The number of personal appearance professionals in Oklahoma, including cosmetologists, manicurists, and skin care specialists, is expected to grow by 18.7% between 2008 and 2018, according to the Oklahoma Economic Research and Analysis Davison. This means that each year, there will be an average of 180 new job openings in this field, which spells out great opportunity for aspiring beauty professionals.
 | How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma |
| Essential Qualifications for Manicurists in Oklahoma |
| Steps to Become an Esthetician in Oklahoma |
| How to Become a Barber in Oklahoma |
Oklahoma’s health, wellness and beauty industry is thriving and has been recognized as exceptional. Voted as one of the “Top 100 Salons in the US” by Elle Magazine, the Jara Herron Salon in the Oak Tree Center in Tulsa has hairstylists and manicurists who provide exceptional cuts, colors, manicures, and waxing. The hairstylists at Jara provide cutting-edge Brazilian keratin treatment/coppola systems, while their manicurists offer express, full, and shellac manicures with paraffin treatments. Along with that, Edmond, Oklahoma is a great destination for skin care specialists. The Wellness Spa in Edmond was listed as one of the “Best Spas in Oklahoma” by Gayot.com, for its traditional treatments and holistic, body and mind healing atmosphere.
Oklahoma is also the perfect place for barbers, being home to the Tulsa-based bloggers for The Art of Manliness. The barbers in The Clubhouse Barber Shop, located in Edmond, North Oklahoma, are experts at bringing back the classic, American style of masculine barbering. Their oak wood flooring, stone fireplace, TV, and bar all create the perfect atmosphere for a man looking to relax.
Whether you want to become a cosmetologist, manicurist, esthetician, or barber, Oklahoma is the place for you. The start of your beauty professional career in Oklahoma begins with being licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. This is the Board that regulates the education and examination licensing requirements for all personal care professionals in the state.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Oklahoma
Though they mainly focus on haircutting, hair styling, and hair coloring, cosmetologists in Oklahoma get to use a love of beauty and creativity to provide hair, nail, and even skin services to clients.
Education Requirements
Your career as a cosmetologist in Oklahoma starts with you enrolling in a 1500-hour cosmetology school. This type of beauty school will teach you the theory, science, and art behind cosmetology, allowing you to perfect your skills.
A cosmetology program offered at a beauty college in Oklahoma will include the following courses and training hours in order to satisfy licensing requirements:
- Cosmetology Theory – 150 hours
- Manicuring and Pedicuring – 90 hours
- Facials – 30 hours
- Scalp Treatments – 30 hours
- Shampooing/Conditioning – 60 hours
- Hairstyling – 390 hours
- Hair Color – 120 hours
- Hair Cutting – 180 Hours
- Lash and Brow Tinting – 30 hours
- Personality and Shop Management – 180 hours
- Hair Restructuring – 240 hours
Examination Requirements
After completing your cosmetology program, you will be eligible to take the Oklahoma cosmetology licensing examinations. After passing the following exams, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma cosmetology license:
- Cosmetology Theory Examination given by PSI Services
- Cosmetology Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma State Board
Cosmetology Job Opportunities
As a cosmetologist, you will be able to look for jobs in hair salons throughout Oklahoma, where you will be able to use your creativity to the fullest and create strong relationships with your clientele. While some jobs will offer an hourly rate or commission, other, competitive jobs will offer hourly rate plus commission. Some jobs even offer full benefits and ongoing, continuing education.
Dragonfly Salon in Oklahoma City is another full-service salon, with cosmetologists who offer hairstyling, cutting, keratin treatments, and extensions, along with a wide array of waxing, facial, and nail care services.
They carry some of the highest, designer quality products in the world, including Kevin Murphy, L’OREAL Professional, Moroccanoil, Nioxin, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree, Pureology, and TIGI makeup. Other high-end salons throughout Oklahoma, along with Dragonfly, include the following:
- Velvet Monkey Salon – Oklahoma City
- Trichology Salon – Oklahoma City
- Hair Club for Men and Woman – Tulsa
Essential Qualifications for Manicurists in Oklahoma
Manicurists are the beauty professionals who specialize in the care of nails. You will learn how to perfect and beautify even the roughest, most hard-working hands and feet.
Education Requirements
Your manicuring career in Oklahoma will begin with a 600-hour manicuring training program. Oftentimes, manicuring programs can be found in larger beauty schools. Your Oklahoma program will include the following Oklahoma Board-required courses:
- Bacteriology, Sanitation, and Sterilization – 40 hours
- Nail Structure, Composition, Disorders and Diseases – 60 hours
- Manicuring and Pedicuring – 160 hours
- Artificial Nails – 160 hours
- Nail Art – 60 hours
- Salon Development – 80 hours
- Board Rules, Regulations, and Statues – 40 hours
Examination Requirements
After completing your training program, you will be able to take the following manicurist licensing examinations:
- Nail Technician Theory Examination given by PSI Services
- Manicurist Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma State Board
Upon passing scores for these exams, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma manicurist license.
