Cosmetology is a massive industry beyond hair coloring and makeup. Offering beautician services involve nail care, skincare, and hair care.
Better still, it opens doors to many career choices, whether as an employee or your own boss. According to a study, over 30% of salon professionals are self-employed.
Most importantly, a cosmetologist’s main objective is to make the client feel satisfied with your services. Whether it’s just a haircut or complete glam, beauticians should consistently deliver the best.
Before taking beauty as your profession, take note of these important factors that can affect your stay in the industry.
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Education
It would help if you went through high school to get into cosmetology. However, some high schools offer it among the units of study in the curriculum. Studying cosmetology should take over a year to complete successfully, depending on your availability.
The curriculum at a beauty school comprises both theory and practical. Mainly, the practical involve haircuts, hair coloring and styling, manicures, and facials. While studying, also take note of the essential requirements of the health and safety regulations for the field.
There’s always a final exam after finalizing your study time. Each state’s final exam is a requirement, and one must pass to get their cosmetology license.
Bear in mind that each state gives different requirements for achieving the cosmetology license. Therefore, check with your state to be sure of where you stand.
It would be best to take a detailed cosmetologist test practice in preparation for your final exam. That way, you will jog your mind with actual and expected exam questions. This is because the practice test is the same kind of test you should expect for your final state board exam. Thus, familiarizing with the preparation test is essential.
Income
Depending on where a beautician works, the salary may vary. The salary of an average beautician as of 2021 is $27,200 annually. Though, cosmetologists employed in the film industry earn more like $69,780 yearly.
Conversely, beauticians with their salons get a higher income percentage. This is because they do most of the work and have no one to share the income with. But, the downside of this industry is that salary is not definite.
Beauty professionals have to pull up their socks to accomplish what they desire. Above all, skills and necessary licenses are mandatory.
Duties
The responsibilities of a cosmetologist involve;
- Inspecting and evaluating skin, hair, and scalp to commend treatment
- Discuss hairstyle choices, washing, styling, conditioning, drying, cutting, and coloring hair
- Cleaning all tools and different areas
Still, a beautician can sometimes work at the reception desk to book and retain clients and sales. The daily activities of a cosmetologist can vary based on the position of work. Sometimes, you may work on makeup, and other times you may do everything in a day.
Creativity
What you learned at cosmetology school was majorly the basics and usual. However, as observed above, your hard work will earn you decent pay.
Hard work doesn’t only include not missing a day at work, but mostly your creativity. How you present your work to your clients will make you stand out from the rest. Some looks may involve recreation from what you see, primarily online. But other times, you will need to develop your designs to wow the client with uniqueness.
Besides, even though we admire something from someone else, who wouldn’t want something unique? Also, the cosmetology industry is fast-growing with new trends and even technology.
That’s why a beautician needs to stay ahead by improving their skills and creativity. Even though some old styles are coming back to trend, a touch of something new will be ideal. How about blending classic and contemporary?
This experimenting with various techniques will likely lead you to your real passion. And because it’s a broad industry, you may find your liking in something in particular like manicure, haircut, hair coloring, or even makeup. Your creativity will be your guide to the future and actual career path.
Network
To succeed in every field, you need to build a solid and stable network. In cosmetology school, start having a good relationship with your instructors. A good relationship involves listening and following how they teach keenly. Being the best in school to make them proud will also make you eligible for particular ‘favors.’
Most times, scholarships are available for courses like cosmetology. Only the best students get the endorsement to win the scholarships in such cases. If you are the best and have respect for your trainers, the school will have no choice but to give you a chance.
A school may also recommend you to high-paying salons once you complete training. Your friends in school also make good networks. A good friend will call you once an opening at a high-end salon is available.
Even the clients you attend make reliable networks. Some have links to people that could help you further your career. Others may want to open up salons and may need your services.
Customer Care
To be successful, you must be excellent in communication skills. This way, it will be easy to connect with your customers and workmates. Most importantly, the client-beautician relationship is very critical in this industry. It will determine whether your clients want to stay or seek services elsewhere. Ideally, ensure you make the work environment very comfortable for your guests.
Remember that clients also want punctual and clean cosmetologists. Personal grooming is an essential factor to keep in mind. There’s no way you will have happy clients when your clothes are untidy, and you have any form of body odor.
Also, make appointments that you’re sure to keep. Because of clients’ different lifestyles, salon work timing varies with people’s availability. Some clients even book appointments late into the night or very early in the morning. Others are available on non-working days like Sundays and holidays.
Therefore, ensure you give room for such strange moments to accommodate a wide range of clients. And keep time and respect the appointment. Most people even start with the salon and then rush to work. It would be wrong to come late for the appointment, costing them hours of their specific jobs.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the beauty profession is the best decision you will ever make- as long as you have the passion for pursuing it. Before taking it seriously, you need to learn what the beauty profession entails.
This will help you to be ready for anything revolving around this industry. Moreso, with dedication, passion, and kindness, you are sure to explore new heights every time.