Weird Beauty Jobs You Had No Idea Existed
By Leah Melby
(Photo: Mark Leibowitz)
Within the beauty industry, there are hundreds of different jobs catered to all the salon stops we make. And while you know your waxer, your stylist, and the girl who gives the best blowouts, there are some more niche roles you probably haven’t ever heard of.
The Hair Mineral Analyst
Beyond just being pretty, our hair can tell us a lot about how healthy we are. A hair tissue mineral analysis (or HTMA) is a soft-tissue biopsy that decodes the levels of 20 or more minerals in our bodies, offering results that are on par with a more traditional blood test. “Mineral levels in the hair are about 10 times that of blood,” Lawrence Wilson, M.D., writes on his site, noting that some prefer hair samples because blood flushes them out more quickly. “The body often throws off toxic substances in the hair since it will be cut off and lost to the body.”
The Dog Manicurist
You might’ve seen a dog mom paint her pup’s nails a bright color here or there, but actual pros exist to tackle the job. Japanese “dog beauty artist” Eiko Sase charges between $25 and $40 and has saida common request is to give pets and owners matching manis.
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The Face Feeler
Someone with trained hands is tasked with giving product-testers a feel to judge how a new product feels. Also known as sensory scientists, they’re “trained experts who are able to form an objective opinion about a product,” Judy Heylmun, who’s been in the field for 35 years, told ABC News.
The Follicle Tattoo Artist
Permanent makeup is nothing new, but it’s typically viewed as something for the ladies. Scalp micropigmentation, the process of tattooing minute dots on the head, is letting dudes in on the action. Guys suffering from hair loss can choose it as an alternative to implants; the look is like a freshly done buzz cut.
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The Mink Brushers
Ever spent time wondering about the backstory of mink eyelash extensions (namely, how they came from an animal to be perched glamorously on your lids)? Velour Lashes describes its 100 percent mink styles as being “gently brushed from live mink and sterilized to ensure that it is hypoallergenic” (the process doesn’t harm the animals).
The At-Home Spray-Tan Tech
Too busy to pop into a salon for an airbrushed tan? Plenty of salons offer the option of coming to you, acting as competition to the private individuals who only make house calls with portable machines. It might cost you more, but think about how awesome it would be to stroll around your own place completely naked until dry.
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