What is Cosmetology?

What Is Cosmetology and What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

Beauty radiates from within, but enhancing our outward appearance is a powerful way to reflect individuality that goes more than skin deep, and this is where a cosmetologist comes in. Cosmetologists provide beauty enhancements and play an essential role in helping individuals express their unique personalities and creativity through their appearance. But what is cosmetology and what does a cosmetologist do? Keep reading to learn more about this career path—and why it’s an indispensable part of the beauty industry.

What Is Cosmetology? An Overview

Cosmetology is both the professional skill and the study of cosmetic treatments, combining science and artistry in various beauty techniques to enhance a person’s appearance. A cosmetologist’s scope includes a wide range of services, such as hair styling, makeup application, and nail care, to transform and elevate the clients’ aesthetics. Cosmetology plays a pivotal role in the ever-evolving beauty industry, focusing primarily on noninvasive treatments that improve the appearance of the hair, skin, and nails.

“Cosmetology is the main ‘hub’ for the beauty industry. Most things in the beauty world fall under a cosmetology license. It is, in my opinion, the most versatile license in the beauty industry.”

— Emma Long, Paul Mitchell Advanced Education Style & Texture Team

What Does a Cosmetologist Do?

A cosmetologist undergoes extensive education and training to specialize in, and ultimately master, a range of beauty services along with learning about safety and sanitation. Cosmetologists channel their creativity through these services and use their acquired skill sets to meet their clients’ needs, one beauty treatment at a time.

Through this extensive training, cosmetologists become proficient in a wide spectrum of beauty skills they can offer from behind the chair.

Hair Care

• Haircutting: As the most commonly requested service, the study of haircutting starts with learning the fundamental skills and then moves into a range of advanced techniques using a variety of tools to meet the client’s needs. The fundamental principles focus on the understanding of hair anatomy, formation, and texture. Developing these skill sets helps the student learn to make informed haircutting decisions. Advanced haircutting involves various techniques, such as layering, graduating, texturizing, and precision cutting to complement individual preferences.
• Hair Coloring and Lightening: These processes, often accompanying haircuts, change the appearance and may change the structure of the hair, which demands expertise and a deep understanding of the art, safety, and science involved. Training includes:
  • Color fundamentals
  • Product chemistry
  • Coloring techniques such as:
    • Highlights
    • Lowlights
    • Single-process color
    • Balayage
    • Block color

• Perming and Relaxing: These treatments alter hair texture for those seeking curls and waves or sleek, straight hair. Chemical texturizing treatments include:
  • Permanent waving or curling
  • Chemical relaxing
  • Keratin treatments
  • Curl reformation

• Braiding, Up-Styling, and Finishing: An opportunity for creativity, these styling services use technical mastery to effectively sculpt, shape, and form the hair into different styles. This can include:
  • Curling
  • Smoothing
  • Blow Drying
  • Waving
  • Formal up-do styles
  • Proper braiding techniques
  • Extensions
  • Finger waves and twists
  • Pin-curls
  • Professional blow-dry and curling
  • Protective styles
• Product Selection and Treatments: Each client is unique, and hairstylists must tailor their approach to support strong, healthy hair with their products and selected treatments.
• Disinfection: Cosmetologists need to disinfect tools and other implements to prevent the spread of bacteria, plant parasites, or fungi that can produce contagious diseases.

Skin Care

• Skincare Technology: Comprehensive cosmetology programs include skincare training to provide standard relaxing and revitalizing skin treatments. This involves education on:
  • Skin health
  • Skin anatomy
  • Skincare tools and devices
  • Products to analyze and support skin health
• Facials: Cosmetologists learn the theory and practical steps to performing a facial for individual skin types and concerns, with some cosmetic professionals specializing in advanced esthetic treatments. Cosmetology requirements vary by state and school. Please refer to the school catalog for additional information or contact the school with any questions. 
• Waxing: Hair removal services, such as eyebrow and facial hair waxing, require skill to create a smooth and painless experience for the client.
• Disinfection: Germs and infections can be spread from client to client and from client to esthetician in treatment rooms and spas if equipment and instruments are not properly cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized between use.

