Guide to an Online Cosmetology Education. This article will help you find out the benefits and drawbacks of training and earning your cosmetology degree through online programs.
Eileen Kalim, Professional Nail Technician A series of events and a need to take control over her own career led Eileen to a new profession as a nail technician. Learn more in this interview.
Altering one's appearance through the use of cosmetics, perfumes, and other means has been occurring for centuries. Lavish hairstyles, coloring, and adornments have long been used to indicate one's nobility or aristocratic status - often, the more complicated one's style, the higher one's status. It was not until the 20th century that hairstyles began to be shorter and simpler and less reflective of large trends rather than personal style.
Make-up has been used since ancient times. Ancient Egyptian aristocrats used minerals to define features and add color to their faces. Ancient Romans used oil-based perfumes in baths and fountains. Through the 19th century, it was common for people to use poisonous substances to whiten one's face, add sparkles and color to eyes, and redden lips. It was also common for people to experience severe illness and even death from the poisonous make-up.
The early part of the 20th century brought tremendous growth to the cosmetics industry. Movies heavily influenced hairstyles, make-up trends and development, and even tanning. Women felt new surges of independence during World War I as they joined the workforce and had their own disposable income, many for the first time. This sense of liberation influenced more and more women to purchase cosmetics and other personal items and services to improve their appearance.
Today, cosmetology represents a $20 billion industry and was responsible for 754,000 jobs in 2002. Hairdressers, barbers, and cosmetologists comprised the bulk of this group with 651,000 positions, while manicurists/pedicurists held 51,000 positions, and skin care specialists and shampooers comprised the rest. The industry is expected to grow at an average pace. The middle 50% of those in the cosmetology industry earned between $14,360 and $27,290 annually.
Every state requires cosmetologists to be licensed, though requirements for licensure vary. Most states demand completion of an accredited program with a set number of hours spent in the classroom and gaining hands-on experience. The listings here at CosmetologySchools.com provide details about dozens of excellent schools to pursue such an education.
