8 Benefits of a Cosmetology Career

Do you love beauty as much as we do? If you were always the one doing your friends’ hair for events or the go-to for all beauty questions when growing up, cosmetology could be a perfect career for you! There are so many benefits that come with a cosmetology career like using your creativity, forming meaningful relationships, and helping others look and feel their best.

If you are wondering whether this rewarding industry may be right for you, keep reading. We’ve put together some of our favorite benefits of working in cosmetology to help you imagine what your future in beauty could look like. Check out these eight benefits to see if cosmetology could be your dream job!

Use Your Creativity

As a cosmetologist, you can use your creativity daily. If you need an outlet to let your creativity shine, then cosmetology could be perfect for you. You can create unique color combinations for your clients, try out new haircutting techniques, play around with different styles, and more! Part of being in the beauty industry is also keeping up with the latest trends. The beauty industry is always evolving and growing, with new techniques and tricks to learn as you progress in your career!

Does the idea of sitting in an office at a desk sound dull and boring to you? If so, you may love the excitement, creativity, and change that comes with working in the beauty industry!

Flexible Work Schedule

If you’re someone who wants a schedule outside of the typical 9-5 work week, then cosmetology could be the perfect career for you. Maybe you have other life commitments or maybe you just want to have a great work life balance. The good news is that you can typically control your schedule as a cosmetologist.

 Whether you work as a commission stylist, freelance makeup artist, or self-employed barber, there are plenty of opportunities to create a flexible work schedule in the beauty industry. Many salons or spas allow you to choose your schedule, by deciding how many and what days you work each week. If you are a self-employed stylist, you can have the opportunity to create whatever schedule you want.

Work for Yourself

Did you know that about one-third of cosmetologists are self-employed? Whether your specialty is hair, makeup, or nails, there are several ways you can set up your business to work for yourself. You have the opportunity to rent a chair, open your own salon suite, or even open a salon or spa!

Working for yourself can give you the freedom to choose everything about your business from A to Z. That means you can offer whatever services you want (or avoid services you dislike!), choose what products you use, decide your prices, and more. If you want control over your career, becoming a self-employed cosmetologist could be the way to go!

Earning Potential

Another great benefit of working in beauty is that your earning potential is up to you. Many salons or spas offer commission structures where the more services you do, the bigger the percentage you will get to take home at the end of the day. Additionally, if you decide to work for yourself, you can decide when it’s time for a price increase and therefore a raise.

Wondering how much you could make as a self-employed stylist? Here are the latest estimates from ZipRecruiter, which show a high amount of earning potential! If you want a career with opportunities to grow your income, beauty could be your perfect fit.

Form Meaningful Relationships

Do you prefer working alone or working in a team? As a cosmetologist, you can have the best of both worlds! You will be able to perform your client’s service from start to finish and make the decisions on what cut or color is best based on your client’s needs. On the other hand, you’ll have the opportunity to work in a social environment and form meaningful relationships with not only your clients but your fellow stylists as well. 

Many people tell their hair stylists everything, so there is a running joke that cosmetologists are also part-time therapists. Your clients trust you, and you can be a part of their big milestones.

Career Opportunity

With a program that takes as little as 9 months to complete, you can be on your way to your career in no time. As a cosmetologist, you can advance your career in a number of ways. You may start out working behind the chair in the salon and grow into education or brand ambassador roles! You can decide to manage a salon or even open your own!

Here are just a few career opportunities that exist in the industry you may choose to pursue:

• High-end Salon Stylist
• Freelance Makeup Artist
• Bridal Specialist
• Salon/ Spa Owner
• Mobile Barber
• Beauty Influencer
• Lash and Brow Specialist
• Editorial Hair and Makeup Artist
• Educator
• Brand Ambassador

In our cosmetology program, students are taught business skills along with technical skills, which further prepares them to enter the beauty industry as whatever they aspire to be! 

Do any of these career opportunities excite you? We recommend finding a mentor who specializes in what interests you to help you along the way. Vivienne Mackinder and Serah Schmidt are some of our favorite online mentors to follow. You can also try visiting local salons or spas to find your mentor!

Make a Difference

What’s one of the best benefits of working as a cosmetologist? Knowing that your work makes a difference! According to Owl Guru, 58% of cosmetologists report feeling like their work makes others’ lives better. Having a sense of purpose and meaning in your career is just one reason why psychologist Barry Schwartz ranked hairdressing as one of the top three most satisfying jobs in the world! If spending your time helping others look and feel their best inspires you, you may have been born to be a cosmetologist! 

Growing Demand

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment for cosmetologists is projected to grow 11% by the year 2031. Cosmetologists are needed now more than ever! With a growing industry and a high demand, it could be a great time for you to pursue your dream career! As you continue to develop your skills in beauty, it’s a great feeling knowing you’re chasing a dream that is valuable in today’s job market.

Get Started with International Academy!

If you’re interested in becoming a cosmetologist, get started with International Academy! We’ve made it our mission to help our students succeed in their education as well as their futures. In our cosmetology program, you can expect to learn:

• Hair shaping and cutting
• Shampooing
• Scalp treatments and hair care
• Hair styling
• Hair coloring
• Chemical waving
• Chemical relaxing / straightening
• Facials
• Skincare
• Makeup
• Hair removal
• Manicuring and pedicuring
• Salon business and management
• And more!

If any of these skills spark your interest, reach out to the admissions team at International Academy to learn more about a future in beauty today! Our experienced team is happy to help walk you through any questions you may have about career opportunities, program curriculum, financial aid, and more. We can’t wait to meet you and help you get started on your journey into this fun and rewarding industry!

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