What’s the Difference Between a Cosmetologist and an Esthetician?

The differences between a cosmetologist and an esthetician is what they can learn and the services they can provide. A cosmetologist can learn how to provide hairstyling services, skincare services, and nail art. An esthetician focuses solely on skincare.

Here’s an overview of the differences between the two.

*According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Learn More About Cosmetology

Cosmetologists can expect to learn a variety of services that you can perform in a licensed salon. You may be a good fit for cosmetology if you’re someone who:

• Would love to learn all things about hair, skin, and nails
• Has a passion for art and loves to create beauty
• Learns best in a hands-on environment

We’re passionate about good cosmetologists, and we’re excited to see the industry continue to grow! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cosmetology job outlook is expected to grow 8%, which is much faster than average. Explore other things you should know about a cosmetology career.

What Do Cosmetologists Do?

Licensed cosmetologists can perform a variety of services for hair, skin, and nails. Some of the things cosmetologists can expect to learn from an education at Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy are:

• Shampooing and hair treatments
• Hairstyling
• Haircutting
• Hair coloring
• Facials
• Waxing
• Makeup
• Manicures and pedicures
• Acrylic nails

Cosmetologists are also amazing at providing customer service. During their appointment, they can provide a look that best matches their guests’ face shape and needs. Then, they can recommend products and provide tips for their guests to replicate their look at home.

How To Become a Cosmetologist

If you decide that cosmetology is right for you, you should first find and enroll in a state-approved cosmetology program.

A cosmetology license in Florida requires at least 1,200 hours. Once you’ve completed the appropriate program, you can expect to prepare to sit for the state exam to get licensed. We’ve covered the full process of how to become a cosmetologist in another blog!

Where Can Cosmetologists Work?

Cosmetologists have the freedom to choose to provide a variety of services in different locations, not just salons. Because they learn all things hair, skin, and nails, they can work as:

• Hairstylists in salons
• Nail technicians in nail salons
• Estheticians in a spa
• Product ambassadors or retail representatives
• Owners of a salon or spa

Learn More About Esthetics

Estheticians help others relax by applying products designed to help guests achieve smooth, beautiful skin. Esthetics may be a good fit for you if you are someone who:

• Loves to help others relax
• Are passionate about skincare and building a good skincare routine
• Are interested in what goes into beauty products
• Loves creating gorgeous makeup looks

As more and more people are looking for skincare professionals, the industry is expected to grow, too! The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the job outlook for skincare specialists will grow 11% by 2028.

What Is Esthetics?

Esthetics is the study of skincare, and it has a number of different names. In Florida, estheticians are often referred to facial specialists. At Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy, you can learn how to become an esthetician as part of our skin care program.

What Do Estheticians Learn?

Skincare is more than applying facials or makeup. It takes a lot of understanding of chemistry and anatomy to provide good care for guests.

As part of our program, future estheticians can expect to learn:

• Disorders of the skin
• Anatomy of the face and neck
• Chemistry and product overviews
• How to analyze different skin types
• Facial treatments
• How to use equipment to apply products
• Waxing and hair removal
• Makeup application

Because each guest has a different skin type, it’s crucial to understand how products interact with the skin. And, once an appointment is finished, estheticians can provide tips to help their guests build a good skincare routine at home.

How To Become an Esthetician

In order to become an esthetician in Florida, you can expect to work toward becoming a facial specialist. As a first step, you’ll need to explore and apply to a skincare program that covers everything you want to learn and meets Florida’s requirements.

The state board of Cosmetology in Florida requires a program that is at least 260 clock hours. At Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy, our program requires 300 hours, which we believe better prepares future skincare specialists for their future careers.

Learn more about how to become an esthetician in Florida!

Where Can Estheticians Work?

Estheticians can work in a variety of places! While the most common would be in a specialty salon or spa, they can also work anywhere a makeup artist can work!

• Owner of your own specialty salon
• Makeup artist for fashion shows, theatre, or movies
• Facial specialist in a local spa or resort

Choose Cosmetology or Esthetics!

No matter your passion, you can pursue an education in beauty at Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy. We offer both a cosmetology program and skin care program, so you can choose where you want to focus. If you want to learn how to get started at our Lakeland or Tampa campuses, schedule a tour of our school!