

• Someone who has been trained in the skillful cosmetic treatment of hair, skin, and nails
• A professional who holds a cosmetology license in the state in which he or she works
• Often a specialist in one or more areas of cosmetology, sometimes going by titles such as hairstylist, hairdresser, colorist, beautician, manicurist, or makeup artist

Most licensed cosmetologists—about 90 percent—are women, but men can also find success in the beauty industry.

What is a Typical Cosmetologist Job Description? 
(What Does a Cosmetologist Do?)

A typical cosmetologist job description doesn't really exist since the range of beauty services that one can perform is so wide (and is always expanding). Cosmetology is a field with an incredible number of options. While most cosmetologists focus on hairstyling, many others choose to make skin or nails the focal point of their cosmetology careers. And some do it all. So, what does a cosmetologist do?

Depending on where they are in their careers and what they've chosen to focus on, cosmetologists carry out tasks for their clients, such as:

• Shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair
• Giving hair care advice
• Performing manicures (trimming, shaping, and polishing fingernails, removing cuticles, and softening the skin of hands)
• Conducting pedicures (trimming, shaping, and polishing toenails, removing cuticles, and massaging and softening feet)
• Doing scalp treatments
• Performing facials (cleaning and softening the skin of the face)
• Advising on makeup choices and application
• Cleaning and styling wigs and other hairpieces
• Removing unwanted body hair
• Giving head, neck, and arm massages
• Selling beauty products for the care of hair, skin, or nails
• Keeping records of hair color and skin-care regimens (for regular clients)

Cosmetologists are expected to keep their work areas clean and their tools sanitary. Those who own and manage their own salons may also perform duties such as:

• Hiring and supervising cosmetologists and other salon personnel
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date inventory and business records
• Ordering necessary supplies
• Purchasing advertising and other marketing services

What is the Difference Between a Cosmetologist and an Esthetician?

Although a cosmetologist (with the right training) is sometimes also an esthetician, an esthetician is not usually a cosmetologist. That's because cosmetology incorporates general care for hair, skin, and nails whereas esthetics, as a career, is solely about specialized skin care.

Licensed estheticians, in general, have received more advanced training than cosmetologists in various facial beauty treatments, makeup application, full-body skin treatments, and hair removal techniques. They often earn certifications in special procedures such as micropigmentation (subtle facial tattooing like permanent eyeliner), chemical resurfacing, microdermabrasion (mechanical removal of skin imperfections), and electrolysis. Estheticians are also sometimes more involved in providing certain massage services such as reflexology.

In many states, you must obtain separate licenses (and training) for cosmetology and esthetics.

Where Can a Cosmetologist Work?

Most cosmetologists work in stand-alone hair and beauty salons. However, careers in cosmetology can also involve employment at spas, hotels, resorts, and residential care homes.

Of course, many experienced cosmetologists are self-employed and choose to work from home. Some even offer mobile beauty services, traveling to their clients' locations to perform hair, skin, or nail treatments.

What are the Pros and Cons of Being a Cosmetologist?

The field of cosmetology is full of professionals who love what they do for a living. The beauty industry, however, is not necessarily as glamorous as it may appear. Those who succeed as cosmetologists are able to do so because their passion for people, hair, and beauty carries them through the hard work and less-pleasing aspects of their jobs. So, before jumping into a career in cosmetology, it's a good idea to know what you could be getting yourself into.

Cosmetologists often share a number of common downsides to their work. Here are a few:

• The constant focus on beauty, image, and vanity can become tiring, especially since cosmetologists are expected to maintain an appearance that complements the work they do.
• Sore knees, shoulders, arms, and feet are frequently a result of standing for very long periods, sometimes for 10 hours or more per day. This is especially true of new cosmetologists who are getting started in their careers.
• Building a steady base of clients generally takes a long time. Depending on your self-promotion skills, employer, and location, it can take from one to three years to establish a solid clientele. Maintaining that client base can be an ongoing challenge.
• Until you gain a good amount of regular clients and experience, your cosmetology wages could be much lower than you hope for.
• Cosmetologists frequently must work evenings and weekends to accommodate the schedules of their clients who have standard day jobs. In fact, salons tend to be busiest at these times.
• Unless you really love providing hair and other beauty services, cosmetology can sometimes feel a bit repetitive.
• The pressure to sell beauty products (for commission) can sometimes cause extra stress, especially if you're not a naturally gifted salesperson.
• Making mistakes can be costly (both financially and to your reputation), particularly if a client decides to sue you over a botched procedure. Such occasions are rare, but even bad word of mouth can be damaging to your career.
• Working in close proximity to an assortment of different people can expose you to infectious illnesses. You may also have to work with unpleasant or irritating chemicals.

Even with these drawbacks, cosmetology can be a rewarding profession. Here are a few reasons why:

• The satisfaction and confidence that you can give your clients by helping them look their best can also result in a great feeling of personal fulfillment and accomplishment for yourself. Plus, most cosmetologists are able to please their clients most of the time.
• Due to the wide range of beauty services, skilled cosmetologists with up-to-date training can have many options within their careers.
• As long as you meet the necessary licensing requirements, you can work wherever you choose. Cosmetology skills are portable.
• With adequate experience, cosmetologists can become self-employed with little expense compared to other fields.
• Cosmetology gives you the opportunity to meet—and delight—a wide variety of people.
• Your regular, long-term clients can easily turn into long-term friends.
• If you like to talk to other people on a personal level, then cosmetology is one of the few career fields that allows you to do so most of the day, every day.
• You can be rewarded for staying on top of current fashion and design trends.
• Cosmetologists provide services that must be done locally, so they are protected from the trend of overseas outsourcing. This might not seem like a bit deal, but, in today's world, this is an important point to consider as you think about your future.