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How to Pass the Cosmetology License Exam

Posted on: August 23rd, 2012 by Heather No Comments

If you ask Michelle, a master hairstylist at a large nationwide salon chain in Kansas City, she will tell you that the day she took her cosmetology license practical exam was “the most nerve-wracking day of my life.” If you ask her how she felt after she got word that she passed, she will say, “It was this huge sigh of relief. I was so excited. It was like, ‘I did it!’” There is so much thought and preparation that goes into the cosmetology written exam and practical exam after you’ve earned all your training hours at cosmetology school. So how can you prepare for your cosmetology license exam so when you go in to take your written and practical you are confident, poised and ready to pass the exam with flying colors?

1. Get Organized

Though exam formats may vary from state to state, you will find similar concepts on all of them. The first thing to do is to find out your testing date, get it on the calendar, plan ahead and start studying. Make sure you know all of the supplies you will need, the time and location of the exam, and if you need a translator or non-English language cosmetology exam, make arrangements in advance. You need to provide your own models, so get that locked down. Get printed proof of your cosmetology training hours. The same Michelle we mentioned above said that when you’re packing your list of supplies to double everything. If you drop something in your exam, you can’t pick it up off the floor and keep using it, so come prepared with a backup of as many of your supplies as possible. And don’t leave anything off the list – if you’re unprepared for any portion of the exam, you’re automatically docked. Write a checklist well in advance so you can check it multiple times before going in for your exam.

Cosmetology License Exam Practice Tests

2. Start Studying & Practicing

Just because these are hands-on skills doesn’t mean you shouldn’t crack open your textbook and practice like crazy. You need to know this material backwards and forwards from top to bottom. Some states offer cosmetology license exam study guides, others do not. Talk to your board of cosmetology to ask. Be prepared to answer any surprise questions, and make sure you absolutely know every angle of the services you need to do on that practical. Remember all your safety and sanitation training. No doubt you will be stopped in the middle of an exam and asked to handle an imaginary blood spill cleanup situation. Another thing to consider is the exam prep program at Salon Prep. It’s an excellent, thorough tool that you can use to review all the material you learned in cosmetology school, but also has practice exams you can take to drill yourself on the materials. Really an excellent resource to have in your kit!

3. Mentally Prepare Yourself

Get familiar with the structure of the exam. Written examinations typically last 1 to 2 hours. Practical examinations can last from 4 to 8 hours depending on your state for full cosmetology, and typically 2 to 4 hours for shorter exams like esthetics, nail technology and electrology exams. Typically there are short breaks, but make sure you are quick with your snack or potty breaks, because if you’re late returning to the exam room, you may not be allowed back in. Keep in mind that the practical exam is not one-on-one – you’re in a room full of people. So get a laser-like focus, just like you would in a salon. Get to the testing facility a little early so you have some time to review in your head, get familiar with the space, and most importantly chill. Which brings us to our next point…

4. De-Stress

A little bit of pressure can make people perform better, but too much stress before your exam and you could shut down. Since you started studying and practicing well in advance of your exam, there should be no need to “cram” the night before. Eat good balanced meals, stay well-hydrated and try to get a good night’s sleep the night before. (I know it will be tough to sleep when the next day is the first day of the rest of your life, but do your best!) Do something fun and relaxing to clear your mind if you can. If you do have to cram (tsk tsk), then don’t stay up too late. Studies show that you’re better off going to bed at a decent hour and waking up early to squeeze in some final review time, than you would be if you stayed up late to try and cram it all in.

You have worked so hard throughout cosmetology school to reach this point. You’ve done the work, put in the hours, studied hard – you have every reason to be confident. You know this. So psych yourself up and get excited about getting your cosmetology license and reaching that major life goal.

