Do you have a dream to work in the beauty industry? You might be deciding the path on which to start your beauty career. Cosmetology or Esthetics? What is the difference between these two practices? What are the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing each certification? This guide is to help you make informed choices on what training you might pursue, cosmetology or esthetics, and which will fit your overall goals.
There are more things to consider, but this is the simplest way to describe each type of beauty service provider.
An esthetician specializes in skin care treatments, facial procedures, and beautifying their client’s skin. Cosmetologists can do all these skin care treatments and also hair styling, hair coloring, nail care, applying makeup, and many other beauty treatments.
Now there is more to talk about with these two positions, but that’s the quickest way to summarize the differences. Now let’s look at both in more detail.
What is an Esthetician?
An esthetician is a licensed skin care professional that can do certain skin care procedures, including
· Facials
· Exfoliation
· Skin conditioning and wrinkle reduction
· Tweezing, eyebrow threading, and hair removal
· Eyelash extension and eyelash perming
· Waxing on the legs and bikini line
· Anti-aging treatments
· Makeup application
Estheticians must get separate certifications to do certain services such as microblading, Brazilian waxing, or permanent makeup. (This also applies to cosmetologists).
You may sometimes see a term called “medical esthetician” in the context of medical spas. Because these medispas do invasive treatments such as Botox or collagen injections, microneedling, or intense chemical peels. These are actually nurse practitioners or physician assistants that work under a physician and have an esthetician certification. Invasive procedures are not under the allowed scope of work of a esthetician certification.
Estheticians must take a training program and pass a certification exam to be licensed.
What is a Cosmetologist?
A cosmetologist can do a wide range of beauty treatments and procedures, including:
· Hair styling, hair coloring, hair cutting
· Texture services
· Basic skin care and skin treatments
· Waxing above the neck
· Eyelash Extension and Eyelash Perming
· Nail art, manicures, and pedicures
· Makeup application
A cosmetologist is an expert in applying cosmetic procedures, therapies, and treatments to beautify one’s outer appearance, and implementing cosmetic treatments to people’s hair, skin, and nails.
Cosmetologists must get separate certifications to do certain services such as microblading, Brazilian waxing, electrolysis, or permanent makeup. Aside from these procedures that require special training and certification, there is little restriction to what a cosmetologist may do. They can do all the things a licensed manicurist, hairstylist, or esthetician may do.
Cosmetologists must complete a training program and pass a certification exam to be licensed in their respective state.
Similarities of Cosmetologists and Estheticians
Both cosmetologists and estheticians who are certified can do skin care, apply facial treatments, apply eyelashes, eyelash extensions, and eyelash strips. Both certifications in California are controlled by the state Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Cosmetologist vs Esthetician: What Are the Differences?
Cosmetologists can do a wide range of services including: hair styling, hair coloring, skin care, nail art, advanced makeup, and any procedure that does not require a separate license or certification. Estheticians can do skin care treatments including facial treatments, basic waxing, and most skin care procedures.
Estheticians cannot do nail care, manicures, pedicures, or nail art, while a cosmetologist can do all these things. Cosmetologists can also do everything related to hairstyling, hair coloring, and hair cutting, while an esthetician cannot.
In California, the required school training hours for a cosmetologist is 1000 hours, and 600 hours for an esthetician. Both must pass a licensing exam with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
For both cosmetologists and estheticians, certain procedures require a separate certification to perform, including permanent makeup, microblading, Brazilian waxing, and electrolysis.
Certification and What to Look for in a School
In California, cosmetologists must complete a program of at least 1000 hours to take the exam. Estheticians must finish a training program of at least 600 hours to get certified.
When looking for an accredited cosmetologist or esthetician program, you can look for a page of school pass/fail rate on your state’s Board of Cosmetology and Barbering website. Most states have this information publicly available, and you can see how many students passed the certification exam for each school for each period. This will give you a good idea of which schools are worth attending.
Career Paths for Both
The career opportunities for cosmetologists and estheticians have some overlap, but there are definitive career paths in each profession.
Cosmetologists generally work in salons or independent hair styling shops, with some also working as independent contractors, as well as some working in retail salons. There are also cosmetologists that work as makeup artists, skin care specialists, nail techs, sales representatives for salon products, salon managers, and cosmetology instructors.
Estheticians can work in numerous places, such as salons, day spas, medical spas, as self-employed skin care specialists, or on cruise ships or resorts.
Become a Licensed Cosmetologist in About 30 Weeks at Campus Sacramento
If you’ve dreamed about working in the beauty industry and being a professional hairstylist, Paul Mitchell the School at Campus Sacramento has a cosmetology training program to help you achieve your goals! Students receive training in hair styling, hair coloring, skin care, nail care, client relations, and more. For detailed information on start dates, financial aid, and curriculum, contact our Admissions Team or call 888-675-2460.