Does the world of makeup and skincare excite you more than anything else? And you want to know how to become a beautician?
Becoming a beautician has become a popular choice for both men and women in recent times. As a result, more and more people are inclining towards working in the beauty industry. It is because certain perks come from being involved in this ever-changing field. In 2018, the hair and beauty industry alone made a whopping contribution of £14.2 billion to the UK GDP.
Table of Contents
Who Is A Beautician?
Before you start fidgeting to learn about how to become a beautician, let’s deal with the more significant question first. Who is a beautician? A beautician is someone who usually works in beauty salons or at health spas. A beautician is responsible for evaluating a client’s overall outer appearance.
As trained professionals, beauticians provide a wide range of services using learned cosmetology techniques. The range of services includes hair, nail, makeup and skincare. You can also provide body and hair massages if you have training for it.
Furthermore, you can decide to specialise in one specific field. For example, a beautician who has mastered the skills of makeup artistry can give a professional makeover to clients. So, it is up to you which direction you want to take a swing at. The ultimate role of a beautician is to enhance the appearance of their clients.
What Does A Beautician Do?
So, what does a beautician do? I wish the answer were as simple as the day glam trending these days. But, as we’ve discussed earlier, a beautician can provide a wide range of services.
A beautician can wear the cloaks of many. They can be a cosmetologist, hairstylist, hairdresser, nail artist, or a makeup artist. Furthermore, they can be your professional skincare curator.
Beauty therapists cover several treatments applied to the body and face. However, medical procedures such as cosmetic surgery or laser surgery are out of the jurisdiction of a beautician.
Beauticians are most commonly connected with offering hair care services to their clients. You will be trained to trim and style hair properly. Additionally, you have to apply chemical treatments to the hair frequently, such as curling, straightening, and dyeing. Some hairstylists also take classes on African hair braiding or attaching hair weaves and extensions.
Additionally, you can work in the skincare and aesthetics field. You will perform facials, waxing, and other skin treatments in this department. So, it would help if you were acquainted with other hair removal or waxing techniques to suit your clients’ needs. Furthermore, clients may ask you for recommendations of products and additional treatments they need.
If the nail art and technology field fascinates you, then be sure the salon has ample room for you too. For example, you can provide manicures, pedicures as a nail artist. Besides, you can experiment with nail art on clients at your own pace. Also, some beauticians can offer non-therapeutic massages to their clients.
Level 3 diploma in beauty therapy & care
This course, you will learn a wide range of beauty salon treatments with a particular focus on spa treatments.
Level 3 diploma in beauty therapy & care
This course, you will learn a wide range of beauty salon treatments with a particular focus on spa treatments.
How To Become A Beautician?
Do you like giving people makeovers and making them look their best? Then a career as a beautician is apt for you. But how to become a beautician? Let’s read on to find out.
1. Educational Qualifications
Number one on the list of how to become a beautician is your educational degree. You need to be at least 16 years or above, eligible to work as a beautician in the UK.
Completing your GCSE with equivalent grades of A* to D will have you covered for further progression. Having equivalent grades in A-levels will set you up for level 3 qualification. It will further give you an advantage while looking for a job.
After completing a high school diploma, you need to enrol in a post-secondary program. Consequently, to become a licensed cosmetologist, you need to sit for and pass the state-administered exam. Having sufficient educational qualifications will make you much more employable.
2. Get Certifications Online
Despite what the internet tells you, you do not need to go to cosmetology college to become a beautician. However, if you are just starting, you must know the basics of your job as a beautician.
If you decide that the beauty industry is the right path for you, then, enrol on an intermediate level beautician course to account for your level of skill and knowledge. From the best hairstyles to the French manicure, you can learn it all in this online course. Getting certified will open up a more comprehensive range of career options for you in the beauty industry.
Furthermore, the perks of sitting at your home and learning at your convenience are very tempting. Besides, the affordable price point of the accreditation courses online makes it hard to turn down such a great opportunity.
Being a beautician is not just about making your clients look good. You need to understand the theoretical element of the concept. Because it will help you to understand the impact each treatment or product has on the human body hence, you need to get qualified. You will comprehend the basics of the human body, dermatology and physiology before undertaking any clients.
3. Flair & Passion For Cosmetology
Indeed, you wouldn’t want to know how to become a beautician if you didn’t have a passion for cosmetology. And, passion is a must-have to climb the ladder of success in any profession.
