What do cosmetologists do? Job duties, required skills and more
Cosmetologists—occasionally called beauticians—are practiced in the beautification of the hair, skin and nails. Their multifaceted skillset can lead to many different roles as a hair stylist, esthetician, barber, makeup artist and so much more.
With so many different niches to explore and choose from, a career in cosmetology is rich with opportunities for specialization. Becoming a cosmetologist can be a jumping-off point for a fulfilling career in the beauty industry to help clients look—and feel—their very best.
What does a cosmetologist do on the job?
Since cosmetology can encompass so many specializations within the beauty industry, one cosmetologist’s daily routine can look wildly different from another. At the most basic level, most cosmetologists serve clients in a salon or spa setting to address and attend to their beauty needs.
“You are serving the client that’s in your chair, and you are giving them a customized look. You’re shaping part of their identity, and with that you’re building their confidence and you’re helping them express who they are on the inside,” said Brittani LeJeune, the Director of Curriculum at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes. “And so it’s more than a haircut, it’s more than a color, it’s more than a makeup application. You’re helping the client in your chair define for the world their internal persona.”
“You are serving the client that’s in your chair, and you are giving them a customized look. You’re shaping part of their identity, and with that you’re building their confidence and you’re helping them express who they are on the inside…”
-Brittani LeJeune
“Like fashion, there’s always a foundation, a structure of things. Hair is very much like that, it’s a material that can be built into a structure and then season to season the balances and proportions change. And brands become inspiration pieces for you to approach things in a different way,” said Traci Sakosits, Vice President of Education and Creative Direction for the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes. “But most important is that people will do their best if their foundation is solid right from the beginning.” For that reason, Sakosits emphasized the value of a quality education.
It can be helpful to define a cosmetologist’s job description by some of the services they might provide:
In addition, cosmetologists should also expect to do the following:
Cosmetologist qualifications
Although much of their learning occurs on the job and throughout their career, cosmetologists must attend an approved education program in order to gain a foundational understanding of their craft. This is also necessary to qualify for licensure, which is required to work as a cosmetologist in every state.
Beauty schools, community colleges and technical colleges can all offer cosmetology programs, which typically last between nine and 12 months long. Some may be longer or shorter depending on the hourly requirements set forth by the state. Most states require cosmetologists to complete a program of at least 1,500 hours. In addition, quite a few states allow cosmetologists to complete an apprenticeship for their education instead of a more traditional program. Apprenticeships last longer but they have the advantage of being a paid position.
After completing their education, cosmetologists must pass a licensing exam. Most states require cosmetologists to pass a written and practical exam developed by the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC).
Cosmetology career paths
Some cosmetologists who prefer to operate under the job title of a cosmetologist or beautician may imply that they perform an assortment of different services relating to hair, skin and nails. It’s generally more common, however, to choose to specialize in a particular area. LeJeune said that while most cosmetologists lean towards hair, that’s not the case for everybody—it’s really up to the individual and where their strengths and passions lie.
An individual with a cosmetology education has the option to pursue many different jobs and career paths, including:
Cosmetology schooling should expose you to the many different niches within the field which can start to give you an idea of where you might like to specialize later.
“I think what’s really important in the industry is finding out who the individual student is that we have in front of us, and at the end of their course what their priorities are in a career in beauty,” Sakosits said. “Find out what angle they want and hopefully guide them carefully into that area so they stay in it, so they find the right place right when they finish graduating that can help them continue on.”
“Our goal as a school system is to set you up with a really strong foundation,” LeJeune said. “That way when you go into a salon you can be paired with really strong mentors and a strong education system that continues that learning process, and then that’s where maybe you can find your niche or really where your passion is and you can start to specialize.”
Where cosmetologists work
Most cosmetologists work in salons or spas. Some might provide their services out of their home or have a mobile business visiting clients. For example, you could do hair and/or makeup for weddings or other special events which could mean frequent traveling to venues and other locations, or you may simply visit clients in their own homes depending on their needs.
Cosmetologists who break into the film or photography industries could work on film or TV sets, modeling photoshoots, fashion shows and more.
