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Cosmetology is a fast-growing field that provides good financial rewards and career options in a variety of industries. Cosmetologists lend out their services to clients to help them look attractive and feel confident.
You need to know a few things about this career path in order to successfully plan a career in cosmetology. In this article, we explain what cosmetology is and explore the duties of cosmetologists, skills required for the job and salary prospects.
What is cosmetology?
Cosmetology is a field of study that deals with the application of beauty treatments. This includes hairstyling, nail styling, cosmetics, skincare and non-permanent or permanent hair removal.
Students of cosmetology will go through a range of subjects relating to beauty treatments and may specialise in a specific kind of practice within cosmetology.
Cosmetologists may practise as barbers, hair colour specialists, nail artists, skincare consultants and aestheticians. With the right educational background, a cosmetologist can even go into medical practice, often assisting dermatologists who treat skin diseases.
What does a cosmetologist do?
Cosmetologists do more than provide hair cuts and styling services. These professionals have a deep understanding of industry trends. They should know how to apply specific styling skills and how to interact and work with their clients and colleagues. Although your specific duties may vary depending on your work environment and industry, these are some basic duties of a cosmetologist:
Helping clients identify their skin and hair types
Working with clients to discuss customised styling options
Providing nail care, such as manicures and pedicures
Suggesting and applying cosmetic treatment to clients
Caring for and maintaining a client's skin and hair
Solving clients' skin, beauty and hair issues
Benefits of studying cosmetology
Cosmetology is a fulfilling career choice for anyone who derives happiness from helping others. As a cosmetologist, you get the opportunity to help people who suffer from chronic beauty issues like hyperpigmentation and acne.
Such issues usually have a long-lasting impact on a person's self-confidence and mental health. Through your work as a cosmetologist, you can help people with some of these issues and improve their self-esteem and confidence. You are not just involved in how your clients look, but also in how they feel about themselves.
A career in cosmetology will require a fair amount of artistic engagement. If you are a creative person, this field provides several opportunities for you to put your creative abilities to real-world use.
Successful make-up artists and stylists often build their reputation by improving on existing trends and innovating new ones for others to follow. Successful cosmetologists may even see their work in cinema, billboards, high-end fashion magazines and advertisements.
Is cosmetology a good career?
Cosmetology can be a rewarding career for the right person. Trained cosmetologists can find jobs in beauty parlours, salons, hotels and resorts. Television, film and fashion industries constantly require the services of make-up artists. As a cosmetologist, you can also focus your career on writing books, teaching students and creating content for fashion and beauty magazines.
Professional degree holders in this field can also work with hospitals, therapy clinics and skin treatment clinics. These are some of the common job profiles for cosmetologists:
Hairstylist
Nail artist
Make-up artist
Fashion stylist
Cosmetology instructor
Magazine writer
Sales consultant for salons
Sales representative for manufacturers
Beauty care distributor
Besides this wide range of options, cosmetology also allows you to start your own independent business. Owning and operating your own business is challenging and often requires years of dedication and hard work.
However, if you have the required starting capital and time, it can give you huge personal and financial rewards. Alternatively, you can also think of practising as a freelance cosmetologist, in which case you will source your own clients and set your own work schedule.
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