Have you ever had your hair cut, received a facial or had your nails done in a salon or spa? If so, you’ve met a cosmetologist! Cosmetologists help people improve their looks and feel happier. If you enjoy styling hair, especially your friends’ or family’s hair, a career in cosmetology could be the perfect fit.

Cosmetology careers can also include nail technicians. Cosmetologists spend their days talking to people and working with beauty tools and products — and getting paid! So, if you already like doing these things, why not get paid to do them?

What Cosmetology is Exactly

Cosmetology is the study and practice of giving beauty treatments. Those who work in cosmetology cut and style hair, give manicures and pedicures, and do skin treatments such as facials. Some cosmetologists work as makeup artists, applying makeup for special occasions like weddings or for actors.

• Most cosmetologists work in salons and spas. These can be stand-alone facilities or part of a resort hotel.
• Some work from home if they have a suitable space, such as a dedicated room with sinks and workstations.
• Almost all cosmetology jobs require some formal training and licensing. Licensing varies by job type and location.

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

Cosmetologists provide a variety of services all related to beauty. (You might occasionally hear the term “beautician,” which is another name for a cosmetologist.) Most cosmetology jobs fall under one of three categories:

• Hair: Job titles include hairstylist, hairdresser, and colorist. You’ll learn how to cut, color, style, and use chemical treatments like perming or straightening hair if you train to work in this branch of cosmetology.
• Skin: A cosmetologist may perform basic skincare services, such as facials or applying make-up. If you want to focus strictly on skincare, you would want to pursue a career as an esthetician. Estheticians do treatments such as facials, body wraps, hair removal, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and lash and brow services. Becoming an esthetician will often involve pursuing additional training and obtaining licensure as an esthetician.
• Nails: As a nail technician, you’ll give manicures and pedicures using gel and acrylic nail products. You’ll also use creative skills to apply nail art.

Skills Every Cosmetologist Needs

Cosmetologists need a variety of skills to succeed, especially if they want to own a salon or spa one day. You may already have a lot of these skills if you enjoy working with beauty products and tools for friends and family!

We can break skills down into three basic categories: physical, soft and creative.

Physical Skills:

Physical skills will enable you to perform beauty treatments, most of which you’ll learn in your training program.

• Technical beauty skills: The bulk of your time will be spent performing tasks like cutting, styling, and coloring hair, giving facial treatments or providing nail services. You’ll need to know how to use a wide variety of beauty tools and products effectively.
• Manual dexterity: You’ll be working with your hands, often doing intricate tasks like applying color, painting nails or shaping eyebrows, so your hands need to be nimble and flexible.
• Physical stamina: Most of your day, you’ll be standing, especially if you work in a hair or skin facility. You’ll also need to be able to bend and reach for tools and products.

Soft Skills

Giving beauty treatments is important, but what really sets you apart is strong soft skills — your ability to make people feel valued.

• Communication skills: You’ll be talking with clients most of your workday! You’ll need great listening skills to fully understand what your clients want. If you’ve ever had a bad haircut because you felt like the stylist didn’t listen, you know how unhappy it can feel. A good cosmetologist can also carefully explain treatment options and provide realistic expectations.
• Customer service skills: Again, listening well is a key skill! Successful cosmetologists remember details about their repeat clients’ lives so they can ask about them, making clients feel appreciated. They also go out of their way to make clients feel comfortable, especially during treatments.
• Problem-solving skills: Unfortunately, you will have times when a client is unhappy with your services. You’ll want to understand what went wrong and fix the situation as quickly as you can.
• Time management skills: Cosmetologists often have back-to-back appointments scheduled throughout their day. You’ll need to stay on schedule, which can be challenging at times. For example, you might have a chatty client who wants to keep talking, but you’ve got another client waiting.
• Sales skills: Many cosmetologists are expected to suggest products or additional services and often earn commissions from sales.

Creative Skills

As a cosmetologist, you’ll be able to let your creativity flow! Your technical skills will enable you to complete beauty treatments, but you’ll need artistic skills to help your clients realize their visions.

• Artistic vision: Many clients are unsure of what they want, so you’ll want to be able to visualize how a treatment will look — and explain it.
• Color Theory (for hairstylists): You’ll learn how to mix colors during training, but you’ll need creativity to decide how to blend them into custom looks that complement a client’s natural features.
• Innovative styling: Sometimes clients want a special look for an event, so they rely on you to make their hair, nails, or makeup fit the theme.

Career Paths in Cosmetology

Your career path will depend on which of the three areas you like the most! Most cosmetologists start in entry-level roles, but some may go on to become managers, owners, specialists or instructors.

• Hairstylist: Your first job will likely be as an entry-level hairstylist in a salon. Once you gain experience and take additional classes, you can advance into more senior stylist roles.
• Nail Tech: As an entry-level nail tech, you’ll give basic manicures and pedicures, including gel polish and basic art. More advanced techs can create complex nail art and hand-painted designs.
• Esthetician: Again, as previously noted, if you want to pursue a career as an Esthetician, in the State of Michigan, you’ll need to complete a specific Esthetician training program and pursue an Esthetician license. Once licensed as an Esthetician, you may start working in the field, perhaps at a salon or spa. If you want to move into more advanced, higher-paying jobs, you can gain more training to become a medical esthetician or a master esthetician. You’ll be able to give treatments such as LED light therapy, laser procedures, and advanced chemical peels.

How you can become a Cosmetologist

You might be great at doing your friends’ hair or nails, but you’ll need to gain formal training to work in a salon or spa! You’ll typically learn basic skills in a classroom setting, then move into a lab where you can practice on mannequins first, then on classmates, and eventually on customers.

Here’s the normal path to becoming a cosmetologist:

• Pick your specialty: Decide which area you like best, hair, skin or nails.
• Complete a cosmetology program: Many colleges offer comprehensive cosmetology programs (and require a high school diploma or GED). Most full-time programs take about a year or so to complete.
• Gain a minimum number of practice hours (varies by state but 1500 hours is the most common). You’ll usually complete your practice hours as part of your education.
• Pass a state licensing exam.
• Start working in a spa or salon and get paid to do what you love.

Start Your Cosmetology Journey

If you’re ready to take your love of beauty techniques to the next level and get paid for your skills, explore Dorsey College’s cosmetology program. With the right training, your new career is within reach. Learn more about our programs today!

If you think a career in skincare is what you want to pursue, Dorsey College also offers an esthetician program.

Dorsey College has determined that its Cosmetology program and Esthetician program curriculum are sufficient to fulfill the respective educational requirements for licensure in the State of Michigan only. No educational determinations have been made for any other state, district or US territory in regards to licensure requirements.

Dorsey School of Beauty, located in Taylor, MI, is a sister school of Dorsey College. Dorsey School of Beauty in Taylor, MI is institutionally accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). To learn more about Dorsey School of Beauty in Taylor, MI you can click here.