A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Cosmetologists provide beauty services such as fashioning and caring for hair, beautifying the face, grooming hands and nails; and removing unwanted body hair with tweezers, chemicals, or wax.

JOB DUTIES

Cosmetologists may:

Shampoo, cut, and style hair

Analyze hair to determine its condition

Wave or straighten hair

Clean, cut, and style wigs

Give manicures and shape eyebrows

Make appointments

Give scalp and facial treatments

Provide makeup analysis and apply makeup according to style or customer's preference

Keep the work area clean and sanitize all work aids

Apply bleach or tint to hair

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Cosmetologists may specialize in these areas:

339.371-010 ELECTROLOGISTS remove hair or blemishes from the skin by use of an electric, round-tipped needle.

332.271-018 HAIR STYLISTS cut and arrange hair according to the latest style or period.

332.361-010 WIG DRESSERS dress wigs and hair pieces according to customers' instructions.

332.271-010 COSMETOLOGISTS fashion and care for hair, beautify the face, and groom hands and nails.

331.674-010 MANICURISTS clean, shape, and polish customers' fingernails and toenails.

331.674-014 FINGERNAIL FORMER Some manicurists extend nails to the desired length by using powder and solvent to form artificial fingernails on the customers' fingers and are called fingernail formers.

187.167-058 BARBER OR BEAUTY SHOP MANAGERS supervise employees, order supplies, keep records, and pay bills. They also handle public relations, advertising, and salon maintenance arrangements.

339.371-014 SCALP-TREATMENT OPERATORS give hair and scalp treatments to customers for hygienic or remedial purposes. They may massage, shampoo, and steam the patron's hair and scalp; apply medication to the scalp; or administer other remedial treatments to relieve such conditions as dandruff or itching scalp.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScript:

067BARBER 

 [back to top]

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Cosmetologists usually work independently in clean, well lighted, and well-ventilated shops. Many shops are air-conditioned. Most salons are small, having fewer than four employees. More than half of all salons are owner operated.

Most Cosmetologists work a 5-day, 40-hour week that includes weekend and evening work. More than one-third of all Cosmetologists work part- time, since owners are eager to hire workers for the Thursday through Saturday busy period. Overtime work may be necessary during this period and during holiday seasons as well.

The salon owner may furnish most of the equipment used by Cosmetologists. However, Cosmetologists may have to supply their own personal equipment such as scissors, rollers, and brushes. Electrologists generally furnish their own equipment, such as an electrolysis machine, a reclining chair, and a stool, at a cost of between $1,000 to $2,000 or more.

In some salons, Cosmetologists are able to rent booths. They receive all of their earnings but pay a booth rental fee to the shop owner.

Cosmetologists may belong to The United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Members usually pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Having business contact with people

• Doing creative work

• Seeing the physical results of your work

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Feel at ease with strangers

• Adapt color and style to customer's features

• Make decisions based on personal judgment and hair and skin analyses

• Recognize differences in colors, shades, and forms

• Communicate well with customers and take instructions

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are doing inventory on hair coloring products. At the beginning of last year, you purchased 16 gallons of blonde coloring, 11 gallons of brown and 6 gallons of red. In the past year, 50% of blonde hair coloring was used, 20% of red hair coloring was used, and 45% of brown hair coloring was used. How much of blonde, red, and brown hair coloring would you predict that will be needed for next year?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Chemical names and ingredients as chemicals can cause skin irritation or other health problems so it is important to be familiar with the chemicals to ensure the safety of the client.

"Methylparaben, Carbomer-940, Propylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-11, Ethanolamine, Panthenol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ethoxydiglycol, Erythorbic Acid"

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a written order for hair coloring supplies.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

When working with clients and applying chemicals to their hair, it is necessary that you make accurate decisions about amounts to be used and how long the chemicals should stay on the client's hair to ensure the safety of the client.

All states require that Cosmetologists be licensed. In Michigan, applicants must have completed at least the 9th grade or the equivalent, be at least 17 years old, have a minimum of 1,500 hours of training in a state-approved school, or have completed a two-year apprenticeship. Applicants must also pass a written and practical exam.

To become a limited Cosmetology Instructor, the student must take an additional course of study (500 hours) and be a high school graduate. Applicants for a full Instructor's license need either three years of shop experience or one year of experience and two years of teaching. Applicants for Instructor's licenses must also pass written, practical, and oral exams.

