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CareerBuilder recently published the 30 Top Jobs of 2008 and predicted that service industry jobs would account for nearly 75 percent of all jobs by 2016. The top jobs categories included health care, financial services and computer training. If you’re not into blood, human anatomy, computers or you’re not good with numbers, it might seem you would be out of luck. There is still hope for us interested in cosmetology.

Among the 30 Top Jobs of 2008 I found three occupations that can make the world a more beautiful place (no blood, needles or numbers included).

Make-up Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Coming in as the #7 job on CareerBuilder’s list, this lifestyle of the beautiful and fabulous occupation is predicted to see a nearly 40 percent growth over the next eight years. Making people beautiful has a salary range of $30,630 - $46,300 a year and requires minimal make-up training. Have a flare for the dramatic side? Make everyday Broadway actors into Cats or a very Wicked witch. Theatre not your style? Make Carrie Underwood sparkle on tour or travel with Fall Out Boy and apply Pete Wentz’s eye liner.

Skin Care Specialist

Zits happen. Skin Care Specialists are out there to make them happen less. The #11 job of 2008 is expected to see a 34 percent growth. Making skin look young and fresh requires a little esthetician school and has an average salary range of $21,260 - $30,560 per year and this job offers a wide variety of locales. Work at the salon just down the street or at a luxury resort anywhere in the world. Like to travel? Cruise ships often house full service salons and spas for relaxed travelers.

Manicurists and Pedicurists

The difference between beautiful and drop-dead gorgeous is attention to detail. We’ve all seen celebrities make this mistake (Cameron Diaz is notorious). They pay thousands of dollars to hire top make-up artists, hair stylists and designers to make them look beautiful, then one close up of their $1.5 million Neil Lane diamond ring or $500 Jimmy Choo’s and the gig is up! These pics reveal chipped fingernail paint and gnarly toes. Manicurists and pedicurists jobs are expected to grow nearly 28 percent. With a little training, you can become a manicurist in 2008!

by Michael Mackie

My hair stylist just up and moved to Joplin, MO.   No call.  No goodbye.  Just left.

I was devastated.  And I can’t even begin to TELL you how distraught my hair is over the situation.  It’s like losing a best friend … a best friend with magical clippers.

I’m losing hair where I need it … and I’m gaining hair where I don’t want it.

So I’ve started the long, laborious and painful process of shopping for a new hair guru.  My hair takes a village … and so does finding the right person with the right touch. 

But where do I start?  Do I have a friend refer THEIR stylist?  Nah.  Most of my friend’s have not changed their look since … well, birth.  Do I just stop in to random salons and demand to see their stylist’s qualifications?  Nah.   Even with eight million certifications, you could be a top-notch stylist, but a horrible colorist.  So what’s a boy to do?

Now that I’m settling in to my ‘30’s, I just realized only five people have ever touched the (now-thinning) hairs on my head … so, clearly, I’m vain about what’s left on top of my melon. 

So, I’ve decided to start interviewing people to find out why they WANT my business.  And, more importantly, if they can help me achieve my hair goal.   (Uh, which is to look like Aaron Eckhart, less I digress.)   Trust me, if my hairdresser came back … first, I’d smack him for leaving.  But I’d go back in a heartbeat because he was phenomenal at what he did.

So as I head in 2008, I’m open to any ideas or suggestions on finding someone brilliant, talented, and can make that bald spot on top of my head disappear.  And, finally, my new stylist better have a good head on their shoulders.

A good head with hair almost, but not quite, as good as mine.