Here are a few pieces of advice from cosmetologists, barbers and other folks who have passed the test:

“Take the practice exam over and over again. Grade yourself and retake only the questions you missed. Repeat this process until you miss none of them. The practice tests in the book are lifted directly for the exams. Everyone should get 100% on the written exam. The info is there for you. It just requires a bit of commitment, like everything else in life.” – Ivan Zoot from Chicago, IL @ZootHair
“Just be calm and relax, and remember all your steps. Have 100% faith in yourself!” Aaron S. in Winston Salem, NC @ImMyOwnDamnFan
“As a barber, learn your shears and master them. A lot of fine tuning comes from those and the razor.” Drew C. in Tampa, FL @darcc1313
“The straight razor on a balloon is key. Don’t let hair color stay in too long.” Jason J. in Mableton, GA @Jaydice_Roll
“Be confident.” – Nakia E. in Los Angeles, CA
“Take advantage of your instructors’ knowledge. No question is a dumb question. Over study and attend as many hair shows as possible with that lovely student discount.” – Carey W. at Cali Spa in Fort Wayne, IN
“Don’t freak out. You already know how to do everything, you just have to show it. As for the written, if you paid attention at all in school you will pass it with flying colors!” Austin Cut & Color

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Don’t Become the Next Beauty School Dropouts

Posted on: August 7th, 2012 by Heather No Comments

Most of us have heard the lyrics crooned to “Beauty School Dropout” from the movie and Broadway performances of Grease. “Your future’s so unclear now / What’s left of your career now?” and “Beauty school dropout / No graduation day for you / Beauty school dropout / Missed your midterms and flunked shampoo” come to mind. Am I right?

Look, you have a choice. You enrolled in cosmetology school, and now you need to do everything possible to make the most of your beauty education. Don’t let anything stand in the way of your dream to become the next great beauty maven. We live in a demanding society and many of us struggle to balance the demands of our jobs, family, education and personal lives. While it may seem difficult to keep these parts of our lives in-sync, it is not an impossible task. There are many educational options and resources available to help beauty school students find success. Whether you are a new or returning beauty school student, with a little planning and a lot of determination, you have the power to get the absolute most possible out of your beauty school education and avoid becoming the next beauty school dropout.

According to Harvard’s Pathways to Prosperity study, “29 percent of [students] who start two-year degrees finish them within three years.” The study also examines why so many students drop out of school. The report lists being ill-prepared for academics, the demands of rigorous study, the increasing cost of education and the difficulty of balancing family life and work as some of the top reasons students leave school. Well we wholeheartedly believe that you don’t have to be a part of the percentage that become beauty school dropouts.

The first road block people tend to encounter is how to pay for cosmetology school. You know you’ve gotta pay for it somehow, so plan ahead! Of course save as much as you can, but knowing that’s not always enough, here are some other options to consider. Aspiring beauty students should begin by applying for federal financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education and follow-up by researching beauty school scholarships and grants offered by corporations, local businesses, churches, banks and other organizations. Also, be sure to check with your school’s billing department to set up a payment plan to help break up the cost of tuition. Be sure to factor in the cost of tools and supplies when you develop a budget. Think long-term and develop a budget that accounts for how you will pay for these items throughout the entire course of your program. Trust us, it lifts a huge burden off your shoulders so you can focus on getting amazing at your new cosmetology skills.

Planning doesn’t just have to be financial. You can also do a little prep to get ahead before you even enroll in cosmetology. For instance, if you’re a high school student, some high school classes you might want to keep an eye out for that are relevant to cosmetology are chemistry and physiology. (Yes, for real!) If you’ve already graduated from high school or are thinking about re-enrolling in beauty school, spend some time using online tutorials to help better prepare yourself for cosmetology school. If you don’t have these classes in high school, don’t feel like you’re behind – cosmetology school will teach you all you need to know. But if you really want to be the best of the best in the cosmetology business, take some initiative and get ahead of the curriculum! There are a variety of online resources that provide instruction in foundational skills such as color theory, anatomy and physiology.

Another road block some people hit is not feeling like you’re making the best use of your time in school. Ok, so not everyone in your class is as motivated and ambitious as you are, and it can be a total drag. Those people happen in every class, no matter what career you picked. It’s not a good reason to drop out of beauty school! Don’t let other people who don’t have it together stand in the way if your future. You almost need to get tunnel vision. Tune out the haters and the negativity, and get a singular focus on your success. In order to make the most of your time in cosmetology school, tap into all your available resources as a student. Whether you need help with coursework, want to skip ahead and do more advanced stuff in class because you’re doing so well at the basics, or just want some time management advice, many beauty schools have developed special networks to help new, current and former students stay on track to graduation. Ask your advisors and teachers what else you can be doing to be the best possible cosmetologist when you graduate. This shows how engaged and dedicated you really are.

