Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists

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Also known as:
Beautician, Cosmetologist, Funeral Home Makeup Artist, Hair and Makeup Designer, Hair Colorist, Hair Stylist, Hairdresser, Hairpiece Stylist, Wedding Makeup Artist, Wig Stylist

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ABOUT HAIRDRESSER, HAIRSTYLIST, AND COSMETOLOGIST CAREERS

Video transcript

People have always wanted to look their best, and hairdressers - or cosmetologists, as they may be called - have helped them achieve that goal. These professionals shampoo, cut and style hair. But they may also color, straighten, or curl hair and give manicures, pedicures, and scalp and facial treatments.

All states require hairdressers and hairstylists to be licensed, but training and apprenticeship requirements vary widely, so be sure to check before entering a program. A knowledge of chemical use on hair and skin is becoming very important.

Manual dexterity, an artistic sense, and an awareness of the latest styles are essential. Equally important are the people skills that make a visit enjoyable for customers and encourages them to come back.

Hairdressers and hairstylists who take a genuine interest in their customers often develop the kind of following that makes it possible for them to one day open their very own hair salon or beauty parlor.

SNAPSHOT

Provide beauty services, such as cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and treating scalp. May shampoo hair, apply makeup, dress wigs, remove hair, and provide nail and skincare services.

Leadership	HIGH
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	HIGH
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	HIGH

Daily tasks

Shave, trim, and shape beards and moustaches.

Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.

Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style.

Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.

Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.

Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax.

Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools, such as scissors and combs.

Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.

Develop new styles and techniques.

Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors.

Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Selling or Influencing Others	Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Assisting and Caring for Others	Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Education and Training	Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Chemistry	Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Personnel and Human Resources	Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

TOP SKILLS

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation	Actively looking for ways to help people.

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.