Options for breaking into the beauty industry

The beauty industry is worth billions and shows no signs of slowing down. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, between 2020 and 2030, the career of Skincare specialists (estheticians) is expected to rise by 29%. Barbers, cosmetologists, and hairstylists can expect to see a growth of 19%. Manicurists and Pedicurists (nail technicians) can expect to experience growth of 33%. Finally, massage therapists can expect an increase of 32% in jobs.

The beauty world is easily glamorized by influences and self-proclaimed ‘beauty gurus’ on YouTube. They promise their audiences that by following their makeup tutorials and skincare routines or buying their products, they will make you look fabulous! But breaking into the beauty industry isn’t always easy for the average person.

The cost of tuition alone can be draining, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 in the United States. Coupled with stagnant or low wages, poor work-life balance, and stress, the idea of becoming a professional in the beauty industry can be daunting. However, there are plenty of great reasons to become part of the beauty industry, from networking opportunities, creating a product line, traveling, and helping people feel beautiful in their skin. There are plenty of pros and cons depending on your unique situation.

In this post, we will explore the options available to you if you want to enter the beauty world and help you decide if the field is right for you!

Beauty School/Beauty College

Beauty schools (or colleges) can be a pricey investment. So why do hundreds of people attend despite the heavy price tag?

• Time — Attending a school means a set curriculum for students to follow, and programs are completed in as little as six months or two years, depending on the program.
• State Licensure prep — The main focus of a beauty school is to get their students licensed! Beauty schools will focus heavily on teaching material on state written and practical exams. Attending a school is a way to prepare for licensure for students who struggle with self-study.
• Security — Joining an institution is preferable for students because they do not have to worry about paperwork, know their education is guaranteed as long as the school is open, and can pay their tuition.
• Networking — Being part of a school means that you will be interacting with dozens of students, instructors, and clients. Networking opportunities give students a head start in building up their clientele, partnering up with other students to open their businesses when they graduate, getting references for jobs from their instructors, and sometimes netting them a job at their school as an instructor.
• Financial aid — Beauty schools are now working towards being labeled as colleges to qualify for offering financial assistance. Students that qualify can pay for their schooling with help, provided they are in good academic standing. A word of warning, if you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, you will not be eligible for most scholarships and will instead have to take out loans.
• Student support and services — Depending on the school, students sometimes need help to prepare for the ‘real world.’ Services include resume reviews, career advice from instructors, or general support to deal with school stress. Unfortunately, in most schools, there are limited services for students.
• Disability Services — Students with learning disabilities or who are disabled may benefit from a beauty school as they will be able to receive reasonable accommodations. However, be warned that most beauty schools will push back on providing accommodations. I recommend disabled students check out their state laws, get help from the ADA and fight back!

So, if you are the type of student who learns better with lectures and books, beauty school might be an option. While the above points are all valid reasons to attend, please remember that not all schools are created equal. Research, the school you want to enroll in thoroughly because, depending on your location, you might be limited in your options.

Apprenticeships

If you do not enjoy being in a school setting but prefer an educational experience that better represents what you will face in the real world, then an apprenticeship might be for you! Although a little riskier because you need to work with a business and keep track of all the paperwork, this can be an excellent option for students who want to take things a little slower. So what are some of the benefits of taking an apprenticeship?

• Getting paid — Apprenticeships usually offer the apprentice some form of compensation that will increase the closer they are to completing their studies. While not a lot, this can be helpful for students wanting to save money. There will still be costs as students must purchase materials for state licensure and any additional items they need, but this path can be a lot cheaper.
• An immersive experience — Apprentices will enjoy a thoroughly immersive experience as they witness the good, bad, and ugly sides of running a business. They will be able to shadow and learn from their mentor, learn how to work the front desk, get experience in sales, and learn how to keep up with maintaining a busy spa, salon, barber shop, or nail salon. Additionally, the focus of an apprenticeship is to prepare you as a professional, emphasizing working with clients.
• Greater chance of employment — Although still not guaranteed, an apprentice has a better chance of gaining employment once they get licensed because they already have relevant experience, training, and clients that businesses seek.
• Customized curriculum — One of the perks of being an apprentice is to work with your mentor to develop a curriculum that works for you. You control your work pace, the order of the topics you study, and how much time you devote to studying. The curriculum you engage with may depend on the type of apprenticeship, state licensure requirements, training length, and business type.

If you plan on taking the apprenticeship route to earning your license, please check your state’s department of licensing website for information on obtaining a professional license through an apprenticeship. They will have all the paperwork that is required. Be wary of scams! Apprenticeships remain largely unregulated in the United States, so practice caution. Check a business’s standing, look up the license of the professional you want to work with to ensure they are in good standing with the state, and finally, know your worth! You still have rights as an apprentice!

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Besides securing an apprenticeship or enrolling in beauty school, you may want to consider jobs that do not require a license. Some examples include:

• Sales or product representative
• Beauty blogger or beauty journalist
• Makeup artistry (depends on your state and country, some places require a license or certificate)
• Graphic design to create logos and product designs
• Makeup or skincare product reviewer
• Freelance photographer
• Independent researcher
• Business consultant
• Ethics researcher

Some of the above jobs or careers recommended may require additional education or skill sets. Take an inventory of your skills, and think about your work style, learning style, and goals.

For those of you with prior education or lots of experience in the workforce, consider the transferable skills you can bring into the industry or where you will fit in. There are many opportunities and if you think there isn’t a place for you in the beauty world, CREATE ONE!

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