Now is the perfect time to start your beauty professional career in New Hampshire with the personal care industry skyrocketing. The New Hampshire Employment Security Department states that the number of personal care and service occupations will grow at an overall rate of 20% between 2012 and 2020 – this equates to over 950 annual job openings!
 | How to Become a Cosmetologist in New Hampshire |
| Qualifications for Manicurists in New Hampshire |
| How to Become an Esthetician in New Hampshire |
| How to Become a Barber in New Hampshire |
Even more, New Hampshire is home to one of the best salons in the nation—Solari Salon and Spa in Portsmouth. Solari is a full-service, AVEDA salon, offering top-notch hairstylist, manicurists, and estheticians to perfect client’s hair, nails, and skin. The cosmetologists at Solari focus on ongoing, advanced education, which keeps them on the cutting edge of hairstyling trends, such as botanical hair and scalp therapy.
The hair coloring that cosmetologists at Solari use is Aveda’s Full Spectrum color, which is the first permanent color to be almost 100% derived from plant-based ingredients, making it a natural and healthy choice for clients. The manicurists at Solari do it all, offering everything from express mani/pedis to Caribbean spa mani/pedis, featuring extensive exfoliation, massage, intensive hydrating masques, and heated mitts and boots. Finally, the Green Science Skin-Renewing treatment and the Perfecting Plant peel are just two of the many plant-based, invigorating facials that the estheticians provide.
With the revival of the traditional, masculine art of grooming on the rise, barbershops are becoming more prevalent in New Hampshire. The Clip Joint Barbers has been voted the Best Barbershop in New Hampshire four years in a row by The New Hampshire Magazine. Being one of the oldest barbershops around, it is easy to see why. With authentic barber chairs, hardwood floors, shoe shining chairs, and traditional men’s cuts, The Clip Joint truly reinvents the old-tyme barbershop atmosphere.
Clearly, now is a great time to begin your beauty professional career in New Hampshire. If you’re looking to become a cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, or a barber, you’ll start by getting licensed through the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics. This Board is responsible for regulating all licensing standards for beauty professionals throughout the state.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in New Hampshire
Cosmetologists are the most well-rounded beauty professionals, using their innovative, creative, and artistic knowledge to provide hair, nail, and skin services.
Education Requirements for New Hampshire Cosmetologists
If you want to qualify for a cosmetology license, you’ll start by enrolling in a 1500-hour cosmetology program. This program will teach you the science, theory, art, and practice of cosmetology, including the following courses:
- Hair Cutting, Styling, and Design
- Multicultural Techniques
- Makeup Application
- Fashion Trends
- Manicuring and Pedicuring
- Basic Facials
- The Art of Hairdressing
- Chemistry, Anatomy, and Draping
- Infection Control and Safety
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
Examination Requirements for License as a New Hampshire Cosmetologist
After graduating from cosmetology school, you’ll be ready to pass the New Hampshire cosmetology license examinations, listed as follows:
- New Hampshire Cosmetology Written Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire Cosmetology Practical Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire State Law Exam administered by the New Hampshire Board
After passing these exams, you can obtain your New Hampshire cosmetology license.
Job Opportunities for Cosmetologists
With the number of cosmetology jobs growing 11.7% between 2012 and 2022, there are great opportunities and openings for aspiring cosmetologist in New Hampshire, according to the New Hampshire Employment Security Department. As a cosmetologist, you will be able to find part-time or full-time jobs in local salons or spas. These jobs may pay an hourly, base rate, or they may pay based on commission. Finally, as a cosmetologist, you have the option of renting a booth from within a salon, running your own independent business.
Preference Styling Salon, which was deemed one of “The Top 200 Fastest Growing Salons in America” by Salon Today & Modern Salon, is located in Bedford, New Hampshire. This salon not only offers hair cutting, hair styling, color, and nail services, but it also offers top-of-the-line texturizing services, such as bio-oinic straightening (formaldehyde free), Malibu texture, scalp rebalancing treatments, express Brazilian blowouts, and more. Using only high quality products, like Aquage, bareMinerals, Bio-Ionic, and OPI, it’s clear to see why cosmetologists and clients alike are flocking to Preference.
