No matter how poor the economy or the unemployment rate, people are always willing to spend money to look more beautiful, and there will always be a demand for professional cosmetologists, estheticians and beauty specialists. You can learn to be a professional beautician with good training in cosmetology, and it can take just a few months to become certified.

A good course in cosmetology and beauty can cover a variety of topics, from barbering to nail technology. A beautician or cosmetologist can be certified in manicuring, skin care, hair styling, makeup application, electrolysis, waxing, and many other areas. Some students will choose a specialty, which can take about nine months for certification. Others will seek an associate degree in cosmetology and barbering, which will be more comprehensive and can take approximately two years to complete. The more time spent learning the various programs, the greater your employment opportunities. The choice of how far to go is up to the individual.

If you would like to learn to be an esthetician (skin care specialist), there are hundreds of good courses in skin care and esthetics available. You can learn all about performing facials, body wrapping, aromatherapy, and even how to manage a skin care business. To become certified in skin care takes between 17 and 40 weeks of full time study, and the job outlook upon graduation is excellent. Graduates can find jobs working in a dermatology clinic, spa, or beauty salon

Some students will prefer to learn the art of beauty, which can take many forms. Students can choose to focus on hair styling and design, makeup application, manicuring and pedicuring, and more. The length of a beauty course depends on the exact specialty chosen, the specific beauty school, and the region in which you will practice. Some states have heavy regulations for beauticians, and others have little regulation.