income of Median hourly wages

income

Median hourly wages in May 2008 for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists, including tips and commission, were $11.13. The middle 50 percent earned between $8.57 and $15.03. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.47, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $20.41 according to the United States Department of Labor. While much of this depends on whether the cosmetologist is paid hourly, salary, contract or commission, and whether they rent a booth and have increased overhead expenditures. The cosmetologist's wages may also depend on the ability of the cosmetology professional to market themselves, upsell products and services, and expand clientele and improve client loyalty. Other factors include the size and location of the salon or beauty business, how many hours worked, local tipping habits, and competition from other beauty businesses. The 2003 NACCAS Job Demand Survey suggests that there is a shortage of salon professionals in the working world, so cosmetologists and salon professionals have increased earning power. The salon industry has little to no unemployment.^[4]

Cosmetologists are paid in a variety of ways:

Hourly or Commission: Cosmetologist have an houly wage and a commission percentage, and at the end of a pay period they are payed whichever is greater of the two. This system is set up to comply with state and federal minimum wage laws.

Hourly plus Commission: In addition to an hourly wage, a percentage of the money made from the provision of services is given back to the cosmetologist as income. Sometimes the percentage is a set amount, and sometimes the cosmetologist must reach a certain goal before the commission is paid.

Booth Rental: All of the revenue derived from services provided is paid to the cosmetologist performing said services. In this arrangement, the cosmetologist is an independent contractor and pays a rental fee or a "chair fee" for the usage of salon facilities. Typically the cosmetologist has to provide all of their own supplies and book their own appointments.

Hourly: Strictly hourly wage; most of the time cosmetologists keep their own client tips, but sometime client tips are pooled and distributed evenly amongst all beauty professionals working in the salon (tip pools are illegal in many states). Many corporate and small chains are trending toward this compensation structure, for it promotes a more controlled product by ensuring that employees are responsible for following company standards and policies.

Tips: Cosmetologists often make a considerable portion of their income from client tips.

Product Sales: Usually a commission is given on retail products sold, regardless of compensatory structure.

Cosmetology as an academic discipline

Cosmetology as an academic discipline

The University of Osnabrück, Germany, has established the course "Cosmetology" in the faculty of human sciences as a scientific branch of health sciences. The degree Dr. rer. nat. may be obtained.The course deals with dermatology, microbiology, the anatomy, physiology, immunology and biochemistry of the skin and the chemistry of cosmetic ingredients. Practical knowledge in scientific laboratory work (called "practical cosmetology") is also conveyed. Additionally, the course touches upon business economics. After three years of coursework and internships, including the production of at least one scientific paper (the Bachelor’s thesis), students are graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Having received a good enough grade in their final examinations, the students get access to the Master’s programme, which consists of at least 1.5 years of coursework and a half year of research. The studies are completed with the grade "Master of Education". Subsequently, the degrees Dr. rer. nat. or "Dr. rer. Medic" may be received in the field of cosmetology. Cosmetology especially addresses students aiming at becoming "occupational theory" teachers at German vocational schools for estheticians and hair stylists and therefore includes economic education and didactics as well as the study of a second "school subject" (see below). Other professional perspectives, like in the field of cosmetic research, are also available.

Becoming a cosmetologist

Becoming a cosmetologist

Electric face mask, circa 1939

General cosmetology courses in the United States focus primarily on hairstyling, but also train their students as general beauticians versed in manicures, facials, etc. In a state-licensed beauty school, a certificate course in general cosmetology typically takes approximately one year to complete. Specialized, non-hairstyling courses such as manicure, facials, or makeup art are usually of shorter duration, lasting anywhere from two weeks to six months, although the most prestigious and exclusive beauty schools may offer much longer courses.

In the United States, all states require barbers, cosmetologists, and most other personal appearance workers (with the exception of shampooers in very few states, not including CA) to be licensed; however, qualifications for a license vary by state. Generally, a person must have graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school and be at least 17 years old. A few states require applicants to pass a physical examination. Some states require graduation from high school, while others require as little as an eighth-grade education. In a few states, the completion of an apprenticeship can substitute for graduation from a school, but very few barbers or cosmetologists learn their skills this way. Applicants for a license usually are required to pass a written test and demonstrate an ability to perform basic barbering or cosmetology services.^[2]

In most states, there is a legal distinction between barbers and cosmetologists, with different, licensing requirements.^[3]. These distinctions and requirements vary from state to state. In most states, cosmetology sanitation practices and ethical practices are governed by the state's health department and a Board of Cosmetology. These entities ensure public safety by regulating sanitation products and practices and licensing requirements. Consumer complaints are usually directed to these offices and investigated from there.

Persons interested in practicing cosmetology can graduate from a general cosmetology course and then obtain a license in any of the cosmetology sub-disciplines, or they can choose to study only to become a manicurist or esthetician. Students may choose a private beauty school or one of the many vocational schools which offer cosmetology courses to high school students. In addition, there are national organizations that provide educational and professional information.

Individual disciplines within cosmetology

Individual disciplines within cosmetology

Shampoo technician

A shampoo technician shampoos and conditions a client's hair in preparation for the hair stylist. A shampoo tech may assist with rinsing permanent waves, and shampooing color and chemical relaxers out of the hair after processing.

Manicurist

A manicure is a cosmetic treatment for the fingernails or hands. The word "manicure" derives from Latin: Manus for hand, cura for "care." When performed on the feet, such a treatment is a pedicure.

Many manicures start by soaking the hands in a softening substance, followed by the application of lotion. A common type of manicure involves shaping the nails and applying nail polish. A manicure may also include the application of artificial nail tips, acrylics, or artificial nail gels. Some manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs on the nails, or applying small decals or imitation jewels. There is a new product which is now popular for decorating nails. It is a self adhesive nail covering which covers the whole nail and comes in lots of different patterns, designs and colours.

Esthetician

Specializes in treatments including hair removal, massage, body wraps, skin care, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, and make-up along with machine treatments such as non surgical facelifts and faradic muscle tone. The specialist may under go special training for treatments such as laser hair removal and electrolysis.

Nail technician

A nail technician specializes in the art form and care of nails. This includes manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails, gel nails, nail wraps, fake nails, self adhesive nail coverings, etc. They are also knowledgeable in nail irregularities and diseases and may be able to identify such problems. They do not treat diseases and would typically refer a client to a physician.

Electrologist

An electrologist offers services with the use of an electrolysis machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via electrolysis is permanent. Usually estheticians will seek higher education beyond beauty school to learn electrolysis. Some state board beauty schools, however teach electrolysis in basic courses.

Hairstyle as event

Hairstyle as event

The editor of the New York Times Magazine describes his pages as reflecting "a place where change is not a threat, where doubt and complexity are more TRUE than certainty, and where most everything non-criminal is tolerated — except a bad haircut."^[4]

For Shoichi Yokoi, the first haircut in 28 years became his first ordinary contact with another person after living alone for many years. Yokoi hid in the forested mountains of Guam after the Imperial Japanese Army surrendered in 1944; and he managed to elude capture until 1972. The mere opportunity to sit in a barber's chair became a documented step in Yokoi's transformation from a reclusive, solitary combatant in a war which lasted for nearly three decades longer than for the rest of the world.^[5]

Yokoi's haircut was literally and figuratively life-changing. After 1972, the story of Yokoi's life became a narrative about the process of adapting to worldwide attention and the radically different role of a celebrity.^[6]

In Sikh culture, the hair of men is never cut ("Kesh"); but some modern Sikhs are abandoning this tradition. The act of cutting hair itself takes on a significance unrelated to the corollary changes in appearance.^[7]

Hairstyle as event

The editor of the New York Times Magazine describes his pages as reflecting "a place where change is not a threat, where doubt and complexity are more TRUE than certainty, and where most everything non-criminal is tolerated — except a bad haircut."^[4]

For Shoichi Yokoi, the first haircut in 28 years became his first ordinary contact with another person after living alone for many years. Yokoi hid in the forested mountains of Guam after the Imperial Japanese Army surrendered in 1944; and he managed to elude capture until 1972. The mere opportunity to sit in a barber's chair became a documented step in Yokoi's transformation from a reclusive, solitary combatant in a war which lasted for nearly three decades longer than for the rest of the world.^[5]

Yokoi's haircut was literally and figuratively life-changing. After 1972, the story of Yokoi's life became a narrative about the process of adapting to worldwide attention and the radically different role of a celebrity.^[6]

In Sikh culture, the hair of men is never cut ("Kesh"); but some modern Sikhs are abandoning this tradition. The act of cutting hair itself takes on a significance unrelated to the corollary changes in appearance.^[7]

An industry

An industry

Hair styling is a major world industry, from the salon itself to products, advertising, and even magazines on the subject. In the United States, most hairstylists are licensed after obtaining training at a cosmetology or beauty school.^[2]

In recent years, competitive events for professional stylists have grown in popularity. Stylists compete on deadline to create the most elaborate hairstyle using props, lights and other fantastic accessories.^[3]

Hairstyling tools

Styling tools may include hair irons (including flat, curling, and crimping irons), hair dryers, and hair rollers. Hair dressing might also include the use of product to add texture, shine, curl, volume or hold to a particular style.