One more road block that leads to some beauty school dropouts is juggling all the demands in your life. If you’ve tried beauty school in the past and found it conflicted with your hectic lifestyle, consider re-enrolling now that you’ve had some time to plan and mature. Many beauty schools have even redesigned their curriculums to include night and weekend classes as well as online foundational courses in hopes of accommodating non-traditional students.

The last road block people encounter is their own fear of failure. Well, tough love, darlin’. Following your dreams often means finding the courage to face your fears. Beauty school – like all academic pursuits – may seem like an overwhelming challenge, but at least talk to some schools. Asking questions, visiting the school and talking to other students can help alleviate those fears and help you sign your name on the dotted line. You have the planning, focus and determination. Face the obstacle head on. Take the plunge. There’s no time like the present. The beginning is always the hardest. You can do this. We believe in you. So it’s about time you started believing in yourself.

Ready to become the next beauty school graduate instead of a beauty school dropout? It all starts here. Find cosmetology schools now.

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Cosmetologist Tattoo Ideas

Posted on: August 1st, 2012 by Heather 1 Comment

Cosmetology Scissors Hand Tattoo - Casey @ Beauty101Blog.com

Cosmetology is a field that oftentimes likes to allow their purveyors to express the creativity through their physical appearance. While the standard clothing in a salon seems to usually be black business casual, the stylists often show their creativity through their hair color, style and sometimes their make up and nails. These days it seems as that a more permanent form of creativity is showing up on cosmetologists and it’s in the form of tattoos. Quite a few cosmetologists are decorating themselves permanently with cosmetology tattoos these days with a common theme of showing off their passion and profession in the beauty business.

Tattoos that are gaining in popularity with hairstylists are usually the tools of the trade: scissors, blowdryers and combs. I have even seen a set of curlers, but to be honest, they kind of looked like a six pack of beer at first glance – so be careful if this is the direction you’re headed. Barbers aren’t without their fair share of work either. I’ve seen more than a few barber poles and straight razors, but also a particularly creative old-fashioned straight razor tattooed down the length of the barber’s arm with the hinge at his elbow so it looked like the blade opened and closed. Some cosmetologists have done open scissors on their hands between their thumb and forefinger, so when they move their hands it looks like the scissors are cutting. (Be careful of hand and face tattoos – they can limit your job options because they can’t easily be covered up with clothing in the workplace, so check with your employer or potential employers first.)

I haven’t seen as many make-up artists tattooed, but I’ve seen a few tubes of lipstick and old-fashioned pump perfume bottles. I’ve seen one eyelash curler, which was pretty unique. I’ve also seen more than one hand mirror, which when done right, can look very elegant and refined.

Another common cosmetologist tattoo for both genders is the classic pin-up girl tattoo that would look at home on an airplane from World War II, though it technically doesn’t have anything to do with the cosmetology profession. But to put a twist on the pinup tattoo and tie it into cosmetology, the tattoos can get really creative with the pin up taking the place of the girl getting her hair done, holding the tools of the trade, or simply putting on makeup. These are classic tattoos that never go out of style.

We think it’s great that you’re passionate enough about your profession to put it on display permanently through cosmetology tattoos. However, keep in mind that many salons and employers have not come around to having visible tattoos in the workplace yet, so don’t make the decision lightly. At the end of the day, if you decide to get tattooed, think about how you decide on a cosmetologist and apply those criteria to visiting your tattooer – you do your homework, visit them, check out their work, and ask lots of questions, because unlike a haircut or pedicure, this work is permanent!

The author of this article, Luke Physioc, is an artist specializing in tattoo, music and skateboard art, as well as a music reviewer. To view Luke’s tattoo art or read his album reviews, visit http://www.lukephysioc.com. Photo provided by the lovely and talented Casey at Beauty101Blog.com.

