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Barbering vs. Hair Tech: Which Cosmetology School Program Is Right for You?

By Lara Fox

Cosmetology careers are alluring. They are fun, practical, and creative. They offer you a chance to develop skills that you can use to help your clients feel great about themselves. There is an array of cosmetology careers to pick from, especially when it comes to hair. Which cosmetology school program is right for you?

Cosmetology School Choice: Barbering or Hair Tech

Many cosmetology school students know they want to work with hair--and in fact, two-thirds of working cosmetologists today are barbers or hair technicians (a term that collectively refers to hair dressers and hair stylists). What hair stylists are called and how many hours are required are based on each state's laws.  Some states have specific requirements for barbers, hair technicians, and cosmetologists, though in some states one license, such as cosmetology, is the standard qualifications for all hair careers.

What You Will Learn in Barber School

As a student in a barber school, your training will focus primarily on serving men. It will teach you the essential skills of barbering. To begin, you will learn to shampoo hair, to cut and trim hair, and to blow dry and style hair. You will also study hair treatments, from coloring, bleaching, and highlighting hair to giving perms, relaxing hair, and curling hair. In addition, you will learn to fit hairpieces to your clients' scalps, to give scalp treatments, and to trim and shave your clieints' beards and mustaches. You may also learn to give facials and facial massages. In many schools, you are also free to take courses that will prepare you to manage or own a barber shop. These include customer service, retail, and marketing classes.

What You Will Learn in Hair School

As a hair tech student, your training will focus on serving both male and female clients. It will instruct you in the essential skills of hair dressing and hair styling. To start with, you will learn to shampoo hair, to cut and trim hair, and to blow dry and style hair. In addition, you can learn to treat hair in numerous ways--with colors and tints and by giving perms, straightening hair, and curling hair. You may also learn to give scalp treatments. As with barber schools, many hair beauty schools offer courses on hair salon management. These include customer service, retail, and marketing classes as well as courses focused on providing additional services that can be provided by a licensed cosmetologist, such as manicures, pedicures, and waxing.

The Future of Hair Beauty Careers

The future looks very bright for students of barbering and hair tech. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the decade between 2006 and 2016, the two career tracks will see a combined increase of 11 percent--or 77,000 new jobs that cosmetology students can potentially move into. You could be one of them! Once you have decided to become a hair beautician, enroll in a barber school or hair beauty school near you to get started on a satisfying new career.

 

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About the Author
Lara Fox has worked as a staff and freelance editor and writer for the past ten years. She holds a B.A. in anthropology and an M.A. in education.