What Skills Do You Need to Be a Cosmetologist?
Cosmetologists specialize in caring for people's hair, skin and nails. Hair stylists, barbers, beauticians and nail technicians are some of the specialists in the personal appearance field. Cosmetologists work in spas, salons or barbershops as employees or self-employed workers. All professional cosmetologists working in the United States must obtain the skills and education needed for their line of work from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school, and pass a state licensing exam.
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Managerial and Sales Skills
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"As client retention and retail sales become an increasingly important part of salons' revenue, the ability to be an effective salesperson becomes ever more vital for salon workers," states the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many cosmetologists actively sell the hair, skin and nail care products used in their place of work. Personal appearance workers who operate their own salons or have a management position need leadership, organizational and managerial skills to accomplish duties of hiring, supervising, firing, keeping business and inventory records, ordering supplies and promoting their business. They may also need these skills when keeping records of products used by their regular clients and staying in compliance with licensing and health and safety codes that govern the industry.
Hair Styling and Barbering Skills
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Hair stylists and barbers cut, shampoo and condition, style, color, curl and straighten hair for women and men. They must be skilled in cosmetic chemistry and have a knowledge of measuring and mixing as they prepare chemical solutions, such as bleaches and hair dyes. They must also be skilled in the use of delicate and potentially dangerous tools such as scissors, clippers, curling and straightening irons to achieve the desired hair styles.
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Skin and Nail Care Skills
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Cosmetologists who specialize in skin care are called estheticians. They perform scalp massages, body massages and facials using a variety of special creams, lotions and equipment. They require precision and careful technique as they come in direct contact with people's faces when shaping eyebrows, removing unwanted hair with hot waxes, and using lasers and microdermabrasion tools. Estheticians are also skilled in the use of color cosmetics and give demonstrations and advice on the use of makeup. Estheticians must be skilled cleaners, as hygiene is a main priority in salons. They must understand bacteriology and how to effectively clean the tools of their trade. Cosmetologists who care for the nails, or manicurists, also require the skill of precision in order to shape, file and enhance the appearance of nails, hands and feet. Like hair and skin care specialists, manicurists must keep their work area and equipment clean.
Other Important Skills
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Successful personal appearance workers should have fashion, art and technical design skills, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition to keeping a clean work space, they should also keep a neat personal appearance. "Some cosmetology schools consider 'people skills' to be such an integral part of the job that they require coursework in that area," the BLS states. A cosmetologist should possess effective communication and listening skills to explain procedures and services to clients and to understand what the client wants.
Education
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Cosmetologists obtain necessary formal skills through education and training, which they often receive at post-secondary beauty, barbering or cosmetology schools. High schools and vocational schools offer programs in hairstyling, skin care and other personal appearance services, notes the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Full-time training lasts at least nine months, but is usually less for nail technicians.
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References
- Photo Credit makeup display and brush after makeup was done image by Nellie Vin from Fotolia.com
