What could be better than being immersed each day in the world of style, fashion, and beauty by obtaining a job as a beauty professional? With the Arizona Department of Employment and Population Statistics expecting a 12.6% growth in the number of beauty professional jobs between 2012 and 2022, it is safe to say that now is the perfect time to start your beauty professional career in Arizona.
 | How to Become a Cosmetologist in Arizona |
| Qualifications for Manicurists in Arizona |
| How to Become an Aesthetician in Arizona |
| How to Become a Barber in Arizona |
Arizona is home to nationally recognized salons and spas. The Roose Parlous and Spa, located in Phoenix, is a relaxing oasis in the midst of an industrial downtown. Voted as one of the “Top 100 Salons in the US” by Elle Magazine—this spa is truly top-notch. The Roose offers it all; the high-end cosmetologists are experts at cut, colors, styles, and detoxifying, nourishing treatments. Because great nail care can be found all over Arizona, the manicurists will offer all types of nail services to please each and every client. Finally, the aestheticians at The Roose offer customized facials, organic products, deep exfoliations, and makeup art.
Barbers in Arizona are experts at reviving the classic, American art of men’s grooming and sophistication. Central Barber, located in Phoenix, does not just stop at offering all of the classic, traditional men’s cuts and shaves, such as line ups, beard trims, facials, flat tops, and razor fades. The barbers at Central go above and beyond, searching out the latest trends in the barbering industry, and offering Earoma therapy. This cutting-edge personal care therapy utilizes an ear candle that allows smoke to loosen and extract the toxins from your ear canals.
Clearly, Arizona, in many ways, is on the cutting-edge of hair, nail, skin, and barber trends, fashion, and techniques. Whether you want to become a cosmetologist, manicurist, esthetician, or barber, Arizona is the perfect place. To become a cosmetologist, manicurist, or esthetician, you will start by obtaining a license from the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. To become a barber, you will start by getting a license from the Arizona Board of Barbers.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Arizona
Cosmetologists are the all-encompassing beauty professionals, using their creativity and innovation to provide hair, skin, and nail services for all types of clients.
Education Requirements for Arizona Cosmetologists
To become a cosmetologist in Arizona, you start by enrolling in a 1600-hour cosmetology training program. Throughout cosmetology school, you will learn the theory and practices behind the care of hair, skin, and nails by taking the following, Board-designated courses:
- Theory of cosmetology
- Infection control
- Anatomy, physiology and histology of the body
- Electricity
- Diseases and disorders
- Arizona cosmetology laws and rules
- Principles and practices of infection control and safety
- Morphology and treatment of hair, skin, and nails
- Interpersonal skills and professional ethics
- Product pharmacology
- Chemical texturizing
- Changing existing hair color
- Hair and scalp care
- Fundamentals of hairstyling including braiding and extensions
- Body, scalp, and facial massage and manipulations
- Hair cutting fundamentals
- Fundamental aesthetics of the body and face
- Fundamentals of nail technology
- Alternative hair, skin, and nail technology
- Body and facial hair removal except by electrolysis
- Introduction to electricity and light therapy for cosmetic purposes including laser/Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) procedures and devices
- Cosmetology technology
Examination Requirements for License as a Cosmetologist in Arizona
After graduating from cosmetology school, you then get to take the Arizona cosmetology licensing examinations, which are as follows:
- Arizona Cosmetology Written Examination administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS)
- Arizona Cosmetology Practical Examination administered by PCS
Once passing these exams, you will be able to receive your Arizona cosmetology license.
Job Opportunities for Cosmetologists
As a cosmetologist, you get to look for jobs in salons and spas, where you will be an expert at hairstyling, makeup art, and facials. These jobs will often pay you hourly or by commission. Some jobs will even have you rent a chair from within their shop, working as an independent contractor. Whatever the case, you will want to build a strong clientele base, hone your sales skills, and develop your own personal marketing skills.
Dolly Rockers Salon, deep in the heart of Anthem, has also hit the national stage, being mentioned in InStyle Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Elle Magazine multiple times, and it’s easy to see why. The deep, rich, and relaxing environment, filled with chandeliers, rouge-painted walls, vintage chairs, and drapes between each styling station make Dolly Rockers feel more like a mansion than a salon. Along with this, each stylists completes continuing education with REDKEN and Bumble & Bumble to make sure that they can offer the latest, cutting-edge services to each and every client.
