Why I write about cosmetology education
A blurb
“The delightful and ever-novel pleasure of a useless occupation”
-Henri de Regnier
The first time I saw that quote was while playing Capcom’s 2012 game Dragon’s Dogma. People can interpret the quote in so many ways depending on the context you apply it to, as is the case with most literary works.
I suppose it was the notion that there is something beautiful about a useless occupation, that there was beauty in being useless, which drew me to that quote when my eyes locked onto the screen.
In our modern world, we quickly attack each other’s occupation. We behave as though we know the worth of what others do simply by the title or by the duties described. I have been guilty of that, and I am sure (whether or not you are willing to admit it) that you have done the same dear reader.
When I became an esthetician, I faced quite a bit of resistance. Family, friends, and teachers told me I would grow tired of the repetitive work, that I would not be intellectually stimulated enough by the job, that I was buying into the beauty industry scam, etc. I ignored these voices and earned my esthetics license.
However, as a student, I asked, “Why was everything so disorganized?” “Why was there no consistency in teaching?”, “Why were students being taught toxic positivity?”, “Why was nothing done about the present blatant misogyny and sexual harassment?”
Beauty schools live in a bubble, untouched by the outside world. When I walked through the doors of the beauty school I attended, I felt as though I was leaving my rights as a student outside the door. As though my well-being ceased to matter.
When I completed my esthetics program, I went back to become an instructor because I thought that would be my calling and that through the instructor program, I would be able to make some changes that made beauty schools in my area a little more bearable. Unfortunately, I dropped out one week before graduation, thanks to a toxic workplace and a steep decline in my mental health.
I don’t regret leaving; I knew I still had options and could contribute something to this industry. So, I am writing articles on the internet about my thoughts, observations, and insights about the cosmetology education world in the hopes my words inspire students to consider looking into this field too. Or maybe this will encourage students in beauty schools to start screaming louder for better treatment and higher quality education. Who knows? Perhaps something good will come out of this. If not, at least I tried.