If you’ve ever sat in a salon chair and thought to yourself “I’d love to do this for a living” you might be wondering whether that’s even a good idea. Well first things first cosmetology (the art and science of hair skin and nail care) is one of the most people-focused careers out there. It combines creativity technical skill and a healthy dose of customer service.

But we know you still have the one question that won’t stop lingering in your mind. So let’s take a closer look at what this career involves the skills you need and what to expect if you make it your path.

First Understand It’s More Than Hair and Makeup

So many people picture cosmetologists as just hairstylists or makeup artists but the field is way broader. Cosmetologists usually work with nails skincare chemical treatments and even advanced services like spa therapies and extensions. So when you take your cosmetology classes online be ready to explore a world of endless possibilities.

The upside here is that you are less likely to get bored over time as each day is different. What’s more the variety of services means you can specialise or offer a little bit of everything. The challenge is that you will have to keep learning. Trend shifts new products and shifting client expectations require you to keep up.

The Skills That Really Matter

Of course you’ll learn various technical skills in cosmetology school from cutting and colouring hair to nail artistry and facials. However the skills that separate good cosmetologists from great ones typically have less to do with scissors and more to do with people.

• Communication: Expect to spend your days talking with clients understanding what they want (at times they aren’t even sure) and making recommendations.
• Creativity: Styles aren’t a one-size-fits-all here. You need to be able to tailor a look to a client’s personality and features which is where artistry comes in.
• Patience: Services typically take hours and not every client is easy to please so you’ll need a lot of this.
• Business sense: Many cosmetologists end up renting a booth or opening a salon. If you ever take this path you must know how to budget market and manage clients to claim long-term success.

So if you think you can enjoy blending artistry with customer service (and won’t mind being on your feet most of the day) cosmetology has a lot to offer.

Training and Licensing: What’s It Like?

In the United States every jurisdiction requires cosmetologists to complete a training program and pass a licensing exam. Training often takes 1000 to 2300 hours depending on your state’s licensing requirements. This is a big commitment but also one that ensures you are ready to handle both the technical and safety aspects of this job.

Once licensed you will also need continuing education (CE) in many states to keep the licence active. Remember CE courses aren’t just a licensing requirement: they are what you need to remain competitive in this industry.

Career Outlook: Promising and Flexible

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics the job outlook for cosmetologists is quite steady with opportunities expected to keep growing in the coming years. One of the greatest perks of this career is flexibility.

You can work in salons spas resorts or even freelance for different events. Also some cosmetologists specialise in areas like skincare and colour correction while others pursue careers in education or product development.

Let’s also not forget about job satisfaction. Cosmetology is one of the few careers that let you see immediate results from your work. When a client walks out smiling grateful and you can see their confidence rise it’s a reminder of the positive impact you make every other day.

Challenges to Keep in Mind

Like most careers cosmetology isn’t all glamour. The hours are usually long weekends and evenings get so busy and standing all day can be tough on your body. Not only that but building a steady client base also takes time and persistence.

That said if you’re passionate about beauty and committed to honing your skills the rewards (both personal and professional) typically outweigh the challenges.

Get Ready to Take Excel in This Career

So should you pursue a career in cosmetology? Well it all depends on whether you’re creative like working closely with others and willing to learn and work hard. If you are it ought to be an extremely satisfying career path. Are you ready to begin? Let RocketCert guide you to excellence. With their expertly written and fully narrated courses you will have everything you need to excel in your career.