Looking good as a beautician

Beauty therapists carry out treatments on clients’ faces and bodies.

To work as a fully qualified beauty therapist you need a relevant level 3 qualification. You can also get into this job through an Apprenticeship.

Beauty therapists need to be open and friendly.

They also need to be able to make clients feel relaxed and be a good listener.

As a beauty therapist, you could provide a range of face and body treatments, including:

l facials – cleansing, massaging and toning the skin

l applying and advising about make-up

l eyebrow shaping and eyelash colouring

l manicures, pedicures and other nail treatments like extensions and nail art

l removal of unwanted facial and body hair

l electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape

l non-surgical skin improvement treatments

lUV (ultraviolet) and spray tanning.

Your working hours would typically be 9am to 5pm, including Saturdays. Some salons offer evening appointments.

You could work in a high street salon or beauty clinic, health spa, hotel, or on a cruise ship. You could also be self-employed, either working from home or visiting clients in their own homes.

Beauty therapists typically earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year. Salon managers can earn over £20,000 a year. Beauty therapists also receive tips, and are usually paid extra for products they sell in the salon.

To become a fully qualified beauty therapist you would normally complete a beauty therapy qualification at level 3. However, you can start working in a salon or spa as an assistant and study for qualifications on the job.

Alternatively, you could do a college course while looking for work, to help you gain some of the knowledge and skills needed in this job.

Many awarding bodies accredit courses.

These include awards for those working on the customer service side, such as Level 2 Certificate in Beauty Salon Reception, and ones which cover treatments:

You can also train with a private beauty school where training may be done over a shorter period of time.

Private courses tend to be more expensive and it is important to check carefully that you will receive recognised qualifications.