Hairstylists Defined

Hairstylists are lucky people. All day, they get to make people feel good and look amazing. They get to work with cool equipment, meet lots of people, and have fun while they do it. The term “hairstylist” (also called “hairdresser” or “beautician”) refers to someone who cuts, styles, and chemically treats hair.

What it Takes
Hairstylists are more than just a pretty face (or ‘do). They’re extremely educated in chemistry, biology, scientific principles, color theory, and communication skills as well as technical practices. Depending on the state where you attend school, a full-time cosmetology course will take you 8-12 months to complete. Cosmetology school prepares you to take your State Board exam and receive your cosmetology license. Curriculum combines classroom time and practical working time in a student salon and will typically include:

• Trichology (the scientific study of hair and scalp functions)
• Electricity and Chemistry theory
• Haircutting and styling
• Chemical treatments such as color and bleach
• Chemical texturizing treatments such as perms, relaxers, straighteners
• Sanitation
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Salon Business and Retailing
• Nail Care
• Skin Care, hair removal, makeup application and techniques
• State Laws and Guidelines

What You’ll Make
Hairstylist’s income can vary depending on what part of the country they work in and the career path they take. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2007 cosmetologists earned up to $41,290 a year. The National Accreditation Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences published a national average annual income in 2006 of up to $48,000, and US News & World Report indicates that the median salary for a cosmetologist with eight years of experience is $35,800, with a potential of up to $55,500 with eight or more years of experience. All of these figures exclude tips.

Working World
As a hairstylist there are many career avenues available to you. No matter what your professional dreams are, there are no limits to what you can do or where you can go.

• Work in a Salon or Spa: When you graduate from cosmetology, you’ll probably get your start working as a stylist in a salon or spa. Working in a salon environment is extremely rewarding. It allows you to build your own clientele and get to know your clients, possibly even developing friendships with them along the way. It will establish you in the community and allow you to build your skills. Not only that, but working in a salon or spa will keep you current with trends in hair and new tools and products, so you’ll always be up to speed.
• Travel is Optional: The great thing about being a hairstylist is that your skills are in demand everywhere. If you have wanderlust, apply with cruise lines or tropical resorts. Think about it – when people want to get away, they want to be pampered. Enter the hairstylist! If you work seasonally in another state, make sure that you are licensed to work in your temporary location. If you apply to work on a cruise ship, the typical contract is for 4-8 months at a time, giving you as much down time as you want.
• Community Service: As a hairstylist, the very thing you do for a living can also be an incredible contribution to the world around you. How many careers can say that? You can organize charity events for any cause that matters to you, or you can directly benefit those who need it by working with women’s or homeless shelters, hospitals, assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, hospice organizations, cancer patients…the list goes on and on.
• Picture This: To break into the entertainment industry, you’ll probably need to work as an apprentice with a stylist who has already carved out their niche in the industry. Whether you want to work on movie sets in Hollywood, backstage on Broadway or down the street at the community theater, be assured that not one single show can go on without a talented, creative hairstylist. You can also get involved in photo shoots, commercials, or videos.
• Choose a Specialty: You may decide that you want to specialize in one specific area. Maybe you want to become a chemical or color specialist, or maybe you’ve found that you have a knack for updo’s and you want to turn your focus to formal events such as weddings, proms, and graduations. You may find out that you love cutting hair and specialize in that. As a hairstylist, no doors are closed to you. You can decide what you want to do – and as long as you have the ambition and skills, you can make it happen.

So what does this mean to you? It means that your future as a hairstylist has no limits. You can stay close to home or travel the world; you can work on your neighbors or your idols; you can build a clientele and build up a community. It’s all in your finely manicured hands.