Cosmetology is a personal appearance occupation. Perhaps it is better to say it is an enhance-personal-appearance occupation. As a cosmetologist your whole focus is on helping others look their best by using flattering hairstyles, haircuts, and hair color in addition to providing other select services.
One of the features of this profession that attracts many people is the fact you must be able to have vision and be able to match styles and colors to enhance people's natural features. You must be able to look ahead and seeĀ in your mind's eye how a particular style, color, set, or cut will look on a customer. Sometimes you can get really creative and try unusual styles or add hair pieces or design a unique style for a special event.
Not only is this profession creative, but it's versatile. You can work in a salon, hospital, spa, or at home for example. You can work full-time or part-time too. The advantages that come with earning a cosmetology certification are unlimited.
In the following sections you will read some specifics about cosmetology careers. Chances are you will be even more excited about the possibilities this occupation holds.
Choose Your Own Cosmetology Destiny!
What are the specific duties of a cosmetologist? They include the following as a minimum.
- Analyze condition and texture of hair
- Apply bleach, chemicals or color
- Understand chemical reactions on skin
- Shampoo hair
- Massage scalp
- Cut hair
- Style hair
- Set, straighten or curl hair
- Color eyebrows
- Remove unwanted facial hair
Some cosmetologists also offer specialized services like the following.
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Scalp treatments
- Cleanse and beautify face and neck skin
- Makeup analysis an application
- Clean and style wigs
- Waxing for hair removal
- Apply theatrical makeup
You can take courses in each of these areas during your training program or you can take skills upgrade classes after starting your job.
On top of all the services that can be offered by a cosmetologist, you will also become a specialist in many different hair products. With advances in technology, new products are produced every day, and part of your job responsibilities will be learning how they work and which of your clients can benefit the most from their use. The additional benefit when you are self-employed is that many clients will purchase hair care products from you enabling you to increase your income.
Advancing Up the Cosmetology Ladder
Advancing in the cosmetology field can take several interesting forms. Following are some options when pursuing a cosmetology career.
- Be promoted within a salon to a management position
- Become a specialist in a cosmetology service area
- Work in retail sales
- Lease a chair in a salon
- Open your own salon
- Buy a franchise operation
- Get a job as a beauty business consultant
- Manage beauty trade shows
- Obtain a position in a higher end salon
- Become a sales representative for a cosmetology products company
- Become a cosmetology instructor
In other words, there are various ways to earn more income as you gain experience as a cosmetologist. There are many more options for careers in cosmetology than most people realize. You have to open your mind to the possibilities and think in terms of how skills in personal appearance enhancement can be applied in other related industries.
Your salary or hourly rate will depend more on where you work rather than on how long you have been a cosmetologist. A hairstylist will earn an average of $8.16 an hour while a cosmetologist will earn $8.28 an hour. But work in Eire, Pennsylvania and earn $10.57 an hour versus working in Durham, North Carolina where you can make $18.75 an hour. A cosmetologist with 5 years of experience may earn an average salary of $9.46 an hour compared to $12.46 for twice as many years of experience or 10 years.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Looking at the careers in cosmetology facts proves this is a great career choice. You can earn up to $50,000 a year after getting a one year program certificate. With an Associate's Degree in Cosmetology, you have many more options as to where you can work. With the degree you just might be able to begin in a higher end salon than you would have been able to otherwise. This is simply due to the fact your degree can make you stand out among the other applicants for the job.
In order to keep certification, it's necessary to regularly update skills. But a serious cosmetologist would do that anyway. Products, styles and equipment change regularly and to earn the most money you will stay current in the industry. The product vendors will also provide opportunities for workshops and free training that you will want to take advantage of as much as possible.
Related Cosmetology Salary Articles:
