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Cosmetologist

Interviews

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Larry Stephenson makes the world a little more beautiful every day that he works. He is a licensed medical esthetician (LME) and cosmetologist in Sherman Oaks, California.

"My job is truly amazingly rewarding. Life is just easier for a more attractive person," says Stephenson. He performs non-clinical skin care procedures on clients. He is also responsible for office duties such as answering phones and stocking inventory.

Sales are an important part of his job. He has to be familiar with all the services, treatments and products sold in the office.

Stephenson is not a newcomer to the beauty and visual industry. He has 38 years of experience ranging from print modeling, make-up artistry, fashion design and interior design. He likes working as a medical esthetician and cosmetologist. He can make visible changes in a person's skin, "making someone more attractive and helping them feel better about themselves."

Stephenson says the outlook is excellent for future cosmetologists. There are new developments for treating aging skin. He has also noticed more and more men getting treatments.

Men are a minority in the beauty industry, and fewer men use beauty services and products than women. But it's beginning to catch on with men. Patrick Levesque and Jamie Beuthin are co-owners of Masc Skincare, a skin care store that targets men.

"Since our store is a male-oriented store... there has been minimal resistance," says Beuthin.

The biggest problem Beuthin and Levesque face is getting men to overcome their fear of skin care. They explain the misconception that skin care is complicated and only for women.

"Once they experience the benefits of using a quality skin care product and realize that skin care does not have to be complicated, they are always hooked," says Beuthin. The entrepreneurial duo decided that men's skin care and grooming needs were not being met. So, they set out to fill the niche.

"Men's skin care is a huge business with so much potential. As the men's skin care industry grows, so too will the competition. With so many options out there for customers when it comes to skin care, developing a loyal customer base is key," says Beuthin.

Loyal customers are the bread-and-butter of all cosmetologists. Building a solid client base usually gives a cosmetologist a busy schedule. Many cosmetologists are paid by commission (a percentage of the money from the goods and services they sell). That means if they are at work for eight hours and don't see any clients, they wouldn't make any money that day.

Angela Kreinest says cosmetologists' earnings vary with the types of clients, places of employment, client base, services performed and how good the cosmetologists are at their jobs. She is a cosmetologist in Crestview Hills, Kentucky and specializes in hairdressing. She is also licensed to do facials, manicures, pedicures and facial waxing.

"There will always be a place for future cosmetologists to work, but I feel everyone is starting to go to the more corporate salons due to the economy. Many smaller shops are closing all around," says Kreinest.

Kreinest used to work for a small shop. Now she works at a corporate salon. She has never been happier. Her current salon gives her benefits, classes and incentives to sell retail products. She loves making a difference in her clients' lives, most of all.

"When they have tears in their eyes and thank me for making them feel beautiful, that's what this business is all about," she says.

Unfortunately, clients are not always grateful. Dealing with difficult clients is a challenge for cosmetologists. Kreinest says some people are hard to please, but you need to keep smiling.

"Do not let the client make you second guess your abilities," says Kreinest.

Kristin Ploof also has trouble with the occasional client. She is a cosmetologist in Rochester, New York. She specializes in hairdressing but is trained in a variety of beauty services.

Sometimes a client will come to her salon with a picture from a magazine. The client expects to leave the salon looking just like the model. Ploof does not always think that the style will suit the client. It might be a poor match for the shape of their face or their skin tone. She has to find a nice way to share her doubts with the client.

Kreinest recommends testing your employer before accepting a job. Make an appointment for an inexpensive service at that salon. See how you feel as a client there. She says you will know as soon as you walk through the door what kind of shop you are at.

"This profession is not for everyone," Kreinest says. "There is a lot of chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology involved." She recommends doing a lot of research before jumping into cosmetology.

Those sentiments are echoed by Ploof. "If you are trying to pursue a career as a cosmetologist, just make sure it is something you are really passionate about. So many people go through schooling, and then realize the job is not fit for them," she says. She is working towards a business degree. She hopes to open her own salon. Eventually she'd like to start her own school of cosmetology.

"I love being able to have someone else's confidence in my hand. I love being able to have the ability to make another person feel so good about themselves," says Ploof.