Responsibilities of a Cosmetologist

Hair Styling and Cutting

Of all of her responsibilities, the cosmetologist spends the most time cutting and styling the hair of her clients. Typically, she'll begin a cutting and styling session by discussing the client's style with her. She may, by looking at the client's face shape, features and hair texture, offer her own style suggestions, perhaps showing her client examples from a hairstyle magazine or book. She then uses a variety of styling tools such as scissors, clippers, blow dryers, and curling irons to create the hair in the agreed-upon style. The cosmetologist may also shape her clients' eyebrows and remove facial hair and for male clients, shave them and trim their mustaches and beards.

Hair Coloring and Other Treatments

Part of creating a new hairstyle might involve a color or texture change and the cosmetologist is well-versed in using special treatments to make this happen. Permanent waves or "perms", colors, tints and frosts, and keratin and other conditioning treatments are all a part of the cosmetologist's styling repertoire. Most treatments are chemical-based and the cosmetologist must know how products may interact with one another and most importantly, how to carefully handle and apply each treatment to ensure her and her client's safety.

Advising the Client

Besides being an artist of sorts, a cosmetologist also acts as an adviser. To help her client create their hairstyle on their own at home, the cosmetologist offers tips on how to brush, dry and style the hair and may recommend styling products and ideas on how to use them. If the client has an uncomfortable or unsightly scalp, hair or skin condition the cosmetologist may refer the client to a dermatologist or doctor, so a good cosmetologist will recognize the symptoms of the most common conditions so she can make the appropriate recommendations.

Maintaining Health and Safety Standards

Regardless of the type of service the cosmetologist provides, the safety of her client must be her top priority; if she doesn't pay careful attention to the way she maintains the tools that she uses on clients, she could put a client at risk for infection. As a result, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology has set stringent standards regarding the type of cleaning solutions that the cosmetologist use in disinfecting her tools, and standards for how newly-cleaned tools be stored. The cosmetologist must also follow take specific actions should she accidentally wound a client -- besides providing first aid to the client, she must follow special blood spill procedures to protect herself and any other clients from exposure to the blood.

Administrative Work

Part of successfully running a cosmetology business involves taking care of the related administrative tasks. The cosmetologist must respond to clients' phone calls, schedule appointments and handle such bookkeeping duties as recording sales and making bank deposits. She may use a computer to manage her financial records. As she may sell beauty products to customers and certainly uses a lot of products in her daily work, she must keep an eye on these supplies and order replacements when needed. Sweeping, doing laundry and organizing her work station are an ongoing part of her daily work.