Beauty School Directory Blog

Archive for May, 2009

How to Make Your Cosmetology Career More Lucrative

Posted on: May 28th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 3 Comments

U.S. News and World Report declared hairstyling and cosmetology one of the best careers for 2009. That’s no surprise considering how well being a cosmetologist fits US News’s “Best Career” specifications:

1. Job outlook
2. Average job satisfaction
3. Difficulty of the required training
4. Prestige
5. Pay

Essentially, cosmetology tops the list because it meets the five basic qualifiers: there always seem to be openings available for qualified cosmetologists, they love their jobs, training is rapid and cost-effective, people and clients have a high opinion of professional cosmetologists and they make good money.

But what are some of the other unspoken benefits of being a licensed cosmetologist?

First, this career is a fashionista’s dream. It’s one of the rare fields with good job opportunities in which you’re rewarded for staying current on fashion and design. You gain prestige and client approval because you spent a few hours over the weekend catching up on Project Runway, E! Entertainment TV gossip, and Tabatha’s Salon Takeover.

Second, your job can’t be “outsourced” to people with questionable credentials. It might seem obvious, but a cosmetologist and their clients’ relationships are very personal. You can’t fake this type of customer service over an international phone line.

Third, the beauty industry manages to keep expanding and improving every year with services and customer avenues. Cosmetology is a huge part of the beauty industry, which is literally a multi-billion dollar and growing business sector.

So how do you make this dream cosmetology career even more lucrative?

Specialize. A creative career demands creative solutions. So evolve into a niche specialty that you can put your personal spin on. One example is finding lucrative work building and styling wigs and hairpieces. The country’s population is aging, and with age comes hair thinning and loss for both men and women. You can help people who have lost their hair due to age, disease or accidents, or you can go for a more exciting angle and design hair pieces for stage, screen, and TV productions.

Are you in cosmetology training, or already in the cosmetology field? Do you plan on specializing? How will you create your own signature line of service?

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Shortcuts to Becoming a Stylist to the Stars

Posted on: May 20th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

celebrity-hairstylist-diana-schmidtke-shortcuts

If styling hair was a sport, then working on celebrities’ hair would have to be the Super Bowl or World Series event for trained cosmetologists. There’s nothing like being pulled from the minors to perform in the Big Leagues! So, how does one get to that star status?

Well, all of your questions can be answered through a new book: Shortcuts, by Diana Schmidtke. She maps out her successes as a celebrity hairstylist in her new book for the recent and not-so-recent graduates of beauty schools.

Schmidtke’s book isn’t just a laundry list of to-do’s for a get-rich-quick scheme, or just about the adventure of moving to Hollywood. It also covers the field of Special FX artistry and answers industry questions, such as the difference between union and non-union stylists. There’s even a quiz section to help you determine if your passion lies more with fashion and music or television and film!

Can you map out your dream job after cosmetology school just through a book? Probably not. But if you have questions about breaking into such a narrow niche in hair, makeup or fashion – then this book can help.

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Cosmetology School is Not Just for Women

Posted on: May 13th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 7 Comments

Manly men need their hair cut too. Maybe not highlighted, maybe not flat-ironed (or maybe so), but cut and styled at least! As much as they hate to admit it, even the most rugged of men still want to look good. That’s why in today’s metro-sexual world, barber shops still flourish.

You know the kind … It smell like shaving cream and hums with the drone of electric shavers. It’s got televisions tuned to the big game. Its employees probably won’t try to sell you a $60 styling product for your buzz cut. And it’s run by a trained, professional barber.

Ever wonder what it would be like to have his job? Here’s a hint. Awesome. Find out more about this stable, flexible, and hands-on career choice!

What exactly does a barber do?
Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair – mostly for male clients. They are generally also trained to fit hairpieces and offer scalp treatments and facial shaving. Plus, they can do most everything else that cosmetologists can, including hair coloring, permanent waves, and facials.

What do barbers earn, and what kind of advancement opportunities do they have?
Median hourly earnings in May 2006 for salaried barbers, including tips, were $11.13. Entry-level earnings are usually modest, but experienced barbers can advance quickly in the field. Advancement usually takes the form of higher earnings as barbers gain experience and build a steady clientele. Some barbers manage their shops, lease booth space, or open their own shops.

What are a barber’s working conditions like?
In 2006, about 19 percent of barbers worked part-time, and the rest worked full-time. Most full-time barbers put in a 40-hour week, but long days are common, especially among self-employed workers. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends, the times when barbershops are busiest. Barbers usually work in clean, enjoyable surroundings with good light and ventilation. They are on their feet for most of their shift, so good health and stamina is important.

What training will I need to become a barber?
To qualify for a barbering license, barbers are required to graduate from a state-licensed cosmetology or barbering school. Full-time programs in barbering usually last about nine months, and may lead to an Associate’s degree or diploma. Throughout their careers, many barbers continue to take advanced courses in hairstyling or other personal appearance services to keep up with the latest trends. They also may take courses in sales and marketing if they are interested in opening their own businesses. (There are cosmetology and barbering schools in your area with classes starting now.)

Will I need to get licensed?
All states require barbers to be licensed. Requirements for a barber license vary by state, but generally barbers must have a high school diploma or GED, be at least 16 years old, and have graduated from an accredited barber or cosmetology school. State licensing examinations generally consist of a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills or an oral examination.

How much work is available for barbers?
Overall employment of barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers is projected to grow slightly faster than the average for all occupations – even in a recession.

Do you already work in the field and have something to tell aspiring barbers? Comment and share your wealth of knowledge and experience!

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