Beautician Career Overview

In general, a beautician is an individual who works in a salon, usually as a hair stylist. Sometimes, though, beauticians are trained in providing many types of beauty and personal care services, from manicures to brow waxes to makeup applications. The types of services you’ll be able to provide as a beautician will depend on the licenses you have. For example, even if you’re licensed as a cosmetologist and can perform hair care services, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov) notes that most states will not allow you to perform other services unless you obtain the appropriate license for each.

Important Facts About Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Services

When you attend school to train as a cosmetologist, you’ll learn which types of services you enjoy providing. No matter the type of services you decide to offer, you will need to learn proper sanitation practices so that your clients will experience a safe salon visit.

Hair Treatments

Hair treatment specialists, usually referred to as cosmetologists, provide more than just haircuts. As a cosmetologist, you’d offer many services to your clients, including permanents, conditioning treatments, hair styling, coloring, and trims. You might also perform some of these services on wigs or hairpieces. If you worked with male clients only, you’d be considered a barber, and you’d likely trim or shave facial hair as well.

Nail Treatments

Nail technicians are beauticians who provide manicures and pedicures. As a manicurist, you might give natural manicures in which you’d shape, buff and polish nails, or you might apply artificial nails with adhesives. Pedicures focus on the feet and often involve massage along with treatment of the toenails.

Skin Care

Beauticians who work in skin care are called estheticians. In this position, you would focus on keeping a client’s skin looking young and healthy, often by providing facials, peels, and moisturizing treatments. You would perform hair removal services, such as waxing, and with extra training, you might also offer laser hair removal. Many estheticians provide makeup consultations and applications, as well.

Business Roles

As a beautician, you might be employed by a salon, or you might lease a chair or a booth from a salon owner. If you lease a work space, you probably won’t be provided with healthcare insurance or have taxes withheld from your check; instead, you’ll take care of these services yourself. You might also pay a fee to the salon owner for the leased space. To advance as a beautician, you could become proficient in business and marketing areas and open your own salon.