There are more than 766,000 cosmetologists working in the United States today. The field is growing at a rapid rate, too.
Have you ever thought about this career? Are you unsure of where to begin or what you need to know? If so, read on to learn the basics of how to become a cosmetologist.
What Does a Cosmetologist Do?
Before we dive into what it takes to become a beautician or cosmetologist, it’s important that you understand what these professionals do on a regular basis. In simplest terms, they’re responsible for helping people to look and feel good.
Cosmetologists provide a variety of personal care services. This includes cutting, treating, and styling hair. Some also offer additional services for the skin and nails.
The following are just some of the services cosmetologist offers:
- Shampooing, cutting, styling, and coloring hair
- Educating clients or the best hairstyles and colors for their needs
- Shaving and trimming beards
- Performing facials
- Waxing clients’ eyebrows, upper lips, and chins
- Treating skin
- Trimming, shaping, and painting nails
Cosmetologists generally receive training in all of these areas. They often go on to specialize in a specific type of service, though.
Why Become a Cosmetologist?
There are lots of reasons to think about becoming a cosmetologist. Here are some of the greatest benefits this career has to offer:
- Work in a fun environment
- Get to know new people from different walks of life
- Enjoy variety (no two days at the salon are exactly the same)
- Be creative
- Enjoy a flexible schedule (work part-time or full-time)
- Stay on your feet and avoid spending hours sitting at a desk
- Enter the market quickly
Last, but not least, cosmetology is a very fulfilling career path. You’ll have an opportunity to help people and look and feel great, which is extremely rewarding.
How to Become a Cosmetologist
Okay, working as a cosmetologist is starting to seem pretty appealing, right? Now, you’re probably wondering what you need to do to get trained and start working in this field.
Before you can work as a cosmetologist, there are some steps you’ll need to take, including the following:
Earn a High School Diploma or GED
Before you can enroll in cosmetology school and complete your training, you first need to have a high school diploma. If you didn’t complete high school, look into GED programs in your area to work on receiving the equivalent of a diploma.
Keep in mind, some cosmetology schools will let you attend while you’re still in high school. You can spend part of your school day doing your cosmetology training while also getting credit toward your high school diploma. If this seems like something that interests you, talk to your guidance counselor to see what options are available in your area.
Enroll in Cosmetology School
If you want to work as a cosmetologist, you need to hone your cosmetology skills in a dedicated training program. No matter how much you’ve practiced on yourself or your friends, you’ll quickly find out that there’s a lot to learn.
The following are some of the skills that you’ll master as a cosmetology student:
- Methods of haircutting, coloring, and styling
- Chemistry of mixing ingredients for facials
- How to use modern nail care technology
You’ll also take classes in salon management. This part is especially important if you have plans to be your own boss and one day open up a hair salon.
Complete Your Training Hours
You must put in a lot of hours to become a cosmetologist. Every state has different requirements, but they generally range from 1,000 to 2,300 hours.
That’s a lot of time you have to spend in the classroom and behind the chair practicing your skills, and it might seem intimidating at first. Remember, though, that your cosmetology instructors want you to succeed. They’ll provide you with plenty of opportunities to complete your hours and make sure you’re ready to start working.
Pass Your Licensing Exam
Once you’ve completed all your training hours, you’ll need to pass your licensing exam. All states require a licensing exam before you can get hired as a cosmetologist.
The exam usually consists of two parts. The first is a written exam covering things like basic haircutting and styling technique, skin structure, nail structure, and how to sanitize your station and equipment.
The second part will be a practical exam. During this section, you’ll showcase your skills and let your examiner know that you have the ability to cut hair and perform other services in the proper way.
Get Hired
Once you’ve passed your licensing exam, you’ll be ready to get out there are start looking for a job. Many cosmetology schools offer job placement services to help recent graduates find work. Reach out to a counselor and talk to them about the steps you can take to ensure you get hired as soon as possible.
When you’re going to job interviews, there are some things you can do to increase your likelihood of impressing your interviewer and getting hired, including the following:
- Create a portfolio showing some of the best work you did in school
- Be open and friendly
- Prepare to answer common questions, such as “Why do you like styling hair?” and “What do you do to connect with clients?”
Be sure to follow up with your interviewer soon after the interview, too. Send an email thanking them for their time and reiterating (briefly) why you’re excited about the position and why you’re a good candidate.
Become a Cosmetologist Today
Do you have what it takes to help people look and feel their best? If so, follow the steps outlined above and you’ll have no trouble figuring out how to become a cosmetologist.
If you want to start working on your cosmetology skills while waiting on your acceptance letter, be sure to check out the Hair section of our site today. We’ve got lots of resources available that will help you learn the basics.