For more top-notch salons throughout Arizona, consider some of the following options:
- The Root Salon – Phoenix
- FLIRT Salon – Chandler
- Etch Salon – Phoenix
Qualifications for Manicurists in Arizona
Manicurists get to specialize in the science and care of nails, hands, and feet, providing manicures, pedicures, massages, and more for their clients.
Manicurist Education Requirements
To become a manicurist in Arizona, you get to start by graduating from in a 600-hour manicurist training program, which is likely to be found as a specialized track within a larger beauty school. Throughout beauty school, you will get to perfect your knowledge of both the theory and the practice of nail services, including the following, Board-designated manicuring subject areas:
- Theory of nail technology
- Infection control
- Diseases and disorders of the nails and skin
- Anatomy; physiology and histology of the limbs, nails, and skin structures
- Arizona state cosmetology laws and rules
- Principles and practices of infection control and safety
- Recognition of diseases and the treatment of disorders of the nail and skin
- Massage and manipulation of the limbs
- Interpersonal skills and professional ethics
- Product pharmacology and chemistry interaction, formulation, composition, and hazards
- Nail technology machines, tools, and instruments and their related uses
- Clinical and laboratory practice that includes nails, skin, and limbs
- Pre- and post-client consultation, documentation, and analysis
- Manicuring
- Pedicuring
- Artificial nail enhancements (application and removal)
- Alternative nail technology
- Electric file use
- Pedicure spa modalities
- Exfoliation modalities on limbs or the body
Manicurist Examination Requirements for an Arizona License
After graduating from a manicurist training program in a local beauty school, you can take the Arizona nail technician licensing exams:
- Arizona Nail Technician Written Examination administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS)
- Arizona Nail Technician Practical Examination administered by PCS
Once passing these exams, you will be able to receive your Arizona manicurist license.
Job Opportunities for Manicurists
As a manicurist, you will be able to look for jobs in nail salons, full-service salons, or day spas. For a beginning manicurist, it will be helpful to find a job that pays an hourly rate, so that you have a stable income even when it’s slow. Other salon jobs will offer commission-based pay, and with that, you will want to build a strong clientele and increase your capacity for sales and marketing. It may be helpful for you, as a beginner, to obtain a job in a full-service salon, where there will already be a constant stream of clients.
One such salon, Mood Swings Salon & Skin Spa in Tempe, offers an incredible number of services to bring in hundreds, if not thousands, of clients. Being mentioned in Allure, Citysearch, New Times, azcentral, and 944 Magazine, Mood Swings is one of the most popular, award-winning salons around. Among hair, skin, makeup, waxing, spa, airbrush, and tanning services, the manicurists offer rejuvenating, softening, and healing hand, foot, and nail services. One of the distinctive services is the Caribbean Therapy Pedicure, which includes a dual-jet therapeutic whirlpool, cuticle trims, nail shaping, callous removal, a hydrating masque and body cleansing, your choice of polish, and—to top it all off—a Caribbean Therapy Exfoliating Scrub. With all of these services, it’s clear why clients come to Mood Swings to get their nails done.
For other top-notch nail and full-service salons, consider some of the following options:
- LaVie Nails & Spa – Gilbert
- LoAnn Nails Spa – Mesa
- Classy Nails by Le – Tuscon
How to Become an Aesthetician in Arizona
Aestheticians get to specialize in the study of rejuvenating, refreshing, and revitalizing the skin through the use of facials, body wraps, chemicals, and more.