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Cosmetology Careers Secure in an Uncertain Economy

Posted on: July 30th, 2012 by Heather No Comments

Not to gloat, but cosmetology jobs are more secure. Hate to say we told you so?

In today’s economy and job market, it seems that few careers are guaranteed to withstand these uncertain times. Despite recessions and economic shifts, jobs that involve providing a helpful service to others, such as stylists and manicurists, offer a measure of security not seen in other career fields. According to a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, the reason for this stability is simply that these service-oriented jobs cannot be outsourced abroad or accomplished by automated machines. As noted by 37-year old Manhattan barber Israel Kakuriev, no one is heading to India or China to get a cheaper haircut.

This is not to say that everyone who enters the field of cosmetology will find and retain the perfect job. It still requires hard work, good cosmetology training, marketing yourself and being good to your clients. However, cosmetology students and professionals need not fear that their positions will be filled with robots that cut and style hair like some other types of workers dread.

People value their appearance and are often willing to pay more for the look they want. Those who can afford beauty services typically feel that their appearance is crucial to their image, making them more likely to cut back in other areas, thus carving a secure niche for cosmetologists who provide quality services.

Another reason that cosmetology can be a lucrative career in a recessed economy is because it is quality-based. Someone who is extremely proficient at his or her job can build a larger network of loyal clientele and ensure a strong word-of-mouth promotion, which serves as free advertising for services.

In addition, most cosmetologists earn a large portion of their income from tips, meaning that there is always a possibility of increasing your income based upon excellent performance. This gives cosmetologists a unique advantage over strictly salary-based jobs, which are subject to the ups and downs of the market and do not always reward employees for doing their job well.

Highly equipped and well-trained cosmetologists provide a both a pampering and functional service that people will continue to need and want. (Almost everyone has a head of hair that needs maintenance.) As the general public searches for ways to trim budgets and eliminate expenses, personal appearance will still fall under the category of necessary expenditures.

While some people may opt to try their hand at more do-it-yourself (DIY) stuff in the down economy – like repair work around the house – most people lack the necessary skills and confidence to cut their own hair. Services offered by cosmetologists are not likely to get pushed to the DIY project list. (Fortunately, consumers know the very real risks of messing up trying to cut their own hair!)

According to a study compiled by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the number of clerical jobs available increased only five percent between 1989 and 2007. In contrast, personal service jobs, such as hairdressers and estheticians, increased by a whopping 36 percent. And even in the thick of the recession and economic downturn from 2007 to 2010, these types of jobs were still in demand, showing a two percent increase.

The takeaway for students and professionals is that cosmetology careers are among the most secure jobs in an uncertain economy, and don’t let fears of a down economy and recession troubles stop you from pursuing your dream of becoming a cosmetologist.

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4 Books Every Serious Cosmetologist Should Read

Posted on: July 27th, 2012 by Heather No Comments

We put together a list of four books that every serious cosmetologist should have on their shelves. Not only can these books be page after page of beneficial information, they can be used as a reference guide for both beginners and experts or provide inspiration when you need it most. In the world of cosmetology, these 4 cosmetology books stand out as must-reads.

The first cosmetology book is Milady’s latest textbook. Ok, obvious, I know. But hear me out. Since 1938, the Milady textbook has been one of the leading resources for cosmetology schools. Throughout the years, the Milady textbook has updated and reinvented itself with information regarding the latest trends in the industry. But the book also still includes timeless information regarding makeup application and other basic procedures. As of 2012, the book has updated the infection control section, as well as new procedures and a step-by-step guide for left-handed individuals. It’s so thorough and up-to-date, you really should try to always have the latest edition on-hand.

Start Your Own Hair Salon and Day Spa is another book that every cosmetologist should read. Whether you are looking into opening your own spa, or you are interested in advancing your salon and spa management skills, this book covers it all – from choosing a venue to open your salon to planning for the future growth of your business. Even if you don’t have the entrepreneurial spirit and you just are or want to be a leading stylist at your salon, this cosmetology book is a must-read. The book features information regarding prices, marketing and establishing and maintaining a strong relationship with vendors, and so much more.