Experienced cosmetologists who want to educate the next generation of beauty professionals might choose to work as an instructor or other faculty member at a beauty school or community college.
Self-employment
Many cosmetologists eventually choose to start their own business. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that 46% of barbers, hair stylists and cosmetologists are self-employed. This could mean opening your own salon or spa, but another popular option is leasing booth or chair space from a salon.
Being your own boss certainly has its advantages, in addition to salary potential. You have an absolute say over the clients you take and when, as well as how much to charge which could end up being more profitable. However, self-employed workers have to take on new responsibilities that they may not otherwise have to worry about as an employee.
For example, self-employed workers have to pay rent for their salon space and for any employees they may choose to hire. They may have to purchase all the furniture equipment and supplies their business needs, and they have to be proactive about marketing themselves to ensure they have a steady client base. For these reasons, it’s common for cosmetologists to work as an employee for a while and build up some consistent clientele before branching out on their own.
What to expect working as a cosmetologist
Maybe you’ve had this experience before or you know someone who has: you find a hair stylist—or an esthetician, nail technician or other beauty professional—that you really click with. You want to rebook with them because they understand the look you want, and you trust them whenever you sit in their salon chair. Year after year, you keep coming back.
This is the kind of experience cosmetologists hope for with every client, but it can take time to hone the technical and interpersonal skills needed to get there. After all, in order to create a look for a client that truly reflects who they are, you need to get to know them on some personal level. This can be one of the best parts of the job, but it can come at a cost.
“In order to create a look for a client that truly reflects who they are, you need to get to know them on some personal level.”
“It is emotionally rewarding and draining. It is so emotionally rewarding because you’re there for all of the highlights of your clients’ lives—you’re there for their wedding and their first date and when they have their kids—but it’s also heartbreaking when their spouse passes away, so it’s twofold,” LeJeune said.
In order to keep up with the career in the long term, Sakosits emphasized the importance of continuing education and lifelong learning. Cosmetologists must have a learner’s mindset and be open to new styles and techniques. Although continuing education is not required to maintain licensure in most states, it’s an absolute must if you want to stay at the top of your game.
Essential skills for cosmetologists
Besides the practical knowledge of proper hair, skin and nail service techniques, cosmetologists need to develop numerous soft skills if they want to be truly successful in their careers.
- Service mindset:
- “I think first and foremost, you have to have a servant attitude,” LeJeune said. Cosmetologists are there to listen to and respond to what their client wants. Therefore, it’s important they put your client’s needs first and practice exemplary customer service.
- Enjoy working with people:
- As a profession that relies heavily on the repertoire you build with clients—not only in the quality of service you provide but also the interpersonal relationships you foster with them—Sakosits said that being a lover of people is an absolute necessity. You must be comfortable talking and working closely with people for much (if not all) of your day.
- Time management:
- Cosmetologists usually juggle many appointments throughout any given day. Keeping an eye on the clock and knowing how to schedule appointments appropriately are important if you don’t want to fall behind.
- Creativity:
- Cosmetologists have a lot of room for creativity in their job. For example, many of the services cosmetologists provide require experimentation with color and texture. Plus, cosmetologists are often tasked with bringing a client’s creative vision to life, which may include giving their own creative recommendations.
- Fair physical fitness level:
- Cosmetologists spend a lot of time on their feet, so it’s important to have a decent amount of physical stamina to endure these working conditions.
Final say
A cosmetologist’s career can take many forms depending on an individual’s interests. Whether that’s cutting and styling hair, creating intricate nail designs or doing peoples’ makeup for photoshoots and film, the possibilities are practically limitless. Cosmetologists can also work as employees of a salon or spa or go into business for themselves, which further expands their career choices.
No matter what path they forge, any cosmetologist’s mission is to create a curated look that reflects a client’s inner beauty. If you think you have the creative and interpersonal skills needed to excel in the beauty industry, a career as a cosmetologist could be the perfect fit.
Written and reported by:
Kendall Upton
Staff Writer
With professional insight from:
Brittani LeJeune, Director of Curriculum
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes
With professional insight from:
Traci Sakosits, Vice President of Education and Creative Direction
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes