Career Opportunities For The Esthetician
ESTHETICIAN -- Estheticians specialize in the care of
the skin by performing various facials and skin treatments. They may also
apply cosmetics. They provide preventative care for the skin and offer
treatments to keep skin healthy and attractive. Many estheticians, upon
graduation and becoming licensed, will decide to work in a salon or day
spa. Full time and part time opportunities are often available and some
estheticians may choose to specialize in areas such as spa treatments,
age management, acneic skins, or even waxing. Others may decide to provide
all services to their clients. This is often the most common type of employment
new estheticians seek out upon graduation.
MAKEUP ARTIST -- Another area that the esthetician
may choose to specialize in is the artful application of cosmetics.
Makeup artists are trained to embellish and beautify facial features
the skillful application of cosmetics. Many will choose to specialize
even further by focusing on bridal makeup, theatrical makeup or applying
makeup for television and print ads or even fashion shows. Some makeup
artists will decide to work for themselves on a freelance basis –
others may choose to work at a salon or spa focusing only on makeup.
Still others may decide to work for a makeup line found at a department
store.
ESTHETICIAN AND MAKEUP ARTIST FOR RESORTS AND CRUISE SHIPS
– Resorts and cruise ships offer full service salons that offer
full or part time employment. Services offered often include, facials,
eyebrow shaping, waxing, and makeup application for special occasions
such as “formal nights”. In addition to offering personal
services, these estheticians also often offer special demonstration
segments in skin care and makeup techniques to interested groups.
SALON OR SPA OWNER -- This is often considered the
“goal” of many students entering the field of esthetics.
Most successful salon and spa owners have worked in the field for a
respectable amount of time, and then decide when timing and location
are optimal, to get into the business of “working for themselves”.
Some owners continue to work in the treatment room providing services
for their established clientele while other owners decide to get away
from the “hand-on” and focus more on marketing, training
and development of their staff, and customer service.
ESTHETICS INSTRUCTOR – Many private schools
have a teacher training program for promising graduates. Some states
require an instructor to train in teaching in all subjects , while others
require instructors to specialize in one area. As an instructor, one
must keep up with developments in the educational field and well as
keep abreast of new beauty treatments and products entering the market.
Most instructors will attend workshops and conferences to keep up to
date on their knowledge.
MANUFACTURER’S REP / SALES REP – Manufacturers
of skin care products and equipment employ estheticians to explain,
demonstrate, and ultimately sell the company’s products. As a
representative, the esthetician calls on salons, spas, doctor offices,
hotels, and specialty businesses to build clientele and increase product
sales. This type of position requires an outgoing personality, an impeccable
appearance and sales ability. You can often expect to travel a great
deal -- throughout your designated “territory” as well as
to the various trade shows and conventions.
COSMETIC BUYER OR ASSISTANT BUYER -- As a buyer of
cosmetics in a department store, specialty store or salon, you must
keep up with the latest products advertised in the industry as well
and present and future trends. Buyers travel frequently, visiting markets,
trade shows, manufacturer’s showrooms. As a buyer, you must estimate
the amount of stock your organization will need for a determined period
of time and you must keep records of purchases and sales. The assistant
buyer places orders, tracks inventory, and helps the buyer in any way
possible to ensure that adequate product, which will sell, is purchased
properly.
MANAGER OR SALESPERSON – In this field, your
duties might include keeping records of sales and inventory on hand,
demonstrating products, selling to clients, and cashiering. You mist
have thorough product knowledge of everything you sell, and be able
to answer questions and help clients select products that suit their
skin type and/or coloring. In some cases you might answer the phone
or schedule appointments. Good organizational skills, a neat appearance,
and a friendly personality are a must for this type of position. A sales
manager would need to have the same qualities as the salesperson but
would assume more responsibility. The manager would run the entire department
and train the sales staff.
BEAUTY EDITOR OR COLUMNIST FOR A NEWSPAPER, MAGAZINE OR JOURNAL
– If you have a talent and or training in writing or journalism,
you may wish to pursue a career in this area. As an editor or columnist,
you may write about manufacturers’ products to stimulate readers’
interest and boost product sales. You may be responsible for a weekly
or monthly column, a “question and answer” column, feature
articles, or educational books and brochures distributed to teachers.
You may also be asked to lecture and make media appearances.
STATE LICENSING INSPECTOR OR EXAMINER – Most
states have laws governing esthetics and personal services and give
examination periodically for esthetics licenses. As a licensed, experienced
esthetician, you may become a state inspector or examiner. As a state
examiner, you prepare and conduct examinations, announce and enforce
rules and regulations, investigate complaints, and conduct hearings.
To ensure that rules and regulations are enforced and ethical practices
are maintained, each state employs a team of inspectors to cover specified
territories throughout the year. These teams inspect salons and spas,
to see that owners, managers, and employees and conforming to all regulations
and codes.
Joel Gerson’s Standard Textbook for Estheticians
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