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If you are a person interested in beauty products and ready to share your knowledge related to it with others to help them look more attractive then you might consider trying your luck with cosmetology.
The cosmetologist profession is expected to grow even more and with good reason since people are more eager to achieve standards of beauty set by film stars or models.
Have in mind that this vocation is dynamic and requires great social skills, besides the eye for beauty.
You need to be eager to do experiments with hairstyles and color, to have a natural talent for it as well as the passion and drive.
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Job Description
A cosmetologist is an expert in the care of hair and makeup, skincare and beauty products.
He/she provides his customers with services such as hair coloring, extensions, and straightening, manicures and pedicures, they do makeup and skin treatments.
There are even cosmetologists who offer massage services.
Personal attributes that characterize a good cosmetologist are listening and analyzing skills customer focus and great client relationships, organization, creativity, and professionalism.
Cosmetology Programs in Alaska
According to the law of Alaska, a high school diploma or GED is required, but to be allowed to work as a cosmetologist, you will need to possess a license.
The license can be achieved through a program in cosmetology that prepares you to work in beauty and nail salons.
The program must be Board-approved, to be eligible to sit and pass the national licensing exam.
In Alaska, the program is required to include at least 1,650 hours of training and they are offered through beauty schools, junior colleges, or vocational schools.
A future cosmetologist can choose between earning a diploma or associate degree.
Education for a diploma takes between 12 and 18 months, while an associate degree education in cosmetology lasts 2 years.
The difference between these two is also in the amount of knowledge that you gain, as an associate degree gives you the additional education related to marketing and business management.
When selecting the right school for you, you need to pay attention to the location of the school, whether it is affordable or not and what’s the school’s reputation.
Some of the locations which offer this kind of education in Alaska are:
- Academy of Hair Design – Anchorage.
- Galena Interior Learning Academy – Galena.
- Mane Place Hair Design and Academy – Fairbanks.
- MetrOasis – Anchorage.
- Trend Setters – Anchorage.
Through these programs you will get the appropriate training and learn everything about:
- Trimming, curling, styling, waving, cutting, bleaching, coloring, and cleansing of the hair
- Trimming or cutting facial hair
- Removal of hair on the face or neck,
- Eyebrow waxing
- Makeup and false eyelashes application
- Manicuring and pedicuring
The great thing is that you will be learning directly on a client.
License
Licensing requirements can vary by state, but all of the future cosmetologists need to possess a high school diploma or GED, a cosmetology training certificate or associate degree to be allowed to take their state’s cosmetology licensing exam.
The way you can reach the license depends on the title you want to achieve.
To become a licensed esthetician you need to complete 350 hours of study, a nail technician license requires the completion of a 12-hour course while a manicurist needs to devote 250 hours of study to reach the license.
Barber will need to pass 1650 hours or 2000 apprenticeship hours, as well as a hairdresser.
Another way to get the license is the completion of an apprenticeship with at least 2,000 hours of training.
Alaska’s law also allows a combination of coursework and apprenticeship where one coursework hour equals 1.121 apprenticeship hours and one apprenticeship hour equals .825 coursework hours.
When your education is finished, you must apply for licensure in Alaska.
The Board requires that you attach a notarized Application for Hairdresser License, original documents about the completion of your training and a check that proves that you have paid an examination fee of $95, the application fee of $80 and initial license fee of $140.
Cosmetology Exams in Alaska
Once the application is sent, the Board is obliged to inform you about your eligibility to take the written and practical examinations.
Examinations are organized every 4 weeks in Anchorage and every 8 weeks in Fairbanks.
The practical examination is related to hairstyle, perm, virgin tint, haircut, blow-drying, and iron curling.
The written examination is administered by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) and it includes questions about scientific concepts, haircare, skincare, and nail care and services.
Keeping Your License Current
Alaska’s law determines that your license expires on August 31 of all odd-numbered years and it has to be renewed through the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers.
It does not require continuing education but it is advisable to take courses to stay current on the latest fashions, developments, and advances in the field.
If you want to open your salon, additional courses in business management and marketing can be beneficial.
Annual Cosmetologist Salary in Alaska
Cosmetologists who are working in Alaska have solid employment options and decent salaries.
Due to the high number of annual job openings, it is expected that the demand for licensed cosmetologists will increase and the wages might rise.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that cosmetologist salary varies according to the geographic location of employment, so it can be seen that the average annual salary ranges from $ 28 334 in Sitka to $ 29 368 in Anchorage.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Anchorage,AK | $29,368 |
| Fairbanks,AK | $29,136 |
| Juneau,AK | $28,726 |
| Palmer,AK | $28,977 |
| Sitka,AK | $28,334 |
| Wasilla,AK | $28,977 |
Regional Salary in Alaska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 330 | $31,470 | $15.13 | $47,700 | $23,200 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 60 | $35,100 | $16.87 | $54,270 | $23,080 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Summary
A cosmetologist is a person who applies various beauty treatments to clients.
If you are interested in working with hair, skin, and nails, and fulfilling the desires of people, then you should consider taking a certified cosmetology training program or apprenticeship.
Gaining the knowledge related to cosmetology and getting acquainted with the latest trends will make you more successful and prominent cosmetology who would be a great fit for beauty salon hiring new employees or a person ready to open its beauty premises.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Cosmetologist
Cosmetology by State