Cosmetologists – those highly skilled beauty professionals – are trained in a wide array of services that give their clients a whole new lease on life. While many of us think of cosmetologists purely as hairdressers, the reality is that this profession encompasses a whole lot more than just snipping hair. In actuality, cosmetologists have a broad set of skills at their fingertips that range from hair care, to skincare, to nail services, sanitation practices and – most importantly – client communication.
When cosmetologists go through cosmetology school, they pick up on not just the hands-on techniques needed to get the job done safely and with style, but also the science behind the beauty treatments they’re going to be delivering. From cutting and coloring hair to skincare treatments and even business skills, cosmetologists get the training they need to go on and work in beauty salons, spas and other beauty environments.
Below is a closer look at what cosmetologists do, and what skills they learn in their training.
Getting to the Bottom of Beauty Science
Cosmetologists kick off their cosmetology education by getting a good grounding in the science that underpins all beauty treatments.
Bacteriology and Disease Prevention 101
Sanitation and safety are non-negotiables in the beauty industry. So cosmetologists study up on bacteriology to figure out how bacteria and microorganisms spread – and how to stop it from happening in the first place.
They learn the ins and outs of:
- Getting rid of the germs on all of their tools and equipment
- Stopping infections before they start
- Keeping their workplaces spick and span
- Protecting both their clients and themselves from disease transmission
These practices come together to make sure that beauty services are carried out safely, and that they meet the sorts of standards we would expect from a professional.
The Anatomy of Hair, Skin, Nails and Muscles
Cosmetologists also get to grips with the basic structure and function of the body systems they work with on a daily basis – that includes the ins and outs of hair, skin, muscles, nails and nerves.
Understanding anatomy helps professionals pick up on:
- The different types of hair and skin
- Certain conditions that might affect a treatment
- Performing services more effectively and safely
And it all comes together to give cosmetologists the ability to tailor their services to each individual client.
Hair Services – The Lowdown
Hair services are a big part of what cosmetologists do on a day to day basis.
Haircutting
Cosmetologists are trained up in a whole range of haircutting techniques that allow them to create styles that are tailored to different face shapes, hair textures and client preferences.
They learn skills such as:
- Basic and more advanced cutting techniques
- Layering and texturizing
- Precision cutting and styling
- Styling consultation – actually sitting down and talking to the client about what they want
Haircutting is all about having the right mix of technical skill and creativity.
Hair Styling
Styling is another important service that cosmetologists deliver. They create looks for everyday wear, as well as for special occasions like weddings or proms.
Hair styling services might include:
- Blowouts – a nice and easy way to get your hair looking great
- Updos – perfect for formal events
- Curling and straightening techniques – cosmetologists are trained up on all sorts of different tools and products
- Special occasion styling – making sure that you look your absolute best for that big day or night out
Professionals use all sorts of different tools and products to get the look that the client is after – all while keeping the health of the hair in mind.
Hair Coloring
Hair coloring allows cosmetologists to give their clients a whole new look – or just to enhance the colour they’ve already got.
Training in hair coloring includes:
- Colour theory – getting to grips with how different colours interact
- Highlighting and lowlighting – lightening or darkening specific areas of the hair
- Corrective colour – actually fixing colour that’s gone wrong
- Grey coverage – making sure that the greys are covered
- Balayage and modern colouring techniques – staying up to date with all the latest trends.
Understanding the science of hair colour is crucial to getting consistent and safe results.
Permanent Waving
Permanent waving – or perming – involves changing the structure of the hair to get those lovely curls or waves that last for months.
Cosmetologists learn:
- Chemical processing techniques – how to use the chemicals to get the right effect
- Proper application methods – making sure that the treatment is applied just right
- Hair analysis before treatment – making sure that the hair is in good shape for the perm
- Safety procedures for chemical services – again, making sure that everything is done safely.
Nail Services
Many cosmetologists also offer nail care services that are all about keeping those hands and feet looking their best.
Manicures and Pedicures
Manicures and pedicures involve giving the nails a nice clean and polish, while also taking care of the skin around them.
These services might include:
- Nail shaping and trimming
- Cuticle care – taking care of those little bits of skin that can get in the way of a nice nail
- Hand and foot exfoliation – getting rid of all the dead skin cells
- Nail polish application – painting on that lovely polish with a steady hand
- Relaxing massage techniques – making the experience as enjoyable as possible for the client
Nail services are super popular because they combine grooming with a bit of relaxation – you can have a manicure while chatting with your friend, for example.
Skincare Treatments
Lots of cosmetologists offer skincare services that are designed to keep the skin looking and feeling its absolute best – and to address common concerns like acne or aging.
Facial Treatments
Skincare training includes learning how to perform treatments that cleanse and nourish the skin.
Services might include:
- Facials – a nice relaxing treatment for the face
- Exfoliation treatments – getting rid of all the dead skin cells
- Masks and moisturisers – applying a nice layer of nourishment to the skin
- Skin analysis – figuring out what the skin needs to look its best
Cosmetologists use their skills to evaluate each client’s skin type and recommend the best treatment options.
Massage Techniques
Massage is often incorporated into skincare and nail services to promote relaxation and get the blood flowing.
Cosmetologists learn techniques that:
- Help to ease tension in the facial and neck muscles
- Improve circulation – getting the blood flowing and making the skin look its best
- Give the client the best experience possible – making them feel relaxed and happy.
Getting to Grips with Idaho State Law
In order to work as a professional, cosmetologists need to follow the regulations set out by the state.
Students learn Idaho State Law as it pertains to cosmetology, including:
- Licensing requirements – making sure that they have the right training and qualifications to get on the job
- Sanitation regulations – keeping everything clean and safe
- Professional responsibilities – being a responsible and reliable member of the team
- Legal guidelines for performing services – making sure that they’re doing the right thing by the client
Understanding these laws is crucial to being able to operate within industry standards and keep their professional licence.
Business and Professional Skills – The Essentials
Successful cosmetologists need more than just technical know-how. They also need strong business and communication skills – and that’s where business training comes in.
Business training helps cosmetologists develop the skills they need to run a successful business, from keeping track of finances to managing a team of staff. Many cosmetology programs don’t just stop at teaching you the technical skills to become a hair stylist or nail tech – they also prep you for the business side of things, so you can not only succeed in a salon but also maybe one day be the one running the show.
The kind of training you can expect to get may include:
- running the day-to-day operations of a salon
- actually figuring out how to schedule and manage your time in a way that makes sense
- making sales of all those retail products you’re so familiar with
- working on your marketing and branding to get the word out about your business
All of these skills are super important for building a career that will last you.
Client Communication
When you’re in the beauty business, communication is key. Your clients trust you to give them a great look, and to be honest, that starts with a good conversation about what they want. You need to be able to ask the right questions and give them the right advice so they can look and feel their best.
When it all comes down to it, effective communication is the key to getting happy clients and keeping them coming back for more.
Client Retention
If you can build a long-term relationship with your clients, you’ve got a client for life. And that, my friends, is the ultimate game plan in the beauty business. Cosmetologists figure out how to keep their clients coming back again and again by:
- Being consistent and reliable
- Making sure every experience they have with you is positive
- Checking in with them afterwards to see how they’re doing
- And recommending all sorts of useful products and future services
Having a loyal client base is basically a guarantee that you’ll be able to build a solid reputation and beef up your bank account over time.
A Career Focused on Creativity and Doing What You Love
If you’re the type of person who does a lot better with your hands than with a desk job, and who loves working with people and bringing your creativity to the table, cosmetology might just be the perfect fit for you. It’s a career that requires a solid understanding of science and technique, but also lets you be as creative as you want.
Through training in sanitation and safety, beauty techniques, and state regulations, you’ll get to develop the expertise you need to succeed in the beauty industry.
And for those who are just as passionate about what they do as they are about making people happy, a career in cosmetology can be both super rewarding and a ton of fun.
At Austin Kade Academy, we turn students into cosmetologists every day. Contact us today for more information or to book a tour.
