More cosmetology job titles

Current trends impacting cosmetology jobs

Since the emergence of social media, the cosmetology industry has experienced a similar boom to that of the original 1930’s celeb-inspired makeup revolution. The difference lies in that back then, it was celebrities that led to makeup losing its “rich only” status and becoming available to the masses; now, it’s social media influencers that lead sales directly from their phones. Around 72% of millennials, currently between 25 and 40 years of age, purchase beauty products based on Instagram posts and other social media. This number is expected to increase in the next five years as the following generations are impacted by social media earlier in their lives, thanks to mass technological dependence.

And let’s not forget how important networking has become due to the pandemic, opening the way for businesses to invest time in growing an 1online presence. For instance, L’Oreal Paris launched virtual makeup filters on Instagram Stories and Snapchat, and Function of Beauty created quizzes to customize hair care and skin care online. However, before the pandemic, American millennials and Generation Z made almost 60% of their beauty purchases in stores. This caused 30% of beauty-centered markets to shut down post-pandemic and pivot to selling hand sanitizers and commonly searched ingredients in products to treat pain and anxiety, such as CBD, ashwagandha, melatonin and St. John’s wort. So, despite the cosmetics side of cosmetology taking a hit, the industry has adapted to the times and survived through the power of e-commerce.

Overall, much investment is being made on marketing, choosing the best distribution channels and making products affordable to low and middle-class people. Hence, the industry is only growing thanks to its 20 million new online beauty and personal care shoppers.

6 of the top soft skills needed for cosmetology jobs

Every job that falls under the category of cosmetology requires hard and soft skills. This is due to the field’s competitiveness, the sensitive nature of handling people’s bodies and appearance accurately to avoid negatively impacting clients’ mental health and promoting loyalty by instilling trust in your abilities. Professional skills such as hair cutting and giving facials come with practical training, hands-on experience and on-the-job training performed on dummy models and volunteers.

On the other hand, soft skills are personal traits such as empathy and communication skills that can be learned through practice and effort.

We have listed a few essential skills that are required to perform cosmetology jobs effectively.

• Client rapport

  Knowing how to provide customer service, listening to clients and promoting a friendly environment are necessary social traits to create connections with your clients.
  Take, for instance, how a client may have asked for a haircut that they’ve never had before and are unsure if it will suit them. You must share your knowledge on haircuts suited for their face shape with honesty. Give them sincere advice on how the look they’re imagining will look according to their hair type. Avoid simply agreeing to their misconceptions about hair only to appease the client, and instead speak as though you were talking to a dear friend who will benefit from the truth, gently explaining what you know as not to upset them.

• Manual dexterity

  Activities like threading, waxing, massaging, hairstyling and applying makeup require fine dexterity in fingers and hand movements to provide high-quality services to increase your reputation and that of your establishment.
  In a detail-oriented job such as an esthetician, precision and a steady hand for performing processes systematically leads to effectiveness, fewer mistakes and customer satisfaction.

• Team player

  Cosmetologists are more likely to work in a team, sharing tools and supplies for the entire salon. Exhibiting a team-player attitude and communicating with your co-workers professionally, concisely and respectfully is conducive to a positive work environment.

• Listening skills

  Cosmetology is part of the beauty industry, so understand how to work with an individual's beauty standards and interests. While you may know what you consider aesthetically pleasing, art is subjective, and your clients may not share your interests. Listening carefully to what they want and think is appealing is crucial to achieving positive customer satisfaction.
  You must double-check that you understand the image they have of the look and colors they want, perhaps with a ready-made folder of hairstyles or by finding an image online that matches the look. This saves you from customer dissatisfaction and earns you a loyal client that may recommend you to others.

• Time management skills

  Staying on schedule with clients’ appointments creates a positive impression by proving your professionalism and punctuality. This also creates a positive customer experience because they aren’t required to wait more than was expected.

• Organization and cleanliness

  When cutting hair, applying makeup, giving a facial or applying treatments, a mess is sure to ensure. Keeping your area and tools clean between attending clients is crucial for an inviting and hygienic work environment that leads to client satisfaction and trust. Likewise, keeping your work area and tools organized will allow you to find what you need when you need it, avoiding wasting time searching for tools you may need at the moment.

Educational requirements

For cosmetology jobs, pursuing a formal college degree is not mandatory. However, most salons require an associate degree or state-approved certification and license in the appropriate specialization to get employed. It’s important to remember that practicing cosmetology for profit without a license is illegal in some states. To enroll in a cosmetology program, the candidate must be at least 16-17 years of age and have completed a high school diploma or a GED.

Cosmetology programs are usually certification courses or diploma courses, typically extending between 12-18 months. These programs train their students in a broad range of makeup, hairstyling, nail treatment, skin care and beauty equipment, among other necessary skills to run or work in a beauty business. These programs also give practical guidance on handling clients, scheduling appointments and efficiently working closely alongside other experts within the same salon.