Professional Beauty: Cosmetology for Face, Hair, Skin

Cosmetology: The professional skill or practice of beautifying the face, hair, and skin. Cosmetology is the professional skill or practice of beautifying the face, hair, and skin. This means you have the opportunity to learn techniques like cutting, coloring, also styling. You learn about the face and skin including waxing, skincare and treatments, and makeup.

History

Although this field has transformed greatly, the depiction remains the same, the origins are consistent with the practices that happen today. Back then in ancient times, cosmetology began as a skilled trade among the servant class, and Egyptian women who used ochres (earthly-toned pigments), and dyes on their cheeks and eyes, as shown in Egyptian art. Now women go to the store or salon and put those pigments on, albeit made differently. (History 2005-2013). In ancient Greece, the makeup trade utilized saffron or lead for color palettes. Women from Sparta were forbidden from wearing makeup due to the belief of possession of superior beauty. The customs of baths, spas, manicures, and hairdressing as we know them today originated in ancient Greece. (Evergreen 2019). Today, cosmetology has become more specialized. Beauticians concentrate on hair coloring or hair cutting; aestheticians focus on aesthetic and medical-related services, such as plastic surgery, and nail technicians specialize in artificial nail enhancement, nail care, and pedicures. (Evergreen 2019).Make-up and cosmetics were used long before the first century. As for who the first cosmetologist was, that’s debatable. If we’re talking about the first person or people to actually mix ingredients together for the purpose of applying and beautifying, then most would give the Egyptians title. Although some sources say the first cosmetologists were ancient hunters who used urine and mud to camouflage their scent. (Statece 2015)

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Personal Attributes

As a result of women wanting to beautify themselves, a career in cosmetology is greatly appreciated. If you’re going to be a cosmetologist, you won’t want to settle for being an average stylist. Instead, you’ll want to be a great cosmetologist, valued resource clients consult for all of their beauty needs. While acquiring technical skills in cosmetology school will certainly help you achieve more goals, technical abilities aren’t enough to make you a great stylist. To be a great cosmetologist, you’ll need to develop qualities to make other accomplished professionals stand out in your field. (Statece 2020). The individual must have a passion for beauty, to be dedicated to their work, have an artistic flair and enable them to visualize how hair can complement the bone structure and facial shape and how color selection can enhance facial features. (Hearst 2020) A Knack for Listening. honesty, technical skills, and adaptability. Being a good hairdresser means listening to your guests in more ways than one. Making Visions a Reality. Part of being a successful hairstylist means staying on top of the latest trends. (Hearst 2020).

Education and Licensing

Licensing requirements vary by state, but aspiring cosmetologists need the following: a high school diploma or GED, a cosmetology training certificate or associate degree in cosmetology. Supervised hands-on experience to be eligible to take their state’s cosmetology licensing exam. (Hearst 2020). Some cosmetology programs enroll students as young as 16-years-old. Success in the field depends on ability, motivation, work ethic and willingness to work long hours. (Hearst 2020). Cosmetologists work in many settings. You may find employment in a nearby salon, or you may find a job styling hair at a resort, on a movie set or backstage at a professional theater. Cosmetologists also work at mortuaries doing the nails, makeup, and hair of the deceased before a funeral. You must be able to stand for long stretches of time. Cosmetologists work long hours with weekend and evening hours assigned. (Hearst 2020). Job prospects for cosmetologists look good, according to projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2016. The demand for cosmetology will jump 13 percent between 2016 to 2026. A growing population and greater client interest in specialized hair techniques will drive demand. As of May 2016, cosmetologists earned an average salary of $29,500, or $14.23 per hour, not including tips and commission. There are limited jobs at higher-paying. (Hearst 2020).

Potential Career Paths

No matter what path I choose, I will have to complete my 1500 hours and you have to do 18 months, you could go for 24 months but 18 is normal. You just need to be 18 and you can apply for a hair school. I plan to go to Prestige College of beauty in Michigan City or DenmarkCollege of beauty in Merrillville. Personally, by looking at what both have to offer I’d choose Prestige College of Beauty. They have a wider background and disclose more information.

Pay and Benefits

Salary

A cosmetologists salary varies widely depending on the types of services provided, where they are based geographically, clientele and years of experience. In the United States, a cosmetologist can expect to earn between $7.73 and $16.89 an hour, with a median hourly rate of $9.76, which means half earn more and half earn less. Tips are a large factor of hairstylist income, and they may also vary widely. Someone working in this field can expect to earn anywhere from $0.69 to $7.08 per hour in tips. Depending on the employment structure of a salon, cosmetologists might be entitled to overtime pay. In that case, they can expect to earn anywhere between $5.12 to $54.63 per hour in overtime. With such wide ranges in hourly wages and tips, it’s no surprise that the average salary of a cosmetologist can vary drastically. Depending on many factors, workers in this field could earn as little as $16,287 or as much as $46,188.

Job Outlook

Employment of barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than average for all occupations. Population growth will lead to greater demand for hair care services. The employment outlook for cosmetologists is positive overall. In general, employment growth in the industry is at 20 percent through 2018. This growth rate is higher than for most occupations. Even though average growth in the industry is high, there are some variations based on the specific position sought by the professional. For instance, job opportunities for hairdressers are expected to increase by 20% through 2018. However, job growth for barbers will be much lower at 12 percent over the same time period. Job growth for skincare professionals is expected to increase by 38 percent through 2018. The number of positions available in spas and hotels is also projected to increase, due to the popularity of these services. Cosmetologists can also seek work in other positions such as fashion consultants or sales representatives for salon products. Growth in these areas will also fuel need for more cosmetologists.

Typical Day

Many cosmetologists work Tuesday through Saturday, there are plenty who work on Monday. You typically take two days off per week, with one being Sunday and the other being Monday, or maybe a Wednesday. Mondays are often taken because Saturday is often the busiest day of the workweek for a cosmetologist. After arriving early, you’ll look at your appointment book and talk with the receptionist to make sure clients haven’t canceled or rescheduled. It's time to prep your station by restocking shampoo, conditioner, or styling products if they are running low. Once your first client arrives, you’ll consult with her to find out exactly what she wants. You’ll wash, cut, dry and style her hair to perfection. Depending on the services that clients want, you can typically fit three to four appointments into the morning before breaking for lunch. The afternoon may be filled with a color or foil or adding and styling extensions. Additionally, you may perform a makeup application or eyebrow wax. By the end of the day, the sun may be gone, but you will be fulfilled and excited to do it all over again tomorrow.

Impact of Technology

Perhaps one of the biggest ways in which technology is changing the beauty industry is through molecular biology. Now it is possible to actually get down deep into the molecular structure of hair, skin, and nails to literally see the effect products are having when used and if there is any damage being done. Cosmetology is a discipline that covers hairstyling, skin and nail care and chemical services. While much of what a cosmetologist offers is a hands-on, individual service, as with almost all facets of life, technology plays a role. A computer program in a salon can aid clients when they are selecting a new hairstyle. The client brings in a photo of herself which is scanned into a computer. On the monitor, cosmetologists can then show the client how she will look with an array of hairstyles and colors from which she can make her selection.

First-hand Experience

As useful as books and school can be, real-world experience shows higher-quality guidance. Angela Amador, a cosmetologist in her own home, has a wide background with cosmetology. Angela graduated from Capri Beauty college and got her cosmetology license in 2013. She said the hardest things were cutting people’s hair short, but has gotten better at it as it is now 2020, and picky clients. Angela said she loves creativity and is excited when people give her the creative liberty to do what she wants to their hair (Amador, personal communication, February 21, 2020), Angela told me and I quote ” I suggest you intern at a busy salon to get the real feel for what this career is about. The experience taught me more than the hair school did. Never give up! Nothing good comes easy.” (Angela Amador 2020). After talking with her it made me want to go into cosmetology more and more.

Conclusion

This research taught me more than I thought it would. Even after my research, my passion is now stronger than it was before. With that being said, my career outlook personally seems great. I plan to go to Prestige Beauty College and get my license, And later in life I will eventually own my own salon.

References

1. A Brief History of Cosmetology. (2020, January 17). Retrieved from https://www.evergreenbeauty.edu/2013/01/a-brief-history-of-cosmetology/
2. Admin. (2017, July 10). Employability Skills: Job Skills: Youth Central. Retrieved from https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-and-careers/plan-your-career/8-job-skills-you-should-have
3. Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2019, September 4). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/barbers-hairstylists-and-cosmetologists.htm
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9. How can I know if I am being paid fairly? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career/cosmetologist/salaries/IN
10. The Five Traits of a Great Stylist (Updated 2020): Douglas J Aveda Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://douglasj.edu/the-five-traits-of-a-great-hair-stylist/