Beauty Therapist
What is the work like?
Beauty therapists, also known as beauticians, carry out facial and body treatments to enhance their clients' appearance and improve their sense of well-being.
As a beauty therapist you could provide a range of treatments, including:
- facials – cleansing, massaging and toning the skin
- applying and advising on cosmetic make-up
- shaping eyebrows and colouring eyelashes
- manicures, pedicures and other nail treatments such as extensions and nail art
- removing unwanted facial and body hair by waxing, sugaring or threading (depilation) or electrolysis (epilation)
- electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
- non-surgical skin rejuvenation therapies
- UV (ultraviolet) and spray tanning.
You may offer other specialist treatments, such as massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and reflexology.
As well as carrying out treatments, your day-to-day tasks would include:
- reception work, such as answering the telephone and receiving clients
- booking appointments
- checking and ordering supplies
- keeping notes of clients’ medical histories and treatment programmes.
You may occasionally need to refer clients to their doctor, for example, if they have a severe skin problem.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To start work as a qualified beauty therapist you would need at least a level 3 qualification. These include:
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy
- City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Beauty Therapy
- Edexcel National Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy Sciences
- VTCT Advanced Diploma in Beauty Therapy
- NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy.
You can also complete CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications, which are internationally-recognised.
You can train through college courses or at private beauty schools, where the training may be shorter and more intensive. However, private courses are likely to be expensive, so it is important to check carefully that you will receive recognised qualifications. As entry requirements for courses can vary, you should check with individual providers.
As an alternative, you could start as an assistant or junior therapist by completing qualifications such as NVQ levels 1 and 2 Beauty Therapy, before progressing to a higher level.
Visit the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website for general information on qualifications in beauty therapy.
*Note: HABIA do not provide courses and are not able to supply lists of course providers.
You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk (link opens in new window).
What further training and development can I do?
As a beauty therapist, you can add to your skills by doing courses and qualifications in specialist areas such as epilation, ear piercing, waxing techniques and UV tanning. Qualifications are awarded by awarding bodies such as ITEC, VTCT, City & Guilds and Edexcel, and courses are run at colleges and private beauty schools. Visit the websites of the awarding bodies for details.
Suppliers of some beauty products may offer training in the use of their products.
You can take higher level qualifications, which would be useful if you want to progress to salon management. These include:
- City & Guilds Higher Professional Certificate/Diploma in Technical Salon Management
- BTEC HNDs and foundation degrees in subjects such as Beauty Therapy Management, Salon and Spa Management and Spa and Therapy Management.
Where can I go for more information?
4 Heathfield TerraceChiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Sixth Avenue
Sky Business Park
Robin Hood Airport
Doncaster
DN9 3GG
Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
One90 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7BH
Tel: 0870 240 9800
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Beauty therapists can earn between £12,000 and around £17,000 a year.
- Salon managers can earn over £20,000 a year.
Beauty therapists also receive tips, and are usually paid commission on products they sell in the salon.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours would typically be 9am to 5pm, including Saturdays. Some salons offer evening appointments.
You would usually be based in a salon, which could be within a department store, spa, health farm, hotel, fitness club, or on board a cruise ship.
Alternatively, you could be self-employed, choosing either to work from home or visit clients in their own homes.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a friendly and welcoming manner
- the ability to put clients at ease
- tact, diplomacy and the ability to listen and communicate well
- the ability to explain procedures clearly to clients
- commercial awareness and the ability to sell products and earn commission
- a high standard of personal hygiene and grooming
- enough stamina to be on your feet for most of the day
- some knowledge of chemistry, anatomy and human biology,
- an artistic flair for applying nail art and make-up.
What opportunities are there?
HABIA reports that there are more than 7,500 beauty therapy salons in the UK, and over 5,400 hairdressing salons that offer beauty treatments.
You could be employed as a beauty therapist in a high street salon or beauty clinic, hospital, health spa, hotel, health farm or on a cruise ship.
Vacancies are advertised in local or national newspapers, on the websites of employers such as spa, fitness and health, and leisure groups, and in specialist magazines such as Health & Beauty Salon, Professional Beauty and International Therapist.
You could choose to become self-employed, owning your own salon, working from home or travelling to clients' homes.
You could develop your career by training to offer a wider variety of treatments, or to move into fashion, theatre or media make-up. With experience, and possibly further training, you could progress to becoming a salon manager or move into training.
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