26 Comments Are you looking to become a beauty industry professional? Do you want to make your clients look amazing with luscious eyelash extensions? If you're considering your education options, this article is for you! Our Professional Lash and Brow Artists' Industry Survey 2016 results show us that 74% of those who responded are licensed beauty industry professionals. 25% are Cosmetologists, 41% are Estheticians and 8% hold both qualifications. 26% of those who responded were not licensed. There are certain areas that do not require any formal licensing to perform lash extension services. Our friends in Canada do not need to be licensed, and other countries around the globe have similar rules. In the U.S. most states require some sort of licensing and in order to obtain a license you must first get an education. You might be wondering what type of education you should pursue.On that note, let’s explore two types of beauty education - cosmetology and esthetics.
Source: 2016 Professional Lash & Brows Artists' Industry Survey.Maybe you are trying to decide how much time to invest in your education and don't know where to start.As someone who has been to cosmetology school I have a few insights to share. So let's dig into this and figure out if a cosmetology career is the right fit for you. When making the decision about my own beauty education, it was an easy choice. I was always interested in hair but I also had a fascination with makeup, lashes, brows, nails and basically everything beauty.I wanted to be able to perform any service under the beauty umbrella, so I signed up for a course in cosmetology. Once you complete your cosmetology course, you have so many options. You can move freely between services as needed. It’s a one stop for your clients if you are able to do everything. But you can also pick and choose the areas you enjoy the most and leave out those you don't.
Working as a qualified beauty professional, it wasn't long before I discovered a few things that didn't exactly thrill me - mainly waxing. The messiness of waxing wasn't for me and I found myself limiting my waxing services to the neck up. This cut back the amount of waxing I had to do on any given day. Eyebrow services are another area that you might like to specialise in as a cosmetologist.I truly envy those salon professionals who are so meticulous at planning, strategizing and creating that flawless face framing brow. Brows require precision, perfect balance and a keen eye for the exact shape. Whilst brows rely on technique, nails call for a little more creativity. I was surprised by my attraction to nails and really dove in full steam.
Doing the same haircuts and color over and over got a bit boring for me so I became involved in the nail side of the business. I quickly realised just how much clients were into their fortnightly manicure. I had a lot of fun and particularly enjoyed the ease of the service. Unlike hair, if you mess up a nail you can just start over, which means you get to skip all the tears and trauma. After several years of hair and nails, I became involved in skincare. Again I was surprised by how much I loved performing facials, body treatments and all things skin related. I even completed a Cosmetology Instructors Program and became a cosmetology instructor in Arizona.Now, going that far may not be for you, but I am all about education.As a cosmetologist I've been able to experience all that the salon industry has to offer.
However, you must be certain that esthetics is for you because it is hard to drop everything and go back to school if you change your mind later on. Unfortunately, most states will not give you any credit for the schooling you did in esthetics to go toward a full cosmetology license. Those hours will be lost. A full cosmetology course does take almost double the hours to start with, but you will never have to retrain to perform these services. Under the Cosmetology umbrella you are already licensed to perform all services.
Maryann has an accomplished, 30+ year background in the beauty industry. As a cosmetologist she opened her first salon in ’83. She has specialized as an educator since 2006. Maryann knows what it takes to create successful salon businesses and is here to share her experience with you.
Thank you for mentioning how cosmetology school gets you qualified in a lot of areas such as services involving hair and makeup, so it’s the best choice to go for if you’re thinking of applying for beauty education. My sister wants to be a hair and makeup artist so I wanted to look into the programs cosmetology schools offer before enrolling her in one. I’ll have to look into credible and reputed cosmetology schools within our area so I can inquire more about their curriculum.
Hi Sylvia,
If your State does not require a license, then you can get trained to become a Lash Artist. May I suggest that you go to the Artist Directory by GladGirl and look for a local Trainer. We have amazing and very talented Trainers ready to get you going! Best of Luck on your journey.
Hi Maryann,
Thank you for the information. My State does not require a license to become an Eyelash Technician. Do school require license before you can attend training? I am co-owner of a barbershop and work with a licensed Master Barber. We would like to introduce eyelash services to bring in more female clients.
Hi Maryann,
My mother has worked withing the beauty field through whole of her life and now my sister is considering moving in to the business as well. I wonder if there is a possibility for her to be trained by our mother for the license? This would make everyone’s live so much easier.
-Thanks!
Hello Ville,
It’s great, keeping it all in the family! Every State has different requirements. My State allows an apprentice program. Check with your governing body for Cosmetology or Esthetics and see if your state allows this. It’s a good way to get the training in. Best of luck.
Hi Sabrina,
I’m glad it helped, you‚Äôre very welcome. Thanks for reading!
Amazing work. This is something really helpful. Thanks for sharing in such detailed manner.
Wow, thanks for this super-detailed post
Nice info. in this time any opportunity in cosmetic field
Great info. Thank you!!!
Cosmetology course is best and having very huge scope, thanks for the information. Nice blog!
i just love you Mary Ann! i look forward to your blogs!!
Glad we could help. Thanks for reading and for your comment!
Thank you for mentioning how cosmetology school gets you qualified in a lot of areas such as services involving hair and makeup, so it’s the best choice to go for if you’re thinking of applying for beauty education. My sister wants to be a hair and makeup artist so I wanted to look into the programs cosmetology schools offer before enrolling her in one. I’ll have to look into credible and reputed cosmetology schools within our area so I can inquire more about their curriculum.
Hi Sylvia,
If your State does not require a license, then you can get trained to become a Lash Artist. May I suggest that you go to the Artist Directory by GladGirl and look for a local Trainer. We have amazing and very talented Trainers ready to get you going! Best of Luck on your journey.
Hi Maryann,
Thank you for the information. My State does not require a license to become an Eyelash Technician. Do school require license before you can attend training? I am co-owner of a barbershop and work with a licensed Master Barber. We would like to introduce eyelash services to bring in more female clients.
Hello Ville,
It’s great, keeping it all in the family! Every State has different requirements. My State allows an apprentice program. Check with your governing body for Cosmetology or Esthetics and see if your state allows this. It’s a good way to get the training in. Best of luck.
Hi Sabrina,
I’m glad it helped, you‚Äôre very welcome. Thanks for reading!
Hi Maryann,
My mother has worked withing the beauty field through whole of her life and now my sister is considering moving in to the business as well. I wonder if there is a possibility for her to be trained by our mother for the license? This would make everyone’s live so much easier.
-Thanks!
Amazing work. This is something really helpful. Thanks for sharing in such detailed manner.
Wow, thanks for this super-detailed post
Nice info. in this time any opportunity in cosmetic field
Cosmetology course is best and having very huge scope, thanks for the information. Nice blog!
Great info. Thank you!!!
i just love you Mary Ann! i look forward to your blogs!!
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GladGirl
May 16, 2022
Glad we could help. Thanks for reading and for your comment!