Hairstyling products

Styling products aside from shampoo and conditioner are many and varied. Leave-in conditioner, conditioning treatments, mousse, gels, lotions, waxes, creams, serums, oils, and sprays are used to change the texture or shape of the hair, or to hold it in place in a certain style. Applied properly, most styling products will not damage the hair apart from drying it out; most styling products contain alcohols, which can dissolve oils. Many hair products contain chemicals which can cause build-up, resulting in dull hair or a change in perceived texture.

Wigs

Care of human or other natural hair wigs is similar to care of a normal head of hair in that the wig can be brushed, styled, and kept clean using haircare products.

Synthetic wigs are usually made from a fine fiber that mimics human hair. This fiber can be made in almost any color and hairstyle, and is often glossier than human hair. However, this fiber is sensitive to heat and cannot be styled with flat irons or curling irons.There is a newer synthetic fiber that can take heat up to a certain temperature.

Human hair wigs can be styled with heat, and they must be brushed only when dry. Synthetic wigs should be brushed dry before shampooing to remove tangles. To clean the wig, the wig should be dipped into a container with water and mild shampoo, then dipped in clear water and moved up and down to remove excess water. The wig must then be air dried naturally into its own hairstyle.

Functional and decorative ornaments

There are many options to adorn and arrange the hair. Hairpins, clasps, barrettes, headbands, ribbons, rubber bands, scrunchies, and combs can be used to achieve a variety of styles. There are also many decorative ornaments that, while they may have clasps to affix them to the hair, are used solely for appearance and do not aid in keeping the hair in place. In India for example, the Gajra (flower garland) is common.

Braiding and “Updos”

Braiding and “Updos”

Tight or frequent braiding may pull at the hair roots and cause traction alopecia. Rubber bands with metal clasps or tight clips, which bend the hair shaft at extreme angles, can also have the same effect.

If hair is pinned too tightly, or the whole updo slips causing pulling on the hair in the follicle at the hair root are other scenarios that can cause aggravation to the hair follicle and result in headaches. Although many African- Americans use braiding extensions as a form of convenience, it is important not to keep the braids up longer than needed to avoid hair breakage or hair loss.

Drying

Drying

Hair dryers speed the drying process of hair by blowing air, which is usually heated, over the wet hair shaft to accelerate the rate of water evaporation.

Excessive heat may increase the rate of shaft-splitting or other damage to the hair. Hair dryer diffusers can be used to widen the stream of air flow so it is weaker but covers a larger area of the hair.

Hair dryers can also be used as a tool to sculpt the hair to a very slight degree. Proper technique involves aiming the dryer such that the air does not blow onto the face or scalp, which can cause burns.

Hairstyle process

Hairstyle process

Most cosmetology programs in the United States require students to purchase practice heads that are made with real human hair. Students can cut, color and add permanents as they are trained in the procedures.

Hair dressing may include cuts, weaves, coloring, extensions, perms, permanent relaxers, curling, and any other form of styling or texturing.

Length and trimming

Hair cutting or hair trimming is intended to create or maintain a specific shape and form. Its extent may range from merely trimming the uneven ends of the hair to a uniform length to completely shaving the head.

The overall shape of the hairstyle is usually maintained by trimming it at regular intervals. There are ways to trim one's own hair but usually another person is enlisted to perform the process, as it is difficult to maintain symmetry while cutting hair at the back of one's head. Although trimming enhances the hair's appearance by removing damaged or split ends, it does not promote faster growth or remove all damage along the length of the hair.

Stylists often wash a subject's hair first, so that the hair is cut while still slightly damp. Compared to dry hair, wet hair can be easier to manage in a cut/style situation because the added weight and surface tension of the water cause the strands to stretch downward and cling together along the hair's length, holding a line and making it easier for the stylist to create a form.

Brushing and combing

Brushes and combs are used to organize and untangle the hair, encouraging all of the strands to lie in the same direction and removing debris such as lint, dandruff, or hairs that have already shed from their follicles but continue to cling to the other hairs.

There are all manner of detangling tools available in a wide variety of price ranges. Combs come in all shapes and sizes and all manner of materials including plastics, wood, and horn. Similarly, brushes also come in all sizes and shapes, including various paddle shapes. Most benefit from using some form of a wide tooth comb for detangling. Most physicians advise against sharing hair care instruments like combs and clips, to prevent spreading hair conditions like dandruff and head lice.

The historical dictum to brush hair with one hundred strokes every day is somewhat archaic, dating from a time when hair was washed less frequently; the brushstrokes would spread the scalp's natural oils down through the hair, creating a protective effect. Now, however, this does not apply when the natural oils have been washed off by frequent shampoos. Also, hairbrushes are now usually made with rigid plastic bristles instead of the natural boar's bristles that were once standard; the plastic bristles increase the likelihood of actually injuring the scalp and hair with excessively vigorous brushing.