It’s not all manuals when it comes to books about cosmetology. If you are interested in an inspirational story about the amazing adventure of a woman who went to Afghanistan shortly after the fall of the Taliban in 2001 to teach women cosmetology, check out Kabul Beauty School. She was there with a group offering humanitarian aid. Unlike many of the doctors and nurses she was participating with, Deborah did not have nearly as much to offer, or so she thought. However, this mother and hairdresser learned that she had a talent for befriending individuals throughout the community. It was not long until she started showing off her talents, and the citizens became interested in her craft. Two years later in 2003, she opened up the Kabul Beauty School, which empowered women to take charge and thought them how to do makeup and hair. The story even included how the Afghan women in troubled marriages inspired her to leave her own unhealthy marriage.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro is an excellent book for cosmetologists. Bobbi Brown, (no, not Whitney Houston’s daughter), has 25 years experience in the field, and she is dishing out the information. She provides an informative guide that includes information on makeup techniques like eyeliner, blush and bronzer and other special techniques to create a flawless makeup look. She also supplies readers with bonus information regarding skin care and foot care. There is even a special section dedicated to breaking into the industry and how to work with celebrities!

So whether you’re looking for a graduation gift for your favorite cosmetology school graduate, or you’re just not sure what to buy your cosmetologist friend who has everything, or if you’re a cosmetologist yourself who wants to be the absolute best in the business – pick up these 4 books today!

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Tennessee House Bill 2558 Dangerous to Estheticians’ Careers

Posted on: July 23rd, 2012 by Heather 2 Comments

Physicians may be taking responsibilities from estheticians if a new bill in the Tennessee House of Representatives passes. Tennessee House Bill 2558 a change that could drastically change the role of estheticians and even be a job-killer in the esthetics and skin care industry. This bill greatly endangers estheticians’ careers and businesses by bringing all near-medical procedures into doctors’ offices (who arguably have better things to do), when estheticans are perfectly well-trained from their time in esthetics school to do these procedures without being babysat. In short, this bill needs to be stopped.

Mona Sappenfield - Esthetician in Memphis, TN

Photo by Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal (2009)

The Tennessee House Bill 2558 is a proposal that would require any near-medical cosmetic or esthetics procedures to be performed by a doctor or a person delegated by a doctor under his or her supervision. This ultimately means that the registered nurses and estheticians who are currently performing laser procedures would no longer be allowed to independently, unless under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. The bill goes as far as to require that the physician is present for the actual procedure or is the one who is performing it. The only tasks that an esthetician would be allowed to do would be facials and waxing. Treatments ranging from laser hair removal to chemical peels would all be given by physicians. This bill was originally brought to the attention of lawmakers earlier in 2012. This particular Republican legislature was shot down. However, this does not mean that the battle is over.

So what exactly does this mean for estheticians? Well, these individuals may be ousted from their long-standing positions at salons spas, since their services could not be performed any longer without having a physician at hand. This has dangerous financial ramifications not just for the licensed estheticians (who would effectively have wasted their time, money and training if this bill were to pass) but also for the salons and spas who count on esthetics and skin care services as a steady stream of revenue for their business. This bill is clearly a job-killer in more ways than one. For those who own spas, they would be required to hire at least one licensed physician to have on staff – which is expensive, impractical and unrealistic.

Mona Sappenfield, owner of Mona Spa and Laser Center in Memphis, TN, is one of these spa owners who declares that she will have to file bankruptcy if this law goes into effect. She further notes that she cannot afford to have physicians working for her and still be able to keep her doors open. She states that the 40 years she has been in the industry will suddenly mean nothing. Thankfully, the bill only passed through the Senate, and it was knocked down by the House. It barely was halted, since it only was declined because of a one-vote difference. How scary is that?

“While empathy was noted from a handful of estheticians, the apathy and lack of lobbying funds position all of us with profitable practices like low-hanging fruit for these doctors to move into the beauty business,” Sappenfield said. “Despite its rejection, the Tennessee Medical Association is lobbying extremely hard for this bill to pass. To date, the Cosmetology Board has stated that they are not going to get involved. The International Aesthetic and Laser Association has hired Nathan Green to lobby for this regulation and while it may seem that they are on our side, the estheticians are not represented at all due to lack of lobby funds.”

