Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services
Cosmetology
Listed by colleges as Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Prepares you to cut, trim, and style scalp, facial, and body hair; apply cosmetic preparations; perform manicures and pedicures; massage the head and extremities; and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. Covers hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labor laws and regulations.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 13 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General
- Prepares you to cut, trim, and style scalp, facial, and body hair; apply cosmetic preparations; perform manicures and pedicures; massage the head and extremities; and prepare for practice as licensed cosmetologists in specialized or full-service salons. Covers hair cutting and styling, manicuring, pedicuring, facial treatments, shampooing, chemical applications, esthetics, shop management, sanitation and safety, customer service, and applicable professional and labor laws and regulations.
- Barbering/Barber
- Prepares you to shave and trim facial/neck hair and beards, cut and dress hair, fit hairpieces, give facial and scalp massages, apply cosmetic treatments, and to prepare for licensure as professional barbers at various levels. Covers facial shaving; beard and mustache shaping and trimming; shampooing; hair cutting; hair styles and styling art; facial treatments and massage; chemical applications; hair and scalp anatomy and physiology; hairpiece and toupee fitting; equipment operation; health and safety; customer service; and shop business practices.
- Electrolysis/Electrology and Electrolysis Technician
- Prepares you to permanently remove hair from the human scalp, face, and body using specialized charged solid needle probes, and to function as licensed electrologists and electrolysis technicians. Covers direct current electrolysis, alternating current/high frequency thermolysis, blend/dual modality treatments, equipment theory and operation, safety and sanitation, client evaluation and care, laws and regulations, and business practices.
- Make-Up Artist/Specialist
- Prepares you to professionally apply cosmetic makeup preparations and perform complete and specialized appearance makeovers including hairdressing, wig work, masking, temporary prosthesis applications, cosmetic applications, and related costuming for leisure or for professional stage, camera, clinical, or security purposes. Covers period and contemporary hairstyling and costuming; wig work and hairpiece application; synthetic hair and masks; cosmetic preparations and treatments; makeup artistry; attachment, removal, and camouflaging of prostheses; health and safety; client consultation and care; pre- and post-production operations; set and crew conduct and relations; script, instruction, and prescription interpretation; labor relations; and business practices.
- Hair Styling/Stylist and Hair Design
- Prepares you to shampoo, cut, style, set, and dress the scalp hair of women and/or men, braid hair, apply hair cosmetics and wigs, and prepare for licensure as professional cosmetologists, hairdressers, and barbers at various levels. Covers hair design theory and concepts, hair cleaning and shampooing, hair coloring, chemical applications and permanent reconstructions, hair anatomy and physiology, scalp diseases and treatments, wig and hairpiece fitting, hair braiding, customer service, shop management, equipment operation, health and safety, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Facial Treatment Specialist/Facialist
- Prepares you to massage and treat the face, neck, and scalp with chemical and cosmetic preparations, and to function as licensed facial specialists in specialized and full service salons. Covers facial surface anatomy; skin properties; skin decontamination and infection control; facial massage; facial makeup; facial wrapping; selection and application of creams, lotions, oils, and other chemicals and cosmetics; European and other facial techniques; client evaluation and care; applicable laws and regulations; and business practices.
- Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist
- Prepares you to cleanse, depilate, massage, and beautify the human body and to function as licensed estheticians and skin care specialists. Covers skin anatomy, physiology, and health; principles of nutrition; decontamination and infection control; health and safety; facial and body massage; body wrapping and spa treatments; temporary hair removal including waxing and tweezing; color and skin analysis; client consultation and care; applicable laws and regulations; business practices; and sometimes related alternative healing regimens.
- Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist
- Prepares you to shape fingernails and toenails, remove unwanted skin and blemishes, apply polish and cosmetics to nails, and function as licensed manicurists or nail technicians/specialists. Covers manicuring theory; skin anatomy; nail growth, irregularities, and diseases; sterilization and sanitation; equipment and table maintenance; cuticle, blemish, and rough skin removal; nail filing, shaping, and polishing; cream application and extremity massage; nail sculpture and design art; product storage and use; customer service; laws and regulations; and business practices.
- Permanent Cosmetics/Makeup and Tattooing
- Prepares you to prepare and apply permanent markings, color, and cosmetic products to the face and body for aesthetic or clinical purposes; to remove unwanted markings; and to function as licensed permanent makeup artists and tattooists. Covers client consultation; sterilization and sanitation; skin anatomy, diseases, and disorders; skin preparation and anesthetics; color theory; machine theory and operation; needle selection; applications such as eyebrows, eyeliners, lips, lipliners, beauty marks, and blemish/mark removal; after care; laws and regulations; and business practices.
- Salon/Beauty Salon Management/Manager
- Prepares cosmetologists, hairstylists, and other personal grooming specialists to manage beauty parlors, shops, and full-service or specialized salons and to prepare for licensure as professional salon owners and operators. Covers cosmetic services marketing and retailing; advertising and promotion; salon management; the cosmetic and salon supply industries; hiring, supervision, and labor relations; applicable business and professional laws and regulations; professional standards and image; and customer service.
Also called Natural Hair Braider
Also called Waxing, Basic Aesthetician/Esthetician
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Growing
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Median pay
- $35,790
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.7%
- Job openings a year
- 73,400
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastSkincare Specialists
- Median pay
- $45,330
- Hiring change through 2035
- 8.8%
- Job openings a year
- 14,200
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing fastManicurists and Pedicurists
- Median pay
- $35,760
- Hiring change through 2035
- 9.2%
- Job openings a year
- 21,900
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career Growing with the economyBarbers
- Median pay
- $38,210
- Hiring change through 2035
- 3.3%
- Job openings a year
- 6,900
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career GrowingFirst-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
- Median pay
- $48,590
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.3%
- Job openings a year
- 12,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this career GrowingMakeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
- Median pay
- $97,150
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.1%
- Job openings a year
- 600
To get hiredPostsecondary nondegree award
Explore this career GrowingShampooers
- Median pay
- $32,600
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.6%
- Job openings a year
- 2,200
To get hiredNo formal educational credential
Explore this career GrowingPersonal Service Managers, All Other
- Median pay
- $69,770
- Hiring change through 2035
- 6.2%
- Job openings a year
- 2,000
To get hiredHigh school diploma or equivalent
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
89%of related openings involve substantial in-person or active work
Most careers connected to this field involve in-person work. About 89 of every 100 openings require working close to other people or spending time on your feet.