Now is the perfect time to start your beauty professional career in Rhode Island. Cosmetology is one of the top jobs with the largest total number of expected job openings each year, between the years 2012 and 20222, according to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. In fact, the Department expects over 850 new cosmetology job openings each year.
Providence is home to Coiffurium Salon—a Rhode Island business that made it onto Elle’ Magazine’s “Top 100 Salons in the US.” It’s a full-service salon, offering hair cutting and styling, massages, color, manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing. The hairstylists offer the cutting edge express keratin blowout and keratin complex service, right alongside of the estheticians, who offer unique services such as seaweed facials. Not to be outdone, the manicurists up the ante by offering full-spa manicures and pedicures, hot oil manicures, and deluxe paraffin treatments.
Lastly, All American Barber Shop in Newport, voted the “Best of Rhode Island” in 2007 by Rhode Island Monthly, brings back the classic, American barbershop atmosphere. The lounge-like atmosphere with men’s reading material, personal LCD televisions, and full lather hot shaves highlight men’s sophistication.
Whether you want to become a hairdresser, manicurist, esthetician, electrologist, or barber, Rhode Island is the place for you. Your career as a beauty professional starts with obtaining a license from the State of Rhode Island Department of Health Cosmetology Licensing Unit. This Unit is responsible for regulating the licensing standards for each beauty professional occupation throughout the state.
How to Become a Hairdresser or Cosmetician in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Licensing Unit defines hairdressers and cosmeticians as those who arrange, style, and cut hair, who manicure nails, and who beautify skin. In this, hairdressers and cosmeticians are the most inclusive of all the beauty professionals, working with all three aspects of beauty- hair, nails, and skin.
To begin the process of becoming a hairdresser or cosmetician, you must be at least 18 years old and have graduated from high school (or equivalent) before enrolling in a cosmetology program.
Education Requirements for Rhode Island Cosmeticians
Your cosmetician career will start by completing 1500 hours of study in a Rhode Island cosmetology school in order to meet licensing requirements. In these cosmetology schools, you will get to learn the theory and science behind beauty services, and you will get hands-on beauty service practice. In one of these programs, you will get to take courses including, but not limited to, the following:
- Infection Control and Microbiology
- Basic Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Principles of Chemistry and Electricity
- Ergonomics and Body Positioning
- Shampooing, Massaging, and Brushing
- Principles of Hair Design
- Haircutting and Styling
- Wigs, Enhancements, and Extensions
- Chemical Hair Services
Examination Requirements for License as a Rhode Island Cosmetician
After graduating from a beauty school, you will be eligible to take and pass the Rhode Island cosmetology licensing examinations, which are listed as follows:
- National Cosmetician Theory Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
- Cosmetician Practical Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
After passing these licensing exams, you will be issued a Rhode Island cosmetology license.
Job Opportunities for Cosmeticians
As a cosmetician/hairstylist, you will be able to look for full-time or part-time salon jobs. Stylists are normally paid a base, hourly rate, but after you gain your own strong, client base, you may be able to find a job paid off of commission.
There are many other top-rated salons throughout Rhode Island along with Coiffurium Salon in Providence. Studio B, Salon and Beauty Boutique, located in Cranston, has cosmetician/hairstylists who specialize in creative hair coloring, color balancing, foils, keratin treatments, makeup, and even brow shaping. Along with this, they are known for their award-winning bridal services.
If you’re looking for salons throughout Rhode Island, consider some of these other top salons:
- Ky Michaels Salon – Providence
- Capelli Salon – Providence
Qualifications for Manicurists in Rhode Island
As a manicurist, you will specialize your career by focusing solely on the beautification of nails, hands, and feet.
Manicurist Education Requirements
To start your career as a manicurist, begin by enrolling in a 300-hour manicurist training program through an approved beauty college in order to meet state licensing requirements. You will be able to find these training programs in local cosmetology and beauty schools. In manicuring training programs, you will get to learn the art and science behind nail care, taking courses such as the following:
- Infection Control
- Nail Anatomy
- The Physiology of Nails
- Functions of Nail Equipment and Implements
- Pedicure Services
- Client Consultation
- Nail Enhancement Services
- Nail Art
- Tip Application
- Nail Product Functions – Gels, Exfoliates, Polymers, etc.
Manicurist Examination Requirements for a Rhode Island License
Once completing your manicurist training program, you will be able to obtain your license by passing the following manicurist licensing exams:
- National Manicurist Theory Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
- Manicurist Practical Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
Job Opportunities for Manicurists
Manicurists in Rhode Island will be able to look for full or part-time jobs in nail salons, spas, or local hair salons. You will want to look for jobs with a base, hourly pay or commission-based pay. If you’re working off of commission, you will want to have a strong client base, excelling in cutting-edge techniques, personal marketing, and sales.
Metro Nails | Nail Salon in Providence offers a full “menu” of professional nail services, from the quick, express pedicure to the queen-like treatment of spa pedicures. Their signature spa pedicure includes exfoliating scrub, soothing gels, and a mint masque wrap. This salon shows off their knowledge of nail trends, offering shellac and gel manicures, as well.
