Make a Career Out of Beauty: Earn Your Cosmetology License

Creative vision, practical ability, and a desire to help people look their best… You'll need all these to earn your cosmetology license, plus a diploma from an accredited college program.

by Jane Smallman
College-Degrees-Search Columnist

Cosmetology offers great career opportunities for anyone who wants to earn a living helping people look their best. But before you can work legally in the U.S., you must graduate from an accredited college program and earn a state cosmetology license.

What Skills Does Cosmetology Require?

A career in cosmetology demands more than a strong interest in your own appearance. To do this kind of work you need to be able to help other people look better, which requires:

• Practical Ability to carry out various skin, nail and hair treatments.
• Creative Vision to advise clients in improving their appearance.
• People Skills to put clients at their ease and gain their confidence.

A cosmetology college program will help you develop your talent in all these areas.

Cosmetology College Programs

To work in cosmetology, you need to master a wide variety of treatment techniques. A typical college program will teach you the practical skills for the job and prepare you to pass the state exams and earn your license. Some of the areas covered include:

• Hair Shampooing, hair styling, coloring, perming, and relaxing hair
• Skin Diagnosis of skin ailments and application of appropriate treatments
• Face Facials, application of eyebrow and lash dyes
• Nails Identification of nail disorders, performing manicures and pedicures
• Body Basic massage techniques

In addition, you’ll learn crucial sanitization procedures, safety precautions, and the law as it applies to cosmetology.

Becoming a Licensed Cosmetologist

Cosmetology license requirements differ from state to state, but generally speaking you must:

• have reached a minimum age (usually seventeen years)
• have undergone a certain number of hours of tuition
• have graduated from a recognized cosmetology college
• pass a state licensing exam

Once you have your license, the world of cosmetology is your oyster! Job prospects are currently good, especially for cosmetologists who can carry out the whole range of services. So sign up for a cosmetology college program today, and start working your way towards a beauty-care career.

Sources

New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology
U.S. Dept Labor, Bureau Labor Statistics
Virginia College

About the Author

Jane Smallman combines freelance writing with running a mountain guiding business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.

Posted on June 13, 2007 at 12:59 PM

Share this article: