Discover Your Meaningful Career as a Cosmetologist

If you love beauty treatments, then cosmetology might be your perfect career. A cosmetologist specializes in many areas of beauty, including cosmetics, hair styling, manicures and pedicures, skincare, hair removal techniques such as waxing and sugaring, and permanent hair removal through electrolysis and IPL surges (intense pulsed light).

In Arizona, a Cosmetologist license requires the applicant be at least 18 years of age, or to be at least 16 years of age and have completed at least two years of high school, and finished 1600 hours of recognized schooling at a location authorized by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology.

Cosmetologists include barbers, hairstylists, and estheticians (with a slight variance for aestheticians). A high school diploma or GED is required in most states to begin training. Licensing always requires completion of an accredited school of cosmetology, although in a few states, you must get training for barbering.

Specifics for Arizona Barbering

In Arizona specifically, licensed cosmetologists from any of the United States may apply for a license through the Board of Barbers if they have been employed for a minimum of 350 hours, have completed the 10^th grade or have a GED, and are 16 years of age or older. A copy of a current barber license in a state with which Arizona has a reciprocity agreement and a notarized application and $175.00 fee per A.R.S. § 32-328 (money order or certified check only) is all that is necessary to schedule an exam.

Otherwise, applicants for a barber license in Arizona must have received a diploma from one of the state’s 20 certified schools and finished 1500 hours of training.

Cosmetologists may cut and style hair, curl, color, and straighten hair, and shampoo and blow dry hair. They should also help their clients’ with style and color advice.

Cosmetologists may also evaluate a client’s skin and give advice on beauty treatments to be used as well as the application of cosmetics to improve a guest’s appearance.

Cosmetology Skills

To be successful as a cosmetologist, you have got to be a people person. Your clients count on you to take all of their beauty aspects as a whole and treat them expertly to enhance their features and skin. Your income (tips included) will vary greatly depending on your ability to put your clients at ease and take great care of them.

Other areas of cosmetology that you may enjoy are nail and skin care with hand and foot massage, applying makeup, or even aroma therapies.

Hair Color Specialist

A colorist specializes in using a colorant product to modify natural hair color. Specialists work with basic color applications for changing color, covering old colors, covering graying hair, and darkening and lightening hair.

Skillful colorists may find themselves correcting a poorly done “home” color application (or another stylist’s work) and gaining a happy, long-term client with their rejuvenation techniques.

Arizona Specific IPL – Laser Requirements

In Arizona, if a  cosmetologist wants to practice IPL and laser procedures, they must be licensed as a Certified Laser Technician. The license requires an additional 40 hours of didactic training, 24 hours of hands-on training, and an additional 24 hours of hands covering at least ten cosmetic procedures.