For other great nail salons throughout Rhode Island, consider some of the following options:
- Suzi’s Nail Salon – Pawtucket
- Park Avenue Nail Salon – Cranston
How to Become an Esthetician in Rhode Island
As an esthetician, you will get to specialize your beauty professional career, focusing solely on the study of skin. The Rhode Island licensing unit notes that estheticians clean, stimulate, manipulate, and beautify skin, and in the blistery cold of Rhode Island, everyone needs a good esthetician.
Esthetician Educational Requirements
You will begin your career as an esthetician in Rhode Island by enrolling in a 600-hour esthetician training program, which may be found in a local cosmetology or beauty school.
- Structure and Function of Skin
- Skin Disorders
- Skin Analysis
- Professional Makeup Techniques
- Hair Removal Services
- Facials
- Body Treatment and Massage Techniques
- Business-building for Spas and Salons
Esthetician Examination Requirements
After passing your esthetician training program, you will be able to register for, take, and pass the Rhode Island esthetician licensing exams:
- National Esthetician Theory Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
- Esthetician Practical Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
Esthetician Job Opportunities
As an esthetician, you may look for jobs at hair salons, nail salons, day spas, hotel spas, medical spas, or dermatology offices. This versatile career can land you job titles such as skin care specialist, beauty advisor, or makeup artist, as well.
Day spas are hot spots for estheticians in Rhode Island. Luminous Salon & Spa in Providence is not just a day spa, but it’s a hair, nail, and skin salon combined! The estheticians at Luminous truly know how to made your skin glow, with sea salt glow body treatments, mud relaxation body wraps, seaweed body wraps, and hydrating aromatherapy wraps.
- Tiffany’s Salon and Spa – Barrington
- Shimmer Salon and Day Spa – East Greenwich
How to Become a Certified Electrologist in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Licensing Unit defines electrolysis as that cosmetic art which permanently removes hair through using electrically heated instruments at the root of the hair.
To obtain an electrolysis certificate in Rhode Island, you should first be 18 years old and a graduate of high school.
Education
Completing a 650-hour course of study as an apprentice is your first step toward attaining the Rhode Island electrolysis certificate. You will train directly under the supervision of a Rhode Island electrolysis teacher, and your training will include the following course and hour requirements:
- Histology – 50 hours
- Bacteria, Sterilization, and Hygiene – 100 hours
- Dermatology – 75 hours
- Principles of Electricity – 25 hours
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Endocrinology – 75 hours
- Magnification, Lighting, and Equipment – 25 hours
- Professional Ethics and Office management – 25 hours
- Practical Training – 275 hours
Examination
After completing your electrolysis training program, you will be able to take the Rhode Island certification examinations, including the following:
- National Electrolysis Theory Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
- Electrolysis Practical Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
Job Opportunities for Electrologists
With your electrolysis certificate, you can work at laser hair removal centers, salons, or spas. With a dual esthetician-electrolysis license, you will be able to move quickly up the ranks as a valued member of any day spa.
Skinsational Laser Center is a great place for any Rhode Islander wanting to get rid of unwanted hair, since they offer consistent, reproducible, and permanent hair removal services. Rather than offering the minimum 7 recommended treatments, Skinsational offers 8 treatments and 4 maintenance treatments, to help their clients look and feel their best.
To find additional electrology centers in Rhode Island, consider some of the following options:
- Associates in Electrology: Advanced Laser Therapy – Providence
- Ideal Image – Laser Hair Removal – Providence
How to Become a Barber in Rhode Island
As a barber in Rhode Island, you will specialize in grooming services for men. The Rhode Island Cosmetology Licensing Unit defines barbers as those who are experts at the cutting, styling, and designing of men’s hair and facial hair.
Barber Education Requirements
Your barbering career will start with you completing a 1500-hour barber training program. Your barber training program will have courses including, but not limited to, the following:
- Honing and Stropping
- Tapered Haircutting
- Shampooing
- Waving Hair
- Facial Massage
- Hair Coloring
- Cutting, Trimming, and Designing Mustaches and Beards
- Shaving Mustaches and Beards
- Sanitation and Infection Control
Barber Examination Requirements
Once graduating from your barber training program, you will be able to take the two Rhode Island barber licensing exams, which are as follows:
- National Barber Theory Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
- Barber Practical Examination given by the Rhode Island Licensing Department
Barber Job Options
As a barber in Rhode Island, you will be able to look for jobs at barbershops or local salons. You will find both hourly and commission-based pay job options; however, you will want to make sure that you have a strong client-base before taking a commission-based job.
Sky’s the Limit Barber Shop in North Kingstown is doing just what its name says—taking the limits off of barbering. Not only do they offer top, quality barbering services, but they also have a cutting-edge, fun an atmosphere. With plasma TVs and videogame consoles, you might even forget you’re waiting for a haircut.
For other barbershops throughout Rhode Island, consider some of the following options:
- Don’s Barber Shop – Woonsocket
- Village Barber shop – Wakefield