Cosmetology Careers

Did you know that 81% of people recently said that the relationship they have with their hairstylist is the main reason they choose to go to a given salon?  Or that 80% of people see the same hairstylist for each visit?   That is because being a cosmetologist goes beyond just cutting and coloring hair, it’s about building relationships.

“We (cosmetologists) get to change people’s lives and make them feel good about themselves.” Scott J. Buchanan, vice chairman of the Professional Beauty Association  to the The U.S. New and World Report

If you are considering a career in cosmetology or a related beauty field,  now is the time to take the leap, as the cosmetology profession is growing at a rapid pace!

BeautySchools.com is here to help you feel confident taking that leap toward a career in cosmetology. We have education and career information that can paint a clearer picture of your best way forward. And if you’re ready to learn more, we make it simple for you to request more information from schools in your area. After you make your first request, you can easily choose other schools to contact. Be sure to choose 2-3 schools to weigh your options carefully! Before you know it, you can start building relationships with clients that enrich your career as you apply the skills you learn in school.

What does a typical work day for a cosmetologist look like?

As a cosmetologist, you have the luxury to choose which work environment suits you best.  Your personal preference could be to work in a traditional salon or spa, or maybe in a salon located in a hotel or a resort.  You may even decide to work out of your home after building up a solid clientele.  Regardless of the environment, you will likely stay busy performing a number of tasks including, styling hair, giving facials, doing nails, applying makeup and more.

In addition to being able to give clients the look they desire you should also be up to date on the best products to recommend for clients to maintain healthy hair, nails and skin and be able to sell these as retail.  In 2012, between 5 and 15 percent of salon revenue came from sales of hair care products.  Some of the top salon beauty products you will work with and need to be familiar with include Redken, Paul Mitchell and more.

Another thing to consider in a cosmetology career is that you get to set your own work hours to an extent.  If you work in a salon you may be employed either part-time or full-time, depending on your experience, clientele and salon needs.  These hours often times do not fall under the normal business hours of 8:00-5:00 and may require you to work on Saturdays or Sundays.

Manage your own salon!

After a few years of experience in a salon, you may wish to manage your own business.  If this is the case, a few things you may wish to consider include location, price point, competitors location and the services you will provide.  In addition, Entrepreneur.com estimates the cost of starting up a salon to be over $100,000.

What skills are beneficial for this line of work?

Like any other job, you must be hardworking, reliable and flexible to be successful in this field.  You should also possess a strong desire for creativity, as it is one of the most important skills that will help you succeed as a cosmetologist. This, combined with strong communication skills, will allow you to help clients envision new styles and looks that best bring out their features.

Cosmetology is part of the service industry field, s you will spend almost all of your day working with customers.  Being able to give great customer service is a must if you wish to go far and having great listening skills will prove to be beneficial.

The beauty industry is constantly changing and trends that were popular last season may no longer be the “in” look.  As a cosmetologist you must be willing and have the desire for continued education so that you can stay current on trends and evolving techniques.

You also need to have excellent time-management skills. You will have to be able to differentiate between type of services require a lot of time and the type that can be completed in a short amount of time. For example, you may be able to cut someone’s hair in 20 minutes, but it will take much longer to apply a permanent hair treatment. Spending quality time with each one of your clients is one of the keys to building a loyal client base.

How much can you expect to make as a cosmetologist?

The median salary for a cosmetologist is around $10.82 per hour. The years of experience that you have and the number of clients that you have are two of the key factors that determine your annual salary. Plus cosmetologists are open to making tips.

What other opportunities are available as a cosmetologist?

There are numerous opportunities for advancement as a cosmetologist. You can open your own salon business or specialize in one particular client service, such as skin care. Getting several years of experience in the field of cosmetology is one of the keys to advancing.

Join Other Cosmetology Professionals

In order to stay current on industry trends, cosmetology professionals are urged to become members of a national association, including:

• The Professional Beauty Association
• Association of Cosmetology Salon Professionals
• International Salon Spa Business Network
• National Latino Cosmetology Association

In addition to these organizations, the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and the American Association of Cosmetology Schools offer great networking and continued education opportunities throughout the year.

Start your journey toward success! Find the right school now…

Browse All Cosmetology Schools in the U.S.