A cosmetology career can be incredibly rewarding but you will have to learn where to begin and how to successfully grow your career right from the start. The industry is responsible for generating billions of dollars in annual turnover. Work is thus guaranteed to be ongoing, specialists are in demand and there is a substantial client base to be serviced on an ongoing basis.

Accreditation and Qualifications to Give You a Head Start

It is important to find the best institution that offers the most credible qualification if you want to beat the competition in your field. There are a number of different areas you can choose to specialize in, or you can look for a qualification which offers general education and gives you management status in a salon.

Accreditation is an important aspect to consider when it comes to your short list of cosmetology colleges. Ideally, you should look for an institution which is recognized by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, as well as the Commission for Independent Education. These endorsements are essential to separate you from the rest of the crowd, and will enable you to take your qualification to other states.

How to Choose the Best Institution for Your Professional Future

The kind of course and the beauty colleges you decide to study at should offer you subject matter which is both relevant and diverse. You should enroll at a place that offers tuition in cutting edge technology, and the latest gadgetry. Consider beauty schools which offer a career placement service to help you to get your first job.

Turning Heads and Standing Out

While your job will be to improve the outward appearance of your clients, you will also need to ensure that you are an attractive prospect to employers and should consider studying fields which are practical and will help you to find work.

The most popular course modules involve studies of the skin, hair and body.  While skin and hair care have been popular trends for many years, the skills needed to work in spas are more contemporary. Massage therapy has become a high demand business. A qualification in esthetics will enable you to work in skin care and make up. You can look for employment in a spa or salon. Nail technicians are also in demand.

Most courses range from three months, to a full year of study, depending on the subject matter and whether you are enrolled full or part time. You should look for a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in your course modules as this will give you the best head start for a rewarding and successful career.

An Esthetician, also known as a skin care therapist, works at a health club or a day spa or beauty salons or medi-spa, and is a great job for one pursuing a cosmetology career. Estheticians are professionals who have received training in the cosmetic therapy of the skin. Their job entails doing numerous cosmetic processes which includes body care, skin cleansing, laser hair removal, neck massage, facials as well as waxing. There are estheticians who offer make up services to their clientele. A majority of estheticians provide a wide range of spa therapies. To be an esthetician, one has to be licensed within the state they are practicing. However, one has to have completed between 260 and 600 hours of education at esthetician schools, but the amount of hours hinges on the state one is in. In addition, one has to have passed written and practical exams.

An excellent esthetician is one who has managed to continue education in post graduate training and aims to stay on top of the latest technologies in skin treatment. It is important to understand that estheticians are not medical doctors and as such are not in a position to diagnose various skin ailments that affect most people. They are not allowed by the law to prescribe any kind of medication or even recommend treatment for any kind of skin disease.  Nonetheless, there are estheticians who work hand in hand with dermatologists, either as part of his or her staff or as a referral.

Esthetician job description

The following are some of the responsibilities of an esthetician:

The most important job responsibility of an accomplished esthetician is to first of all possess in-depth knowledge of the human skin, own robust extraction and massage skills, stick to every hygienic guidelines stated by the management he or she is working for and continuously strive to learn and build up fresh and improved techniques by enrolling for training programs. Furthermore, a good esthetician ought to possess good communication skills and be ready to interact with a variety of clients day after day.

Job opportunities for estheticians

To get employed as a qualified esthetician, one can start by looking at the advertisements placed in the local dailies or the career section. If you are still new in the market and have some basic training on how to be an effective esthetician, the best way to go about it is to network with colleagues and trainers as they may already know of places that are looking for trained estheticians.

Qualitative requirements

The following are some of the requirements needed to be employed as an esthetician:

• Excellent management skills: A majority of salons and health clubs usually offer packages that are sold to clients. As such, to be able to earn commissions on these packages, it is important to possess a bit of management skills.
• Good communication skills: Given the work involves interaction with clients, it is vital for a good esthetician to have a good rapport with his or her clients.
• Flexibility: As an esthetician, you should be ready to work early in the morning, weekends and holidays as clients have different schedules.
• Team Player: You will be working closely with other estheticians and salon personnel. Therefore, you need to have an outgoing and friendly personality.

So if you think you meet these requirements and would like to start your cosmetology career as an esthetician, take a look at this list of esthetician schools.  Good luck!  You won’t regret your decision to start cosmetology!

Cosmetology is a loaded term; there are many fields you can study at different cosmetology colleges like nail school, hair design school or esthetics school. When pursuing a cosmetology career you actually have many options of specialization to choose from! But do not fret–we will continue to focus on one area of cosmetology and explain it in detail. It is our hope that through these articles you will understand more fully what your options will be when you start cosmetology college.

Giving a manicure

For now we will talk about nail training and manicurists. Manicurists, also called nail technicians, focus on the health and appearance of hands. Their primary goal revolves around cleaning up fingernails by filing and shaping them so they grow healthily and polishing them so they look beautiful.

At school you will learn the skills you’ll need to give quality manicures. Be prepared to use your hands and learn how to use an entire set of tools designed specifically for use on hands. Because all manicurists must be licensed in order to practice, you will learn to keep all the tools clean and sanitized. You’ll learn how to properly treat nails so they grow straight and healthy, but you’ll also learn the art of nail decoration. Use school to explore your creativity! It will make nail training much more fun and much less stressful.

Have you ever had a manicure yourself? If not, surely you know someone who has. The practice of going to a nail technician for a manicure appointment is extremely common! Think of all the people you know who regularly go to a manicurist. There’s plenty of demand out there. Many women (and men!) covet good-looking hands and nails, and as the economy continues to improve more and more people will be spending money on cosmetic practices to feel and look their best.

Manicure

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for manicurists will grow at a faster than average pace through 2018. By the time you finish your nail training, you should have little trouble finding a job and starting your cosmetology career as a manicurist. The entry-level jobs will be in high demand.

So launch your cosmetology career now! We have a list of great beauty colleges where you just might find the perfect place to start your nail training. And of course, check out our resources page, where you will find excellent references and materials you will need for your schooling.

Good luck! Sound off in the section below if you have any questions or comments!