The urge to look beautiful is nothing new. From Cleopatra to present-day beauty queens, people have spent any amount of time and money on treatments to help them look their best. Today, Americans spend millions of dollars on beauty treatments. Beauty salons and spas are flourishing and cosmetology is fast becoming a preferred career. The National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences defines a cosmetologist as ‘anyone performing any of the various services such as manicures, hair cutting, styling, shampooing, makeup and the like.’

Choosing a Career in Cosmetology

Cosmetology has always been popular as a career option. It needs hands-on training and is an over sixty billion dollar industry with endless opportunities. You have the choice to work full-time or part-time, start on your own or work for a saloon, spa, at resorts, hotels, shopping center and with the entertainment industry – the list goes on.

If management is your forte, then working for companies in the beauty industry as senior marketing or sales personnel is extremely lucrative. An extremely gratifying option is to work with geriatrics. Enhancing the looks of the elderly adds positively to their life. Any which way you look at it, looking beautiful will always be in and cosmetology is big business.  

College Programs in Cosmetology

You can opt for a certificate of achievement or an associate degree, depending on your career objective and the time and money that you can spend. You will have to take a written exam and also a practical demonstration. An associate degree in cosmetology will train you in the skills of hair styling, facial, manicure, pedicure, shampooing, aesthetics, shop management, customer relations, and laws and regulations associated with the profession. A certification in cosmetology will equip you with the basic skills of hair dressing, facials, etc. Once you have a certificate you can either get a junior license by passing an exam or enrolling for the advanced cosmetology diploma. If you do not want a diploma, you have the option to take the 960-hour apprenticeship with a renowned master.

Do you have it in you?

It is a creative field, one in which you need to have an eye for detail, a sense of style and aesthetics and respect for your clients’ needs. You will require patience, skilled communication, doing precision work using appliances and hours of work on your feet. It will feel like painting a picture and then deriving satisfaction from looking at a completed work of art. As in any other profession, you have to regularly upgrade your skills, be aware of diverse cultures and enjoy interacting with all kinds of people.

Things to Keep in Mind

Keep in mind that an accredited school will give you certain advantages. You will be able to use the federal government’s financial assistance programs. The National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts and Science (NACCAS) and the Council for Occupational Education (COE) are the chief accrediting associations. While choosing a college, pick one which is connected to the cosmetology industry, so that your college can help you to get a placement. Though most colleges will have the same curriculum in terms of course materials and practical training, the top-notch schools train students in soft skills, which is extremely essential in a people-oriented industry such as cosmetology.