If you’re passionate about a career in beauty and hairstyling, you might be considering whether to become a cosmetologist or a barber. But you don’t have to choose between the two. A good number of people choose to enroll in a “crossover” program that allows them to get both licenses. There can be various reasons you choose to do this, but let’s look at what cosmetology and barbering are, and why you might choose to pursue both licenses.
What is Cosmetology and What Does a Cosmetologist Do?
Cosmetology is the art and science of beautifying the hair, skin, and nails. A licensed cosmetologist is allowed to do anything with hair styling, hair coloring, esthetics, skin care, nail care and nail art, manicuring, professional makeup, permanent waves, and any chemical processing for hair treatments. The only procedures a cosmetologist are not allowed to do by default are those which require a separate certification, such as electrolysis for hair removal and permanent makeup. Cosmetologists usually work in a salon, spa, or independent beauty shop. In short, a cosmetologist can do any beauty treatments that a licensed hairdresser, esthetician, and manicurist can do. They can do men’s haircuts, but usually they work with women clients.
What is Barbering, and What Does a Barber Do?
Barbering is the study and practice of improving men’s appearance through haircutting, facial hair grooming, and men’s skin care. A licensed barber can cut, perm, color, shampoo, and style hair. Barbers can also provide shaves and beard design and grooming, which is something a cosmetologist is not allowed to do. Barbers, like cosmetologists, use shears, clippers, and scissors to cut and trim hair. Unlike a cosmetologist, a barber can use a straight razor for shaving facial hair or sculpting hair. Barbers may also advise men on hair tonics or serums, or help them get fitted for a toupee. To sum it up, barbers are allowed to do anything with men’s hair on the head, scalp, neck, or face.
Reasons to Enroll in a Combined Cosmetology/Barbering Program
There are some practical reasons you might choose to enroll in a program that prepares you for passing the licensing exam for both cosmetology and barbering.
Learn How to Use a Straight Razor
Cosmetologists are licensed to do men’s haircuts, but one thing they are not licensed to do is work with a straight razor on facial hair. A significant part of any cosmetology-barbering program is learning proper shaving techniques. There is a lot to learn, and only barbers are licensed to use a straight razor on beards, mustaches, or facial hair. This can be a big distinction for you as a dual license holder.
Expanded Career Opportunities
By broadening your skillbase, you can potentially work in more places and take on a broader range of clientele. Cosmetologists make their living doing hairstyles, hair coloring, and specialized hair highlighting like balayage and ombre. If you’re working in a chain salon, you might be doing men’s haircuts too.
Barbers typically work in a barber shop or a salon, and usually do men’s haircuts, fades, and trimming beards and mustaches so clients look their best.
By earning both certifications, you have the opportunity to book appointments with every type of client, for both men and women’s hairstyles. This can give you the career flexibility you need to always stay working.
Become a Fully-Rounded Beauty and Grooming Specialist
By studying cosmetology and barbering, you can learn the full spectrum of skills for men’s and women’s haircuts, hairstyling, and skin care. This can help you feel comfortable serving any client, and no matter what they request, you’ll be prepared.
You’re Not Sure Which Path You Want to Take Yet
Not everyone knows the exact career path they want to travel, and learning both barbering and cosmetology will allow you to explore both, if you need more time to make a decision. There are no drawbacks to trying out both types of work and clients, and you can make a more informed decision by gaining real-world work experience.
Save Time and Tuition by Studying Both Disciplines
Normally, students would choose one program or the other and devote their time and resources to learning the art of barbering or the craft of cosmetology. Some schools, like Campus Sacramento, offer a combined program, where you learn the necessary skills to begin your career as both a cosmetologist and a barber. The combined program is less expensive than taking both programs separately. The length of the program is also a bit less than taking both programs back to back. Some of the curriculum is overlapping, and the combined program is designed to satisfy the hours requirement for both State Board exams.
Want to Become Dual Licensed as a Cosmetologist and Barber?
If you want to pursue cosmetology and barbering licenses at the same time, you can bundle the training and get both licenses for much less than it would be to take each program separately. Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has a comprehensive Cosmetology and Barbering program that will help you earn both licenses, and give you the flexibility to manage your career in any way you choose. If you would like more information on flexible class schedules, start dates, curriculum, and financial aid, contact our Admissions team or call 888-675-2460.