Also known as a hairdresser or a cosmetologist, a beautician provides personal care services to customers. A beautician provides artistic implementation, training, and consultation to customers when it comes to nail, skin, and hair care. Aside from offering conventional services, a beautician may also promote and vend personal care items, as either as an independent contactor or a worker of a cosmetic manufacturer.
Responsibilities of a Beautician
Generally, a beautician is mostly involved with the client’s hair. A beautician or a hairdresser sustains the authorization and the expertise to shampoo and condition the hair, to cut and color the hair, and to straighten, curl, and add chemical hair treatments to the client’s tresses. The beautician can also conduct these services on hair extensions and pieces, wigs, and artificial mane. Some beauticians can also perform microdermabrasion, facials, and massages.
Beauticians are usually proficient in nail care and maintenance, administering manicures, shaping and coloring the finger and toe nails. As a consultant, a beautician can sell or suggest personal care products to the clients. These products are provided to the clients to help meet their physical needs, including soaps for oily skin and moisturizers for dry skin. A beautician makes sure that all equipment is sterile in accordance with local policy.
Job Opportunities for Beauticians
Generally, proprietary schools that teach beauticians offer job placement help to graduates. In addition, a majority of beauty salons publish advertisements for job openings in the classified areas of a newspapers and on internet job boards. Majority of candidates also connect to professional associations like the International Hairdresser and Beautician Association. Associations like this offer job search aid, host networking purpose, and offer members with the latest news and info about the technology in the beauty and personal care industry.
Qualifications of A Beautician
One qualification that an aspiring beautician must have is that he/she should know how to enjoy and get along well with other people. A beautician will generally be working long and non-traditional working hours that might include weekends and nights. An aspiring beautician must also be comfortable working side by side with co-beauticians in the salon. A beautician should also be comfortable making physical contact with the clients.
Another qualification that an aspiring beautician must have is that she/he must be able to create long conversations with the clients. Creating conversations with clients makes them comfortable with the beauticians. In addition, a beautician must also be willing to accomplish tasks that are not his/her own. In some instances, a beautician is asked to answer the telephone, perform cleaning duties or greet customers. Another important qualification that aspiring beauticians must have is creativity and knowledge of current hair trends. As a consultant, a beautician must also be able to advise clients on which hair trends are fit or unfit for them.
Educational Requirements
Beauticians must have an education from a proprietary school or a vocational school. Usually the education takes a year and in the program, aspiring beauticians are educated in different scientific and business topics including sales, hygiene, sanitation, and chemistry. Licenses are also required for aspiring beauticians if they want to work within a specific state.
