What is a Cosmetologist?

A cosmetologist is someone who has completed the necessary training to acquire a job in the cosmetology or hair care business. Most cosmetologists are educated in make-up, skin care treatments, nails and hair care. They have attended schooling and completed on average 1500 hours of professional training. A cosmetologist must have also passed the state board exam to become licensed and work in the field.

A cosmetologist must be trained in the areas of hair care, hair cutting, hair styling, nail care and manicures as well as make up application and skin treatments such as facials. Although most cosmetologists will gain employment in the hair care field as a hair stylist, some hair salons offer different services such as manicures and pedicures, as well as facials and nail care. Depending on which salon you are able to obtain a job in, you will be doing any of these treatments for you clients. 

An adequate education is required through a professional cosmetology or beauty school. The amount of time required to become a cosmetologist varies by state. The time in school can vary anywhere from 9 months to two years depending on the hours of operation and state laws for where the cosmetologist lives. They are schooled with hands-on training, as well as a traditional educational environment. Written testing is given as well as hands-on testing to ensure their ability to perform certain tasks. Once a potential cosmetologist has finished their beauty school training, they will still need to take the state board exam to ensure their complete knowledge and ability in the field before a license will be issued. They cannot work with the public until they have passed the state test to receive their license.

There is a common misconception among the public that believes that a cosmetologist is trained in make-up and nail techniques, whereas a hair stylist is trained only in hair. They are actually one in the same. The same school is required for a cosmetologist and a hair stylist. The difference is solely in the position in which they acquire after their graduation and certification. If a student gets a job in a hair salon, cutting, coloring and styling hair they will be referred to as a hair stylist. If the same student were to get a job in the field of make-up and skin care, they would then be called a cosmetologist.