For other top salons throughout New Hampshire, consider some of the following options:
- Salon Bogar – Londonderry
- H20 Salon Spa – Bedford
- Aidan James Salon – Nashua
Qualifications for Manicurists in New Hampshire
Manicurists get to specialize in the science, art, and beautification of nails, hands, and feet. In this, they get to provide manicures, pedicures, massages, and nail art.
Manicurist Education Requirements
If you want to get a manicuring license, you’ll start by enrolling in a 300-hour manicuring training program at a local beauty school. This program will teach you the science and art of manicuring, and it will include, but not be limited to, the following courses:
- Infection Control and Safety
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Nail Anatomy
- Basic Chemistry of Nail Products
- Nail Service Tools, Implements, and Preparing
- Manicures and Pedicures
- Exfoliation
- Shaping Nails
- Nail Tips
- Basic Massage
- Paraffin, Hot Oil, Mask, and Soak-Off Gel Treatments
- Acrylics
Manicurist Examination Requirements for a New Hampshire License
After graduating from a manicurist training program in a local beauty school, you’ll be ready to pass the New Hampshire manicuring license exams, listed as follows:
- New Hampshire Nail Technician Written Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire Nail Technician Practical Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire State Law Exam administered by the New Hampshire Board
After passing these exams, you can obtain your New Hampshire manicuring license.
Job Opportunities for Manicurists
The number of manicurist jobs in New Hampshire is growing at a slightly faster rate than cosmetologists – at 15.5% between 2012 and 2022. As a manicurist, you will be able to find part-time or full-time jobs in local nail salons, full-service hair salons, or spas. Job opportunities may pay an hourly rate or off commission. Further, manicurists with a strong clientele and strong sales skills may enjoy renting their own booth within a nail salon, running their own independent contractor business.
To build your clientele, it may be beneficial to work at a full-service salon, where you’re apt to receive manicuring clients who are already in the salon for other services. If you’re looking to become a manicurist in a full-service salon, Cassandra Salon & Spa in Nashua is the place for you. Mentioned in Vogue Magazine and Elle Magazine, Cassandra is consistently ranked as one of the best in New England. Along with hair, makeup, massage, and skin care, Cassandra offers top-notch nail care, including services such as the signature Cassandra Shellac manicure, moisturizing paraffin dip, herbal Poltice massages, and nail art.
Cassandra is just one among many top-notch nail and full-service salons in New Hampshire, including the following:
- OK Nails – Concord
- Radiant Nails & Spa – Manchester
- Adagio Spa & Salon – Barrington
How to Become an Esthetician in New Hampshire
Estheticians get to focus entirely on the science and beautification of the skin. They use facials, masks, body wraps, and more to make dry, dull skin come to life again.
Esthetician Educational Requirements
If you want to get a esthetician license, you’ll start by enrolling in a 600-hour esthetician training program at a local beauty college. This esthetician training program will teach you the science and art of esthetics, and it will include, but not be limited to, the following courses:
- Tools and Equipment for Esthetics
- Facial and Body Wrap Techniques
- Skin Analysis
- Cleansing and Steaming
- Exfoliation – Chemical, Physical, Gommage
- Extraction
- Massage
- Masks – Clay, Mud, Gel, Rubberized, and Cream
- Hair Removal Methods
- Makeup Application
- Eyelash Extensions
- Electrical Equipment
- International Skin treatments
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Basic Human Physiology
- Skin Disorders
- Basic Chemistry
Esthetician Examination Requirements
After graduating from an esthetician program in a local beauty college, you’ll be eligible to pass the New Hampshire esthetician license exams, listed as follows:
- New Hampshire Esthetician Written Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire Esthetician Practical Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire State Law Exam administered by the New Hampshire Board
After passing these exams, you can obtain your New Hampshire esthetician license.
