| If you've already got a fabulous look, chances are | | | | yourself getting free trial products from |
| you know at least one graduate of cosmetology | | | | manufacturers--skin creams, shampoos, conditioners, |
| school. Your hairdresser, manicurist, and even the skin | | | | etc--before the general public. |
| care specialist at your local salon--all may have | | | | Education for Cosmetology Careers |
| attended cosmetology school. Of course, if you've | | | | If the pay, perks, and passions of cosmetology |
| ever considered a career in beauty, you should | | | | match your "must-have" list for an exciting career, |
| explore your options before diving right in. | | | | you may want to investigate cosmetology school |
| If you're not quite sure where to start, never fear. | | | | opportunities. The educational requirements for |
| Opportunity for graduates of cosmetology schools is | | | | cosmetology careers vary from state to state. |
| on the rise, despite tough economic times. According | | | | Sometimes, a high school diploma or GED is sufficient |
| to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of | | | | training. However, most states require personal |
| personal appearance workers should grow by 14 | | | | appearance professionals to complete cosmetology |
| percent from 2006 to 2016. Hairdressers, hairstylists, | | | | training programs through an approved cosmetology |
| and cosmetologists should experience growth of 12 | | | | school. |
| percent, while manicurists and pedicurists should see | | | | If you're still in high school, you may be able to find |
| employment grow by 28 percent. Estheticians and | | | | programs in hairstyling, skin care, and other personal |
| other skin care specialists should see growth of 34 | | | | appearance services through your school. You can |
| percent, and makeup artists 40 percent. | | | | also find cosmetology training through private |
| Competitive Compensation and More | | | | postsecondary cosmetology schools. Full-time |
| In addition to expanding career opportunities, you | | | | cosmetology training programs usually last about 9 |
| may also want to know what you can earn as a | | | | months, leading to an associate's degree. Training for |
| cosmetology school graduate. Your wages typically | | | | manicurists and pedicurists generally takes less time. |
| vary, depending on how you put your cosmetology | | | | Further training occurs on the job, together with |
| training to work and your degree of experience. In | | | | continuing education--allowing you to keep up with |
| May 2007, median annual wages for hairdressers, | | | | new industry trends, products, and styles. |
| hairstylists, and cosmetologists stood at $22,210. The | | | | Licensure for Cosmetology Careers |
| highest paid workers earned up to $41,290. Within | | | | All states require barbers, cosmetologists, and other |
| the motion picture and video industries, however, the | | | | personal appearance workers to gain licensure. |
| mean annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and | | | | Applicants for state licensure must have a high-school |
| cosmetologists stood at $60,810--proof that when it | | | | diploma or GED, be at least16 years old, and have |
| comes to cosmetology careers, you ought to be in | | | | completed cosmetology training from a state-licensed |
| pictures! | | | | barber or cosmetology school. The examination |
| Manicurists and pedicurists enjoyed median annual | | | | includes a written portion as well as a practical test |
| wages of $19,960, with the highest 10 percent of | | | | of styling skills. |
| workers earning up to $32,240 in May 2007. Skin care | | | | In the end, some of the most important |
| specialists garnered some of the most attractive | | | | requirements for any cosmetology career are solid |
| wages, with median annual wages reaching $27,190 in | | | | interpersonal skills, a fabulous personal style, and a |
| May 2007. That same year, the highest-paid skin care | | | | positive attitude. Cosmetology careers put you in |
| specialists earned $51,750. | | | | daily contact with discriminating fashionistas. But with |
| Of course, it's not all about wages. Additional perks | | | | the right attitude, you can go to work every day |
| for cosmetologists may include commissions on | | | | making sure both you and your clients look their |
| products they sell, or bonuses for employees who | | | | fabulous best. |
| bring in new clients. Better yet, you may also find | | | | |