Want To Become A Cosmetologist? Here’s How To Make The Career Change

A cosmetologist with a patient
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For beauty aficionados, becoming a full-time cosmetologist seems like a dream job. You may follow makeup artists and hairstylists on social media and long to be in their shoes, only to feel trapped by your current career.

It can be difficult for working moms and professionals to change their line of work, especially if they’ve already invested thousands of dollars in earning a degree.

Regardless of debt or past work experience, however, the world of beauty is open to everyone. Read on to learn how to become a cosmetologist and tips for succeeding.

Research Tuition Before Enrolling in a Program

You will have to meet your state’s requirements for a cosmetology license, which typically requires completing a training program at a certified school. Beauty school can range from $15,000 to over $50,000 depending on the prestige of the institution.

A legitimate cosmetology school must be accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). This means the program’s curriculum is on par with national standards for education and skills training, so you’ll graduate with the ability to get your license and immediately begin work in the field.

It’s wise to start saving now so you pay as much as possible upfront. This helps you borrow less if you decide to take out loans to cover the cost of your program. The most sustainable way to build savings is to free up room in your budget.

You may be able to lower monthly expenses by refinancing your student loans into a new one with a private lender. This leads to being able to take multiple outstanding debts and combine into one monthly payment going forward.

Find Out What Tools You’ll Have to Buy

You might get the answers to common questions like how long it will take to become a cosmetologist but other things like what you need to supply on your own are not going to be as obvious. Some schools require students to purchase their own tools.

When it comes to hairstyling and makeup application, the cost of high-quality equipment can quickly add up. You should reach out to cosmetology schools before enrolling to ask them what supplies they provide and what equipment students are expected to provide for themselves.

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You can also ask them for product recommendations or see if they sell some equipment to students at a discounted rate. Expect to have money put away to invest in shampoos and conditioners, your own cutting scissors, makeup brush sets, and even mannequins.

Sometimes, the cost of supplies you use during training is factored into your tuition. Other schools may only require students to bring their own equipment for certain parts of training. This is why knowing what to expect in terms of cost is so important for planning your success.

Learn the Basics to Build Confidence

In cosmetology school, you’ll learn about human anatomy and physiology, hair dyeing and styling, chemical relaxing and so much more. Get a head start and begin learning the fundamentals of cosmetology prior to your first day of class. You should also follow some videos on YouTube to familiarize yourself with basic beauty treatments to feel more confident when you’re in the classroom.

If you already know how to trim bangs, for example, you’ll feel a bit more in control when it’s time to start doing more serious haircuts like medium layered hairstyles or chic pixie cuts. There is another advantage to the preliminary study as well.

When you do an introductory overview of cosmetology, you’ll soon be able to determine your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you concentrate more on refining your weakest skills while quickly improving your greatest strengths.

Want to Become a Cosmetologist? Here's how to become a cosmetologist

3 Comments

  1. April 21, 2022 / 1:51 pm

    Thank you for the insightful article! As for equipment, I would suggest renting it instead of buying it. They can really be quite costly, and it’s crucial to minimize initial costs to stay afloat. It will also help you determine if it would be a good investment in the future.

  2. May 23, 2022 / 6:57 pm

    Thank you for sharing such helpful content! A cosmetologist is a wonderful profession that helps people look better and feel more confident. However, it is also a very responsible profession. Remember that as a cosmetologist, your main task is to do the job without harming the health of the client.

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