In many careers, you need to become a veritable jack of all trades. What good would a plumber be if they only fixed toilets? Further, many jobs involve tasks that may not necessarily enjoy or be exceptionally good at. But this is not the case when it comes to choosing a career in cosmetology!

After you complete cosmetology school and earn your state license, you can choose a specialty for your career. Cosmetology programs cover a wide range of topics and techniques beyond just hairstyling, including:

• Nail technology
• Facials
• Scalp treatments
• Hair coloring
• Lash and brow tinting and shaping
• Hair reconstruction, waving, and relaxing treatments

While you can definitely have a number of services under your belt, if you focus on one as a specialty, you can become more proficient at it. Plus, this will make your future career far more exciting and enjoyable. Plus, people who enjoy their work tend to be far more successful!

At Elite Academy of Cosmetology, our goal is to help all of our students excel in their training and find the area of cosmetology that they love. Our curriculum is designed for comprehensive training, so all students are well-rounded and prepared for any career opportunities that come their way.

Here are a few tips for choosing the cosmetology specialty that will work best for you.

Tip #1 – Think About What Brought You to Cosmetology School in the First Place

Most people have a fairly clear reason for why they decided to enroll in a cosmetology program. Perhaps it was because they loved cutting and styling hair ever since they were a child. Or maybe it was because they’ve always wanted to help others feel more confident through their appearance. Maybe it’s just because you’ve always been interested in beauty and design!

Whatever the motivation was, use this as a jumping-off point for your next career. Were you so excited to learn how to dye hair? Perhaps becoming a coloring specialist is the best choice for you. Are you extremely artistic and love makeup? Then pursuing a career as a makeup artist may be your next step!

Often the thing that drives your passion the most is the best choice for a cosmetology specialty.

Tip #2 – Do Your Research

There are far more career options that people with cosmetology licenses can have than you may realize. While many cosmetologists become hairstylists and work out of traditional salons, this is by no means the only career path in this field.

Here are just a few examples of other types of career options cosmetologists can have:

• Style consultant for brands
• Beauty product representative
• Salon manager or owner
• Freelance stylist for events, film productions, and theaters
• Makeup artist
• Lash and eyebrow specialist
• Hair colorist or treatment provider

Take some time to research what is involved with each specialty, particularly the one you are leaning toward. What you imagine each to be and what the reality is can be vastly different – and you may be surprised how exciting some of these specialties can be!

Another helpful tip is to talk with people already in that specialty and ask them what they love and what they do not like about what they do. Our cosmetology school in Oklahoma is full of instructors who have had many types of careers. You can always reach out to the teachers at Elite Academy of Cosmetology for advice and ask questions about these specialties, too.

If you’re still looking to find the perfect program for you, make sure to take our free quiz!

Tip #3 – Consider What’s Most Important

You may have chosen to study cosmetology for many reasons. One of those may be the income potential. So, you may want to consider that aspect for each specialty.

The great thing about specializing in a specific area is that you can generally charge more for your services. After all, you are the best of the best! Clients are willing to pay a higher cost if they know the result will be better because of your unique expertise.

But of course, money isn’t everything. You should also take factors that are important to you into consideration. Do you want a career with lots of flexibility in your schedule? Would you prefer to work out of a salon, your own home, or have a mobile set up? Do you want to work with other people or on your own?

Tip #4 – Practice Specialties in Cosmetology School

During your training, you will get to learn all kinds of techniques and skills that fall under the cosmetology umbrella. If there is a specific area that strikes your fancy, you can gain more hands-on experience through your cosmetology school student salon.

At Elite Academy of Cosmetology, all of our students have the opportunity to provide a variety of services to real clients while they are in school. Our student salon offers many services, including:

• Haircuts and design
• Hair coloring
• Perms
• Beard trimming
• Brow waxing
• Hair and lash extensions
• Facials

Being able to practice a variety of services before you complete cosmetology school can help you narrow down your specialty.

Over to You

Whether you want to specialize as a hairstylist, colorist, or any other cosmetology specialty, the most important first step is to choose the right cosmetology school. It is very important to get an education that will set you up for a successful career.

Here at Elite Academy of Cosmetology, we are confident you’ll be on your way to an exciting career with our programs. With campuses in Lawton and Duncan, you can find a beauty school in Oklahoma that will give you the education and tools you’ll need for a successful cosmetology career.

Please contact our admissions team today to learn more about our cosmetology program and schedule a campus tour!