A cosmetologist, sometimes called beautician or beauty specialist, is someone who specializes in giving beauty treatments, usually to women. A cosmetologist is proficient in hair treatments, facials and other skin treatments and nail treatments.

Some cosmetologists specialize in just one of these areas. The sub-categories of cosmetologist are hair stylist, shampooer, manicurist, estheticians and electrologists. Often cosmetologists specialize in more than one of these categories.

Hair Stylist

A hair stylist specializes in the cutting, curling, uncurling, styling and coloring of hair. Hair stylists can also apply hair extensions and weaves. Hair stylists can also shampoo and condition client's hair, though this is not always necessary. Some hair stylists also give recommendations and perform work on wigs and hairpieces.

Shampooer

The shampooer is really a sub-category of the hair stylist. A shampooer shampoos and conditions a client's hair preparatory for the hair stylist. Shampooers are normally only employed by large salons which have voluminous numbers of customers simultaneously.

Manicurist

A manicurist specializes in nail care, including manicures, pedicures, and nail extensions.

Esthetician

An esthetician specializes in facials, head and neck massages, and hair removal through waxing. Some estheticians offer full-body massages as well. Estheticians may offer one or more of the following types of waxing: bikini, Brazilian, leg or arm.

Electrologist

An electrologist offers removal of unwanted hair via an electrolysis machine. As opposed to the hair removal via waxing offered by an esthetician, hair removal via electrolysis is permanent.

It is recently argued that barbers are also cosmetologists who extend the hair stylist specialty with services especially for men, such as shaving and beard trimming.