Fees for both Cosmetologists and Instructors are $10 for application processing, $25 for the complete examination, and $24 for the 2-year license. Licenses must be renewed every two years. Licensed Cosmetologists must have one year of experience before managing a salon.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or an Apprenticeship (usually three to four years of training beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0200 ART , 0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1100 ECONOMICS , 1400 FASHION , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

013 COSMETOLOGY

Approved vocational education programs in Cosmetology prepare students to care for and beautify hair, complexion, and hands by giving shampoos; styling, setting, cutting, dyeing, and permanently waving hair; and giving facials and manicures. Instruction emphasizes hygiene, sanitation, and customer relations and qualifies students for licensing examinations.

Courses in other secondary vocational education programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

****POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM***

036 COSMETOLOGY

Programs in Cosmetology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment providing beauty services primarily to the hair and face of customers. Training programs in Cosmetology are standardized by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology and require 1500 hours of instruction or two years of on-the-job training in a salon supervised by a licensed practitioner. In addition, individuals completing 500 hours in a course for instructors may teach Cosmetology in a beauty school.

Training usually falls under the following course titles:

Programs in Cosmetology Instructor Training provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for providing beauty school training to students of cosmetology. Training programs for cosmetology instructors are standardized by the Michigan Board of Cosmetology. Individuals completing the necessary instruction as well as 500 additional hours may teach cosmetology in a beauty school.

Training usually falls under the following course titles:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

008 COSMETOLOGIST

Some people enter occupations within this MOIScript through an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program is a formal program that takes 3 - 5 years to complete with most of the time spent on the job.

WHAT IS LEARNED ON THE JOB

WHAT IS LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs 

 [back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Work experience is available through area skill centers, high school vocational education programs in cosmetology, and state approved private cosmetology schools. Participation in a formal apprenticeship program may provide experience also.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadow experiences

touring a local Cosmetologist employer

internships

volunteer work with a Cosmetologist employer

community service work with an agency

You may find a job as a Cosmetologist through skill centers, high school, and cosmetology school placement offices, or newspaper want ads.

Applying directly to employers is the most common method of entering cosmetology. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal 

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

 [back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings depend on the size and location of the salon, competition from other salons, quality and speed of a Cosmetologist's work, tipping habits of patrons, and ability to keep regular customers. Cosmetologists are paid either straight commission, base salary plus commission, or straight salary. Most receive tips that increase their total earnings greatly.

Nationally (1998), the weekly median income for all Cosmetologists was $313. Beauty shop employees however, worked only an average of 28 hours per week in 1998.

Since most Cosmetologists are paid on a commission basis, their earnings may fall anywhere within a range, depending on the number of appointments scheduled in a given week. Experienced, well-established Cosmetologists may earn over $750 during a busy week (1998).

Cosmetologists employed by the State of Michigan earned from $506 to $656 per week in 1999.

The 1997 graduates of Michigan high school vocational education programs earned a beginning average of $7.47 per hour in jobs related to this occupation in 1998.

In many large salons, hotels, and department stores, Cosmetologists receive health and life insurance and other benefits.

Advancement usually comes in the form of higher earnings and increased clientele. Some Cosmetologists advance to become salon managers or shop owners; others become instructors of cosmetology. A few work as inspectors for state cosmetology boards.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally (1996), the employment of Cosmetologists was about 641,500. Employment is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Good opportunities will exist for both newcomers and experienced Cosmetologists, including those who seek part-time work. About 42.0% of all Cosmetologists were self-employed. The industry distribution for Cosmetologists looked like this:

Growth in this occupation is in response to population growth, particularly among middle-aged persons, who are the primary users of cosmetology services, and the rising number of working women. Although people visit Cosmetologists less frequently during hard economic times, rarely are Cosmetologists laid off because of economic down-turns. Opportunities for part-time work will continue to be very good.

There are about 23,100 Cosmetologists working in Michigan. Most worked in beauty shops and stores. Others worked in hotels, barber shops, hospitals, and other service businesses. Most Cosmetologists work in or near metropolitan areas.

Employment of Cosmetologists is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 870 annual openings is expected, with 330 due to growth and 540 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2000

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

 [back to top]

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development