Barbers and cosmetologists focus on providing hair care services to enhance the appearance of consumers. Other personal appearance workers, such as manicurists and pedicurists, shampooers, theatrical and performance makeup artists, and skin care specialists provide specialized beauty services that help clients look and feel their best.
Barbers cut, trim, shampoo, and style hair mostly for male clients. They also may fit hairpieces and offer scalp treatments and facial shaving. In many States, barbers are licensed to color, bleach, or highlight hair and to offer permanent-wave services. Barbers also may provide skin care and nail treatments.
Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists offer a wide range of beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling of hair. They may advise clients on how to care for their hair at home. In addition, cosmetologists may be trained to give manicures, pedicures, and scalp and facial treatments; provide makeup analysis; and clean and style wigs and hairpieces.
A number of workers offer specialized services. Manicurists and pedicurists, called nail technicians in some States, work exclusively on nails and provide manicures, pedicures, polishing, and nail extensions to clients. Another group of specialists is skin care specialists, or estheticians, who cleanse and beautify the skin by giving facials, full-body treatments, and head and neck massages as well as apply makeup. They also may remove hair through waxing or, if properly trained, laser treatments. Theatrical and performance makeup artists, apply makeup to enhance performing artists' appearance for movie, television, or stage performances. Finally, in larger salons, shampooers specialize in shampooing and conditioning hair.
In addition to working with clients, personal appearance workers may keep records of hair color or skin care regimens used by their regular clients. A growing number actively sell hair, skin, and nail care products. Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers who operate their own salons have managerial duties that may include hiring, supervising, and firing workers, as well as keeping business and inventory records, ordering supplies, and arranging for advertising.
Work environment. Most full-time barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers put in a 40-hour week, but longer hours are common, especially among self-employed workers. Work schedules may include evenings and weekends, the times when beauty salons and barbershops are busiest. In 2006, about 31 percent of cosmetologists and 19 percent of barbers worked part time, and 16 percent of cosmetologists and 11 percent of barbers had variable schedules.
Barbers, cosmetologists, and other personal appearance workers usually work in clean, pleasant surroundings with good lighting and ventilation. Good health and stamina are important, because these workers are on their feet for most of their shift. Prolonged exposure to some hair and nail chemicals may cause irritation, so protective clothing, such as plastic gloves or aprons, may be worn.
| 1. | Keep work stations clean and sanitize tools such as scissors and combs. |
| 2. | Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and razors. |
| 3. | Analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles. |
| 4. | Schedule client appointments. |
| 5. | Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush. |
| 6. | Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided. |
| 7. | Shampoo, rinse, condition and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions. |
| 8. | Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons. |
| 9. | Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics. |
| 10. | Develop new styles and techniques. |
| 11. | Apply water, setting, straightening or waving solutions to hair and use curlers, rollers, hot combs and curling irons to press and curl hair. |
| 12. | Comb, brush, and spray hair or wigs to set style. |
| 13. | Shape eyebrows and remove facial hair, using depilatory cream, tweezers, electrolysis or wax. |
| 14. | Administer therapeutic medication and advise patron to seek medical treatment for chronic or contagious scalp conditions. |
| 15. | Massage and treat scalp for hygienic and remedial purposes, using hands, fingers, or vibrating equipment. |
| 16. | Shave, trim and shape beards and moustaches. |
| 17. | Train or supervise other hairstylists, hairdressers and assistants. |
| 18. | Recommend and explain the use of cosmetics, lotions, and creams to soften and lubricate skin and enhance and restore natural appearance. |
| 19. | Give facials to patrons, using special compounds such as lotions and creams. |
| 20. | Clean, shape, and polish fingernails and toenails, using files and nail polish. |
| 21. | Apply artificial fingernails. |
| 22. | Attach wigs or hairpieces to model heads and dress wigs and hairpieces according to instructions, samples, sketches or photographs. |
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