3 answers
Jazmyn
Student
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Question
Asked
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How can I choose between majoring in business or becoming a licensed cosmetologist when I’m passionate about both?
I want to start my own natural skincare line, so a business degree would help me learn how to run and grow my brand. But I’m also really interested in cosmetology because I enjoy working hands-on with skincare and beauty. Both paths support my goals in different ways, and I’m not sure which one to focus on. Any advice?
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jazmyn !
If you are interested in skin care and skin care products, it would be Aesthetician School that you would attend, not Cosmetology. Cosmetology is for hair and you get a bit about nails, too, but your focus sounds like Aesthetician would be where you can get the correct training for what you want to do.
I am leaning to advising you to go to Aesthetician School and learn how to start a business through community resources. Skincare is involved and there's a lot to learn and a path for business may be filled with things you may not find useful. People learn how to begin a business other than majoring in business at a college. Aesthetician School may very well include a chapter on how to start your own skin care business, so you'd get the lessons focused on your product.
Your local Chamber of Commerce and local small business administration organizations just may have some resources that would be helpful in starting your own business. Ask them about trainings that you can attend. Ask your guidance counselor if there are any future young business owner type groups that you can join in school or out in the community. I just don't think that the expense of Aesthetician School plus the cost of college for business is necessary when there are a lot of ways to learn how to start your business.
There are also a couple of books, among others, that you can read to learn how to do this. The "How to Start a Skincare Business Playbook" by Naturally Created Wholesale and "How To Start a Skin Care Line in 11 Steps (2025)" from the Shopify website are two resources. Also try "Beauty Entrepreneurs: An insiders' guide on how to start a beauty business, survive it and succeed in it" by Michelle F. Williams. Also, "Success at Your Fingertips: How to Succeed in the Skin Care Business" by Lydia Sarfati.
Remember that you will need to be an expert in skin care and to manage your expenses, you can obtain other resources for the business know how other than paying tuition at a college.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
If you are interested in skin care and skin care products, it would be Aesthetician School that you would attend, not Cosmetology. Cosmetology is for hair and you get a bit about nails, too, but your focus sounds like Aesthetician would be where you can get the correct training for what you want to do.
I am leaning to advising you to go to Aesthetician School and learn how to start a business through community resources. Skincare is involved and there's a lot to learn and a path for business may be filled with things you may not find useful. People learn how to begin a business other than majoring in business at a college. Aesthetician School may very well include a chapter on how to start your own skin care business, so you'd get the lessons focused on your product.
Your local Chamber of Commerce and local small business administration organizations just may have some resources that would be helpful in starting your own business. Ask them about trainings that you can attend. Ask your guidance counselor if there are any future young business owner type groups that you can join in school or out in the community. I just don't think that the expense of Aesthetician School plus the cost of college for business is necessary when there are a lot of ways to learn how to start your business.
There are also a couple of books, among others, that you can read to learn how to do this. The "How to Start a Skincare Business Playbook" by Naturally Created Wholesale and "How To Start a Skin Care Line in 11 Steps (2025)" from the Shopify website are two resources. Also try "Beauty Entrepreneurs: An insiders' guide on how to start a beauty business, survive it and succeed in it" by Michelle F. Williams. Also, "Success at Your Fingertips: How to Succeed in the Skin Care Business" by Lydia Sarfati.
Remember that you will need to be an expert in skin care and to manage your expenses, you can obtain other resources for the business know how other than paying tuition at a college.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hi Jazmyn! You're in a great position because both paths directly support your dream of launching a natural skincare line, just in different ways. If you're leaning toward starting your own brand, a business degree can give you the long-term tools for growth like marketing, finance, supply chain, branding, and entrepreneurship. On the other hand, cosmetology gives you hands-on experience, builds credibility in the beauty industry, and helps you understand your future customers on a deeper level. A good option would be to start with one and layer in the other. You could begin with cosmetology to build expertise and start small (part-time), then pursue business through a degree, certificate, or experience. Or do the reverse and major in business and gain beauty knowledge through short courses, self-study, or collaborations. You can build on either/or and build on them together to have a successful career. Good luck!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1094
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Jazmyn,
You got exciting plans, that's wonderful!
I generally agree with Michelle, but I also want to bring in a different path: people I know in the beauty industry are formulation scientists and they are chemists, often with an additional certificate/diploma or masters degree in cosmetic science.
There are several masters programs and at least one undergraduate program in cosmetic chemistry in the US. I left some links for you below.
For more information about the industry, I would recommend to get in touch with the professional organisations:
Society of Cosmetic Chemists: https://www.scconline.org/
International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists has a list of cosmetic degree programs: https://ifscc.org/education/cosmetic-science-degree-programs/
I hope this helps! All the best to you! You got this!
KP
https://www.utoledo.edu/programs/undergrad/cosmetic-science-and-formulation-design/
https://online.uc.edu/masters-programs/ms-in-cosmetic-science/
https://www.spelman.edu/academics/cosmetic-science/index.html
https://www.fdu.edu/program/ms-cosmetic-science/
You got exciting plans, that's wonderful!
I generally agree with Michelle, but I also want to bring in a different path: people I know in the beauty industry are formulation scientists and they are chemists, often with an additional certificate/diploma or masters degree in cosmetic science.
There are several masters programs and at least one undergraduate program in cosmetic chemistry in the US. I left some links for you below.
For more information about the industry, I would recommend to get in touch with the professional organisations:
Society of Cosmetic Chemists: https://www.scconline.org/
International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists has a list of cosmetic degree programs: https://ifscc.org/education/cosmetic-science-degree-programs/
I hope this helps! All the best to you! You got this!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: