Cosmetician

Cosmeticians serve customers in department stores, drug stores and other retail beauty establishments. In general, they:

• promote and sell skin care and cosmetic products
• help customers identify personal needs and preferences
• advise customers about skin care in general and how to care for problem areas in particular
• advise customers about colours and types of make-up
• advise customers on hair colour products and applications
• advise customers about fragrances and hair and nail care products
• show customers how make-up can change their appearance and teach them how to apply cosmetic products
• keep customer records of services provided and products purchased
• support, plan and deliver promotional activities and events
• gather and relay customer feedback about products back to the company
• book appointments for one-on-one demonstrations.

Depending on where they work, cosmeticians also may have responsibilities related to ordering, inventory control and merchandising (for more information, see the Visual Merchandiser occupational profile).

Cosmeticians work in a retail environment, as either part of a team or independently. Weekend and evening work is usually required whether they work full time or part time. Cosmeticians spend most of their working hours on their feet and may lift and move items weighing up to 10 kilograms.

Cosmeticians need the following characteristics:

• good communication, presentation and customer service skills
• a good sense of colour
• an interest in skin care and make-up
• the desire to maintain an attractive personal appearance.

They should enjoy:

• dealing with the public
• taking a methodical approach to compiling information
• serving and assisting people
• staying updated on the latest trends and fashions
• using specialized products and techniques.

Above-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Cosmeticians are employed in the cosmetics departments of retail stores.

Experienced cosmeticians may advance to supervisory positions in cosmetic departments. Some are employed by cosmetic manufacturers as sales representatives. With additional training, cosmeticians may move into related occupations (for more information, see the Esthetician and Make-up Artist occupational profiles).

Cosmeticians are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 6562: Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the Other Services (PDF) industry. However, most cosmeticians work in the Retail Trade (PDF) industry.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 4,900 Albertans are employed in the Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.0% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 98 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As cosmeticians form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for cosmeticians.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Cosmetics Careers Association (CCCA) website: www.cosmetics.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.