Do you want a career that makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning? Something that allows you to help others feel confident about themselves? By becoming an esthetician or a cosmetologist, you can do exactly that.
An esthetician is a skincare specialist who focuses on facials, waxing, and skin treatments. A cosmetologist trains across the full beauty spectrum—hair, makeup, nails, and basic skincare. Choosing the right path for you depends on whether you want to specialize in skincare or offer a wider range of beauty services.
If you’re ready to turn your passion for beauty and self-care into a career, you’ll need to answer one big question: esthetician vs. cosmetologist—which one is for you?
What Is an Esthetician?
An esthetician is a licensed skincare specialist. They help their clients achieve their best, healthiest skin.
Estheticians offer services like facials, exfoliation, waxing, and other skin treatments. They also consult with clients and recommend the right at-home skincare products. Think of an esthetician as someone who creates the perfect skincare base for their clients.
You’ll find estheticians working in luxury spas, busy salons, and even clinical settings alongside dermatologists.
What Is a Cosmetologist?
A cosmetologist is a beauty all-rounder. Their training covers hair styling, makeup application, nail care, and basic skincare.
Cosmetologists contribute to all areas of the beauty industry and encompass a wide range of professions, including hair stylists and makeup artists. Cosmetologists work in salons, spas, barbershops, and as freelancers. Many open their own businesses, ranging from specialist nail parlors to full-service salons.
Esthetician vs. Cosmetologist: What’s the Difference?
Esthetician vs. cosmetologist—at first glance, they may seem similar, but these two careers are totally distinct, including their training requirements.
Here’s a quick overview of what it takes to become a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician in Utah:
Training length and curriculum
Esthetician: Esthetics programs are shorter and skin-focused. In Utah, you’ll need 600 hours of training from a licensed school for a standard esthetician license and 1,200 hours for a master esthetician license.
Cosmetologist: Because cosmetology covers much more ground, it requires 1,250 instruction hours.
Licensing requirements
Both estheticians and cosmetologists need to pass a state exam from the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), which includes both written and practical sections. To attain a license in Utah, professionals must score at least 75% on each part of their exams.
Daily responsibilities
Estheticians spend their days on skin—facials, peels, and hair removal. Cosmetologists juggle a wider mix that also includes hair, makeup, and nail services.
Career flexibility
Esthetics: You become a skincare expert, with skincare services as your main speciality.
Cosmetology: As a cosmetologist, you can perform a broader range of services.
Even if you’re still weighing up a career as an esthetician vs. cosmetologist, consider both paths carefully, but don’t let the decision overwhelm you. Both options have a great deal to offer and can lead to fulfilling and successful careers.
Esthetician vs. Cosmetologist: Which Has the Best Career Opportunities?
Excitingly, the answer comes down to what you like to do! Both career paths lead to many opportunities.
As an esthetician, you could become a spa skincare specialist, a medical esthetician working in plastic surgery or dermatology offices, or a freelance and mobile skincare pro. Certifications in chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser treatments can further enhance your skill set.
As a cosmetologist, you might build a name as a hairstylist, makeup artist, nail technician, or all-around salon professional. The variety means you can pivot and explore as your interests grow.
This isn’t a definitive list; your career opportunities within the beauty industry are only limited by your creativity.
How Do You Choose Between Becoming an Esthetician vs. Cosmetologist?
Still on the fence about esthetician vs. cosmetologist? Think of the element of your training that you’re most excited about—that’s a good place to start!
But if you are truly undecided, ask yourself these three questions:
1. What are you passionate about? If skincare lights you up and you love the science of glowing skin, esthetics is calling. If you want to do it all—hair, makeup, nails, and more—cosmetology is the one for you.
2. How much time can you commit? Esthetics training is faster, so you can start earning sooner. Cosmetology takes more time but gives you a broader skill set.
3. What are your long-term goals? Picture your dream day at work. The esthetician vs. cosmetologist choice gets a lot easier when you tune into what truly excites you.
Help Others Become Their Most Beautiful Selves
When deciding between esthetician vs. cosmetologist as a career, the only opinion that matters is your own. Both careers are rewarding, in-demand, and full of potential, so find the path that fits your goals, that makes you want to go to work each day.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll eventually want a space to call your own. At Indie Studio Suites, we want to make your dream job a reality. Our suites are move-in ready and equipped with everything you need to get started, including Wi-Fi, pump-up chairs, stainless steel sinks, and more. Explore our salon suites and get ready to start making Utah an even more beautiful place.
