Cosmetology School will teach you all the basics needed to transform you into a valuable professional. You’ll learn all about fundamental hair cuts, color, design, proper technique, and more. In addition, Cosmetologists are trained to give manicures, pedicures, polishing, and nail extensions to their clients. You'll apply your skills to your mannequins, practicing daily and reviewing your notes and textbooks.

As cosmetologists become more experienced and gain a customer base, they can increase their earnings. Some become self-employed, others open their own salons. Opportunities exist to become sales representatives or beauty consultants, or to teach in cosmetology classes.

If you’re interested in attending Cosmetology School, there are certain attributes that you should possess. It’s very important that you enjoy working with the public and don’t have a problem following clients’ instructions. Good communication skills, an outgoing attitude, and a presentable image are a must.

As a Cosmetologist, your thirst for knowledge should never end. Even as you gain valuable experience through your Cosmetology career , you should also take advantage of opportunities to attend further classes, designed to both broaden your skills and keep up withy professional trends.

For beauty students: learn, license, earn

By Laurie McLachlan Brown

You know you have the talent to be a beauty industry super-star.  Your passion for fashion is apparent in all you do.  People flock to you for advice on hair styling, manicures, skin care, and more.  But, alas, you aren’t licensed. 

All states require cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, barbers, and others to be licensed, yet many states have varying requirements for each degree. Some do not allow stylists to transfer their licenses across state lines, so determining whether your area has a “reciprocity” agreement—the ability to transfer your hair stylist school diploma or degree—is critical. What’s most consistent, however, is that the best hair stylists, nail artists, and skin care consultants come from accredited, reputable beauty colleges that fully prepare students for licensure and successful careers.

The licensing exam, typically conducted at a state-assigned testing center, includes an intensive written test which includes everything a student has learned during his/her 9 to 24 months of education, as well as a practical assessment of a stylist’s techniques and talents.  Some states may even require a student to participate in an interview, to better determine his/her abilities, such as the ability to communicate effectively, knowledge of marketing strategy, and overall business approach.

A top cosmetology school will guide beauty students through the licensure process by providing practice tests, and links to online resources, such as the state’s licensing board, and national cosmetology board. Many students benefit from comprehensive use of online tests in preparation for the licensure exam.

Beyond licensure, most beauty industry professionals are required to participate in continued education courses, which may include instruction on the latest cutting, coloring, perming, skin care, and make-up techniques, as well as changes in state and federal safety standards, and even marketing and business training.

As most stylists will attest to, earning a license to practice cosmetology or other personal appearance consultant jobs is just the beginning to achieving potential in this fast-paced, highly rewarding industry.  And the ones who stand out among the rest, are the artists committed to lifelong learning.