The Difference Between A Cosmetologist And An Esthetician
If you have been thinking about embarking on a career in the beauty industry, you should be looking at the top two choices: a cosmetologist and an esthetician. People get these two professions mixed up all the time. Let us tell you what sets them apart and which path you should choose.
Cosmetologist vs. Esthetician: A Brief Introduction
A cosmetologist provides beauty services that extend beyond the hair to include nails and skin. This is a career that is most suited for those of you who want to become a hairstylist or a makeup artist. A cosmetologist can also perform wax, skin care and nail services but to a lesser extent than an esthetician. When you become a cosmetologist, you can be employed in hotels, resorts, spas, and salons. You can also choose to offer your services from home.
An esthetician also works in the beauty industry, however, their services are mainly recommending skincare treatments, performing facials, hair removal, makeup and analyzing the varying skin care needs of their clients. The focus is to improve the health of their client’s skin. An esthetician also does treatments like pore cleaning, body wraps, and exfoliating treatments.
Career Trends
The employment of cosmetologists, barbers and hairstylists is expected to grow by 11% from 2021 to 2031. This means that there is job stability in this field. Anyone with the right training, a passion for the beauty industry, and strong customer service skills can be sure that they will have plenty of career opportunities to choose from. The first step is choosing a cosmetology program from a reputable school to kickstart your career.
Employment opportunities for skin care specialists, on the other hand, will grow by 29% within the same period. This presents a great opportunity for those who have completed their esthetics program. To be successful in this career, besides having the necessary certification, you must also be customer service-oriented, empathetic, and compassionate. You must be a good listener and willing to listen to your client’s skin concerns.
Which One Should You Choose?
These two careers allow you to work in similar environments. The difference lies in the job description. Being a cosmetologist entails having expert knowledge when it comes to grooming a client’s nails, hair, or skin. Meanwhile, an esthetician’s work mainly focuses on skincare. Your passion will dictate which area of expertise will be best suited for you.
Cosmetology is perfect for those of you who want to offer hair and makeup services. You need to complete a cosmetology licensure exam after you have graduated with 1500 clock hour credits. Those who want to become estheticians must complete 1000 hours of coursework and be able to finish the licensing exam thereafter.
Regardless of which path you choose, there is guaranteed growth and job security for you. It is all a matter of mastering the particular field that you want to be an expert in. It takes time, dedication, and passion to complete the coursework and get a license and certification. Both careers offer job satisfaction by helping your clients look and feel their best. If you want to find out more, feel free to contact us today!