Nail Care

• Manicures: This includes nail shaping, polish application, and cuticle care. Nail art and additional services are accessible with additional technical nail training.
• Pedicures: Often spa-like, these involve foot care, nail grooming, and exfoliation with add-on specializations to enhance the client experience.
• Disinfection: Nail Technicians need to be concerned with fungi and bacterial diseases and the proper sanitation and disinfection procedures that help prevent the spread of diseases from one client to another.

Makeup Application

• Feature Enhancement: Various skills such as contouring, color correction, and customized makeup application help cosmetologists to:
  • Tailor makeup looks to a client’s unique coloring
  • Make personal recommendations
  • Design makeup regimens with specific products, tools, and colors suited for the client

• Beauty Makeup: This includes application for various occasions, with further specialization in bridal, commercial, stage, runway, and other areas of makeup artistry.

Additional Cosmetology Skills

Cosmetology is a career that combines a variety of skills and interests. The following additional skills and interests can be instrumental in equipping cosmetologists to find their niche:

• Creativity: Cosmetologists are artists in their own right. Creativity is crucial for envisioning and crafting unique looks that align with each client.
• Problem Solving: Clients come in with specific requests or unique skin or hair concerns. The ability to adapt, collaborate with clients, and address technical challenges helps cosmetologists deliver high-quality services in every appointment.
• Time Management: Managing appointments, juggling clients, and offering personalized attention to each one requires strong time-management skills. These help cosmetologists make the most of their time and their clients’ time. 
• Social Skills: Building rapport and creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere is essential in the beauty industry. Strong social skills enable cosmetologists to connect with, understand, and build positive, long-lasting relationships with their clients. 
• Active Listening: Attentive listening to client’s needs and desires is at the core of a cosmetologist’s role. This helps them grasp the nuances of what their clients want and provide personalized recommendations and services to help them achieve it. 
• Business Management: An understanding of marketing and self-promotion and the basics of financial management are essential for cosmetologists working in the industry. This is true whether they run their own businesses or rent space in a salon.
• Cleanliness, safety, and sanitization: Cosmetology education teaches you the differences between disinfecting, sanitizing, and sterilizing.

If you’re passionate about honing these skills, cosmetology school may be the logical next step in your beauty industry journey. Click here to find a Paul Mitchell franchise school near you.

What Is Cosmetology School and What Does It Include?

Cosmetology school offers training in many areas of the beauty industry, providing future beauty professionals with the essential training they need for licensure through a combination of written and practical, hands-on education across a diverse range of beauty services. In cosmetology school, you have the opportunity to learn the proper techniques, safety measures, and tools required.

“Cosmetology school prepares future professionals and gives them the opportunity to take their cosmetology license to many avenues in the industry such as business ownership, education, product development, and more.”

— Melanie Bartchak, Paul Mitchell Advanced Education Style & Texture Team

Discover the Cosmetology Program at Paul Mitchell Schools

The cosmetology program at Paul Mitchell Schools lays a powerful groundwork for a career in this exciting field. Our curriculum is designed to help our students (we call them Future Professionals) excel along their journey to becoming licensed cosmetologists in the beauty industry.

Comprehensive Curriculum

The three levels of our cosmetology program—Core, Adaptive, and Creative—were designed to help students move from beginner to advanced techniques, building real-world skills and confidence as they move through each stage.

Fundamental and Technical Skill Development

Our curriculum provides aspiring beauty professionals with the fundamental principles of cosmetology, including anatomy, sanitation, and core hair, skin, and nail care techniques. Then, we extend beyond the basics to offer additional education opportunities in precision haircutting, color blending, creative makeup artistry, and more.

State Board Exam Preparation

A job in the industry begins by passing the State Board Cosmetology Examination. We employ a multifaceted approach to prepare Future Professionals for this exam, catering to different learning styles and cultivating confidence to help you feel prepared and ready for the exam.

Explore How You Learn

Cosmetology school is a valuable starting point for an exciting career in the beauty industry. With a curriculum that combines theory and hands-on education, expert guidance from dedicated Learning Leaders, and real-world experience behind the chair, our program is designed to help our graduates achieve the confidence and proficiency needed to make a mark in this dynamic and creative industry.

Discover more about Paul Mitchell School network’s cosmetology program and find a school near you!