How to Become an Esthetician | Esthetician Schools Kingston WA

How to Choose an Esthetician School near Kingston Washington

Kingston WA esthetician client with cucumber facial Since you have made a decision to enter the field of cosmetology and attend an esthetician school near Kingston WA, the task starts to find and enroll in the right program. It’s important that the school you select not only furnishes the necessary education for the specialty you have decided on, but also preps you for passing the licensing exam. When you begin your preliminary search, you may be a little bit confused about the distinction between beauty schools and cosmetology schools. Well don’t be, because the titles are essentially interchangeable and both refer to the same kind of school. We’ll discuss a bit further regarding that in the upcoming section. If you anticipate commuting to classes you will need to locate a school that is within driving distance of your Kingston home. Tuition will additionally be a critical factor when assessing possible schools. Just remember that because a school is the nearest or the lowest cost it’s not always the best option. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example their reputation and accreditation. We will examine what questions you should ask about the cosmetology schools you are thinking about later in this article. Before we do, let’s talk a bit about what cosmetology is, and what types of courses are offered.

Definition of Cosmetology

esthetics facial toners Kingston WA Cosmetology is an occupation that is all about making the human body look more beautiful with the use of cosmetics. So of course it makes sense that numerous cosmetology schools are described as beauty schools. Most of us think of makeup when we hear the word cosmetics, but actually a cosmetic can be anything that enhances the appearance of a person’s skin, hair or nails. If you want to work as a cosmetologist, the majority of states mandate that you undergo some kind of specialized training and then become licensed. Once licensed, the work environments include not only Kingston WA beauty salons and barber shops, but also such venues as spas, hotels and resorts. Many cosmetologists, after they have gotten experience and a client base, open their own shops or salons. Others will start servicing clients either in their own homes or will go to the client’s home, or both. Cosmetology college graduates have many names and are employed in a wide range of specialties including:

Estheticians
Hairdressers
Hairstylists
Beauticians
Barbers
Manicurists
Nail Technicians
Makeup Artists
Hair Coloring Specialists
Electrolysis Technicians

As already mentioned, in most states practicing cosmetologists have to be licensed. In certain states there is an exception. Only those performing more skilled services, for instance hairstylists, are required to be licensed. Others working in cosmetology and less skilled, such as shampooers, are not required to become licensed in those states.

Esthetician Certificates and Degrees

Kingston WA esthetician client with face mask There are basically two options offered to get esthetician training and a credential upon completion. You can enroll in a certificate (or diploma) program, or you can pursue an Associate’s degree. Certificate programs generally require 12 to 18 months to complete, while an Associate’s degree commonly takes about 2 years. If you enroll in a certificate program you will be trained in each of the main areas of cosmetology. Shorter programs are offered if you want to concentrate on just one area, such as esthetics. A degree program will also likely include management and marketing training in order that graduates are better prepared to operate a salon or other Kingston WA business. More advanced degrees are not common, but Bachelor and Master’s degree programs are offered in such specializations as salon or spa management. Whatever type of training program you choose, it’s important to make sure that it’s approved by the Washington Board of Cosmetology. Many states only recognize schools that are accredited by certain reputable organizations, including the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS). We will review the benefits of accreditation for the school you choose in the next section.

Online Esthetics Training

woman attending esthetician school online in Kingston WA Online esthetician schools are advantageous for Kingston WA students who are working full time and have family obligations that make it hard to attend a more traditional school. There are a large number of web-based beauty school programs offered that can be attended by means of a home computer or laptop at the student’s convenience. More traditional cosmetology programs are frequently fast paced given that many programs are as brief as 6 or 8 months. This means that a considerable amount of time is spent in the classroom. With online courses, you are covering the same amount of material, but you are not devoting many hours away from your home or travelling to and from classes. On the other hand, it’s important that the training program you choose can provide internship training in area salons and parlors so that you also get the hands-on training needed for a complete education. Without the internship part of the training, it’s difficult to acquire the skills needed to work in any area of the cosmetology field. So don’t forget if you decide to enroll in an online program to confirm that internship training is available in your area.

Questions to Ask Esthetician Training Courses

Kingston WA models benefit from esthetic treatments Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any esthetician training school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Kingston residence, together with the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a cosmetology program. Below we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.

Is the Program Accredited? It’s essential to make sure that the esthetician training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in 98346 for non- accredited schools. It’s also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many Kingston WA businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.

Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each esthetician school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews together with the school’s accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Kingston WA salon owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.

What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of esthetician schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as hairstyling, manicuring or electrolysis. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it’s imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. If your ambition is to be trained as an esthetician, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a Kingston WA beauty salon, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in the specialty you are seeking will not deliver the training you require.

Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering esthetician skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the beauty lessons you will be attending. Some schools have salons on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a beauty program provides minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.

Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from an esthetician school, it’s crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with Kingston WA employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which salons and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Many esthetician schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be available.

Attending Esthetician School Near Kingston WA?

Perhaps you live in the Kingston Washington area, or have found a school that you will commute to or even relocate to attend. Either way, following is some interesting background information about the location of your new esthetician program.

Kingston, Washington

Kingston (formerly Appletree Cove[3]) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,099 at the 2010 census. Kingston is along the shores of Appletree Cove and the Puget Sound, and is home to a major Washington State Ferry terminal linking it to Edmonds.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.3 km²), of which, 1.6 square miles (4.3 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (32.10%) is water.

Founded in 1853 by Benjamin Bannister the community was originally known as Appletree Cove, By 1880 it was a lumber town until the mill closed down in the early 20th century. But the local lumber yard is still in business today, owned by Tom Waggoner. Known as the "Little city by the sea", Kingston is the northern gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. Now it is the social and economic center of the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Find the Right Esthetics College near Kingston WA

Finding and enrolling in the right esthetician school is important to get the appropriate training to become a licensed cosmetology specialist. Be sure to ask all the questions that you need to so as to feel positive about your decision. Make certain to consolidate all of the information you get from the beauty school admissions departments, focus on what matters the most to you, and then employ that data to contrast schools. A reasonable beginning in your due diligence process is to make sure that the school and program you select are accredited and have outstanding reputations within the field. If you begin with that base, and answer the additional questions presented in this post, you will be able to narrow down your list of schools so that you can make the right selection. And when you graduate and pass your licensing examination, you will be self-assured that you are prepared to start your career as a professional esthetician in Kingston WA.