cosmetology
/ˌkɒz.məˈtɒl.ə.dʒi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːz.məˈtɑː.lə.dʒi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkäz-mə-ˈtä-lə-jē/ (ame, mw)
cosmetology — noun
1. the professional work of giving beauty treatments to improve how a person's hair
the professional work of giving beauty treatments to improve how a person's hair, skin, nails, and face look
Emilia studied cosmetology for two years before opening her own salon in Lisbon.
collocation: study cosmetology
Keiko earned her cosmetology licence after finishing 1,500 hours of training.
collocation: cosmetology licence
The college offers a cosmetology programme that covers skin care and nail art.
Omar left accounting to study cosmetology because he loved working with colour.
Fatima's cosmetology skills with bridal make-up brought clients from across the city.
- beauty therapy
more common in British English; emphasises hands-on salon or spa treatments rather than the broader professional field
- aesthetics
a wider term that can include medical and clinical skin procedures alongside beauty treatments
- cosmetics
refers to the products themselves (make-up, creams) rather than the professional practice of applying them