aesthetician

American  

[es-thi-tish-uhn, ees-] / ˌɛs θɪˈtɪʃ ən, ˌis- /

noun

1. Sometimes esthetician a person who is versed in aesthetics, the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic, etc., as applicable to the fine arts, with a view to establishing the meaning and validity of critical judgments concerning works of art, and the principles underlying or justifying such judgments.

2. Usually esthetician a person trained to administer facials, advise customers on makeup and the care of skin and hair, etc..

   That new aesthetician gave me a great facial;

   I swear I look 10 years younger.

   Synonyms:

   facialist

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aesthetician British  

/ ˌɛs-, ˌiːsθɪˈtɪʃən /

noun

1. a student of aesthetics

2. another name for beauty therapist

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Etymology

Origin of aesthetician

First recorded in 1825–30 aesthetician for def. 1 and in 1965–70 aesthetician for def. 2; aesthetic + -ian; see -ician

Explanation

If you need a makeover, you might talk to an aesthetician, someone whose job it is to help people look their best. Someone who appreciates and understands the nature of beauty is called an aesthetician. Use this word to describe serious people who know exactly what makes the perfectly arched eyebrow — and have the skill to achieve it. Aestheticians usually have special training that enables them to work in places like spas and salons, perhaps giving facials or other treatments.

Example Sentences

Olive Young is as if “Sephora and Duane Reade had a really cool baby,” said Emily Montague, an aesthetician in Los Angeles who’s visited its locations in Seoul.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

She saw it as a way to invest money she’d earned as an aesthetician and perhaps open a business there.

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

The service is offered in a cozy Beverly Hills storefront by Sonia Vargas, the aesthetician and owner of Sonia Vargas Skin.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

In a video that has received more than 1.6 million views on TikTok — and even more on X — the aesthetician and online influencer Michaela Scott raved about the product.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2024

Even when it was really believed that art dealt with beautiful objects and deeds, the aesthetician had to admit that there was nothing beautiful in tragedies.

From The Literature of Ecstasy by Mordell, Albert