Cosmetology and hairdressing are closely related professional fields. Cosmetology involves the beautification of hair, nails, and skin, while hairdressing covers cutting and styling hair. Upon completing cosmetology training, one can work as a hairstylist, makeup artist, or nail technician. One can also opt for hairdressing courses if they want to specialize in hairstyling. One can find various opportunities to build a stable, rewarding career in both fields. Here is what to expect:

Importance of training
While some states do not require formal education, certification from a recognized or accredited institution can be an advantage if one wants to start their own business or work with leading beauty brands. Formal training is beneficial if the career goal is to create and develop a line of cosmetology products. Though one may gain more experience working as an intern for senior hairstylists and cosmetologists, the job prospects are better after completing professional cosmetology and hairdressing training.

Course duration and curriculum
One can apply for a hairdressing and cosmetology course after getting a high school diploma, GED, or an equivalent degree. The course duration can be anywhere between 9 to 15 months, after which one must complete mandatory training hours. One must also clear the local state licensing exam to get a license. Overall, becoming a licensed cosmetologist or hairdresser may take 2 to 4 years.

Curriculum: A cosmetology course offers instruction and theoretical knowledge for services like haircutting and styling, including curling, perming, texturing, and hair coloring. One also learns about pedicures, manicures, skincare, facials, and makeup here. The course should also offer an understanding of problems and disorders of the skin and scalp, the use of electric and mechanical equipment, business education, salon management, customer service and communication, and state rules and regulations. Here, one may have to put in at least 1500 hours of training. A hairdressing program covers hair cutting, shaping, coloring, and styling, along with correction techniques, chemical procedures, basics of makeup, and business education. A hairdressing student may have to undergo 1300 hours of training.

Tips for choosing the best institute
The demand for certified cosmetologists is growing along with the expansion of the beauty industry. If one is keen on a career in fashion and makeup, enrolling in a cosmetology program can be a great first step, helping one learn key skills. The programs here also cover the basics of setting up a beauty salon or cosmetic brand. Here are some tips for choosing the best cosmetology schools:

Check for accreditation: The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), the Council on Occupational Education (COE), and other such agencies offer accreditation to cosmetology schools. Accreditation implies that the schools have met the required curriculum, faculty, fees, infrastructure, and quality standards. The institutes here may be more expensive than traditional schools, but their degrees and diplomas carry more value during a job search.

Compare curricula: One should check out the curriculum, syllabus, teaching methods, faculty training, hands-on-training hours, apprenticeship, internship, and placement record of each institute and choose one that works best for their career goals.

Visit the institute: After shortlisting the best schools, one should visit them to check out the courses and infrastructure. One can also meet and interact with the students and ask for feedback on the courses and learn about their experiences.

Compare fees and financial aid: Accredited schools may have similar curricula but unique selling points like practical training, scholarships, a better placement record, and a better faculty-student ratio. One should compare fees and other incentives to choose the most suitable program.

Key services
Here are the key hairdressing and cosmetology services one can expect at a salon:

Hair: A cosmetologist may offer services like washing, shampooing, drying, trimming, cutting, coloring, perming, curling, straightening, and braiding hair. They may also perform chemical hair treatments.

Skincare: One can get facials, exfoliation, anti-wrinkle treatments, skin conditioning procedures, hair removal, and anti-aging treatments from a certified cosmetologist.

Nails: Manicures, pedicures, nail art, and jewelry are common services one can expect.

Job opportunities
As cosmetologists are trained in multiple areas of beauty, they can work at beauty salons that provide a complete range of services or at dedicated hair, nail, or makeup salons. Both cosmetologists and hairdressers can start as assistants in salons, gain experience, and build a network of clients. They can build their own beauty salons once they have enough experience and business knowledge. They can also work as freelancers or with wedding planners and other agencies in the industry. One can get jobs at beauty salons, hotels, resorts, the film industry, the fashion industry, cosmetology schools, the cosmetic industry, and beauty and fashion magazines. They can also work with wedding planners, event managers, photography studios, fashion shows, modeling agencies, social media influencers, and marketing companies.