Texas is the second most populated state in the U.S. Known as The Lone Star State, this is the place to start your cosmetology career. Texas is home to numerous beauty pageants, events, and world-renowned beauty salons.
Starting your career here can give you a huge push in the right direction. There are many different cosmetology schools available in Texas. When choosing one, it’s important to make sure it is an approved school. There are also many different paths to take in your career as a cosmetologist, such as:
When choosing a school, it’s a good idea to find one that offers the right training for what you want to do with your career. All schools should cover the basis for the cosmetology training, but some offer special programs for more in-depth training in certain subjects.
All approved schools must include certain curriculums and programs, such as:
- Hair; this will include cutting, styling, coloring, shampooing, treatments, and theory.
- Cold waving.
- Chemical hair relaxing.
- Manicuring and pedicuring.
- Facials, including massage and treatments.
- Chemistry.
- Salon management.
- Orientation, laws, and statues.
- Sanitation and safety.
- Client communications.
- Licensing and regulations.
- Shaping eyebrows.
To get your license you will have to complete a certain amount of training hours of each of these curriculums.
License Requirements
To become a licensed cosmetologist in Texas you have to complete 1500 hours of training in an approved school. After completing the required amount of training, you will then have to pass a written test and a skills test to achieve your license.
License Rules
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to work as a cosmetologist. The most important thing is that you are not allowed to work as an individual cosmetologist unless you have your license or certificate. You can get hired by a beauty salon before getting your license, but you will have to work alongside a licensed practitioner. You are not allowed to work alone on clients.
Other rules that apply when becoming licensed are:
- The cosmetologist has to be at least 17 years old.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete the required training hours.
- Complete the exams with passable results.
- Pays the application fees, the application form has to be admitted by the department.
- The individual has not committed any act or crime that can result in license denial.
Further Education & Career Paths
Once you have gotten your license you can further your education and become specialized in certain cosmetologist areas. It’s your career and your choice, follow your dream!
Becoming An Instructor
If you want to further your career and teach others, you can become a licensed instructor. If you have a passion for teaching and beauty, this might be right for you.
In order to become a licensed instructor, you have to be at least 18 years old, you will also have to complete further hours of training, such as:
- 750 hours of training in an approved beauty school or program.
- 500 hours of instruction in cosmetology.
You will also have to have completed one year of practice as a licensed cosmetologist. The cosmetologist will also have to have passed the same examination as an individual looking to become licensed.
Manicurist Specialist
If you have a passion for nail care, treatments and nail art, getting a specialized license is a good idea to make sure you get the most out of the career path you have chosen.
Some of the requirements you will have to meet in order to get your specialized license include:
- You have to be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.
- You have to have completed 600 hours of manicurist training in a certified facility.
Eyelash Extension Specialist
To become licensed to perform eyelash extension treatments you will have to complete further training, this will include:
- Correct sanitation methods.
- Work-related safety and health practices.
- Eyelash extension application, isolation and separation methods.
- Recognition of infectious and contagious diseases in and around the eye.
- Recognition of allergic reactions.
After completing the training you can then seek to get a specialized license.
Hair Weaving Specialist
Hair weaving and extensions are very popular. Whether you are trying to cover up a bald spot or just want to add volume or length to your natural hair.
To become specialized in hair weaving, you will have to be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. You will then have to complete further training in a certified school or facility.
Esthetics Specialist
Being an esthetician involves several practices, such as; waxing, threading, skin treatments and improving overall skin condition.
Becoming a specialized esthetician will open up a door to a huge variety of jobs and opportunities to further your career.
In order to get a specialized license you will have to:
- Be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete 750 hours of training is esthetics.
Even though estheticians work with different skin conditions, they are not allowed to give medical advice, diagnose, prescribe drugs or treat skin diseases. If they encounter a patient who might have a skin disease they will have to refer that client to a medical specialist.
Makeup Artist
Becoming a makeup artist is a career many people dream of. When working as a makeup artist you get to work in many different settings. You can choose to either work in a salon or maybe even as a freelancer. When working as a freelancer you will be able to choose your work, your hours and your pay. You may get hired for private events such as weddings, graduation parties and maybe even photoshoots.
Some makeup artists work at makeup counters or high-end department stores. Here they offer their services to clients and shoppers, they may even help buyers find the best products suited for them, or show how to apply the different makeup products. This is a great way to start your makeup artist career. It will give you a chance to develop great customer communication skills and give you a chance to work with a variety of clients with different needs.
Some choose to go the glamorous way and become a makeup artist for the stars. When going into the entertainment industry you will get to work with models at fashion shows or photo shoots. Performing artists or maybe even movie stars. Many celebrities hire a personal makeup artist that exclusively work with them wherever they go.
Hair Stylist
Everything in Texas is bigger, this includes hair! Being a hairstylist you will be able to work in a variety of settings. Working in a salon is a great way to start and gain experience. You will get to work with different clients. Customer communications skills are important here. You have to be able to ask the client the right questions in order to make sure you know exactly what they want. You can’t be shy here! An appointment can take time, so it’s good to know how to talk to the client and create a pleasant atmosphere.
Knowing the latest trends in cutting, coloring, and styling is a must. Knowing what hairstyles look good on different face shapes are important too. Some customers may come in without knowing what they want, as a hair stylist you have to know what will look good on them, and then give the client your recommendations.
Application Fees
There is a $50 fee that has to be paid with the application.
License Renewal
In the state of Texas, a licensed cosmetologist is required to renew their license every two years. They also have to do a further four hours of training during the time of their license. This will include one hour of sanitation and three hours of methods and techniques.
They will also have to pay a $50 fee.
Working as a Cosmetologist in Texas
The cosmetology industry is huge, and growing by the minute! Texas is one of the most populated states in the U.S. There are many great opportunities for any aspiring cosmetologist here. The big cities in Texas, such as Houston, Dallas, and Austin, are home to nationally recognized beauty salons, and makeup artists. You will also find some of the best cosmetologist schools here.
Beauty pageants are a big part of the Texas culture, and what is a pageant without hair and makeup? There are lots of opportunities. There is always a high demand for cosmetologists.
Building your own client base is a great way to make sure your name and career are growing. Making sure that your service is top quality is important, to make sure your clients will recommend you to their friends and family.
In Texas, it is estimated that a cosmetologist earns an average of $30,490 annually (2018), plus tips.