Manicurist Employment Opportunities
As a manicurist, you will be able to look for jobs in nail salons and full-service hair salons. At these salons, you will be able to find jobs that offer hourly rates or commission. Polished Nail Salon in Oklahoma City has been mentioned by NewsOK Mood and KOKH Fox 25 Morning News, and voted as Best Nail Salon in Yukon & Mustang for offering natural nail care, including gel nails, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail art.
Along with this, Polished also offers many different types of facial and body services, working as a salon where clients can go for the beautification of their entire bodies. Body treatments include enzyme peels, glycolic acid peels, non-surgical face lifts, and even the gentlemen’s facial.
Along with Polished, many other Oklahoma salons stand out, including the following:
- Shellac Nails & Spa – Lawton
- Her Nail Salon – Oklahoma City
- Creative Nails and Spa – Oklahoma City
Steps to Become an Esthetician in Oklahoma
Estheticians in Oklahoma are those who specialize in the beautification and care of skin. As an esthetician, you will learn the science behind skincare; the chemical compounds in skin care products, and the art of makeup application.
Education Requirements
A 600-hour esthetician training program is required to qualify for an esthetician license in Oklahoma. Like manicurist training programs, these can be found in cosmetology schools and larger beauty schools.
Your esthetician education will include the following coursework and training hour requirements:
- Bacteriology, Sanitation, and Sterilization – 80 hours
- Histology, Dermatology, and Physiology of Skin – 180 hours
- Facials – 200 hours
- Non-Permanent Hair Removal – 40 hours
- Salon Development – 60 hours
- Board Rules – 40 hours
Examination Requirements
Once graduated from your training program, you will be eligible to take the licensing exams, which are as follows:
- Esthetician Theory Exam given by PSI Services
- Esthetician Practical Exam given by the Oklahoma State Board
After attaining passing scores, you will be able to obtain your Oklahoma esthetician license.
Oklahoma Esthetician Job Opportunities
As an esthetician in Oklahoma, you will have opportunities to work as a beauty advisor, skin care specialist, or makeup artist. You may find skin care specialist jobs in full-service salons, day spas, medical spas, or even in some hotels that offer spa services. Some nail salons even offer skin care, such as Polished Nail Salon, which offers full waxing, body peel and facial services.
Pure Spa in Oklahoma City offers an incredible range of skin care services, including skin therapy, massages, organic spray tans, waxing, and body treatments. Among their skincare therapy treatments, you will find collagen and elastin facials, deep pore cleansing facials, yam & pumpkin enzyme peels, and even microdermabrasion. Some other best rated spas throughout Oklahoma include the following:
- The Wellness Spa – Edmond
- Eden Salon – Oklahoma City
- Le Fringe Salon – Oklahoma City
How to Become a Barber in Oklahoma
Barbers are personal care professionals who are able to perform comprehensive grooming services, including haircutting and styling, facial treatments, and sometimes nail care. Although they are comprehensive, barbers specialize in providing these services specifically to men.
Education Requirements
Your career as a barber will begin with completing a 1500-hour barber training program in order to meet Oklahoma licensing requirements. This program will include the following Oklahoma Board-required courses:
- Safe Work Practices, Infection Control, and Bacteriology – 155 hours
- Salesmanship and Shop management – 175 hours
- Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Electricity – 200 hours
- Facial Massage and Treatment – 40 hours
- Haircutting and Styling – 580 hours
- Chemical Relaxing – 95 hours
- Hair Coloring – 150 hours
- Men’s Hairpieces, Mustache, and Beard Design – 65 hours
- Board Rules – 40 hours
Examination Requirements
Once you’ve completed your barber training program, you will be able to move on to the licensing exams. After passing the following licensing exams, you will be able to register for your Oklahoma barber license:
- Barber Theory Examination given by the Oklahoma Board
- Barber Practical Examination given by the Oklahoma Board
Barber Job Opportunities in Oklahoma
Many barber jobs will begin at an hourly rate, where you attain a base pay each day plus tips. Once you develop a strong clientele, you may want to look for jobs that offer pay based off of commission, where you can have more control over how many clients you see, and over your income potential.
Elephant in the Room in Tulsa is a grooming lounge that offers the full, classic barbershop experience. The barbers at Elephant in the Room offer custom-tailored packages, ranging from the Standard package to the Premium. The Standard, base package includes a beverage, consultation, tailored haircut, shampoo and condition, hot towel, face toner, massage, and style—not so basic! Moving up to the Premium package, clients can enjoy extended shampoo, facial scrubs, massages, a choice of two free add-ons, and 15% off of all products in the store.
Doesn’t sound like it could get any better? The list of add-ons is extensive, including paraffin hand treatments, essential oil scalp massages, nape shaves, facial scrubs, beard trims, razor beard shaving, brow waxing and gray blending.
For other top-notch barbershops in Oklahoma, consider some of the following options:
- Fade N Up – Oklahoma City
- Lakeside Barbershop – Oklahoma City
- Quail Plaza Barbershop – Oklahoma City