What Does It Take to Become a Cosmetologist?
A cosmetologist is licensed to perform a variety of beauty services, including hair styling, facial and nail services. As a cosmetologist, you can work in a spa, nail salon or hair salon after obtaining a cosmetology license, making this a versatile career option.
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Before Cosmetology School
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Before you start seeking out a cosmetology school to attend, consider a few things. To become a cosmetologist you should be a creative person. Creativity is important in this field because clients will rely on you to come up with new and exciting hairstyles for them. You should also enjoy being around a lot of people daily. Several clients will be coming in daily for appointments and along with them, you will have coworkers and their clients to deal with. This requires you to interact with many personalities every day. Stamina is another consideration. You will need to stand on your feet all day long every day that you work.
Finding a Cosmetology School
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Finding a cosmetology school is an important step in becoming a cosmetologist. There are many beauty schools in the United States to attend. Some beauty schools are affiliated with local colleges and will give you school credits, units or hours while attending. Some beauty schools are private and can be costly. And some beauty schools are associated with particular professional brands like Paul Mitchell Academies. Research the schools in your area before deciding on one (see Resources).
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School Hours
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Depending on where you live, you must complete a certain number of hours in beauty school. For example, in California, it takes a total of 1,600 hours of in-school activity before you are able to graduate and apply for a cosmetology license. In New York, you need 1,000 hours. The hours needed vary from state to state. These hours can typically be done on either a full-time or part-time school schedule.
Curriculum
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Cosmetology curriculum is broken up into services and hours completed. You must complete a certain number of hours on tasks such as facials, haircuts, perms, pedicures and more. For example, you may need to complete at least 60 haircuts, 20 perms, ten pedicures and ten facial waxes. The hours and services required vary from state to state. Theory hours, which consist of classroom learning from an instructor, are also required.
Getting Your License
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A cosmetology license is required to work as a cosmetologist at a salon. Licensing requirements vary by state. Toward the end of your schooling, you may send in an application to your state licensing board to take the cosmetology licensing test. Testing is different in each state. You can expect to perform a variety of services such as a finger wave, haircut and/or pedicure at the test. Typically, you will need to complete one or more services in hair, skin and nails. Once you have obtained a cosmetology license, you are legally able to perform hair services, nail services and facials in a salon.
Finding a Job
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Once you have completed your hours needed and have obtained a cosmetology license in your state, you can look for a job. Some cosmetologists start out as assistants to established cosmetologists. Cosmetologists can work at chain hair salons such as Supercuts, at private salons, in a spa doing facials or in a nail salon performing nail services.
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