Career Paths for a Cosmetologist

Continuing education is important to your career's future and it holds the key to individual development and personal motivation give you knowledge and confidence, and also provides you the best opportunity to advance your career and achieve real success. Hairdressing is an ever changing profession and education will keep you current with trends and the newest techniques. Your clients come to you expecting and deserving a knowledgeable professional, and if you are not able to fulfill their needs they will not return. Continuing your education gives you the opportunity to observe and practice the techniques and trends. You can never know enough in the hair world, you are always learning more. That is why it's so important to stay up to date, because things are changing so quickly. You need to have commitment in perfecting all your skills. Once you have completed school and are licensed, you will be amazed at how many career opportunities open up for you. There are countless routes to take in this profession.The possibilities are endless for a professional cosmetologist who continues their education. You can become a hair color specialist. You can train others in your salon to perform color services or work for a product manufacture. You can become a texture specialist. You can go teach others how to best perform texture services according to your guidelines and product instructions. One example of this is you can be a curly hair specialist, focusing on maintaining the natural curl. There a hair cutting specialists. This position requires a desire to learn various cutting styles and techniques. Try different techniques in every cut and find your favorite. This will allow you to perform top-quality hair cutting in your salon. A salon trainer is another. Many companies hire experience salon professionals and train them to educate others. You can become a sales consultant. The salon industry depends heavily on its product. A sales consultant provides information about products, new trends and new techniques. You can be an artistic directory. This position establishes the standard for a salon or manufacturers image.  The artistic director’s responsibility is to inspire hairdressers and create trends. This take confidence. You can become an education director, Go around and teach students new techniques and trends. You can teach others and benefit greatly from it. You need to be confident in what you do for this one. You can be a cosmetology instructor. This is teaching students while they are in school. Educating new cosmetologists can be very trying, but also rewarding. You can be a film, theatrical, or editorial stylist and focus on makeup. You can work behind the scenes in magazines and tv sets. You can be a creative directory, nail technician, esthetician, barber, only focus on styling hair, the list goes on and on. The best thing about this industry is you can choose what you like best, and move from there, There is so many career options that can be taken from being a cosmetologist. Pick what you are good at and go from there. Be creative and have fun with it! Do what you love.

Skin Care

Clear, glowing skin is one of today’s most important hallmarks of beauty. No matter how advanced the latest skincare technology may be, you still have to learn how to care for your client’s skin and know what you do to keep it healthy. You need to study the structure of the skin, how it grows, and why it’s important to maintain healthy skin. Knowing the skin’s underlying structure and basic needs in crucial in order to provide excellent skin care for clients. You will need to recognize adverse conditions, including skin diseases, inflamed skin, and infectious skin disorders so that you can give the correct treatment. A dermatologist is a physician who specializes in disease and disorders of the skin. Cosmetologists may be allowed to check skin, preserve the health of the skin, and beautify the skin. However, cosmetologists are not allowed to diagnose, prescribe, or provide any type of treatment for abnormal conditions, illnesses, or diseases. Cosmetologists refer clients with medical issues to dermatologists. The skin is the largest organ of the body. Our skin protects the network of muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Healthy skin should be free of any visible signs of disease. It is slightly moist and soft. Healthy skin has a smooth texture. The skin to the scalp is constructed similarly to the skin elsewhere on the human body, but the scalp has larger and deeper hair follicles to accommodate the longer hair of the head. The skin is composed to two main divisions: the epidermis and the derims. The epidermis is the outermost and thinnest layer of the skin. It contains no blood vessels, but has many small nerve endings. It is made up of 5 layers: stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, stratum germinativum. The dermis is the underlying or inner layer of the skin. The dermis extends to form the subcutaneous tissue. The dermis is comprised of two layers: the papillary and the reticular. The reticular layer is the deeper layer of the dermis that supplies the skin with all of its oxygen and nutrients. It contains the following structures within its network: fat cells, blood vessels, lymph vessels, oil glands, sweat glands, hair follicles, arrector pili muscles, nerve endings. Blood and lymph vessels are located in the reticular dermis. The skin contains the surface endings of nerve fibers. The first one is the motor nerve fibers, the second is the sensory nerve fibers, and the third is the secretory nerve fibers. The color of the skin depends on the melanin, which is the tiny grains of pigment that are produced by melanocytes and then deposited into cells in the basal layer of the epidermis and the papillary layers or the dermis. Melanin helps protect sensitive cells from the sun's UV light, but it does not provide enough protection to prevent skin damage. The skin gets its strength, from, and flexibility from collagen and elastin. The healthier that you are eating, the better skin that you have. Eat your vitamins and nutrients.Help your clients with keeping their skin the best that they can.

