When you hear about cosmetology school, you automatically think about hair cutting or hair styling. However, learning to cut and style hair is only one aspect of cosmetology. Here are some other useful applications you will learn in beauty school and how you can take them further into a career after graduation. 

1. Skin care.

Skin care is an important aspect of beauty training. You can learn how to topically treat and prevent acne and how to care for dry or oily skin. If you choose a program that also includes esthetician training, you can graduate and then advance to classes to become a laser technician to work in a medical skin care capacity to fix scars, acne spots, and tattoos. If you offer a wider range of skin care services, you'll have a client base that relies on you for both their skin care needs and for hair cutting.

2. Nail care.

Manicures and pedicures are often seen as pampering services, but they can be essential for nail health, especially for those who work with their hands and need some intense therapy. Choose a cosmetology program that teaches more than just basic nail painting and cuticle care. You should also learn how to apply shellac and gel tip nails, how to remove those nails, hand massage techniques, and what over-the-counter treatments can help with frequent hang nails, dryness, and stiffness. 

3. Hair removal.

You should learn non-permanent methods to remove hair using waxing or threading. Your clients can especially rely on you for facial waxing and eyebrow shaping. However, extending your expertise to other parts of the body can also expand your ability to work with a variety of people and become more successful at establishing your own clientele. For even more credibility in hair removal, consider getting certified to use permanent hair removal equipment like Intense Pulsed Light. If you are practiced in using laser-type therapies, you can have more job security working for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who offers these smaller corrective procedures. 

4. Cosmetics.

Hair can be your passion, but you will learn to deliver the whole package of beauty with expertise in cosmetic applications. You can market yourself to do special-occasion makeup for weddings and proms. But, if you apply yourself to all sorts of makeup styles, you can also work in theatre, movies, or television as a makeup specialist. If working in makeup full time is not your cup of tea, just remember to educate yourself about all types of makeup. Use high-quality products yourself and for your clients, but get familiar with drug-store quality makeup to stay in touch with what most people buy and can afford. This way, you can make authoritative suggestions to your clients about what makeup to use.

If you're hoping to specialize in makeup, choose a beauty school that offers an intensive program. You'll forgo other applications in beauty school, but you'll have more credibility in the makeup field. Some artists can make around $90,000 a year, although this depends on where you live and what you choose for employment. 

5. Barbering. 

Barber school trains you specifically in barber services. Some beauty schools will allow you specialize in this training. You'll focus on learning the skills needed to care for men's hair and face needs. Shaving with an open straight razor, using scissors instead of clippers to cut hair, and learning the specifics of men's hair styles are all part of a barbering program.

A beauty school can teach you a wide range of cosmetic skills, but you'll need to really decide what your niche is. You can learn the complexities of hair, or choose another route that takes you to a different type of career than a salon. Visit a beauty school near you to decide what programs would be the best for your goals. 

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