The reason for the proposed change is allegedly due to “public safety concerns,” but it is not taking into consideration the extensive training that estheticians have undergone in order to work in this field. This particular case has incorporated the testimonies of two individuals who claimed to have botched aesthetic procedures done through a licensed esthetician. Lawmakers are proposing that by having doctors perform will make it safer. It should be noted that two is an extraordinarily small number out of all the esthetics services performed in Tennessee each year. It should also be said that physicians are humans too – equally capable of making mistakes as estheticians. They would undergo the same esthetics training that licensed estheticians, and are no less likely to have complications in services than anyone else.

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Beauty Professionals are Responsible for Continuing Education

Posted on: July 18th, 2012 by Heather No Comments

Every beauty professional should make a commitment to continue his or her education every year, regardless of whether your state requires it to renew your license. Continuing one’s education ensures that a beauty professional always stays updated on the latest beauty treatments, techniques and technology, safety and sanitation procedures, and products and regiments to recommend to your clients.

Continuing one’s education as a beauty professional also continues to establish one’s credibility in the beauty field. The beauty field can be very competitive, especially in affluent and beauty-centric cities like Beverly Hills or Manhattan. A hairstylist can make sure that he or she continues to win the respect of clients and colleagues by continuing to take classes. Clients enjoy knowing that their cosmetologist is always being educated in the latest hair, makeup, nail, skin and hair techniques and can apply this knowledge in their own appointments. Customers trust their hairstylists and nail techs to know what’s hot and make recommendations to keep them as fashionable and trendy as possible.

Before you sign up for a cosmetology continuing education course, it is important for you to know whether the course credits can be applied toward your state’s requirements. If your state has license requirements for continuing education, then you need to ensure that you obtain the required number of credits each licensing period at a board-approved continuing education facility. You should also pay attention to the outline of a course in the syllabus. A course syllabus will help you understand what the workload will be like for a class as well as the meeting hours for the class.

Choose a course with a workload and schedule you can handle as you balance it with the demands of a current job. Weighing these two factors will ensure that you excel in the continuing education course. The good news is that most cosmetology continuing education classes range from 2 hours to 16 hours and can be completed quickly and affordably, often in a few evenings or over a weekend and you’re done.

One other factor to consider is the testing requirements for a course. Some courses may require that you pass a written exam. Other courses may only require that you log a certain number of hours in order to pass. Before you pay the money to take a continuing education course, know in advance what testing methods you can anticipate so you can be prepared and study accordingly. You can find out the requirements for your particular state by looking at the board of cosmetology’s license requirements for cosmetology continuing ed in your state. Understanding these requirements will ensure that you sign up for the right course and further your education in a way that supports your career and makes it easy to renew your license.

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How Cosmetology Certificates Can Lift Income

Posted on: July 16th, 2012 by Heather 1 Comment

Here’s why, for some people, cosmetology certificates can be a better fit than a traditional 4-year education:

With the average cost of a certificate typically capping out at $20,000 at for-profit institutions like beauty schools (the cost of cosmetology programs generally range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the school and its curriculum offerings), it is no wonder why more people are pursuing more educational certificates these days. With proper saving and planing, pursuing a vocational certificate can help a person reduce the burden enormous student loan debt upon graduation. The average four-year degree at university costs a student anywhere from $48,000 to $200,000 and leaves students with $25,250 in debt left over on average (according to The Project on Student Debt, 2010). That is not to say that cosmetology school graduates shouldn’t anticipate any student loan debt. Starting down any career path requires careful planning and diligent saving. (That means you might want to skip a few of those grande caramel macchiatos and put that dough in the piggy bank instead if you really want to pursue your dream.) One way to offset the cost of school is paying as much up-front as possible or paying month-to-month so you don’t have a large debt load when you graduate. Another path you should always pursue is the available beauty school scholarships. Some of these are offered by organizations, others are offered by the schools themselves – make sure to do your research!

