How to Dress for Cosmetology School: Look the Part With Proper Attire
The old adage "dress for the job you want" should be followed closely in all steps of your professional life. This is extremely important when you are first starting out in your career and training to become a professional cosmetologist because you're working toward becoming a beauty professional that clients look to for style tips and advice. You need to look the part! As a representative for the beauty industry, you need to look polished and well put together yourself. You are projecting the image that you can create when clients see you for the first time. If they like what they see, as in a well groomed and coiffed professional, then they are more likely trust you and your beauty recommendations wholeheartedly. However, if you look sloppy, messy and unkempt, do not expect many return clients!
Many cosmetology schools have a dress code. There are no rules on whether to wear your hair up or down, but you should always take the time to style your hair for the day. A regular old ponytail or unkempt hair left down doesn't communicate "beauty professional." So put some thought and time into your hairstyle, and put some of those new cosmetology skills you're learning to the test! This is to prepare you for the reality in working in salons that require their stylists to wear their hair stylishly and professionally. Some schools and salons do not allow bright, unnatural colors that come off as ostentatious, but others actually encourage this. Please note that esthetician school may actually require hair up to keep it out of the way when working with clients. The best thing to do is always to ask your instructors or employers how they expect you to be dressed and styled when you come in.
The same rules apply to make up - it should be tasteful, put together and flattering - but nothing too crazy! Someone training to become a professional makeup artist especially needs to wear the appropriate makeup for their age, skin tone and a professional setting. This means you should probably avoid heavy nighttime makeup in the middle of the day. In most cases it should be fine for your school or place of employment to get a little creative here. If you want to add a bright lip or bold eye, then this may be a good way to show off your makeup artist skills but be careful of taking it "too far." Beauty school isn't a night club or a theater performance, right? If cosmetology students do not look like they know what they are doing, then why should a client trust them? Remember to dress for the job you want and look the part!
As for clothes, many schools will ask that you wear a uniform such as a custom aprons or uniform shirts. However, many others only ask that you wear coordinating colors like white tops and black bottoms, or a lot of cosmetology schools tend toward all-black attire for students. For example, Paul Mitchell training academies require that you always wear a name tag, black closed toe shoes and all black. Some schools and salons may say that tennis shoes are too casual, but you should invest in some black comfortable non-slip shoes, nice flats with arch support, or low heels because you will be on your feet much of day to do hair.
The key to looking professional in cosmetology is to look polished and clean. You need to have-well manicured hands, makeup, clothes and hair at all times. As someone who does hair, nails and makeup for a living, your clients will be expecting you to look your best. You should start good habits while in cosmetology school or esthetician school so that you show respect to your teachers, fellow students and your future clients. If you want to fit in with your school's dress code but still like to stand out, check out this source for Cosmetology Clothes, or dress up your salon smock or apron with the gorgeous cosmetology aprons below!