Care your Skin, Face & Body. Dont let it be damaged!

In the beauty industry, a cosmetologist is more than just a hairstylist – they are people on the cutting edge of trends and styles in hair and beauty techniques, and they can transform their clients from simple to spectacular in a single sitting.According to the Princeton Review, cosmetologists “are often the initiators of style and change.” As one, you must learn to cut, color and style all types of hair, as well as do straightening, permanent waves, curling, weaves, extensions and other hair services.

Cosmetologists, also sometimes called “beauticians,” aren’t limited just to hairstyling. Their job description might also involve doing manicures, pedicures and nail services, and even the basics of applying makeup for customers. They should also be knowledgeable in the field of esthetics, the division of cosmetology which focuses on skin care and includes services like facials, extractions and wraps, though some states require an esthetician license to perform these services professionally. Also important to a their job description is maintaining a safe, clean and sanitary salon environment at all times, and being able to follow the state’s procedures for blood-borne pathogen management if the stylist or the client were to get nicked with the shears.

Also, they must feel comfortable consulting with hair and nail clients, asking questions and offering suggestions to deliver the best beauty services possible. A successful cosmetologist is outgoing and personable, can work well with their hands, does not mind standing for lengthy periods of time, and is willing to put in the work to market themselves to keep clients coming back and referring their friends.

The skills, abilities and aptitudes of a cosmetologist include but are not limited to: good communication and consultation skills; a creative bent and eye for good-looking design; ability to stand for lengthy periods of time; appointment scheduling and management; understanding of the effects of various beauty products; recommending product regimens to clients; cutting, trimming, coloring, perming, setting, straightening, curling, shampooing, treating, shaping, styling hair; using tools like clippers, scissors and razors; chemistry of color and color theory; physiology of the skin, hair and nails.

What is a cosmetologist’s day like?

Know the Itinerary – Every cosmetologist should begin their day by reviewing their appointment schedule and ensuring they know which clients are coming into the salon, and what services they’ll need. Many stylists plan to use any free time in the appointment schedule to call and remind future appointments that they’re scheduled in the near future, which greatly reduces no-shows. Knowing the itinerary for the day can be very helpful to mentally prepare.

Prep the Station – Many stylists then set up their station and get organized. They ensure their station is clean, organized and tidy. With so many parts of the tool kit, it’s important to stay organized so the professional can find what they need quickly when a client is in the chair. They check all their tools and products to ensure everything is clean and are up to the state’s sanitation codes.

Consult with the Client – Because a cosmetologist is licensed to perform hair, nail and makeup services, some may have a day filled with many types of clients and services. Others may specialize in a specific area, like hairstyling, and will have that type of client all day. The appointment generally begins with the client consultation, where you will ask a number questions to learn what the client wants you to accomplish. When you reach a full understanding of what the client wants, the services can then begin.

Perform the Beauty Services – For hairstyling, the services could include shampooing and conditioning, trimming, cutting, coloring and styling. For nail technician services, this could include paraffin hand treatments, acrylic or nail polish removal, cuticle treatments, nail polishing and sometimes even custom nail art. For makeup services, this may include color palette selection and the application of foundation and blush, eye makeup and lip treatments. Each appointment is completely custom to the client. This time should also be used to get to know your client on a more personal level – their tastes, interests, preferences, about their family, job, and so on. Building a personal relationship with your clients leads to customer retention and referrals.

Schedule the Next Appointment & Ask for Referrals – When the appointment is complete, don’t forget to tell the client when they would like to see the customer next, and try to get them to book their next appointment before they pay and leave. For example, “To maintain the look of this haircut, I need to see you back in 6 weeks. I can get you scheduled right now if you like.” Cosmetologists should also remind their happy, loyal customers that they love referral business so you can continue to grow your clientele!

How do you become a cosmetologist?

The first step in becoming a cosmetologist is finding a cosmetology or beauty school that fits your needs. At cosmetology schools, students learn the skills and techniques needed to pass their state licensing exam for hair, nails, makeup, safety and sanitation. Every state has slightly different training hour requirements to be able to sit for the cosmetology board exams. But as a rule, courses for certification can include hair cutting, styling, coloring, shampooing, and permanent waving, as well as manicures and pedicures, facials, makeup application, nail technology, and more.

Cosmetology is the broadest and most all-encompassing of the beauty disciplines since it covers hair, nails, makeup and skin care all in one program. Some cosmetology schools may also offer courses in salon and spa management, business best practices, professionalism and ethics courses, and most also include elements of chemistry, anatomy, biology and physiology in their curriculum. Click here formore information about what you learn in cosmetology school. Beauty schools nationwide are enrolling now! Find schools near you to get started.