In addition to lowering the price tag of your education, one of the other benefits of pursuing a certificate is that the programs are shorter. Most of the cosmetology disciplines can be completed in 15 months or less, some in as short as 6 months time! For people who want to get out into the “real world” and working as fast as possible, a cosmetology certificate might be the ideal path to freedom. With a lower price tag for a cosmetology certificate from a cosmetology school and job demand projected to grow 16% through the year 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012), graduates of beauty schools may be better able to focus on your careers and providing value to clients instead of the stress of managing a huge debt load. When you take a look at the statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the figures can be misleading, according to many cosmetologists. Cosmetologists assert that their income tends to exceed the average salary presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics, which is on average $22,500 a year. Studies have shown that many people in service-related jobs where tipping is common fail to report all their income, including tips and freelance revenue earned outside of hourly wages. Also, cosmetology salaries can vary greatly from person to person. It’s important to note that how much you earn can depend on where you live, how long you’ve been in the business or working at a particular salon, your efforts to market yourself, your skill level and the quality of your relationships with your customers.

In addition to these benefits, people enjoy pursuing a certificate because they get the education that directly pertains to their career field. When studying cosmetology in a beauty school, there is no such thing as an irrelevant course. You will be immersed in coursework that relates directly to your profession in the cosmetology field – no irrelevant gen-ed requirements. Your educational program is a highly-focused program. People who value their time will not have to waste one second in a generic required class that has no relevance to their ultimate life goals.

If you are the type of person who enjoy a career with the ability to arrange flexible scheduling, be creative day-in and day-out, and earn a salary that can support yourself and/or your family, then a career in cosmetology may make sense for you. Many hairdressers decide to rent out their own booths after they obtain a cosmetology certificate – and with great power comes great responsibility. Renting out a booth in a salon can help a hairstylist add to his or her earning power if they work hard to market themselves and keep costs down. By renting out a booth, hairdressers can also decide to work odd hours or part-time, and they oftentimes keep a larger portion of their revenue minus rent and expenses. Many other hairstylists decide to work for an existing salon as a full-time employee rather than a booth-renter, because it requires less business savvy up-front, and this might be a better option for newer cosmetologists to the field to get more experience before breaking out on their own.

It doesn’t have to stop at cosmetology education. Most of us want to learn, grow and excel in our field. Getting into the cosmetology field quickly can be a great way to earn money, pay off cosmetology school debt, and start saving for the next educational step in your life. Perhaps you decide to go back to beauty school and get an additional license in another beauty discipline, or go on to become a cosmetology instructor. One of the joys of a career as a cosmetologist is that you may also have more flexibility to pursue a traditional two-year or four-year degree at a later point in life. So many cosmetologists decide to go on to open their own salons or barbershops, or become salon and spa managers. In this case it might be helpful to get some business, financial or management education and training to be a well-rounded business owner or manager. When you have your cosmetology certificate, you have increased earning power. You have the freedom to create your own hours and pursue other goals in your life.

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5 Ways to Use Your Salon Powers for Good

Posted on: July 13th, 2012 by Heather 1 Comment

Cosmetologists, salons and spas have tremendous opportunities to give back to the community through charitable work – and much of it is right in line with what you’re already doing! Whether a stylist decides to become a mentor or donate his or her own hair to Locks for Love, a salon stylist can take proactive steps in bettering his or her local community. The ways that a salon can give back to the community are endless, but here are just a few examples to get you started. 5 ways to use your salon’s powers for good:

Locks of Love

Locks of Love began in 2007 and provides wigs to children under the age of 18 who have lost their hair due to severe illnesses. The children may have lost their hair due to cancer, alpocia, being involved in a fire or for other medical reasons. The mission of the charity is to provide wigs made of real hair to these children so that they can restore their confidence and self-esteem. A hair stylist can become involved in this organization by donating his or her own hair. Hair must be at least 10 inches long before it can be cut and mailed to the organization. Hair stylists can also make their clients aware of the organization and encourage them to become involved. Other charities do similar things, like Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Cut It Out

Cut It Out is a charity organization comprised of salons that are dedicated to fighting domestic violence in inner cities throughout the United States. The organization trains salon stylists so that they can notice signs of abuse on victims. Stylists are able to recognize when a woman is being beaten in a relationship and can then refer her to local organizations in the community that assist domestic violence victims. The organization also provides educational materials that can be distributed to clients in salons.