Aesthetician Educational Requirements
To become an aesthetician in Arizona, you will start by enrolling in a 600-hour esthetician training program, which may be found in a larger beauty college or a skin care clinic. In aesthetician training schools, you will learn the science and art behind skin care by taking the following courses:
- Theory of aesthetics
- Infection control
- Anatomy
- Physiology and histology of the body
- Diseases and disorders
- Arizona cosmetology laws and rules
- Recognition of diseases and the treatment of disorders of the skin
- Interpersonal skills and professional ethics
- Clinical and laboratory practice that includes face and body
- Morphology and treatment of skin, including face and body, by hand and machine
- Product pharmacology and chemistry interaction, formulation, composition, and hazards
- Aesthetics machines, tools, and instruments and their related uses
- Alternative skin technology
- Spa body modalities
- Exfoliation modalities
- Body and face massage and manipulations
- Body and facial hair removal except by electrolysis
- Introduction to electricity and light therapy for cosmetic purposes including laser/Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) procedures and devices
- Cosmetic enhancement applications
Aesthetician Examination Requirements
After graduating from an aesthetician training program in a local beauty college, you will be permitted to take the Arizona aesthetician licensing exams, recorded as follows:
- Arizona Aesthetician Written Examination administered by Professional Credential Services (PCS)
- Arizona Aesthetician Practical Examination administered by PCS
Once passing these exams, you will be able to receive your Arizona aesthetician license.
Aesthetician Job Opportunities
As an Aesthetician in Arizona, you will be able to look for skin care specialist, makeup artist, or waxing specialist jobs at local full-service salons, spas, or hotels that offer spa services. Being paid off an hourly rate or a commission-based rate, you will want to hone you personal marketing, sales, and relationship-building skills.
Miraval Resorts is home to an award-winning spa, the Miraval Life in Balance Spa. This spa, located in the natural beauty of the Sonoran desert, is home to Aestheticians, who have studied all over the world, bringing the most rejuvenating treatments and therapies to you. One signature treatment—the Ayurveda treatment—is based on ancient, healing arts from South India, focusing on essential oils, massages, point therapy, and aromatherapy. Finally, among a long list of facials and peels, the Aestheticians also offer the Miraval Exclusive Renew and Restore Facial Series, including micro-exfoliation and a customized facial, featuring medical-grade ingredients.
For other high-end full-service salons, spas, and resorts that offer spa services, consider some of the following options:
- Cloud Nine Salon Spa – Tempe
- Madison Avenue Salon & Day Spa – Phoenix, Chandler, Gilbert
- Canyon Ranch – Tucson
How to Become a Barber in Arizona
Barbers revive the notion of classic, masculine sophistication by learning the art of cutting, shaving, and trimming men’s hair, beards, and mustaches.
Barber Education Requirements
To become an Arizona barber, begin by enrolling in a 1500-hour barber training program. In barber training schools, you will learn the theory behind barbering as well as the hands-on, practical aspects of barbering. Your school will provide the following barber curriculum:
Theory – 250 hours
- Fundamentals of Barbering
- Hygiene
- Bacteriology
- Histology of the Hair
- Elementary Chemistry
- Diseases of the Skin
Practical – 1250 hours
- Practice of Massaging and Manipulating Muscles of the Scalp, Face and Neck
- Hair Cutting
- Shaving
- Chemical Work
Barber Examination Requirements
After completing your barber training program, you are able to take the Arizona barber licensing exams:
- Arizona Barber Written Examination administered by the Arizona Board of Barbers
- Arizona Barber Practical Examination administered by the Arizona Board of Barbers
Once passing these exams, you will be able to receive your Arizona barber license.
Barber Job Options
As a barber, you can look for styling jobs at local barbershops or salons that are registered with the Arizona Board of Barbering. Barbering jobs will either pay an hourly pay or a commission-based pay. If you are being paid off of commission, or if you decide to rent a booth from a barbershop, then you will want to make sure and hone your marketing and sales skills, building a strong and steady clientele to keep you busy.
Mike’s Barbershop in Mesa is a full-service shop offering products and cuts to men and boys. This shop truly brings back classical barbering by offering all types of services, including precision haircuts, straight edge razor shaves, aromatherapy facials, grey blending, and quick, in-and-out services for men who need a cut on the run. All of these services, along with their comfortable styling chairs and personal TVs at each styling station, make Mike’s one of the best barbershops around.
For other top-notch barbershops throughout Arizona, consider some of the following options:
- Camelback Barber Shop – Phoenix
- Angelo’s Barber Shop – Gilbert
- London Town Barber Shop – Tucson