So you’re looking to become an esthetician? Maybe this is your first career or maybe you’re like me and it’s your starting all over moment and you’re scared out of your mind. Read this article to see five useful steps to become a successful esthetician.

FIND A STATE CERTIFIED SCHOOL

     One thing I have found is that there are many esthetician courses offered. They may make the promise of training you to be an esthetician, but they are not necessarily certified by the state. So what does that mean for you? Well, you may get the required hours, (here in Texas there are 750 required hours) but if the state does not recognize the school, they will NOT let you take the TDLR test to become licensed. So basically you just wasted your time and money. Do a quick Google search for certified schools in your area and make sure to go and tour each one of them. Find the school that best suits you. Most schools offer full and part time schedules.

RESEARCH OUTSIDE PLATFORMS

     You have to put in the hours, but school will only teach you so much. You basically have to learn the information in the book to pass your test. The school will also give you hands on experience with fellow students and any clients they may have that come in, but don’t be afraid to do extra research on outside platforms. Youtube and Tik Tok videos of other estheticians are very helpful. My personal favorite channel is Kristen Marie. She helps you understand the business side of being an esthetician as well as shows you various techniques for facials. Learn as much as you can from other estheticians and skin professionals. You can see their technique and see what products they use. Use your time in school to get as much knowledge as you can, so when you become licensed you feel confident and ready to start your business.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

     Until you are licensed you will not be able to legally charge for your services such as facials; however, take this opportunity to practice your technique on any willing volunteers, (Friends and family) You may suddenly find that you have a lot more friends. This is will also give you free advertisement. Your friends will know that you provide esthetician services and will tell others about it, so when you graduate school and get your license you may already have a small clientele.

      Ask them to tell you what you did well and what you can work on. I personally like to film my facials. When I see myself doing a facial, I am probably my biggest critic and am able to critique myself.

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE INDUSTRY

     Once you have enrolled yourself in school, you will be given a number. This number will stay with you your entire career. This number also opens up a lot of opportunities to buy products for professionals only. It also allows you to be able to go to conferences for other professional licensed estheticians. At these conferences they usually have free training courses, the newest beauty technology on the market and of course you will meet many professionals in the industry. I recommend that you take advantage of that as much as possible. I like to go on to different websites like skinscriptx.com and buy their sample packages. This allows me to test a wide variety of products to see which ones I will prefer to use on my clients. Once you have an idea on which products you like the best you will be able to re-sell these products to your clients at an up-marked price.

     This is one way to make a little bit of extra money on the side, while you are going to school.

PROMOTE YOURSELF!

     This is something that I really struggled with. I almost feel ashamed promoting myself. I’m always worried about what other people think. However, I have learned that you NEED to promote yourself!!! Tell everyone you know that you are studying to be an esthetician. Like I had mentioned earlier, start practicing while you’re in school. That way when you have your license everyone knows what you do and when they are wanting a service, who do you think will be the first person that comes to their mind? That’s right, you.

      You are most likely wanting to start a business, so invest in yourself, don’t be afraid, you can do it!!! There are so many tools out there for entrepreneurs like yourself. I think the biggest suggestion I can give is, DON’T GIVE UP!