Look Good… Feel Better

Look Good Feel Better is an organization that is dedicated to providing beauty tips to women who have cancer or who have survived cancer. Cosmetologists can volunteer for this organization and provide coaching for women on how to do makeup, manage hair loss and treat damaged skin. This organization also provides online tutorials that can help cancer patients learn how to apply makeup in a flattering way to hide the effects of chemotherapy.

Kiva Loans

Deciding to donate money toward the purchase of a Kiva loan is another way that salon stylists can benefit women who are struggling abroad but want to improve their lives for the long-term. Kiva loans provide funds to small business owners in impoverished countries and help them cover their business expenses. A hairstylist can even take up a collection of donations from his or her co-workers and clients to support a particular business through the Kiva loan program.

Donating Hair for Oil Booms

The other effective way that salon stylists can give back to the community is by donating hair to businesses that make hair booms. Hair booms absorb oil in oil spill cleanups. After the BP oil spill, salons came to the rescue in providing massive amounts of hair to create hair booms that could absorb oil. You’re just cutting it off and sweeping it into the trash anyway – why not box it up and ship it out to help the environment?

These are some of the most effective ways that a hair stylist can have an impact on the local community. A hairstylist can definitely use his or her salon powers for good with a bit of resourcefulness and determination. This list of 5 charities your salon can take part in is just the beginning. There is a whole world of charitable opportunity out there to make an impact, boost salon morale and represent your salon well in the community.

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Cosmetologists Who Under-Report Earnings Lower Value of Beauty Business

Posted on: July 6th, 2012 by Heather 4 Comments

It is not uncommon for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide data that is a little inaccurate, especially in the cosmetology field and other trades that rely heavily on tips. This is because hairstylists tend to underreport wages and neglect (or choose) to report all the tips that comprise their income. Ultimately, this results in much lower totals being documented. This is bad in a lot of ways for cosmetologists and the beauty business as a whole. First – it opens you up to getting audited by the IRS for misreporting income. Second – it makes it look like beauty professionals aren’t worth as much, which we all know isn’t true. So when you see $25-30,000 median salaries listed on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, think twice about whether that’s really accurate since so many people fail to report tips, freelance earnings and other sources of revenue in the cosmetology trade. The actually cosmetologist salary is probably actually higher.

Because of the lower salaries that are reported, it turns prospective beauticians away from the field. Many people who are passionate about beauty and cosmetology trades think there’s no money to be made in the field, so they pass over what otherwise would’ve been their dream job and going to cosmetology school. In fact, under reporting earnings leads to skewed results with demographics, the average wage statistics and even labor market activity. Not only does not reporting both the full amount that a cosmetologist earned and the amount with tips cause potential cosmetologists to stray away from their true passion, it also may lead to an increase in vulnerability when it comes to being audited. It is illegal to not report the full amount you earned throughout the year, including tips. The legality issue leads to auditors paying special attention to those who work in jobs where tips are generally customary.

When a person devalues the work that he or she does by under reporting wages, it leads to other consequences besides potential legal charges and a misconstrued perception of the industry. It may also harm a person’s ability to obtain loans and other forms of credit, since the amount that is documented is considered the amount that what actually made, regardless of unreported earnings. One stylist, Stefanie Gilardo, had to learn this lesson on her own. When she was 24 years old, she wanted to purchase her first home. She was excited and knew that she earned enough to make monthly mortgage payments. However, the now 29-year-old could not obtain the loan for buying that condo because her income appeared too low to be able to afford it. She learned that if income is not claimed, it is not verifiable and considered nonexistent.

Not reporting wages or tips also affects a person’s social security, due to the fact that the amount you pay in is based on your earnings. When wages and tips are reported accurately, it creates a sense of security at retirement, because the more money paid into social security, means the more money that will be paid out after retirement. But many cosmetologists are not thinking long-term and skipping this very important step.

Ultimately, the long and short of it is that all wages must be reported. The little girl styling her baby doll’s hair and dreaming of working as a stylist will grow up to explore her options. When she notices that the earnings are quite dismal, she just might decide against striving for a job that is her true passion in life.