A
cosmetologist, sometimes called
beautician or
beauty specialist, is someone who specializes in giving
beauty treatments[?], usually to
women. A cosmetologist is proficient in
hair treatments[?],
facials[?] and other
skin treatments[?] and
nail treatments[?].
Some cosmetologists specialize in just one of these areas. The sub-categories of cosmetologist are hair stylist, shampooer, manicurist, estheticians and electrologists. Often cosmetologists specialize in more than one of these categories.
A hair stylist specializes in the
cutting, curling, uncurling, styling and coloring of hair. Hair stylists can also apply
hair extensions[?] and
weaves[?]. Hair stylists can also
shampoo and
condition[?] client's hair, though this is not always necessary. Some hair stylists also give recommendations and perform work on
wigs and
hairpieces[?].
The shampooer is really a sub-category of the hair stylist. A shampooer shampoos and conditions a client's hair preparatory for the hair stylist. Shampooers are normally only employed by large
salons[?] which have voluminous numbers of customers simultaneously.
A manicurist specializes in nail care, including
manicures,
pedicures[?], and
nail extensions[?].
An esthetician specializes in facials, head and neck
massages, and
hair removal through
waxing. Some estheticians offer
full-body massages[?] as well. Estheticians may offer one or more of the following types of waxing:
bikini[?],
Brazilian,
leg[?] or
arm[?].
An electrologist offers removal of unwanted hair via an
electrolysis machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via
electrolysis is permanent.
It is recently argued that barbers are also cosmetologists who extend the hair stylist specialty with services especially for men, such as shaving and beard trimming.