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Cosmetology (from Greek κοσμητικός, kosmētikos, "skilled in adornment"^[1]; and -λογία, -logia) is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology.

Individual disciplines within cosmetology

Shampoo technician

A shampoo technician shampoos and conditions a client's hair in preparation for the hair stylist. A shampoo tech may assist with rinsing permanent waves, and shampooing color and chemical relaxers out of the hair after processing.

Manicurist

A manicure is a cosmetic treatment for the fingernails or hands. The word "manicure" derives from Latin: Manus for hand, cura for "care." When performed on the feet, such a treatment is a pedicure.

Many manicures start by soaking the hands or feet in a softening substance, followed by the application of lotion. A common type of manicure involves shaping the nails and applying nail polish. A manicure may also include the application of artificial nail tips, acrylics, or artificial nail gels. Some manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs on the nails, or applying small decals or imitation jewels. There is a new product which is now popular for decorating nails it is a self adhesive nail covering which covers the whole nail and comes in lots of different patterns, designs and colours.

Beauty therapist

Specializes in treatments including hair removal, massage, body wraps, skin care, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, and make-up along with machine treatments such as non surgical facelifts and faradic muscle tone. The specialist may under go special training for treatments such as laser hair removal and electrolysis.

Nail technician

A nail technician specializes in the art form and care of nails. This includes manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails, gel nails, nail wraps, fake nails,self adhesive nail coverings, etc. They are also knowledgeable in nail irregularities and diseases and may be able to identify such problems. They do not treat diseases and would typically refer a client to a physician.

Electrologist

An electrologist offers services with the use of an electrolysis machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via electrolysis is permanent. Usually estheticians will seek higher education beyond beauty school to learn electrolysis. Some state board beauty schools, however teach electrolysis in basic courses.

Wendiyn Frieson

Becoming a cosmetologist

General cosmetology courses in the United States focus primarily on hairstyling, but also train their students as general beauticians versed in manicures, facials, etc. In a state-licensed beauty school, a certificate course in general cosmetology typically takes approximately one year to complete. Specialized, non-hairstyling courses such as manicure, facials, or makeup art are usually of shorter duration, lasting anywhere from two weeks to six months, although the most prestigious and exclusive beauty schools may offer much longer courses.

In the United States, all states require barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers (with the exception of shampooers in very few states, not including CA) to be licensed; however, qualifications for a license vary by state. Generally, a person must have graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 17 years old. A few states require applicants to pass a physical examination. Some states require graduation from high school, while others require as little as an eighth-grade education. In a few states, the completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a school, but very few barbers or cosmetologists learn their skills this way. Applicants for a license usually are required to pass a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform basic barbering or cosmetology services.^[2]

In most states, there is a legal distinction between barbers and cosmetologists, with different licensing requirements. These distinctions and requirements vary from state to state. In most states, cosmetology sanitation practices and ethical practices are governed by the state's health department and a Board of Cosmetology. These entities ensure public safety by regulating sanitation products and practices and licensing requirements. Consumer complaints are usually directed to these offices and investigated from there.

Persons interested in practicing cosmetology can graduate from a general cosmetology course and then obtain a license in any of the cosmetology sub-disciplines, or they can choose to study only to become a manicurist or esthetician. Students may choose a private beauty school or one of the many vocational schools which offer cosmetology courses to high school students. In addition, there are national organizations that provide educational and professional information.

Cosmetology as an academic discipline

The University of Osnabrück, Germany, has established the course "Cosmetology" in the faculty of human sciences as a scientific branch of health sciences. The degree Dr. rer. nat. may be obtained.The course deals with dermatology, microbiology, the anatomy, physiology, immunology and biochemistry of the skin and the chemistry of cosmetic ingredients. Practical knowledge in scientific laboratory work (called "practical cosmetology") is also conveyed. Additionally, the course touches upon business economics. After three years of coursework and internships, including the production of at least one scientific paper (the Bachelor’s thesis), students are graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Having received a good enough grade in their final examinations, the students get access to the Master’s programme, which consists of at least 1.5 years of coursework and a half year of research. The studies are completed with the grade "Master of Education". Subsequently, the degrees Dr. rer. nat. or "Dr. rer. Medic" may be received in the field of cosmetology. Cosmetology especially addresses students aiming at becoming "occupational theory" teachers at German vocational schools for estheticians and hair stylists and therefore includes economic education and didactics as well as the study of a second "school subject" (see below). Other professional perspectives, like in the field of cosmetic research, are also available.

Income

Median hourly wages in May 2008 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including tips and commission, were $11.13. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.57 and $15.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.47, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.41 according to the United States Department of Labor. While much of this depends on whether the cosmetologist is paid hourly, salary, contract or commission, and whether they rent a booth and have increased overhead expenditures. The cosmetologist's wages may also depend on the ability of the cosmetology professional to market themselves, upsell products and services, and expand clientele and improve client loyalty. Other factors include the size and location of the salon or beauty business, how many hours worked, local tipping habits, and competition from other beauty businesses. The 2003 NACCAS Job Demand Survey suggests that there is a shortage of salon professionals in the working world, so cosmetologists and salon professionals have increased earning power. The salon industry has little to no unemployment.^[3]

Cosmetologists are paid in a variety of ways:

Partial-Commission: In addition to an hourly wage, a percentage of the money made from the provision of services is given back to the cosmetologist as income. Some compensated in this way are considered self-employed, and are responsible for taxes. The salon provides support, such as products, lights, and water.

Total Commission: All of the revenue derived from services provided is paid to the cosmetologist performing said services. In this arrangement, the cosmetologist pays a rental fee or a "chair fee" for the usage of salon facilities.

Hourly: Strictly hourly wage; client tips are pooled and distributed evenly amongst all beauty professionals working in the salon. Many corporate and small chains are trending toward this compensation structure, for it promotes a more controlled product by ensuring that employees are responsible for following company standards and policies.

Tips: Cosmetologists often make a considerable portion of their income from client tips.

Product Sales: Usually a commission is given on retail products sold, regardless of compensatory structure.

Notable cosmetologists

References

5.Top Barber Schools 6.[1]

External links

[1] Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

[2] Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers

[3] Beauty Schools & Cosmetology Schools Directory - BeautySchoolsDirectory.com

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 An electrologist offers  services with the use of an [[electrolysis]] machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via [[Electrology|electrolysis]] is permanent. Usually estheticians will seek higher education beyond beauty school to learn electrolysis. Some state board beauty schools, however teach electrolysis in basic courses.
+Wendiyn Frieson
 ==Becoming a cosmetologist==
 [[File:Electric face mask.jpg|thumb|Electric face mask, circa 1939]]