Survival Guide to Cosmetology School
Find Cosmetology Schools & Learn What to Expect
Cosmetology school can be a lot of fun, but you also need to be ready to pace yourself and work hard. Here you'll find some helpful pointers to help you start your new career without losing any beauty sleep!
Cosmetology Theory
Most cosmetology school programs start off by introducing you to cosmetology theory, which typically includes chemistry, sterilization and sanitization. You'll learn why sterilization and sanitization are so critical, and you'll be amazed how quickly proper procedures become second nature. You'll also learn about the chemistry of products you'll be using as a cosmetologist. This will help you understand what works best for different types of hair and skin.
Hair Coloring and Bleaching
Most beauty schools will spend even more time on chemistry at this point in your training. You need to understand how different types of color work on the hair and how to mix the perfect color. Before long you'll be practicing techniques for applying color. It's normal to make a few mistakes as you're learning. Don't get discouraged!
Hair and Scalp Care
You'll learn how to analyze different types of hair and offer your clients the right scalp conditioning and treatments. It's especially important to be able to recognize skin disorders, so you can point them out to your clients and refer them for medical treatment when necessary. You'll also learn professional techniques for hair brushing, shaping and shampooing. This includes proper handling of instruments, correct procedures, and crucial details such as ideal water temperature for shampooing. As with everything else in cosmetology school, practice makes perfect.
Hair Cutting and Styling
Now you really get to do some hands-on work. Most cosmetology schools and beauty schools put a major emphasis on this portion of your training. You'll probably start off practicing on mannequins before graduating to live models. Don't get ahead of yourself. This is the time to listen and learn and develop your skills. You can show off later—once you get the basics down.
Skin and Nail Care
Be ready for another round of product chemistry instruction at this point. You'll learn how different beauty products work, including actions, reactions, and the composition of tints, dyes and bleaches. You'll practice manicure and pedicure techniques, and you'll learn how to apply sculpted nails. You'll probably just learn the basics, so talk to your teachers about where you can learn more if you're interested in specializing as an esthetician or nail technician.
Face and Body Treatments
You'll learn and practice techniques for applying make-up, tweezing eyebrows into perfect arches, and delivering other body treatments. Make-up is a complex science that you can only begin to learn in a broad cosmetology program. But the program provides a strong foundation in make-up and body treatment application techniques. This knowledge helps with future expertise, if you decide you want to specialize in face and body treatments.
Business, Law and Management
Succeeding in the beauty industry takes more than just talent and skill. This part of your training deals with the nuances of being a good cosmetologist and the practicalities of business, and while it may not be as much fun as cutting hair or doing make-up, it will make a huge difference when you get out into the work world. You'll learn charm and reception skills to make your clients' feel welcome and comfortable. You'll gain an understanding of the rules of your state board and other state regulations and laws. You'll also learn the basics of sales and ethics, which will help you work successfully at a salon or start your own salon business.
This is a wonderful time to enter the beauty industry. The market is wide open for you to work as a general cosmetologist or specialize in a field like hair design,nail technology or esthetics. Enjoy every minute of cosmetology school, and you'll be ready to enjoy every minute of your new career!
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Looking for Beauty Schools?
Try our Spa, Massage & Beauty Schools page. There you will find a comprehensive list of schools which offer program descriptions. You can also request information from the schools that interest you most.
Sources:
NACCAS, 2006.
American Association of Cosmetology Schools, 2007.