Communication

Do you believe that first impressions are important? First impressions are often the gateway to obtaining a job interview. There are many factors that help create a professional image. However, how a person looks is often the first clue to determine if they have what it take to do the job. You need to present yourself in all good ways possible. Clients rely on beauty professionals to look good and be well groomed. Having a professional beauty image helps to build trust with clients and leads to repeat business. There a consequences to not maintaining a professional image including loss of clients, a poor reputation, and loss of income. Being well groomed begins with looking and smelling fresh. Basic hygiene starts with showering and bathing. Personal hygiene is the daily maintenance of cleanliness by practicing good healthful habits. When working as a stylist, you are up close to your clients. You need to always make sure you are smelling good and that you are clean. It is miserable for your client to have to be surrounded by that. Make sure you use deodorant and brush your teeth! Wash your hands throughout the day.  Make sure you are well groomed. It helps you advertise your beauty profession. How a person dresses and takes care of their skin and hair, reflects their grooming habits. You need to dress professionally and clean. Your clients will base how good you are at doing hair by how you look. If you look and are dressed cute, the client will automatically assume you are good at hair. Dressing for success does not mean you have to be someone who you are not, everyone is different. Just remember to tune in to the salon you are working at culture. Never go to work with your hair not done. You are working in a salon, the least you can do is have your own hair look good. It is very important to keep your hair color and haircut fresh. Like I have explained, if you hair looks good your client will assume you are good at doing hair. Make sure your makeup is done. This will help you promote a professional image. A positive attitude is one of the biggest things while developing a professional image.  Negative gossip should never happen. Being good at communicate and using professional words will help you look professional. Use social media to communicate with peers and clients and post helpful content. Do not use profane language or argue on social media where your peers can see. Your physical presentation involves your posture and they way you walk and move. Good posture portrays confidence. Sit with your back straight and have your shoulders relaxed and leveled. Not only does this make you look professional, it helps you not have any physical problems. Having good posture allows you to get through your day feeling good and doing your best. If you are feeling good, you will look good. Always be aware of your professional image at work and in your everyday life.

Your Professional Image

Do you believe that first impressions are important? First impressions are often the gateway to obtaining a job interview. There are many factors that help create a professional image. However, how a person looks is often the first clue to determine if they have what it take to do the job. You need to present yourself in all good ways possible. Clients rely on beauty professionals to look good and be well groomed. Having a professional beauty image helps to build trust with clients and leads to repeat business. There a consequences to not maintaining a professional image including loss of clients, a poor reputation, and loss of income. Being well groomed begins with looking and smelling fresh. Basic hygiene starts with showering and bathing. Personal hygiene is the daily maintenance of cleanliness by practicing good healthful habits. When working as a stylist, you are up close to your clients. You need to always make sure you are smelling good and that you are clean. It is miserable for your client to have to be surrounded by that. Make sure you use deodorant and brush your teeth! Wash your hands throughout the day.  Make sure you are well groomed. It helps you advertise your beauty profession. How a person dresses and takes care of their skin and hair, reflects their grooming habits. You need to dress professionally and clean. Your clients will base how good you are at doing hair by how you look. If you look and are dressed cute, the client will automatically assume you are good at hair. Dressing for success does not mean you have to be someone who you are not, everyone is different. Just remember to tune in to the salon you are working at culture. Never go to work with your hair not done. You are working in a salon, the least you can do is have your own hair look good. It is very important to keep your hair color and haircut fresh. Like I have explained, if you hair looks good your client will assume you are good at doing hair. Make sure your makeup is done. This will help you promote a professional image. A positive attitude is one of the biggest things while developing a professional image.  Negative gossip should never happen. Being good at communicate and using professional words will help you look professional. Use social media to communicate with peers and clients and post helpful content. Do not use profane language or argue on social media where your peers can see. Your physical presentation involves your posture and they way you walk and move. Good posture portrays confidence. Sit with your back straight and have your shoulders relaxed and leveled. Not only does this make you look professional, it helps you not have any physical problems. Having good posture allows you to get through your day feeling good and doing your best. If you are feeling good, you will look good. Always be aware of your professional image at work and in your everyday life.

Life skills

While good technology skills are important to master, learning and applying life skills are just as important. The salon is a creative workplace where individuals are expected to show their artistic talent. In addition, it is a huge social environment. These life skills are a foundation of success for students and professionals. Practicing these skills will lead to a more satisfying beauty career. Some of the most important life skills for you to remember and practice include: being helping, making friends, feeling good about yourself, having a sense of humor, maintaining a cooperative attitude, having responsibility, being consistent in your work, mastering techniques to become more organized, and adapting successfully to different situations. There are many things that lead up to success. Building your self esteem is a huge one. Self-esteem is based on inner strength. You need to trust yourself. If you have high self esteem you will feel more comfortable with the things you are doing. Visualizing success helps you want to be successful, because you want to live up to what you are imagining.  Build on your strengths and practice doing whatever helps you maintain a positive self-image. Always be kind to Li and stay true to yourself. Keep your energy up. Respect all the people around you and treat them all as friends. Stay productive and keep busy. You need to feel a sense of personal excitement and a good reason for staying in the course. Stay creative and keep up with the trends, this will help you to jump into new things. You need to design a mission statement. A mission statement established the purpose and values for which an individual or institution lives and works by. Setting goals is a huge help for yourself. Goal setting is the identification of long-term and short-term goals. When you know what you want, it will help you get there easier. By mapping out your goals, you will see where to focus your attention in order to fulfill you dreams. When you set goals, categorize them based on the amount of time it takes to accomplish the goals. Short term goals are shorter and long term goals are measured in larger increments of time such as two years. Organize all your thoughts and write them down. Learn to prioritize your time by ordering tasks on your to-do list from most important to least important. Never take on more than you can handle. Give yourself some downtime whenever you a frustrated or overwhelmed. Make daily, weekly, and monthly schedules. To realize the greatest benefits education can provide you, commit to these things: attend all classes, arrive for class early, have materials, listen, take notes, pay attention, as questions. Establish good study habits. You should interact with people with a pleasing tone of voice. Be nice to everyone around you in the salon. Be effective to your clients as they talk about their life. Show concern and love for them. Be kind and speak with kind words.

Sanitation

Sanitation is a very important thing to remember when being in the salon. As a cosmetologists it is your responsibility to prevent the spread of diseases. Always remember to remove all hair from combs brushes and clippers. Then, scrub brushes with soap and water. Immerse all combs and brushes in barbicide for 10 minutes. Rinse it off after removing from barbicide. Spray clippers with disinfectant lubricant or disinfectant and oil. Remember to oil your scissors so they are always moving well for you. This will keep them in a good working order. Wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after every service. Washing your hands is the number one way to prevent diseases from spreading. Always sanitize combs, brushes, clips, shears, and other implements after each haircut by washing thoroughly and placing them in a disinfectant solution. You should replace the blade in the razor prior to each client. Discard used blades in a puncture-proof container. Sanitize your work station after each client you work on. Sweep after them and disinfect everything that was used on them. As stated, infection control has two steps: cleansing and then disinfecting. Remember that when you clean, you must remove all visible dirt and debris from all equipment washing with liquid soap and warm water. The more you clean your surface, the number of contaminants in reduced. A surface must be properly cleaned before it can be properly disinfected. There are 3 ways to clean your tools or implements. 1. Washing with soap and warm water and scrubbing them with a clean and properly disinfected nail brush. 2. Using an ultrasonic unit. 3. Using a cleaning solvent. The second step of infection control is disinfection. Disinfection is the process that eliminates most, but still not all. In the salon setting, disinfecting is really effective in controlling microorganisms on surfaces such as shears. Implements must be thoroughly cleaned of all visible matter or residue before being placed in a disinfectant solution. Use only on precleaned, hard, nonporous surfaces- not on single-use abrasive files. Always use gloves when handling disinfectant solution. An item must remain emerged in a disinfectant for ten minutes unless product says other way. Disinfectants can cause skin and eye damage. You need to be careful while working with these. Always wear gloves and safety glasses. Avoid skin and eye contact. Add disinfectant to water when diluting. Mix all disinfectants according to the manufacturer's directions. Hair clippers, nail drills and other types of electrical equipment have parts that can not be immersed in liquid. These items should be cleaned and disinfected using an EPA registered disinfectant designed for use on these devices. Follow standard precautions to protect you and your client. Standard precautions are guidelines published by the centers for disease control and prevention that require the employer and employee to assume that all human blood and body fluids are potentially infectious.  By following all these guidelines, you can prevent disease from spreading. It is very important to sanitize and keep all your implements clean!

Scalp Care, Shampooing, and Conditioning

When clients visit a salon for the first time, the immediately begin making judgements about their surroundings. How does the salon look? Does the receptionist greet them with a smile? Make sure you do everything in your power to make sure your client has a good salon experience. You only get once chance to make a good first impression. One of the most important experience a stylist can provide is the shampoo.  Making this a pleasurable experience can have a great impact on building your reputation as a stylist. The “shampoo “ part of the service comes in three different parts: scalp care and massage, shampooing, and conditioning. The shampoo gives the client relaxation time that is free from the stresses of the day. If clients are happy with the entire shampoo experience, they are far more likely to be happy with the entire service. The two basic requirements for a healthy scalp are cleanliness and stimulation. Scalp massage is a procedure you will do often and one you should be well at. Proper maintenance of the hair and scalp begins with the hygiene practice of shampooing. The hair should be shampooed often to remove oil and dirt. If the scalp and hair are improperly cleansed, unhealthy disorders of the scalp may appear. When performing a scalp massage, remember to keep the client’s head supported and maintain contact with the head at all times. Use slow, deliberate motions and a soft touch. You as the stylist need to be relaxed as well. Keep your fingers loose. A dry hair and scalp treatment should be used when there is a deficiency of natural oil on the scalp. If their scalp is dry, manipulate the scalp using a kneading technique to increase blood circulation to the surface. This will reduce any hardened sebum that has been collected in the pores of the scalp and can be removed with gentle pressing.  If their scalp appears to have dandruff on it, use an anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner to treat it. Correct hair brushing also stimulates blood circulation to the scalp. Brushing removes dirt, dust, and hairspray build up. It gives the hair shine. You should always begin brushing the hair from the ends then work towards the scalp. This makes it easier to get rid of all the tangles.  The shampoo service provides an opportunity to make sure that the hair and scalp are properly cleansed and nourished. If there are any open wounds, reddened scalp irritations, scalp flaking, or apparent disease, do not continue with the service. Select the proper shampoo for you client. Everyone has different hair which means everyone needs different shampoo to treat their hair the best. Be aware of which shampoos are meant for which types of hair. There's conditioning shampoo, medicated, clarifying, balancing, strengthening, dry, neutralizing, and color-enhancing. Conditioning is applied to the hair to deposit protein to help restore the hair’s strength and moisturize it. There is a cleansing conditioner, rinse-out. treatment or repair, and leave-in. Always remember to drape your client really good so you do not get them wet at all. Remember to make the shampoo memorable!

Business Skills

The better prepared you are to be both a great artist and a successful businessperson, the greater your chances of success. There are two ways to become your own boss in this industry. 1) Own your own salon, and 2) renting a booth in an existing salon. Both are serious undertakings that require significant financial investment and a strong line of credit. Salon owners have a very different job than hairdressers. Owners work behind the chair while they manage the business. Opening your own salon is a huge undertaking- financially, physically, creatively, and mentally. You need to decide what products to use and carry, what types of marketing and promotions you will employ, and who to hire.  Creating your brand identity is important in building a unique, successful business. What is going to make a client want to visit your business vs. the one across the street? What are you selling? What is the theme of your salon? Is the environment friendly?  A vision statement is a long term picture of the long-term goals for the business, what it is to become, and what it will look like when it gets there. You need to pick a good name for the business that identifies the characteristics that sets your business apart from the rest. You will want to base your location on your primary clientele and their needs. Select a location that has good visibility, high traffic, easy access, and good parking. Business regulations and laws are any and all local, state, and federal regulations and laws that you must comply with when you decide to open your salon or rent a booth. When you open a salon, you will need to purchase insurance that guarantees protection. A salon can be owned by an individual, a partnership or a franchise. The sole proprietor is the individual owner and, most often the manager of the business. In a partnership business structure, two or more people share ownership. A corporation is an ownership structure controlled by one or more stockholders. You must have a business plan before opening a business. You need to have a vision statement, mission statement, organizational plan, marketing plan, financial documents, and salon policies. Good business operations require a simple and efficient record system. Proper business records are necessary to meet the requirements of local, state, and federal laws regarding taxes and employees. Records need to be correct, concise, and complete. Keep an accurate record of all income and expenses. Always keep service records or client cards that describe treatments given and merchandise sold to each client. The records should include the name and address, the date of each service, the amount charged, the products used, and the results obtained. Booth rental is renting a booth or a station in a salon. Many people like this more than owning their own salon because it is less stressful. Your personnel is your staff or employees. The size of your salon will determine the size of your staff. Make it your top priority to meet your payroll obligations. The front desk is an important part of your salon. The best salons employ professional receptionists to handle the job of answering phones and greeting clients/attending to the client’s needs. Always make a client feel welcome in your salon.

Hair coloring

One of the most creative, challenging, and inspiring salon services is hair coloring. Die to its popularity, it also has the potential for being one of the most lucrative areas in which a stylist can choose to work. There are many reasons why people color their hair. They want to cover up or blend gray hair. They want to enhance an existing hair color and create a fashion statement.  They want to correct unwanted tones in their hair. They might want to accentuate their hair cut more. The structure of a clients hair and the desired results determine which hair color to use. The hair structure results in the outcome of the color service. Porosity is the hair´s ability to absorb moisture. When you have low porosity, the hair is resistant. Therefore, it requires a longer processing time. When you have high porosity, your cuticle is lifted. The hair is overly porous and takes color quickly. It is important to be aware of that. Learning to identify a client's natural hair color is the most important step in becoming a good colorist. Natural hair color ranges from black to white. Hair color is unique to each person. Eumelanin is the melanin that lends back and brown colors to hair. Pheomelanin is the melanin that gives blond and red colors to the hair. Every color has a level. Level is the unit of measurement used to identify the lightness or darkness of a color. Hair color levels are arranged on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the darkest and 10 being the lightest. When determining the natural level, get a half inch section and hold it up so light can shine through it. The law of color is a system for understanding color relationships. Equal parts of red and yellow make orange. Equal parts of red and blue make violet. Equal parts of blue and yellow make green. Primary colors are red yellow and blue. These can´t be created by combining other colors. A secondary color is a color obtaining by mixing 2 primary colors. A tertiary color is achieved by mixing a secondary color and its neighboring primary color. Complementary colors are opposite of each other on the color wheel. The tone is the balance of color. There are temporary hair colors, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent. Volume measures the concentration and strength of of hydrogen peroxide. Use 10-volume peroxide when less lightening is desired. Use 40-volume when you want bleach to pull through fast. Never leave the client unattended while coloring their hair because you need to watch the hair process. Single-process hair coloring lightens and deposits color in a single application. Hair lightening is a chemical process involving the diffusion of the natural hair color pigment of artificial hair color from the hair. Be careful while bleaching hair and always watch how fast it´s processing for! New growth is the hair between the scalp and the hair that has been previously colored. Toning the hair helps get rid of unwanted tones. Highlighting colors some of the hair so you have the variety of your natural color with some lighter tones.

Hair Removal

Cosmetologists should study hair removal because removing unwanted hair is a primary concern for many clients. You will satisfy your clients by advising them on the various types of hair removal. It is a great extra service that you can offer. Before performing any hair removal service, a consultation is always necessary. You need to know of any allergies they may have. You need to understand the sensitivity of their skin so you know which wax best suits them. Certain medications cause changes in the skin that can cause skin to lift during waxing treatment, meaning the skin can be pulled off with the wax. Be cautious of that. Clients who have autoimmune diseases such as lupus can have reactions to the inflammation caused by waxing. Permanent hair removal isn't offered in salons. But it is still an option for hair removal. Permanent hair removal methods include electrolysis, photoepilation, and laser hair removal. Electrolysis is the removal of hair by means of an electric current that destroys the growth cells of the hair. Photoepilation uses intense light to destroy the growth cell of the hair follicles. Laser hair removal is a laser beam pulsed on the skin, impairing hair growth. Temporary hair removal methods include shaving and tweezing.  A depilatory is a substance used for the temporary removal of superfluous hair by dissolving it at the skin's surface. Always ask the client how they want their eyebrows done and what they want taken off. To determine the best shape for the brow, hold the base of the comb against the corner of the nose. This is where the brow should begin. Hold the comb so it extends from the corner of the nose to the outside corner of the eye and this is where it should end. The high point of the arch of the brow should be near the outside corner of the iris, if the client is looking straight. An epilator removes the hair from the bottom of the follicle. Wax is a commonly used epilator and is available in two main forms: hard and soft. Soft wax is applied to the skin and removed using fabric strips. Hard wax is thicker and does not require strips, you just pull it off with your hand.  Because waxing removes the hair from the bottom of the follicle, it takes a lot longer to grow back then tweezing would. It usually takes 4-6 weeks to grow back. Wax is applied many parts of the body: eyebrows, cheeks, chin, upper lip, arms, legs, armpits, etc. Many male clients wax the back of their neck and back. The hair should be at least ¼ inch long for waxing to be effective. Remember to always test the temperature of the wax before placing it on the client. Never double-dip the wax. Do not apply wax over warts and moles, or other irritated areas. Becoming a good waxer can be very efficient for you. It will bring you more clients. People need to be waxed often and it is a very good way to make extra money.

Facials

Good skin care can make a big difference in the way your skin feels and looks. It also changes how a client feels about their appearance. A facial is a professional skin treatment that improves the condition and appearance of the skin. They are very relaxing and they improve the appearance of the skin. Proper skin care can make oily skin look healthier, dry skin look more moist,  and aging skin look smoother and firmer. You must start a facial with a client consultation. This gives you time to ask your client questions about their skin. Analyze their skin and ask as many questions as you need. Then you can decide which product best suits their skin. Always perform facials in a dimmed quiet room. This helps your client feel more relaxed. There are many skin care products used in a facial, and it is important cosmetologists know this. Cleansing milks are a non-foaming lotion designed to cleanse the skin and take of makeup. Foaming cleansers contain detergents that cause the product to foam and rinse off easily. This is generally for oily-skin typed.  Toners are known as fresheners. They are lotions that help rebalance the pH and remove remnants of cleanser from skin. It is very exfoliating. Moisturizers are products that increase the moisture content of the face. They make your face less dry and very smooth. Massage creams help it so the skin gets slippery during massage and you can massage easier. Masks are often composed of mineral clays, moisturizing agents, skin softeners. Clay-based masks are for oily skin. Cream masks are for dry. Paraffin wax masks are melted and applied on the face. The wax hardens on your face and helps it go more deep into your skin and pores. The massage is a very important part of a facial. You need to use different massage techniques. You need to have light movement along with stroking and kneading movement. There is many facial manipulations you need to perform. For the chin, you need to lift it using a slight pressure. Move into the lower cheeks using a circular movement, rotate from chin to ears. Over the forehead you do a circular movement starting at the eyebrow line and working across the middle of the forehead and into the hairline. Slide your fingers to the temples and then stroke up to the hairline, gradually moving your hands across the forehead. To finish it, go through the neck with a circular movement rubbing into their shoulders and neck. You need to help the client relax by speaking in a quiet and professional manner. You need to explain the benefits of the products and service, and be sure to answer every question. You must provide a very quiet atmosphere, and work quietly. You need to maintain a neat, clean work area. Make it an enjoyable experience for them, and take your time. Not rushing through the facial is key. You will have many clients who will return to you if you are good enough.

Pedicures

A pedicure is a cosmetic service performed on the feet by a licensed cosmetologist or a nail technician. Pedicures can include exfoliating the skin, reducing calluses, trimming, shaping and polishing the toenail. Often they include a wonderful foot and leg massage. Pedicures are not exactly manicures on the feet. Although they are similar treatment, pedicures require specific skills and more knowledge of chronic diseases. Cosmetologists study pedicures because it will enable them to add this very desirable service to their service offerings. It is important to know how to perform a pedicure safe and correctly. A pedicure station includes a comfortable chair with an armrest and footrest for the client and an ergonomic chair for the cosmetologist.  Pedicure stool is usually low to make it ergonomically easier for the pedicurist to work on the client's feet. The pedicure foot bath varies in design from the basic stainless steel basin to an automatic whirlpool that warms and massages the client’s feet. The soak bath is filled with warm water and a product to soak the client’s feet in. There are many wonderful different techniques used in a pedicure. There is the terry cloth mitts. They are mitts you place over the client’s feet after a conditioning product and a plastic cover have been applied. Paraffin bath is dipping the client’s foot into a wax 3 times, then letting it harden and sit on the foot. Hot stones are stones that are smooth and warm. They move across your feet smoothly and enough pressure to push into your feet, providing a deep penetrating feeling. There are many implements used while during a pedicure. Toenail clippers are larger than fingernail clippers, with curved or straight jaws specifically designed for shortening toenails. A curette is an implement with a small, scoop-shaped end that, if carefully used, allows for more efficient removal of debris from the nail. A nail rasp is a metal implement with a grooved edge used for filing and smoothing the edges of the nail plate. Foot files are designed to reduce and smooth thicker foot calluses. Some unique materials used in a pedicure is toe separators and pedicure slippers. These help the paint not smear and helps them dry more efficiently. Products for pedicure services include: soaks, scrubs, masks, pedicure lotions and creams, and callus softeners. Foot soaks are products that are put into the water in the pedicure bath to soften the skin on the feet. Exfoliating scrubs are lotions that contain an abrasive as the exfoliating agent. Masks are concentrated treatment products that lather the foot. They are a thicker substance that hydrates and nourishes the skin. Lotions and creams are important because they condition and moisturize the skin. This softens calluses and makes it easier to massage the foot. Massage is a key thing in pedicures, make sure to master that and give your client a great foot massage. Many people get pedicures much more than they get their hair done. This is why it is important to get them perfected. Interaction during the service is also a key point, keep the conversation going and make sure they feel welcomed.

Facial Makeup

The field of makeup artistry is a very rewarding segment of cosmetology. The service produces results that alter how clients view themselves. Makeup does so much to a person and gains self esteem by a lot. Clients rely on cosmetologists for advice on how to look their best. There are many different types of makeups, I would like to define a few. Foundation is a flesh-toned cosmetic used to minimize the appearance of skin imperfections. Concealers are used to hide dark eye circles, hyperpigmentation, and other imperfections. Face powder is used to create a matte or non-shiny finish. Eye shadows are cosmetics used to accentuate the eye shape and compliment eye color. Eyeliner is a cosmetic used to define the eyes and make the lash line appear fuller. Eyebrow pencils are used to add color and shape to the eyebrow. Blush is used to add color to the cheeks. Lipstick is a waxy cosmetic used to enhance the lips. Lip liner is generally applied before the lip color to define the shape of the lips and keep the color from bleeding. Mascara is a cosmetic preparation used to darken, define, and thicken the eyelashes. There are brushes used for every different type of makeup. The right brushes can make all the difference in the way your makeup appears. You need to rinse brushes thoroughly after cleansing and let brushes lay flat to dry. There is also single-use implements. These are disposable and should be discarded after one use. They include the following items: sponges, powder puffs, mascara wands, spatulas, lip brushes, sponge-tipped shadow applicators, cotton swabs and cotton pads. A thorough understanding of color is imperative to becoming an effective makeup artist. As you look at the color wheel, think of it as a tool in determining color choice. There are three main factors to consider when choosing colors for a client: skin color, eye color, and hair color. Orange is the complementary color to blue. Because orange contains yellow and red, shadows with any of these colors in them will make eyes look bluer. Red is the complementary color to green. Because red shadows tend to make the eyes look tired or bloodshot, pure red tons are not recommended. Red-orange, red-violet, and violet look very good with green eyes. Brown eyes are neutral and can wear any color. The primary goal of makeup application is to emphasize the client’s most attractive features, while minimizing those that are less appealing. Learning to objectively identify the face shapes and its features takes practice. There is oval-shaped face, round face, square-shaped face, triangular face, heart-shaped, diamond-shaped, oblong face. Here is the order of a basic professional makeup application: you start with the client consultation, lighting, apply foundation, apply concealer, apply powder, apply eyebrow pencil, apply eyebrow powder, apply eyeshadow, apply eyeliner,  apply blush, apply lip color, apply mascara. Makeup is a very good skill to have as a cosmetologist. It will give you more clientele. It is good to be good at more than just hair in this industry.  

Hairstyling

The art of hairstyling or dressing the hair has always changed in direct relation to the fashion, art, and life of the times.  Hairstyling is an huge thing in the cosmetology world. It is an important, foundational skill that allows the professional to articulate creativity. The client looks to you for that special style desired. It is up to you to make them look the best. You need to start with a consultation. Have your client find styles that she likes. FInger waving is the process of shaping and directing the hair into an S pattern through the use of the fingers, combs and finger waving lotion. This was the rage in the 1920s, which is why you may wonder why you need to learn this as a cosmetologist. It is because women today are influenced by the movie stars and celebrities they see wearing finger waves. Pin curls serve as the basis for waves and curls that are used in a wide range of hairstyles. This helps the curl to stay in longer and it makes beautiful curls. There is also roller curls, hot rollers, and velcro rollers. Many hairstyles require a lot of volume. A way to get volume is by backcombing. Backcombing, also known as teasing and ratting, involves combing small sections of hair from the ends toward the scalp causing shorter hair to mat and form a cushion. Hair wrapping is a technique used to keep curly hair smooth and straight while retaining a beautiful shape. Blowdry styling is the technique of drying and styling damp hair in one operation and it has revolutionized the hairstyling world. Never hold the blowdryer too long in one place. Move in a consistent back and forth motion. When choosing a styling brush, take into notice the texture, length, and styling needs of the hair you are working on. Styling products are very important when styling someone's hair. They give a style more hold, and the can be used to either increase or decrease the amount of curl. They can add shide and they enhance a style. Be cautious of the different types of product you use on the different types of hair. There are many products you can use: foam, gel, volumizers, pomade, hairspray, thermal protectant, etc. Thermal irons are tools used to curl dry hair. Flat irons have two hot plates. They are used to create smooth, straight styles. It is important to analyze the condition and texture of hair before you set the heat. Hair can break off or melt due to too much heat if not cautious.  An updo, is a hairstyle with the hair arranged up and off the shoulders and secured with hairpins, bobby pins, and elastics. A half updo is designed for long hair, and it is where half of the hair is pulled back. You need to focus on your sectioning, pinning, balance, and texture with updos. These are styles used for weddings, prom, etc. It is important to know how to do many different styles so you can give your client exactly what they want and make them leave happy.

Proper Use of Hair cutting Tools

How do you choose and use the right tools for the job? To find the answer, you need to understand the function and characteristics of your tools, how to use them in a way that is safe, and how to position your body. There are several tools that you will need for haircutting.  Understanding all of these implements is necessary for creating a great haircut. Haircutting shears are also known as scissors. They are mainly used to cut blunt or straight lines in hair. They may also be used to point cut. Texturizing shears are mainly used to remove bulk from the hair. They are thinning shears and tapering shears. Many types of texturizing shears are used today, with amounts of teeth in the blades. Razors are mainly used when a softer effect on the ends of the hair is desired. Razors can be used to create and entire haircut, to thin hair out or to texturize in certain areas. Clippers are mainly used when creating short haircuts, short tapers, fades and flat tops. They may be used without a guard to shave hair right to the scalp, with cutting guards of various lengths, and for clipper-over-comb technique. Trimmers are a smaller version of clippers. They are used to remove excess or unwanted hair at the neckline and around the ears and to create crisp outlines. Sectioning clips come in variety of shapes and sizes that help hold the hair up. A Wide-tooth comb is mainly used to detangle the hair. Tail comb is used to section the hair off. Barber comb is mainly used for close tapers on the nape and sides when using the scissor-over-comb technique. A cutting comb is used for most haircutting procedures. Your haircutting shears will be one of the most important tools in your career as a cosmetologist. All professional haircutting shears are made of steel.  To keep your shears in excellent shape, it is important to clean and maintain your shears on a regular basis. You need to use a soft cloth or towel saturated with scissor oil, and thoroughly wipe the inside of the blades of your shear after every client. Adjusting the blade tension everyday is important to make sure your shears are functioning correctly. Once a week, open shears to a 90 degree angle and loosen the adjustment knob to that the blades allow a paper towel to fit between the pivot point, and then push out any hair particles. Clean shear with soap and water and disinfectant. Only sharpen your shears as needed. Holding your tools properly is very important. A proper hold gives you the most control and the best results when cutting hair. It also helps you avoid muscle strain in your hands, arms, neck, and back. Not only should you be cautious of where your weight is, but you need to position your client in a way that is comfortable for you.  It is the most important that you are comfortable and positioned correctly.

Understanding the Basic Principles of Haircutting

Good haircuts begin with an understanding of the shape of the head. Hair responds differently on various areas of the head depending on the length and the cutting technique used. Being aware of all of this  will help you achieve the look that you and your client want. The different areas of the head are the top, front, sides, crown, nape, back, and bang area. A section is the working area that the hair is separated into prior to cutting. An angle is created when the space between two lines or surfaces intersects at a given point. You either are cutting vertically, diagonally, and horizontally. Horizontal lines are parallel from the floor and relative to the horizon. Vertical lines are up and down and opposite of horizontal. Diagonal lines are between horizontal and vertical and they have a slanting or sloping direction. A part or parting is a line dividing the hair, separating one section of hair from another. Elevation is also an important thing while doing different haircuts. Elevation is the degree at which a subsection of hair is held from the head while cutting. When cutting, you must follow your guide. A guideline is a subsection of hair that determines the length the hair will be cut. A stationary guideline does not move and is used for one length cuts. A traveling guideline moves and is used when creating layered or graduated cuts. A great haircut always starts with a great consultation. A consultation is a conversation between you and your client when you find out what the client is looking for. You can help them decide what looks will best fit them. You have a great responsibility to make your client look the best. You need to analyze the face shape during the consultation. You look for the widest part of the face and the narrowest areas. Determine if it is wide or long and look for the features that you want to bring out. Also look for the features you want to de-emphasize. Consider the profile of their face. There are four characteristics that determine the behavior of the hair: growth pattern, texture, density, and elasticity. The growth pattern is the direction in which the hair grows from the scalp. Hair density is the number of individual hair strands on 1 square inch of scalp. It is described as thin, medium, or thick. Hair texture is based on the thickness or diameter of each hair strand, classified as coarse, medium, and fine. It is important to notice the differences in everyone's hair. This will help you know which treatment and cut best suits everyone. It will help you make them look the best by bringing out their best features. It is very important as a stylist to make your clients look the best as they can. You need to be a smart stylist and know every thing that will make your client look the very best.

History of Cosmetology

Cosmetology is defined as the art and science of beautifying and improving the skin, nails, and hair and includes the study of cosmetics and their application. The term comes from the Greek word kosmetikos, meaning skilled in the use of cosmetics. Archaeological studies reveal that haircutting and hairstyling were practiced in some form as early as the Ice Age. The simple but effective cosmetic implements have been used since the dawn of history. Understanding the History of Cosmetology is important as a cosmetologists cause you can see how times have improved and what has stayed the same. African civilization had a variety of hairstyles and they were used as a symbol of tribal traditions and conveyed a message of age, marital status, power, and rank. They colored their hair with red earth, and wore hairstyles as a symbol of stature. Their hair was a symbol of their well-being. The egyptians were the first to cultivate beauty in an extreme fashion. They used cosmetics as part of their personal beautification habits, and religious ceremonies. They used minerals, insects, and berries to create makeup. Henna was used to stain their hair. They were first to use oils from leaves and blossoms as perfumes. The chinese people would rub a tinted mixture of gum arabic, gelatin, beeswax, and egg whites onto their nails to color them crimson or ebony. During the Golden Age of Greece, hairstyling became a highly developed art. They built elaborate baths and developed excellent methods of dressing the hair and caring for the skin and nails. They put white lead on their faces, kohl around their eyes, and vermillion upon their cheeks and lips. The Romans would make facials made up of milk and break or fine wine. A mixture of chalk and white lead was used as a facial cosmetic. They used hair color or indicate their class in society. The middle ages women wore colored makeup on their cheeks and lips, but not on their eyes.  They started the modern era of steam-distilled essential oils that we use today. The cosmetics industry grew rapidly during the 1920s.  It was also an era of change. Barbering ushered in a whole new set of standards that upgraded the practice of cosmetology. In 1930, the preheat-perm method was introduced. In 1932, Charles Revson marketed the first nail polish. In 1941 scientists developed another method of a permanent waving that used waving lotion. It did not use heat. In 1951-2000 they introduced tube mascara, improved hair and nail product. In 1970 they saw a new era in highlighting when they came up with hair weaving using foils. Today, hairstylists have far gentler, no-fade hair color. Estheticians can noticeably rejuvenate the skin as well as control acne. Now cosmetologists specialize in either in hair color, texture, or in haircutting. Day spas have come to the world as well. Men-only barbers have grown in popularity as well. As you can see, every new century hair keeps getting more and more advanced. The industry is growing and getting much more popular. People are learning new techniques everyday and it all started with the history of all these different countries. It’s amazing to what the hair world has come to and all the new techniques being used today.

Salary of a Cosmetologist

Some people have a hard time deciding if they should become a cosmetologist because they feel as if it doesn’t pay enough. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the median salary for cosmetologists in $26,790 per year. This number often do not account for full-time and part time cosmetologists, experience in the field, and tips that cosmetologists receive, which could make that salary go up a lot higher. This has been a huge jump since 2010, which was about $22,500. There are many factors that depend on how much money you are receiving and your earning potential.  The first one is where the stylist works. Working in bigger salons and nicer/ more expensive places means more income and also more tips. Another huge reason is that the stylist urges the client to reschedule in a certain amount of days. If you tell them how long they need to wait before they will need to come back in will help them want to reschedule. Make sure they put it in the computers and make sure they will get a reminder to help remind them to come back in. Eventually you will have regular clients who will come in more and more. This helps you make more money because they keep coming back and they keep coming back to you specifically. When you have clients who reschedule you, they will learn to love you and see your talents throughout each appointment. This will make them tell their friends and family about you and refer them to you. This will increase your clients and earn you more money. Those referrals will later on refer their peers to you as well. The list just keeps going and going and the clients keep coming. As you spend more and more years as a cosmetologist, your salary will increase. This is because you will learn a greater understanding in your education and gain a lot more experience through the years. This will make you better and earn you more money. One thing with this industry, is that you will never stop learning. There is always new things to learn and you can always improve your skills by practicing and trying new things. This will make you a better stylist and people will want to come into you more and more. Because this field is very flexible with time, many professionals choose to work half-time instead of full. This makes the salary data lower than it usually is and should be. Your salary has the potential to grow based on your experience, continue your education in the field and grow clientele, and increasing your hours worked. A huge thing with this occupation is tips. Everyone will tip for these types of services. Tips are nice and can add up really fast. That is another thing not mentioned in the salary. It is difficult to figure out the real salary of a cosmetologist because everyone is skilled differently and everyone works different hours. It is basically the effort and time that you as a stylist would want to put in it. It all depends on you!

Skills of a Cosmetologist

Ever wonder what a cosmetologist does all day or what it is?  A cosmetologist is more than just a hair stylist.They are people on the cutting edge of trends and styles in hair and beauty techniques, and they can transform their clients from simple to spectacular in a single setting  According to the Princeton Review, cosmetologists are often the initiators of style and change. Cosmetologists learn to cut color and style all types of hair. Beauticians don’t just to hair styling. They have a wide range of different things such as pedicures, manicures, and nail service. Even makeup for customers. They also focus on skin care, meaning they give facials and learn about the skin. Also important their job is maintaining a safe and clean salon environment at all times. You must feel comfortable consulting with hair and nail clients. You need to give good advice and offer good suggestions to give them the best experience possible. They need to be outgoing and be able to work very well with their hands. You must be able to be healthy and stand on your feet at all times. You must market yourself to keep clients coming back and telling people about you. Some skills and abilities cosmetologists have include: ability to stand for long time, appointment management and scheduling, understanding the information on each beauty product, recommending product, cutting, trimming, coloring, perming, straightening, curling, shampooing, treating, shaping, styling hair, use of tools, chemistry of color and color theory. Each cosmetologist must be aware of the tools that they are working with. You must know how each product works and what each client needs.  You must know different types of hair and how each hair reacts to different types of products. Everyone’s hair works differently and you must be aware of that. You need to know the different types of cutting tools that you are given. Whether it’s thinning shears, normal shears, or texturizing shears you must know which cut needs which tool. You need to know how to be happy and social. If you are not happy your client will become unhappy. Your attitude will reflect on your work. If you don’t want to be at work, your work will not show to your full potential. Always be happy if you want a happy customer You need to know how to carry on conversation and act interested into people’s lives. If your customer is pouring out their heart you must act interested in what they are telling you. You need to be familiar with the different skin types there are. You need to be careful to use the right products on the skin. You need to become and know each massage technique. Massage is one thing that the people love most during a manicure or pedicure. If you are good at it, you will have clients that will want to come back to you and you will make more money. As you can see there are many skills that come along with being a cosmetologist. Knowing all of these well will make you become the difference between a good hair dresser and a great hair dresser.

My Passion

Cosmetology has become my passion these past few months. One day, me and two of my best friends decided we want to do hair school. It was a last minute decision, although ever since I was little I wanted to become a hairstylist. When I would watch my hairdresser cut my hair or color my hair as I became older, I became more and more intrigued and it seemed so fun to me. This is why I have chosen this topic, because it is what I like to do and what I spend all my time doing. It is a passion that I have and my career choice. It is the thing that will keep me busy and the thing that I will learn more and more about each and every day. There is many reasons I wanted to become a cosmetologists. One of the main reasons is because I make other people feel beautiful. When people walk out of the salon they seem like a whole different person then when they walked in. The reason being is because they feel beautiful. It is all because of what I can do to them. It is an incredible feeling to give people that self esteem that makes them feel more beautiful. Girls tend to compare themselves to everyone and put themselves down. I am so happy to think that I can raise them up and make them feel prettier. It is my goal to make every client leave my seat feeling more beautiful. Another reason is because I  love getting my hair done myself. I always look forward every time I get my hair done. It makes you feel so much better about myself and I want people to look forward to coming to see me and sitting in my chair. That will make it much better to get myself to go to work every day for the rest of my life because I know that my clients are excited. Loving your job is important. Everyone who is a hair stylist talks about how much they love their job. It is important for me to do what I love and choose something that really interests me. I have never heard anything bad about this career and that made me want to be it even more. Another reason I chose this is because of the social aspect of it. You are interacting with individuals all day and meeting new people. I am a very social person and I would not want to be in any other type of environment. I have met so many amazing and different individuals and I can’t wait to meet more people. I am so excited to go further in my career and learn more and more each day. I chose this topic for my blog because I am passionate about it and it’s apart of who I am and what I do everyday. I can’t wait to share my passion through words in these blog posts.