So you are selling insurance, wondering what the meaning of life is, but secretly watching tik-toks of Dr. Pimple Popper during your lunch break? Maybe you take popping your boyfriend’s pimples and plucking his eyebrows a little too seriously?
Whether you are watching hours of skincare videos or just considering a career change, so many people have asked me for advice on how to become an esthetician. From choosing a school to getting licensed and finding a job - today I’m spilling the insider tea from my experience, tips, tricks, and advice that I wish someone would have given me starting out!
Deciding if it’s for you-
First of all, you have to decide if being an esthetician is right for you. Since you will have to go back to school, be sure to weigh the pros and cons as they pertain to your lifestyle. Being an esthetician is a vast career field that allows you to work for yourself, or to work in a salon or office. It helps to begin with the end in mind - finding the place that is perfect for you and that you would want to work at. Defining the type of environment you want to work in, your dream schedule, as well as if you want to have co-workers or not will reveal a lot about your future before you begin going down this path.
I highly recommend shadowing someone and speaking to others in the industry. Talk to the girls that you get your services from currently! Go get a facial, get your eyebrows done, and run it by the girl who does your hair. Exploring different perspectives will give you a better idea of all the upsides and downsides of this field.
Deciding on a school-
So you decided you are going for it and now you are looking at school…And well, there are so many different schools to choose from!
The best advice that I was given when I was deciding on a school came from another esthetician. She said “School is just school, they are going to try and sell you on their program but really they’re all the same. Just get through it and get your license.” No matter how great the school is that you go to, nobody in the industry treats you like you have experience until you have actual experience. And in this career field, experience and a portfolio are worth more than a credit from a “better” school. It’s all about your individual skills, so the school name isn’t going to get you very far. But what you can do in school is start building your portfolio or Instagram page of work that you have done to give you a leg up when you graduate! Ultimately what you learn will be guided by your curiosity so be proactive about your education.
The real value of school to me is all about relationships. You have to dig the well before you're thirsty when it comes to networking. Make a ton of friends - especially with the girls who take it seriously and are good at what they do because they will help connect you to opportunities when you graduate. Your teachers are most likely deeply connected in the industry so ask them about their previous employment and see if they still have the ability to connect you there. Most schools offer some kind of job placement as well as continuing education so be sure and inquire about those features!
There are part time, full time and night school opportunities made to fit any schedule and still continue working. There are also grants and scholarships available so don’t be afraid to look for those opportunities! Just make sure that you are going to school in the state that you are wanting to be licensed in because all of the licenses are state-specific.
Graduating and passing the test -
Each state has different requirements for graduating with an esthetician license. Nevada requires 600 hours, while some other states require 900 hours. A cosmetology degree in the state of Nevada is 1600 hours which allows you to do nails, hair and esthetics (sometimes these requirements change so double-check). It is important that you take the time requirement and commitment for school seriously. Since it is a time prerequisite, every minute you miss has to be made up so do your best to have good attendance.
When it comes to testing, don’t be afraid! The teachers have all passed it and they will be instructing based on passing the exam which has three parts (in Nevada). There is a practical, a written, and a law exam.
Your first job-
The best advice I received is a common business mantra “launch fast and adjust.” Your first job in the field can be a gateway job (although sometimes you land your dream gig, many places require you to have experience). In the real world, experience and skills are more valued than your license so get your experience as fast as possible and use those networks that you began to create in school. I know so many girls who I went to school with that never started working with their license because they didn’t find a job - either because they failed to network or because they failed to see the bigger picture. On the ladder of success, it is important to at least be on the ladder at first so you can climb! Ultimately your career path will reveal itself and it is hardly ever what you expected it to be. Allow yourself to be surprised and curious when it comes to the different places you work and the services you do! Remember there may be a period of building clientele when you start working so just be patient.
Final thoughts-
Lastly, remember that this career field is about people! Working on those soft skills of punctuality, good communication, and making others feel special is what this field is all about. There is no better feeling than being a positive part of someone’s day and helping them to look and feel more beautiful.