Edgy and glamorous STEM professionals – not models – are taking beauty careers by storm.

Luscious lipsticks, shine-enhancing shampoos, and age-defying lotions all give rise to images of beauty professionals, such as Bobbi Brown, John Paul DeJoria, and Mario Badescu. Within the industry, STEM professionals are in demand to fill beauty careers. While it might not sound as glamorous as a makeup artist or model, these beauty careers are integral to producing safe products of the highest quality.

Chemists

Cosmetic chemists are in demand for a number of beauty industry jobs, such as those who create formulas, maintain quality control, ensure adherence to regulations, or engage in sales. Starting with an undergraduate degree, future cosmetic chemists should initially pursue chemistry, biology, microbiology, or chemical engineering. By pursuing beauty careers in the cosmetic chemistry, students might one day create innovative products, such as Undercover Colors – the date-rape-drug-detecting nail polish.

Researchers

Beauty companies rely on research and development professionals to determine next steps for product lines. By keeping a pulse on the market while employing a STEM background, beauty careers allow researchers to remain at the forefront of the industry by examining how best to execute a company’s next steps toward launching new products.

Machinists

Responsible for the tools that keep production running, machinists operate and maintain production-line machines in beauty product companies. Beauty-industry machinists can also be responsible for designing certain tools. Apprenticeships and internships help candidates gain experience in the field, but a mechanical engineering degree will set apart candidates from the pool of applicants for machinist beauty careers.

Engineers

Cosmetic engineers ensure the beauty products that make it onto store shelves meet industry standards for safety and consumer expectations for quality. The responsibilities of a cosmetic engineer could include tasks such as enforcing the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) cosmetic regulations, ensuring formula components will work well together, and employing the best methods that will securely package products.

IT Specialists

Every industry demands professionals who specialize in IT (information technology) to maintain and, when necessary, build upon a company’s technology infrastructure. While some IT specialists fulfill traditional troubleshooting roles within an office, others seek beauty careers that include application and web development to support a company’s online presence and branding.

STEM professionals fulfill roles in many industries and can find exciting jobs in areas that aren’t traditionally thought of as scientific. STEM is everywhere and the demand is growing for exceptional candidates to embark upon beauty careers. In addition to the glamour of this industry, STEM professionals who enter fields in beauty might even save a life one day.