No one who was picking cotton alongside 7-year old Sarah Breedlove could ever imagine the future impact this child would have upon the world of cosmetology. Raised on farms, Sarah was hardworking and determined; though life for this orphaned child of former slaves was hardly easy in the antebellum south of the 1800's. But Sarah, who changed her name to Madam C.J. Walker, persevered and built a beauty empire based upon the manufacture and sale of hair care products. In the early 1900's, she was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the first female American self-made millionaire. Madam C.J. Walker built a cosmetology school, trained hundreds of practitioners, and raised national awareness of the cosmetology profession -- garnering numerous business and other awards. In 1998, she was honored on a US postal stamp as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Although not all cosmetologists will become millionaires, opportunities are abundant for men and women who specialize in this field. Cosmetology, which is the treatment of hair, skin and nails, is a diverse field which includes hairstylists, manicurists, estheticians, and electrologists. In order to work as a cosmetologist in the United States, a license is required and must be issued by the state in which one is employed. Training and testing guidelines vary between states; but generally, a number of educational hours must be obtained from a state-licensed cosmetology school before taking practical exams. In order to apply for a license, the applicant should be at least 16 years old. Some states also require a high school diploma; though others do not.

In order to work as a cosmetologist, one should be in relatively good physical condition; since there is usually a great deal of standing and bending involved in the job. Hours may vary from part-time to a 40-hour week, and will likely involve overtime, evening or weekend work. Salaries vary due to a combination of factors, including type of environment, demand for services, and locale. At higher paying salons, competition for jobs is steep. Those who have a broad range of training and skills, along with adequate experience, are more likely to be hired.

Almost half of licensed cosmetologists are self-employed, often renting a booth from a salon or working from home. For this option, it is advantageous to acquire basic management and financial skills in order to handle running a business and working with employees.

Some environments in which cosmetologists are needed include beauty salons, barbershops, nursing and residential homes, show business environments, resort and day spas, department stores, cosmetic shops and nail salons.