A Cosmetology Program Offers Great Variety in Beauty Treatment Training

Cosmetology school may take a little longer to complete than a single course in hairdressing, nail care, or skin care, but it offers you the opportunity to delve into all categories of the beauty and hair business. Cosmetologists work with many different tools on various areas of the body to create results that are attractive and pleasing to the client.

There are specific courses relating to the fields within cosmetology:

  • Hairdressing or hairstyling
  • Nail technology
  • Waxing and electrolysis
  • Skin care/treatment or esthetician training
  • Make-up artistry

In order to practice any of these disciplines, you must obtain a cosmetology license from your state licensing authority. Attending cosmetology school gives you knowledge and experience in all of these areas and prepares you to take the cosmetology state licensing test.

Cosmetology Program Topics

Cosmetology teachers cover a broad range of techniques in each class in order to prepare you for the large variety of tasks you may perform as a cosmetologist. Classes focus on the following pursuits:

  • Hairdresser. Responsibilities include haircuts, scalp treatments, tinting, curl construction, finger-waving, shampooing, and styling. Scalp treatments and massage generally are covered in later segments of a cosmetology course, as are bleaching and hair coloring, as they are considered more advanced than tinting.
  • Nail technician. Duties include manicures, hand/foot massages, and applications of artificial nails, tips, and overwraps. It is essential to know the proper use of manicure and pedicure instruments, and to be able to recognize common nail conditions and diseases, so that your clients can seek appropriate treatment.
  • Esthetician. Tasks may involve planning and giving manipulative or electrical facials, applying appropriate creams and treatments for specific skin types and conditions, and performing hair removal via waxing or electrolysis.
  • Make-up artist. Responsibilities include applying foundation and powder, shading and highlighting, tinting eyelashes and brows, and selecting just the right types of cosmetics to bring out the client's best features. It is key to know what to use for each client's face shape, skin tone, and personal preferences.

The skills learned in cosmetology courses pertain to nearly every part of the body, and many of these tasks are part of the working week for a cosmetologist. This broad view of training has several advantages. It gives you:

  • Greater possibilities for specialization.
  • More variety and less chance of boredom in a working day.
  • The largest potential client base.
  • A holistic understanding of the human body and how different beauty treatments interact with it.

Cosmetology programs offer basic business instruction, as well. Business lessons can be applied to a variety of disciplines within the beauty field, and are beneficial especially for those who hope to open or run a cosmetology salon. In addition, some courses cover state cosmetology licensing regulations and laws pertaining to cosmetology.

Featured Schools

Florida College of Natural Health

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Prepare for a Massage Therapy or Skin Care Career That You Will Love!

Campus Locations:
  • Miami
  • Bradenton
  • Maitland
  • Pompano Beach
Programs:
  • Advanced Paramedical Skin Care Program
  • Skin Care and Electrology Training Program
Southern Careers Institute

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Get your career on the right track with Southern Careers Institute.

Campus Locations:
  • Corpus Christi
  • Brownsville
  • San Antonio
Programs:
  • Cosmetology Operator - Evening
  • Cosmetology Operator - Day
The Studio Academy of Beauty

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If you are looking for a multi-faceted and dynamic education in the beauty industry then look no further. The Studio Academy of Beauty is focused on your career.

Campus Locations:
  • Chandler
  • Phoenix
Programs:
  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty

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Boost your career with training from the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty.

Campus Locations:
  • Pompano Beach
Programs:
  • Cosmetology
Globe University/MSB

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Gain the tools you need for success at Globe University.

Campus Locations:
  • Lakeville
  • Sioux Falls
  • Online
  • Saint Paul
  • Minneapolis
Programs:
  • AAS in Cosmetology Business
Florida Career College

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Train for the real-world skills that help you launch a successful technology or healthcare career with a degree, or diploma from Florida Career College.

Campus Locations:
  • Hialeah
  • Miami
  • Boynton Beach
  • Hollywood
  • Jacksonville
  • Riverview
  • Clearwater
  • West Palm Beach
Programs:
  • Diploma - Cosmetology
  • Diploma - Skin Care Specialist
Milan Institute

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Prepare for an exciting new career at the Milan Institute.

Campus Locations:
  • San Antonio
  • Bakersfield
  • Nampa
  • Boise
  • Clovis
Programs:
  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetician