Intelligence-to understand instructions while learning to perform the various phases of beauty-culture work, and to reason and make judgments in assisting patrons to decide which of the various treatments should be applied to fit individual needs. Verbal aptitude-necessary for reading comprehension; understanding of notes taken from lecture material; and facility of expression which is needed for greeting patrons, ascertaining services desired, and explaining hair styles and other services. Form perception-to make visual comparisons and discriminations in order to cut and style hair, apply make-up, and perform other duties such as arching eyebrows and shaping nails.

Motor coordination-of eyes, hands, and fingers in order to cut, style, and tint hair, give facials, arch eyebrows, and manicure nails.

Finger dexterity and manual dexterity—to cut hair, using scissors and razor; to curl hair with the aid of small metal or plastic curlers; to grasp and manipulate hair or equipment; to massage face and scalp; and to clean, polish, and shape nails, using manicuring instruments.

A school girl who considers working in a beauty shop in the summer months when school is not in session will find that in most States rules and regulations forbid an unlicensed person to give beauty service to a customer. However, it is possible that she could find vacation employment in one of the larger beauty shops at a job that does not require a license or technical knowledge. She could be employed as a cashier, receptionist, or appointment clerk, or to assist with sales of cosmetics. This would give her some opportunity to find out at first hand about this type of work and to make friends among persons in the beauty field. She must, of course, be old enough to conform to the minimum work-age requirements of her State. The school counselor can give her information and advice as to the age requirements.

"Pros and Cons" of the Beautician's Job

ADVANTAGES.-The field of cosmetology offers various advantages to women. It is a type of work that exists in all localities, large and small, so that an operator usually can find a job near her home, or she can go elsewhere and continue in her specialty. The time needed for preparation is considerably less than for some other occupations and the cost is low in relation to the returns that may be expected by an experienced operator. By cultivating a high quality of workmanship, the operator has a fair chance to build up a clientele that insures a fairly steady income.

Beauty-shop work is likely to be satisfactory from the standpoint of surroundings and work conditions. The shops are made as attractive as possible with a view to pleasing the customers; the larger salons are often decorated artistically. The nature of the work requires scrupulously clean surroundings. Many shops are air-conditioned.

The occupation affords certain personal satisfactions. The need in this work for the use of judgment and creative ability makes it attractive

to women with some artistic flair. Some operators particularly enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the shop, where they meet interesting people. While the work may be heavy during busy hours, there are periods of relaxation when business is slack.

Jobs can sometimes be found in unusual settings. Government bases in foreign countries need competent beauticians who can give superior service. Beauty shops on cruise ships offer the experienced operator attractive possibilities for travel, and afford employment in the summer months when beauty shops frequently have a slack season. Some hospitals and other institutions are installing beauty service for patients.

For the woman who has obtained experience and wishes to develop an independent business, beauty culture promises unusually good possibilities with a moderate investment of capital. Experience in this type of work also may open the way to a variety of specialized occupations based on beauty services.

The fact that no upper age limit exists also is favorable. Thus the field of beauty culture is excellent as a lifetime occupation. In addition, the possibility of part-time work in a beauty shop, either as an owner or an employee, is attractive to the married woman who wants to augment her income but cannot devote her entire time to the job.

Another advantage is the fact that the industry has a good long-range outlook and yields a fairly steady income, so that a capable operator is likely to find permanent employment. Today beauty service has become a necessity to many women in all localities, although it is like numerous other occupations in being sensitive to any decline in business conditions.

Disadvantages.---The frequent irregularity of working hours and the necessity for some work in the evening and on Saturday is probably the phase of beauty-shop employment that is least attractive to a young girl. In common with other industries that provide personal services, beauty shops must to a large extent adjust their working hours to times. convenient to the customers. However, the total work hours in the week usually are no longer than in other occupations and sometimes are shorter. For the woman who needs a part-time job, evening or Saturday work may prove an advantage.

Beauty-shop operation is subject to some seasonal fluctuation, though this tends to be less marked than in certain industrial jobs. The demand is heavy in the holiday season in midwinter, in the spring, and at week-end peaks. It tends to fall off in mid-summer and in the early months of the year.

The occupational hazards in this type of work are not great for the operator with training and experience. The beautician must be careful to avoid burns from heated equipment, to handle sharp instruments and

electrical equipment with care, and to follow directions in the use of chemical supplies. The sterilization of brushes and instruments is a must

in beauty shops.

The beauty operator must always guard against contracting or spreading infection. State and local sanitary regulations are designed to protect both beauticians and customers. During the training period, and as a result of experience, the operator learns to follow the rules of safety and hygiene so that there usually is little danger. The beauty shop must be kept immaculate-instruments sterilized, floors swept, and booths tidied. Unless there is a maid, the operators must share the responsibility for these housekeeping duties.

A notable instance occurred when the cold-wave process was coming into general use during World War II. At that time the process had not been entirely perfected in the laboratories. The chemicals used caused some beauty operators to suffer from dermatitis. They wore rubber gloves to protect the skin, but especially susceptible operators found that the fumes from the chemicals irritated their eyes, throats, and lungs. Occasionally, operators became so allergic to these preparations that they were forced to discontinue work in beauty shops.

Serious hazards are infrequent and proper care by the operator usually can eliminate them almost entirely. However, they sometimes do arise, with results occasionally severe for those with especially susceptible skin.

A minor difficulty faced by beauty-shop operators may be skin irritation from repeated contact with some of the preparations they use. Research laboratories have been working steadily to improve beauty products and to eliminate such hazards. Nevertheless, with the continual appearance of new products, it is possible that occasionally a product is put on the market before final tests are completed.

Boards of cosmetology in some States have issued regulations against full-length partitions touching floor and ceiling, in order to assure better ventilation and air circulation, and thus help counteract effects that may result from some preparations used in beauty shops. Schools and beauty shops without air conditioning sometimes use overhead suction fans to freshen the air.

The practicing beautician, like workers in numerous other occupations, may be subject to damage suits based upon the claim of malpractice, negligence, or failure to render proper services. Whether or not based on fact, a disgruntled customer may institute a lawsuit, file a small nuisance claim, or give adverse publicity that could affect the reputation of the beautician as an operator. For this reason many beauticians obtain liability insurance, which assures expert handling of legal procedures and thus gives the beautician a feeling of security. The insurance company usually pays any damages, court costs, or legal fees involved. Some of the unions and trade associations in the field of cosmetology also offer

low-priced group policies for the protection of their members. In a shop which employs one or more operators, the owner may carry liability insurance to cover the entire shop.

Finding Employment as a Beauty Operator

Most schools, both public and private, offer a placement service for their graduates. Frequently the owner of a beauty shop with a number of employees gives preference in hiring new operators to graduates of the school where she was trained.

In some States, the graduate who completes a course in either a public or private beauty school is permitted to work in a commercial beauty shop on a temporary license with the understanding that she will appear for the next licensing examination. A few States require this preliminary experience before a full license will be issued. The school usually will help a graduate to find such a job. Some who give satisfaction as working students are retained, after they become licensed beauticians, as permanent employees.

There are a number of methods of finding a job. The public employment offices may know of immediate job openings, and they charge no fees. They are familiar with demands in the locality and often have counselors to advise applicants. Another method is to examine want ads in the newspapers. This may give some choice as to places that seem desirable, and direct application can be made. When seeking work at a shop, the operator should be well groomed and carry her tools, as she may be asked to demonstrate the kind of work she does. In cities where the trade associations in cosmetology (see appendix, p. 43) have their offices, the beauty operator may be able to get help from them in finding job openings.