If you’re considering attending beauty school, it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about if you have what it takes to be successful in the cosmetology profession. Beauty school can be a significant investment of your time and money, so it’s important to make sure a career as a cosmetologist is going to be a suitable match for your interests and talents.

Are you interested in personal style?

Obviously, a beauty schools student must be focused on personal grooming and dress. Your customers will want to know that they can turn to you to provide advice on how to make them look their very best. This means that you’ll often be judged on your own personal appearance. If you’re not the type of person who enjoys getting up early to style her hair, apply a full face of makeup, and choose a stylish outfit before heading off to work, beauty school might not be the best choice for you.

Are you willing to keep learning even after you graduate?

A commitment to continuing education is also important for the success of a beauty school student. Trends in hairstyling and cosmetics change on a regular basis, and new products are always being released. A successful cosmetologist must know what is considered fashionable at any given time.

Can you handle memorizing large amounts of information?

Cosmetologists often specialize in one area, such as hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, or nail care. However, they are expected to be knowledgeable about many different types of beauty treatments. Therefore, it’s necessary for a beauty school student to be able to retain large amounts of information.

Are you a sociable person?

There is nothing wrong with being a shy and reserved person, but beauty school students need to be very outgoing. A beautician works with the public on a daily basis and may have customers from many different backgrounds. You need to be able to make everyone feel comfortable, especially during hair coloring or other time-consuming procedures. If you find it difficult to talk to people you’ve just met, this may prove to be a very challenging task.

Are you a team player?
A good beauty school student should be a team player. While some cosmetologists go into business on their own, most end up working in salons that employ several different people. You must be able to get along well with your coworkers to be successful in this career field. If you have trouble taking criticism or insist on winning every argument, working as a cosmetologist may not be the right choice for you.

Can you handle rejection?

The cosmetology business is very competitive. When you’re just starting out, you may need to apply for several positions before you find someone who is willing to give you a chance to work. If you hope to open your own salon, you’ll need to plan on spending a lot of time and money developing a marketing campaign to attract new clients.

Are you bothered by the idea of earning an erratic income?

While the overall career outlook for cosmetologists is expected to remain strong, it’s important to keep in mind that beauty school graduates will end up earning a large portion of their income from tips. This can make it difficult to manage your personal finances, as it is hard to predict tip earnings on a weekly basis. If you plan to eventually own your own salon, your income will be even more unpredictable as you’re building up your client base.

Are you in good physical health?

If you’re considering beauty school, remember that beauticians must be able to spend eight or more hours on their feet each day. Many of the movements they perform are repetitive, placing them at an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. Cosmetologists must also work with a variety of chemicals and cleaning agents, which can be a difficult task if you have allergies or skin sensitivities.