When you envision the realm of cosmetology careers and those enrolling in beauty industry programs, the image of a woman might traditionally come to mind. Historically, women have been the predominant participants in beauty industry careers, from hairstyling to makeup artistry. However, this landscape is evolving. Cosmetology is not just for women. An increasing number of men are venturing into this field, significantly impacting beauty industry trends and enriching the sector with fresh perspectives.
The stereotype that careers in cosmetology are tailored exclusively for women is fading. The inclusion of men is reshaping the industry, introducing new ideas to this ancient craft. Men possess an equal talent and passion for beauty and style, challenging the conventional image of beauty professionals. With beauty industry careers experiencing significant growth, there’s ample opportunity for both men and women to thrive in this dynamic and rewarding field.
Men Are Already Making Their Mark
Despite being a minority, men are not newcomers to cosmetology careers. According to the Professional Beauty Association, the industry prides itself on diversity, a trend that continues to rise. Back in 2011, men constituted 16 percent of the beauty workforce, with 29 percent of salons owned by them. The influx of men into cosmetology careers, including barbering courses and nail technician courses, is on an upward trajectory, with no signs of slowing down.
Influential Men in Beauty
The beauty industry has been home to many renowned male figures. Icons like Max Factor and Vidal Sassoon revolutionized beauty product development and hairstyling techniques, proving that cosmetology careers are not bound by gender. Their pioneering work laid the foundations for modern beauty industry trends, inspiring countless professionals.
Max Factor
One of the giants of the beauty industry, Max Factor found fame in the early years of Hollywood. His major contribution to beauty was the invention of a new kind of makeup, an alternative to the thick, gloppy makeup that young movie stars were using on set. He created a lighter formula that was revolutionary at the time and went on to work with such legends as Judy Garland and Bette Davis.
Vidal Sassoon
By far the most famous hair designer in history is Vidal Sassoon. This British-born hairstylist started from modest roots but worked his way up to style the stars. He is credited with inventing the bob hair cut for women. In addition to developing his own line of hair care products, he co-founded the Paul Mitchell brand of hair salons and products along with his now-famous student, Mitchell.
Charles Revlon
Most people don’t realize that the person behind the world-famous Revlon brand was a man. Revson revolutionized nail beauty by creating colors that had never been used in nail design before. He also introduced matching lipstick shades so that women could coordinate their hands and faces.
Kevyn Aucoin
Aucoin was a more modern star in the beauty industry, making a name for himself working as a makeup artist for some of the most famous faces of the 1990s: Cindy Crawford, Tina Turner, and Cher, just to name a few. He also authored a book, Making Faces, about makeup, which still stands today as one of the most popular beauty books of all time.
The Growing Interest Among Men
The shift towards personal grooming among men underscores a broader cultural change. Beauty industry trends reveal a surge in men’s skincare and grooming products, highlighting a growing market that cosmetology careers can cater to. This includes a rise in specialized barbering courses and esthetics programs, tailored to meet the unique needs of male clientele.
A Booming Industry
The beauty industry is flourishing, with an increasing demand for skilled professionals across cosmetology careers, nail technician courses, and esthetics programs. This growth is not just limited to traditional salons but extends to spas, freelance opportunities, and roles in beauty product development. For those considering a career in this vibrant sector, now is an opportune time.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is plenty of room for anyone wanting a career in the beauty industry. The number of positions for barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists is growing faster than average job growth, at a rate of 10 percent. There are projected to be over 65,000 jobs added to the industry between 2021 and 2031.
Embracing Cosmetology Careers
Clearly, now is a great time to enroll in programs at beauty colleges and to work toward a career in this industry, both for women and for men. Programs exist for cosmetology, but also for specializations, including barbering, makeup artistry, hairstyle and design, hair coloring, facial and skin specialists, and nail specialists.
The beauty school at Florida Technical College (FTC) offers programs in all of these fields of the beauty industry, with these opportunities available at the Kissimmee campus. Most of these programs take twelve months or less to complete and include plenty of expert classroom instruction as well as hands-on practice to prepare students for careers in this high-demand industry.
Florida Technical College also offers many other advantages for men and women interested in enrolling in beauty colleges. The Kissimmee campus offers flexible class schedules for working students and those with family responsibilities, small class sizes with experienced instructors, and assistance with finding a career and a position upon graduation. Now is a great time for men to get into the beauty industry. To get started you only need to enroll in a program like those offered at Florida Technical College. Contact our beauty school to get more information about your options.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
