Do you love doing your hair or nails? Is makeup and all things beauty-related a favorite pastime of yours?

Then you may want to consider a career in the Cosmetology field.

What does a Cosmetologist do?

This career covers a lot of areas, so grab your makeup and hair brushes and let’s uncover the facts in the world of Cosmetology.

What Can You Do as a Cosmetologist?

People with a Cosmetology career provide personal care to help people look and feel better about themselves.

Cosmetologists can practice in a wide variety of fields such as hair cutting and styling, skin care and makeup, or manicures and pedicures.

Hair Stylist – a hair stylist does a wide variety of jobs. These include washing, curling, coloring, cutting and styling hair. You are also trained in how to work with wigs and hair extensions.

Manicurist – this aspect of cosmetology deals with giving manicures and pedicures (hands and feet). You can also apply nail extensions and teach people about proper nail care.

Esthetician – an esthetician removes unwanted body hair on the face and body through waxing. They can also give massages (neck, should, and full-body) as well as give facials.

Electrologist – an electrologist also removes unwanted hair, but rather than doing it through hot wax, it is performed with an electrolysis machine. This type of hair removal is permanent.

Makeup Artist – Learning how to apply makeup is another aspect of this exciting career. When you become a makeup artist you could apply makeup for weddings, for people on television, movie, or commercial sets, or in your own shop.

What Do I Need to Be a Cosmetologist?

To be a Cosmetologist, you must successfully graduate from an accredited cosmetology training program. These programs include coursework and practical training under the supervision of licensed cosmetology instructors.

Each state requires a minimum number of hours of training, which usually takes about nine months of full-time studies to complete. Many high schools, public vocational schools, and community colleges offer accredited cosmetology education programs.

You would then have to pass an exam administered by the training program to prepare for the state board’s licensing exam.

Most state boards require candidates to be at least 16 years of age and high school graduates before starting a cosmetology educational program.

Licensing

Each state’s Board of Cosmetology requires submitting an application. You must then pass practical and written exams to obtain a license to practice professionally.

Applying also requires paying a fee. Some states require different exams to be licensed for different areas such as a barber, hairdresser, manicurist, pedicurist or skin care specialist.

Licenses must also be renewed after a specific time frame.

If you think you may want to be a Cosmetologist, keep up with your studies, and practice at home doing your own hair, makeup, and nails or that of your friends and family.

With a lot of work and a real love of all things “beauty,” you may one day become a world-renowned Cosmetologist.