The Opportunity

Beauty and personal care continues to see healthy growth in 2013

Beauty and personal care value sales recorded healthy growth despite high inflation and increased retail prices. The rising social image consciousness amongst Indian consumers supported growth of higher-priced new launches especially in a few categories like skin care and colour cosmetics. As manufacturers started marketing their products based on promising claims, consumers started to base their buying decision on these benefits.

Consumers’ love for skin whitening continues to grow

Skin whitening remained the most popular claim in most beauty and personal care products, especially skin care and colour cosmetics. Interestingly, skin whitening also emerged as a popular claim in men’s grooming products. However, manufacturers focused on adding new claims like skin brightening and spot reduction to the list of claims to attract consumers.

Multinational companies continue to lead

Multinationals including Hindustan Unilever and Colgate-Palmolive India Ltd maintained the lead in 2013. The leading manufacturers continued to leverage the wide product portfolio and nationwide presence. In addition, international companies introduced many products from their global portfolio to cater to the consumers who started to look for better quality products.

Modern retailers increase their contribution, whilst internet retailing gains popularity

Modern retailers’ contribution to beauty and personal care value sales increased further due to the expansion of modern retail chains and increasing footfall in the review period. In addition, modern retailers started to give more shelf space to beauty and personal care products especially skin care, hair care, and deodorants and bath and shower. Beauty and personal care sales via internet retailing also became significant with increase in the number of e-tailers and convenience attached to shopping online.

Beauty and personal care is likely to continue to grow over the forecast period

Beauty and personal care is expected to continue to grow over the forecast period as consumers, including men, spend more on personal grooming. In addition, manufacturers will continue to launch new products at different price points which will help them to gain volume sales and higher margins. The majority of growth, however, will come from new consumers, who will increasingly try different products over the forecast period.

China To Remain A Challenge For Global Beauty Players

L’Oréal is the leading cosmetics and beauty care player globally with a market capitalization of about $98 billion. The company competes with other notable pure-play cosmetics manufacturers like Estee Lauder, Shiseido , Avon Products and Revlon in the multi-billion dollar cosmetics market. Additionally, it faces strong competition from cosmetics brands of global consumer product companies such as Unilever, Procter & Gamble and Beiersdorf .

L’Oréal reported revenues of approximately $30.5 billion in the recently concluded fiscal 2013. The company has a strong market share position across skin care, hair care, makeup and fragrance product categories in key demographic regions worldwide. However, it has been particularly aggressive in expanding its market share in emerging market regions of Asia-Pacific and Africa. In this note, we take a broader look at China, the largest cosmetics market among emerging economies, and analyze various trends shaping its future.

View our detailed analysis for L’Oreal here

Chinese Acquisitions Strategy Not A Sustainable One For The Long Term

The Chinese beauty and cosmetics market is the third largest market globally, after North America and Japan, and had market sales of approximately $23 billion in 2013. Within this huge market, L’Oréal reported sales of over $2 billion in 2013. This translates into a 9% market share for L’Oréal in the overall Chinese beauty market. However, the company has faced intense pressure from domestic players within the mass-market cosmetics space and has bowed out of the Chinese hair care market by shutting down its Garnier brand.

L’Oréal still commands market leadership positions in beauty and make-up cosmetics, with L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline New York being the number one brands in their respective segments. However, domestic players, like Shangai Jahwa United, have displayed a better understanding of the Chinese consumer tastes. The company’s brand ‘Herborist’ uses traditional Chinese medicinal and herbal practices in developing its beauty products and has shown strong resonance with Chinese consumers. Adapting such practices has given domestic Chinese beauty players a decent lead over large, international players.

To counter this strengthening competition from domestic players and retain their market share, global beauty companies have been on an ‘acquire-to-grow’ strategy in the Chinese market. L’Oréal announced its acquisition of Magic Holdings International Limited for $850 million last year, which is the company’s largest acquisition in the Chinese market. Magic Holdings is the leader in the Chinese facial care market, with annual revenues that grew 14% on a constant currency basis to reach $220 million in 2013. The acquisition of Magic Holdings indicates the company’s stance against domestic competition. (For more on L’Oréal’s previous acquisitions, see L’Oréal Vies For Top Spot In Growth Markets With Rapid Acquisitions)

Going forward, we expect market conditions for International players in China to remain challenging. Chinese consumers in tier 1 cities are exhibiting a greater preference to local beauty manufacturers who have an understanding of traditional practices. This trend should become evident in tier 2/tier 3 cities as consumer discretionary income levels expand and consumer demand for cosmetics increases. Moreover, the Chinese consumer has become more sophisticated over the years and is unwilling to spend a premium on international brands when a domestic brands can provide similar benefits at a lower price point.

We expect International beauty players to complete more acquisitions in China to maintain their market shares in the near term. Over the longer term, these acquisitions should allow global beauty brands to better position themselves in this market.