5 Traits of a Great Beauty Professional

The beauty professionals who thrive tend to share five traits: real industry knowledge, strong people skills, basic business sense, a love of learning, and solid organization. None of those are things you’re simply born with. They’re built through hands-on training and practice, which is exactly what a cosmetology program at Summit Salon Academy in Tacoma is designed to develop. If you have a knack for hair and makeup and enjoy helping people feel their best, here’s what it takes to succeed in the field, and how our programs help build each trait.

Cosmetologists enjoy flexible schedules, diverse work settings, and daily client interaction, and the job market for the field continues to grow. Want to pursue an education in beauty? Here are five essential traits that can help you on the road to success.

Want to pursue a career in beauty? Here are five essential traits that could help on the road to your success!

1. You Know a Lot About the Beauty Industry

Any good beauty professional should have a deep understanding of their craft. Clients will look to you as an expert, and you may advise them on what products to use, what styles to try, and how to maintain their look.

So, you’ll need to keep up with current trends and stay up to date on industry news and new techniques. You’ll always want to be in the know and ready to share your expertise with clients.

At Summit Salon Academy, we teach students a lot about cosmetology and esthetics. You can expect to learn not only foundational techniques but also about the latest trends and changes in the industry. You can take a look at our social channels to see how our students are learning about the latest trends and applying them to their work!

2. You Love Talking to People

Good beauticians can almost double as good therapists. Many people love to sit and chat with their hairstylists – and lots of client relationships last for years!

As a cosmetologist, you’ll be part of a unique social environment each day. You’ll spend a lot of time one-on-one with both new and familiar clients, listening to their problems, their joys, and anything in between.

It’s an excellent opportunity to meet people of all backgrounds and build acquaintances, connections, and lasting friendships. However, you’ll need to be able to hold up your end of the conversation. The ability to chat with your clients is just as important as your technical skills. You will need to show genuine interest in your clients’ lives, keep the conversation going, and make them feel at ease.

A client who feels comfortable with you will be more likely to return as a client and recommend you to a friend or family member. So, building rapport with your clients is an essential part of career success in the beauty industry.

3. You Know How to Run a Business

Although you don’t necessarily have to become a business major, good beauty professionals should understand how to run a business successfully.

Most cosmetologists are responsible for finding clients on their own unless they work in a salon that takes walk-ins or assigns appointments. This means that you’ll need some knowledge of marketing and lots of great customer service skills.

If you choose to become a salon owner, you will have additional responsibilities to oversee, such as marketing, accounting, and logistics. You may even be responsible for hiring and training new staff members. All of these job functions require some degree of business training.

At Summit Salon Academy in Tacoma, you can learn from the business side of the beauty industry from the Summit Salon Business Center. Here, our students can consult salon and spa owners for their insights on entrepreneurship – such as advice on growing clientele, marketing a business, and hiring the right people.

4. You Love to Learn

The beauty world is a constantly changing industry with new products, techniques, and trends. So, a good cosmetologist loves to learn everything they can!

You can stay current by attending additional classes & workshops, reaching out to instructors, talking to your colleagues, and following successful stylists. You’ll find that studying never stops, even when you finish cosmetology school.

Keep reading books, attending seminars and courses, and watch as your skills improve. You can also perfect and specialize in your own crafts, getting to know one facet of the industry in detail, whether it’s hair coloring, waxing, or even makeup.

At Summit Salon Academy we have partnered with brands like Redken, dermalogica, and Sam Villa to give our students the opportunity to work with quality products. Many of our students use these products in their future careers in the beauty industry.

5. You Stay Organized

Having good organizational skills is a must for any kind of beauty professional. You may need to juggle multiple clients, manage your time, and keep track of the products you use. Additionally, you will also need to arrive on time for your appointment to avoid upsetting your clients. You will also need to master using your time efficiently without rushing through the appointment. This will take time – and the more practice you have, the better you will be at it!

Since it’s essential to prioritize specific tasks and manage your time wisely, a reliable organizational system may be helpful. For example, keeping a calendar or planner to write down appointments and other tasks is an excellent way of staying on track. Learning basic skills, like how to effectively manage your time, can go a long way.

Organization skills will also help you keep your workstation clean. This is not only vital to the health of you and your clients but is required by state sanitation and safety regulations. Clean workstations may also help boost your client’s experience, making them feel more comfortable and relaxed.

At Summit Salon Academy, we teach students the importance of organization from the first day. Our students learn how to manage their school schedule, clean and disinfect their workstations, and how to grow their clientele. This preparation can help you once you’re out in the real world and working on your own.

Is A Career In Beauty Right For You?

If you love beauty and already possess some of these traits, you could be a perfect fit for the beauty industry. Good professionals are dedicated, life-long learners, and adaptable to new situations and circumstances. Not to mention, they’re self-starters.

Summit Salon Academy in Tacoma can help support your dreams of becoming a creative professional. We share your passion for beauty and would love to get to know you better. Check out our program page or get in touch with one of our representatives to learn more about our school. You got this!