What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

First, get your high school diploma or equivalent.

Next, find a state-approved cosmetology school, which could be a vocational school, technical school or community college. 

Cosmetology programs often cover all the treatment options to give students a basic understanding of all the services. This may include haircutting and styling, nail care, beauty and wellness, makeup application, skin care and salon management. Additional classes focus on each specialty. (Keep in mind that in some states, you must be 16 years old to enroll in cosmetology school.)

Programs include classroom time and plenty of hands-on training. 

Because so many beauticians go on to become business owners, it’s a good idea to include business classes in your training. Many cosmetology schools offer entrepreneurship programs for this reason.

You may also find opportunities for an apprenticeship, where you and other entry-level beauticians will work with and learn from more experienced salon employees. 

Finally, you’ll need to earn a license to practice your trade. This requires completing a certain number of training hours, passing a written exam and passing a practical exam that covers frequently performed tasks.

There are many opportunities for certification in this profession. Certifications cover advanced treatments such as electrolysis and laser therapy for hair removal as well as specialty treatments such as eyebrow treatments or extensions. 

When you're starting out and building your client list, tips and income may be unpredictable. It won't take long before your clients become more regular and your compensation and tips will stabilize and grow.

And as mentioned, you'll have the opportunity to own your own business. Specific programs, such as this curriculum offered by Mesa College in Arizona, can give you the tools you need to succeed.

If you attend classes full-time, you can finish up a typical program in nine to 15 months. The more specialties you learn, the longer it will take. An apprenticeship program can take from one to three years.

Continuing education is ongoing and is needed to keep your license current.

Often, these titles are used interchangeably. However, there is a difference.

A cosmetologist tends to have more training and offer more services than a beautician, who often specializes. Schools that train cosmetologists cover more treatment options in addition to allowing students to focus on a specific area.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics thinks so. The BLS projects about 93,800 openings per year from 2021 to 2031 for barbers, hairstylists and cosmetologists. That works out to about 11% job growth, which is much faster than the average. 

Beauticians are needed in several settings, including salons, hotels and spas. 

Successful beauticians tend to share these traits: 

• Creativity
• Good time-management skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Good money management skills
• The physical stamina to stand for long periods of time