Esthetician Vs. Cosmetologist

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Nov 21, 2012

Andrea B.

I'm going to be applying to school for either of these.
I'm having a hard time deciding on which.
I would love to be a professional makeup artist.

Which would help the most?

I feel, I may go into Cosmetology cause I love dying hair, but I want to know what would help me more with makeup artistry.

Nov 21, 2012

Liz M.

I went to cosmetology school and didnt learn much on makeup.

Nov 21, 2012

Diana R.

Cosmo doesn't teach much makeup. It's more hours and more expensive... You have to learn everything g like perms Etc so if your passion is makeup and a lil hair I wouldn't recommend Cosmo... I made that mistake :/ 

Cosmo school is 99% hair 1% makeup. I chose esthetics school because it gives you a higher advantage and pay scale than a cosmo or stylist shortly after graduation. You can incorporate makeup into your daily work if you say work for ULTA.

Nov 22, 2012

Joey B.

I love ulta dont get me wrong but unless you work in the salon you make I think a lil above minimum wage I worked there 10 yrs ago which sparked my passion for makeup and tips and sanitary needs for brushes even as the beauty image consultant I didnt make much

Nov 22, 2012

Michelle F.

Having a cosmetology license will give you the Advantage to do whatever you'll like, you may not learn as much on makeup but you could also take some advance classes on that, on the downside if you only do esthetics you won't be able to do hair at all, ply you may end up really liking to do hair as well :)

Nov 22, 2012

Brittany S.

I would do esthetics, you'll be learning the basis of skin and everything and it will help you with makeup. I'm actually debating doing it after I'm done w my makeup class. 

Nov 22, 2012

Niki C.

If uoure mainly interested in makeup, depending on what your state requires (education or not) I would do an apprenticeship with a makeup artist.

Nov 22, 2012

Chelsey C.

Neither cosmetologists or estheticians really learn about makeup. They have makeup schools but they deal mostly with movie makeup and things like that. I'm in a cosmetology program though and I love it. 

I say Esthetician because Estheticians have more of an understanding of the skin. If you are really interested in becoming a makeup artist you really want to understand the skin and how it can react and how to settle the skin and counteract certain skin tones and know if someone has a skin disease. 

Nov 24, 2012

Erica A.

I'm an esthetician and we learned a weeks worth of makeup. Not detailed at all. 

Nov 24, 2012

Gabrielle L.

Like Michelle said, having that cosmetology license will give you an advantage. I love hair! Love it & I'm beginning to love makeup, but I know that I love hair more. I will take classes for makeup. 

Nov 26, 2012

Jennifer T.

I would say go to cosmetology school. You have a choice doing anything you want but if your passion is a MUA, then be an esthetician. Be sure to go to a good school. Otherwise, you do not want to waste your money if you aren't learning anything. But once you are done with school, you actually learn once you start working. School only teaches you the basics. Good luck!

Dec 5, 2012

Laura H.

esthetics is best for MUA because of the advanced skin care knowledge. I went for esthi because of that and I feel like will have a leg up in makeup school. cosmetology is really about hair. most of the hair chicks i work with now suck at makeup. Not All! but most which is acceptable if they don't f*#k up the bridesmaids faces... Sorry, rambling. but yeah, definitely Esthi!,

Dec 5, 2012

Sarah K.

I would go (and went to) cosmetology school, that way you'll be able to do everything, and you can also take specialty classes to focus on what you really love :) good luck!!

Dec 5, 2012

Michele C.

I suggest you check out strictly makeup programs if that is your main focus and then go back and get licensed in aesthetics. Aesthetics is all about skin care which will really benefit you in learning how to handle different skin scenarios you may face as a makeup artist. Cosmetology programs are mainly focused on all things hair. Hope that helps!

Dec 5, 2012

Rachel D.

Esthetics would be a ether choice. You learn about different products and different types of skin. Etc...you will learn to do face masks and waxing and the makeup section is longer than in the cosmetology program. In cosmetology you learn everything from hair to giving pedicures. 

Dec 6, 2012

Dawn R.

I went to cosmetology school but I worked for MAC while in school. This way I got my basic cosmetology license and was a trained certified MAC artist as well. 

Dec 6, 2012

Crystal S.

Dawn R. Has the right idea ;) I'm in cosmetology school, but I'm better at makeup and nails. You cannot get a "makeup license" so u gotta weigh it out. Brides get hair and makeup done...go for cos, take classes on the side, make all the $$$. Good luck!!!

Dec 6, 2012

Juanita W.

Everyone keeps sayin COS cuz u can do everything. But I don't recall u saying u want to do everything. I went for ESTH! Go for esthetics!!!! Unless u want to spend time on hair care in depth!!
Just cuz u like to color hair don't mean you'd love to be a cosmetologist. 

Dec 6, 2012

Kayleigh A.

I went to school for master esthetics. This does teach makeup so the person earlier in the convo who said you don't learn makeup is incorrect. This program even went further with tv makeup we did photoshoots, camouflage makeup and special fx, along with full body skin care, body waxing and certain massage techniques. 

Dec 6, 2012

Michele C.

Woopsies I didn't know esthetics covered makeup but that's great! Even more beneficial! :) 

Dec 6, 2012

Crystal S.

Maybe it depends on the state 

Dec 6, 2012

Michele C.

@ Crystal S. -- I think you're right, hun. Here in Jersey I've seen that the aesthetics and cosmetology programs don't include very much makeup instruction but then again I haven't toured every school in NJ! 

Dec 6, 2012

Michele C.

@ Crystal S. -- I think you're right, hun. Here in Jersey I've seen that the aesthetics and cosmetology programs don't include very much makeup instruction but then again I haven't toured every school in NJ!