Cosmetologists vs Barbers

There are two similar career paths for those interested in hair care, cosmetologists and barbers. The differences between cosmetologists and barbers, both in function and in education, are slight but real. The popular conception that barbers serve male clients and cosmetologists either men or women is accurate, but it is not the whole story.

Hair care can be a profitable and enjoyable career, whether as a backyard business or in a posh downtown salon. The educational requirements for such a profession are not onerous, and there is a continuing demand for hair care professionals in most parts of the world. Someone with an interest in the field will find that there are two primary paths into the career. Should a prospective student choose to study as a barber, or as a cosmetologist? What, exactly, is the difference?

What Barbers and Cosmetologists Do

Barbers maintain hair. They cut it, bleach and color it, highlight it and set it in permanent waves. They also offer scalp treatments and fit hairpieces. Barbers offer shaving and trimming of facial hair. The overwhelming majority of their customer base consists of men and boys. They may work in barbershops that cater to their target market, or in chains of salons, salons that specializing in male hair or in general salons where they serve customers seeking barbering services.

Cosmetologists have a much wider range of functions that barbers. They do everything to hair that barbers do, and then some. Few barbers braid hair, for instance, but some cosmetologists do nothing else. Others provide manicures and pedicures and give facials. They are trained to maintain the arch of eyebrows and to wax away unwanted body hair. Cosmetologists may also do makeup for special occasions, or provide analysis of customers’ everyday cosmetic needs.

Training Options for Barbers and Cosmetologists

While many barbers are trained cosmetologists, others attend barber colleges that concentrate exclusively on barbering functions. In a very few jurisdictions barbers may work toward licensing through an apprenticeship. Regardless of training, all must be state licensed. This involves both a written examination and a hands-on skills test.

Courses in cosmetology are offered at vocational and technical schools or at independent beauty schools. Most students learn all cosmetology functions, even if they intend to work as barbers. Like barbers, cosmetologists must be licensed by the state in which they work, and their examination is similar.

In some schools, different credentials are offered for barbers and cosmetologists, even though the core of their course work is the same. Students planning to specialize as cosmetologists will undertake additional studies in fields such as nail care and makeup application, while future barbers do extensive work in facial hair maintenance. All students in such programs have course work in salon management and marketing as well as customer service.

Hair care is a great care for someone with good people skills and an artistic bent. Whether the career choice inclines toward the enhanced job prospects of cosmetology or the slightly better pay of barbering, this job provides opportunities to serve the public while earning a decent income. These opportunities are likely to persist for a long time to come, making both cosmetology and barbering attractive careers indeed.