Esthetician Job Opportunities
The number of esthetician jobs are growing faster than any other beauty professional in New Hampshire, at 38.8% between 2012 and 2022. As an esthetician, you will able to look for jobs at a beauty advisor, makeup artist, or skin care specialist in local spas, medical spas, or even dermatology offices. These jobs may pay an hourly, base rate, or they may pay commission based on the number of services you provide.
Voted as the number one “Best New Hampshire Spa Resorts” by TripAdvisor, Mountain Club on the Loon, located in Lincoln, offers spa and wellness services to each of their guests. While staying at this number one resort, guests can be pampered by expert estheticians, who offer dead sea body glow wraps, Viaggio signature bliss facials, and Viaggio ultimate bliss facials, among others. Each of these services can be customized, adding on bright eyes treatments, luscious lips treatments, and light extractions if needed.
For other top spas and resorts in New Hampshire, consider some of the following options:
- Omni Mount Washington Resort – Bretton Woods
- Serendipity Day Spa – Pembroke
- Cascade Spa – Meredith
How to Become a Barber in New Hampshire
As a barber, you will revive the traditional art of masculine grooming by specializing in cutting, styling, and trimming men’s hair and facial hair. New Hampshire has two types of barber licenses: the basic barber license and the master barber license. Barbers who hold the master barber license can perform chemical services, such as coloring, waving, and relaxing hair.
Barber Education Requirements
If you want to get a basic barber license, you’ll start by enrolling in an 800-hour barber training program. If you would prefer to get the master barber license, then you’ll start by enrolling in a 1600-hour barber training program. In these programs, you’ll be able to learn the theory and practices of barbering, including the following subjects:
Basic and Master Barbers
- Men’s Shaving and Grooming
- Hair Cutting and Styling
- Basic Skincare and Facial Services
- Scalp Treatments
- Hairpiece Design
- Hair Piece Fitting
- Microbiology
- Infection Control
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Chemistry and Product Ingredients
- Basic Electricity
Master Barbers Only
- Chemical Waving
- Reformation Curls
- Chemical Relaxing
- Hair Coloring and Lightening
- Color Theory
Basic Barber Examination Requirements
After graduating from a barber training program, you’ll be ready to pass the New Hampshire barber license examinations, listed as follows:
- New Hampshire Barber 1 Written Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire Barber 1 Practical Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire State Law Exam administered by the New Hampshire Board
After passing these exams, you can obtain your New Hampshire barber license.
Master Barber Examination Requirements
After graduating from a barber training program, you’ll be ready to pass the New Hampshire master barber license examinations, listed as follows:
- New Hampshire Barber Stylist Written Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire Barber Stylist Practical Exam administered by DL Roope
- New Hampshire State Law Exam administered by the New Hampshire Board
After passing these exams, you can obtain your New Hampshire master barber license.
Barber Job Options
With barbers growing at a steady 8.2% between 2012 and 2022, you can expect to find job openings in local barbershops, salons that hire barbers, or spas. As a barber, you will be able to find part-time or full-time jobs in local barbershops or salons. As a barber, you have three options: you can get a job that pays an hourly, base rate; you can find a job that pays off of commission; or you can apply to rent a booth, running your own independent business within a barbershop.
Another great barbershop in New Hampshire, American Barber Studios, located next to the State House in historic Concord, is complete with traditional, masculine barbershop paraphernalia, including authentic leather chairs, American flags, and the traditional barber pole in the window. What more could a man want than a man cave where he can get warm, lather shaves, tapered haircuts, hot towel shaves, and straight edge razor shaves?
For more great barbershops throughout New Hampshire, consider some of the following:
- Luckys Barbershop – Concord
- Loaded Dice Boston Barbers – Dover
- Dudes Barber Shop – Hooksett