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Industry Profile -- by Susanne Albrecht
You wring your hands nervously underneath the hairstylist's smock as you try to avoid inhaling too much of the perm solution. You hope the mass of plastic rods surrounding your head will be transformed into that TV star's hairdo. Unfortunately, Ronald McDonald was not who you had in mind.
Estheticians, including hairstylists, do their best to ensure customers look and feel their best. This means estheticians must not only be able to duplicate Jennifer Aniston's haircut; they must also be able to give customers what they want - even if the customers themselves aren't quite sure what that is.
The esthetics industry is all about beauty. Whether customers are having their nails done, legs waxed, makeup applied or hair highlighted - it all falls under esthetics. Basically, anyone who takes care of the outer (and sometimes inner) beauty of customers can be called an esthetician.
To work in this field, you should be able to visualize a new look and have the artistic ability to achieve it. You should have a good sense of colour, an interest in skin and/or hair care as well as a neat personal appearance. Above all, you should have exceptional customer service skills and be very people-oriented. A large part of your success will depend on your ability to draw customers out, listening to what they have to say and making suggestions along the way. You must be prepared to work hard at developing positive relationships with customers that will result in their loyalty and recommendations to others.
Most estheticians have earned college diplomas or certificates from private vocational schools and have passed provincial exams. At school, students learn how to use specialized products and apply them using beauty techniques. Areas of study may include professional conduct, skin care, hair styling, manicures, pedicures, waxing and makeup application. (Be forewarned! Students typically practice on each other, so you may be subjected to overly-tweezed eyebrows and bad haircuts.) Depending on the program, students may also learn how to set up and operate a private business. Many programs last anywhere from six months to a couple of years.
If you decide to go to beauty school, you may be surprised by a strong emphasis on physiology and anatomy. Since estheticians work with the human body, they need to understand the reasons why certain treatments are helpful while others are harmful. You can expect to become knowledgeable in subject matters such as how skin grows and regenerates itself.
Canada Job Futures rates the chances of graduates finding jobs in the "personal arts industry" (which includes esthetics) as "fair." During the next five years, this outlook is not expected to change although in Calgary there has been a significant trend toward spa and esthetic services. Consumer trends mean more employment opportunities. Additionally, estheticians who are well-rounded in terms of the services they can provide will probably experience more success in getting hired.
Also according to Canada Job Futures -- about 1,500 students across Canada received trade/vocational certificates in the "personal arts" in 1997. Of these graduates, 93 per cent were women. Earnings averaged $25,800 a year for graduates who had spent two years in the workforce in 1997.
Here's a closer look at some of the occupations available in the esthetics industry:
Estheticians are primarily concerned with skin care. They perform facials and other skin treatments such as peels and masks. They also advise customers about products they can use to improve the appearance and condition of their skin. Some estheticians also apply makeup, shape and polish nails, and remove unwanted hair by applying wax. People working in this occupation should have an interest in skin care. Furthermore, they should be able to maintain a neat personal appearance and build rapport with customers. Saturday and evening working hours are common.
There are no standard educational requirements, but most estheticians have some post-secondary education in esthetics.
- Pay will range from about $11,100 to $35,300 a year. Pay varies considerably among estheticians and depends upon factors such as which services are used.
- Below average growth is expected to the year 2005.
Hairstylists creatively manage hair. They shampoo, cut, colour and style hair to suit their customers. They must be able to listen carefully, provide suggestions and interact with customers in a friendly and professional manner. In addition, hairstylists are aware of the latest fashion trends and maintain an up-to-date appearance. They stand throughout the day and may be expected to fill in during busy times. Weekend and evening work may be required.
In Alberta, all hairstylists must be a certified journeyman or registered apprentice.
- Pay will range from about $11,100 to $45,900 a year. Wages are based on salon prices and clientele.
- Average growth is expected to the year 2005.
Cosmeticians apply makeup to enhance customers' features, making sure they don't look like The Bride of Frankenstein. They teach people how to put on their own cosmetics, while promoting products that are for sale. Cosmeticians should have a good understanding of colour and techniques that can be used to produce an attractive personal appearance. Characteristics possessed by cosmeticians include a neat personal appearance, strong customer service skills and good communication skills. People employed in this industry work at department stores and other beauty establishment during all days of the week.
There are no standard educational requirements, but cosmeticians usually have some related post-secondary training.
- Pay will range from about $11,100 to $35,300 a year. Hourly wages are usually supplemented by commissions.
- Below average growth is expected to the year 2005.
Electrologists remove unwanted hair through inserting a needle that emits a pulse of electricity. They must have good eyesight, steady hands and the ability to soothe nervous customers. Treatments may last anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. Electrologists pace themselves to ensure the greatest level of customer comfort; some customers prefer a quick procedure while others would like a more methodical one. Electrologists also maintain a clean environment. Uniforms such as lab coats are often worn, and Saturday and evening work may be necessary.
In Alberta, there are no standard educational requirements. However, the Federation of Canadian Electrolysis Associations recommends electrologists complete a 500 hour training program.
- Pay will range from about $11,100 to $35,300 a year. Electrologists may keep their earnings separate from the beauty salon's earnings.
- Below average growth is expected to the year 2005.
Manicurists and Pedicurists (also known as nail technicians) are obsessed with nails. They clean, shape and polish fingernails and toenails. In addition, they provide a variety of specialized nail services such as applying artificial nails and nail extensions and decorating customers' nails with designs. People in this field should be able to converse with all kinds of people and focus for long periods of time on meticulous tasks. Manicurists and pedicurists promote their products and maintain their work areas. They tend to work in beauty salons on Saturdays and evenings.
There are no standard educational requirements, but post-secondary beauty training is common.
- Pay will range from about $11,100 to $35,300 a year. Earnings tend to vary based on services offered.
- Well below average growth is expected to the year 2005.
The occupations described in this Industry Profile are related to, or the same as, previous occupations profiled by nextSteps. For the esthetics industry, some of the previously profiled occupations include: hairstylist; tatoo artist; retail salesperson and sales clerk; entrepreneur; and one-person enterprise.
Information about the above industries can be found in the following issues:
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