Curious about whether cosmetology or esthetics fits you better? Check out the key differences in skills training, personality fits, and career opportunities.
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Cosmetology or Esthetics? Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Enrolling
Cosmetology vs Esthetics – Program Overviews and Key Differences
Cosmetologist and Esthetician Personality Traits
DISC Personality Assessment Overview
Cosmetology or Esthetics? Six Questions to Ask Yourself Before Enrolling
It’s not just enough to love the beauty industry if you want a new career. There’s a lot that goes into making a decision to start school, so once you’ve made up your mind that the industry is right for you, there are several things to consider: What is wrong with the status quo? What are you passionate about? What types of social situations are you most comfortable in? What services do you love purchasing for yourself? What do you want to learn about? What do you regret in your professional life up to this point? If you’ve had a tour of our campus in person before, you know that our recruiters ask these and other deep questions as well. That’s intentional. To be successful as a beautician, the decision to start school in the beauty industry has to be about more than just the services you’re licensed to perform, but the culture you want to be a part of. We’re going to break down the differences between cosmetology and esthetics because, contrary to popular belief, there is a lot more to it than just the services you provide once you have your license. Do you love hair cutting, coloring and a fast paced work environment? Do you enjoy meeting and connecting with many different people throughout the day? Do you prefer massaging, and skin care? Do you find yourself at peace in a spa? What kind of relationships are you seeking with your future clientele? Does the idea of owning your own business excite you? What gives you energy? What drains you? These are big questions that can indicate which program works for you. Let’s start with the technical differences between cosmetology and esthetics.
Cosmetology vs Esthetics – Program Overviews and Key Differences
Our cosmetology program focuses on hair cutting, coloring, care and maintenance, and styling. It offers the broadest scope of education and while you will learn some about skin care, makeup, nails, and other cosmetic services, the main focus of our cosmetology program is on hair. Our salon floor is always packed, so if you’re unsure if the culture fits, come check us out! The hustle and bustle is the best thing about working as a cosmo. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, esthetics is another great option that offers a different vibe.
Our esthetics program is all about the skin. It’s a more “niche” program, in that it’s fewer hours (750 instead of 1,500) and the scope of learning is less broad than cosmetology. If you love skin, spa and massaging and want a more intimate working environment, reach out to one of our recruiters for a free facial service to get a feel for the peace and serenity of our spa! If your goal is to grow deep relationships and build trust with your clientele, the esthetics world will fit like a glove.
But the decision to start school goes far beyond just the services you’ll be licensed to perform once you graduate. Are you an extrovert? Do you come alive when you get to know lots of people throughout your day? You might be just what the cosmetology industry is looking for. Do you prefer one on one interactions? Do you thrive relationally when you go deep with someone?
If you’re not asking yourself these questions before enrolling, you put yourself at risk of choosing the wrong career path.
Cosmetologist and Esthetician Personality Traits
The most common cosmetology personality is best described as an extroverted socialite. They enjoy the chaos a new day brings and thrive under the heavy pressure and fast pace of a busy salon floor. They love their clients but they know it’s all about turning their chair as quickly as possible. They are “quick connectors”, able to make you feel like you’re the only person in the world who matters when you’re sitting in that chair, but able to turn their station quickly and with excellence. They are motivated by growth and meeting new people.
Estheticians come alive in calm, focused environments where they can focus on their craft and the client experience. They want to control as many of the outside factors as possible. The most common esthetician personality is more introverted than your average cosmetologist.While they still may still enjoy the social part of their work, they are much more likely to focus on taking care of a small, highly trusted client base. They are not as likely to be motivated by volume, but by relationships. While a cosmetologist might have a client list of a hundred or more people, an esthetician may be the go-to person for everything skincare and beauty for a small, reliable client base.
DISC Personality Assessment Overview
If you’ve read all that and are still unsure which program is going to fit best, consider your personality type! A DISC assessment can give you unique insights into which career fits your personality! DISC is an acronym where each letter represents a different personality type. “D” stands for Dominance. “I” stands for Influence. “S” stands for steadiness. “C” stands for conscientiousness. Two of the four personality types are very common in the beauty industry, but keep in mind that all four personalities CAN fit in the cosmetology and esthetician fields.
“I” and “S” personalities are people oriented, but “I” personality is the more extroverted profile of the two. They are likely to thrive in a cosmetology salon where the creativity of beauty and the social aspect of building a clientele blend together.
“S” personality types are more introverted, value harmony and relationships but prefer one on one interaction. Estheticians who fit an “S” personality profile are craft driven and detail oriented.
If you don’t resonate with either of the personality types listed above, no worries! While the “I” and “S” are most common, there are plenty of “D” and “C” personalities who thrive in the beauty world as well. A couple notes on the “D” and “C” types: D and C personalities are generally not people oriented, more process focused. They may be able to thrive in a creative career path, but they are more likely to fall in love with the technical process rather than developing client relationships.
Still unsure where to begin? Schedule a tour with our team so we can help you discover the right fit!
