Cosmetologists

By Cox News Service
Published February 4, 2005

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Cosmetologists, also called hairdressers and hairstylists, help people look neat and well-groomed. Cosmetologists help their clients improve on or acquire a certain look with the right hairstyle and hair coloring, manicured nails, and either a properly trimmed beard or carefully chosen makeup, depending on your testosterone and estrogen levels. Cosmetologists also shampoo, cut, color, and style hair and advise clients on proper hair care.

In addition to their work with clients, personal appearance workers are expected to maintain clean work areas and sanitize all work implements. They may make appointments and keep records of hair color and permanent-wave formulas used by their regular clients. A growing number actively sell hair products and other cosmetic supplies.

Cosmetologists face varying licensing requirements in different states, but essentially a high school diploma, formal training at cosmetology or vocational schools, and in some states, completion of an apprenticeship, will make you a cosmetologist. This is an industry which relies on the proper use and application of chemicals. Hair and nail disasters can make the cosmetologist and the management of the establishment vulnerable to lawsuits.

The recently certified stylist can expect to perform duties that amount to grunt work. Newcomers are left to washing, blow-drying and setting customers' hair, occasionally being given the task of a simple hairstyle pattern.

The average annual salary for a typical cosmetologist in the United States is $24,356.

Sources: The Princeton Review (princetonreview.com); U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov); salary.com.