What To Expect in an Esthetician Career

Everything You Need To Know Before Starting an Esthetician Career

Starting an esthetician career is about maintaining beautiful skin for your clients. Professional estheticians use a variety of techniques and products to improve and maintain healthy skin, all of which require special training and skills. If you’re looking to become a beauty esthetician, consider the career outlook, standard requirements, and typical compensation.

Job Outlook for Skin Care Specialists

Before starting any career, you’ll want to evaluate the long-term feasibility of the trade.

When you first start out as an esthetician, you could end up working long hours to gain experience. However, once you become established, it can transform into a career with a lot of flexibility. Approximately 1/3 of cosmetologists work part-time hours, meaning you’ll likely be working evenings and weekends, as this is when the majority of your clients will be available for treatment.

It’s also important to note that there’s a wide range of options available to estheticians. You may find yourself working in:

Salons and Spas
Holiday Resorts
Medical Environments

There are also opportunities to work with makeup companies or in a product sales role.

Ultimately, the career outlook for skin care specialists is promising, as the salon industry is predicted to significantly grow by 17% over the next decade.

When the economy tanks, some businesses suffer while others remain unaffected. There are several recession-proof careers, and beauty is one of them.

See Why

Esthetician Job Requirements

To put it lightly, becoming an esthetician is no easy task. You need to invest a substantial amount of time into professional training and education.

The requirements can be broken down into three stages:

1. Formal Training

If you want to pursue a career in professional skin care, you must receive formal training from a state-approved esthetics program before you can begin practicing.

Typical esthetic training programs last for several weeks, where you receive hands-on training to become fully certified to perform different skin care treatments.

Generally speaking, your training involves the study of:

Facials
Microdermabrasion
Exfoliation
Chemical Peels
Skincare
Bella Lashes
Full Body Waxing
Makeup Application

While it can seem tedious, a formal training program is essential for your long-term success, as it prepares you to be on your own in the field. At the end of a program, you’ll learn:

Proper skin care techniques
How to run a spa
How to build your book of business

Essentially, formal training is the first step to being in the profession and critical for all aspiring estheticians.

2. Obtain a License

Once you complete formal training, you’ll be able to obtain a license to practice esthetics. Your state’s local cosmetology board will grant your license, which is required to serve in the profession. To obtain a license, you must graduate from an approved school and pass both written and practical exams.

3. Continue Your Education

In most states, continued education is required to renew your license. Estheticians can continue their education through advanced courses, workshops and conferences. All of these resources help fulfill the requirements needed for education advancement. The skin care field is constantly evolving, and furthering your education helps you to apply new techniques in the salon.

Skills and Attributes of Successful Skin Care Specialists

To become a successful esthetician, it helps to possess the following skills:

Creativity

Providing high-quality skin care isn’t a cookie-cutter process. Every client is unique, and you need to have a knack for creatively applying makeup. It helps to have a steady hand and deft fingers for techniques such as eyelash extensions and permanent makeup.

Interpersonal Skills

An esthetician works one-on-one with people all day long, and you will need to be able to cultivate close relationships with your clients. Additionally, you should have a high level of tactfulness and sensitivity if you plan to train as a medical esthetician.

Stamina

While you might be able to conduct some skincare treatments seated, this job usually involves standing for long periods during the workday, which is why good health and stamina is important.

Presentation

Personal grooming is vital for an esthetician. A good rule-of-thumb is to take pride in your appearance and always dress your best. In the salon environment, having a good presentation gives your clients confidence in the hygiene and safety of your work.

Sales Skills

Just like any successful business, self-employed estheticians should be focused on improving their bottom line. Product sales can be an effective revenue source for small salons, and you need to be able to recommend suitable products for your clients, guiding them on what’s best for their skin type and lifestyle.

Typical Pay for Estheticians

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 50,000+ individuals working in the esthetician career field.

The wages for skin care specialists vary with an annual mean of $41,700 or $20.05 an hour. The highest-paid estheticians work in Washington state, earning $62,960 per year or $31.48 an hour.

Although there are many job openings, the competition can be tough. Estheticians who own their salon or supervise others often have the highest earning potential.

Start Your Esthetician Career at Brillare Beauty Institute

The first step to becoming an aesthetician is finding a place where you can receive a high-quality education, and nothing compares to the curriculum offered at Brillare Beauty Institute.

We assist students with financial aid and scholarships so that they can fulfill their dreams of professional skin care. If you want to get more information on our program or start your esthetician career, you’re in the right spot.