Did you grow up cutting your hair and giving yourself cheeky looks for birthday parties? Is watching YouTube tutorials on makeup and skincare your favourite pastime? Then, you are halfway there to become a beautician.
In this business, being passionate about beauty trends and the latest products is a must. Beauty is an ideal industry if you’re artistic and oriented. Clients can tell when their stylist or makeup artist enjoys what they are doing.
As a beautician, you need to appeal to your creative side. Some of the most experienced artists in the industry started in this field because of their passion. Hence, a lifelong passion for beauty can set you up for a fulfilling career as a beautician.
4. Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a pretty vital box to tick in the list of how to become a beautician. If a salon in your area provides an apprenticeship program, take advantage of it. This is a fantastic opportunity to break into the industry and obtain the necessary experience.
An apprenticeship can help you improve your application skills. You’ll need to enrol in a local beauty salon’s apprenticeship program. Working as an apprentice for six months can open up windows of opportunities for you. Furthermore, you might be offered full-time employment upon completion of an apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships facilitate your learning experience. You can expect to learn essential tips from experienced colleagues and supervisors. Furthermore, you will be paid for your apprenticeship on an hourly basis.
However, it will not be as much as a full-fledged beautician. But, you earn while you learn, so no complaints there! You can become an apprentice at the minimum age of 16. In addition, you will be working no less than 30 hours per week.
5. Build Your Portfolio & Promote Yourself
In today’s time, you must put yourself out in the world. Promoting yourself can help you build your brand and become popular. And the more people know you, the bigger your client base gets. It is crucial to your success that you have a separate branding page on every social media outlet. Extra brownie points for you if you learn to promote yourself alongside learning how to become a beautician.
You can use your social media account to build up your portfolio and get client feedback. Client reviews are essential because it helps build consumer’s trust in your business. Furthermore, your work portfolio will impress both potential employers and clients.
Your Facebook and Instagram profiles should reflect your style. Personalise your brand to your heart’s content while retaining professionalism. Your ability to maintain a positive public presence can make or break you.
You won’t make money no matter how gorgeous your balayage is if no one knows about what you do. Your portfolio could consist of makeovers you did on yourself or your friends. You could get a professional shoot done to get the word out about your business.
However, having a portfolio is not a must for working in salons or spas. But an owner going through your portfolio might fancy you as having as their salon manager. So, build yourself up while looking for a job if you truly want to work in this creative industry.
Daily Responsibilities Of A Beautician
We’ve covered all the basics of how to become a beautician. Now, do you want to know what a day in a beautician’s life looks like? Well, hang tight and read along to find out what are the daily responsibilities of a beautician. Duties that will be yours soon! These include, but are not limited to:
- When customers arrive, greet them.
- Use hair products such as serum, cream, and clay to style hair.
- Give clients manicures and pedicures based on their preferences.
- Recommend hairstyles and nail colours that are appropriate for the client’s demands and style.
- Provide aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, or reflexology as per customer’s need
- Conduct skin analysis for the clients.
- You may have to perform facial and body massage treatments
- Apply makeup and instruct clients on application techniques best suited for their face.
- Make use of skincare. Give clients instructions on how to take care of their skin.
- You have to provide electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape.
- Provide ultraviolet or spray tanning according to the client’s needs.
- Provide non-surgical skin improvement treatments.
- You may have to assist in nail art services. This includes nail extensions, acrylic nails, gel nails, etc.
- Provide eyebrow shaping services. It includes threading, tinting, and plucking.
- Appointments can be made over the phone. But it would be best if you served the walk-ins based on availability.
- Keep client records up to date (e.g., contact details and treatments)
- Keep notes on clients allergies and preferences
- When appropriate, cross-sell treatments and beauty products.
- Keep track of levels of stock—for instance, shampoo, lotion, conditioner. Then, always let your supervisor know before you run out of beauty products.
Skills & Qualities Of A Beautician
In this competitive industry, your skill and qualities will set you apart from others. Having people skills and being a social butterfly pays off really well in this job. Some critical skills you need to bring to the work are:
1. Friendly & Calm
You should have excellent socialising skills. Clients don’t just want to sit there and stay mute while they are getting their hair done. It makes the process tedious and monotonous.
It would be best if you made the client’s experience as interactive as possible. Besides, it will give you a slight advantage over others, as your client might take a liking to you. And they might ask to get their treatment done by you next time they walk into the salon.
Also, you must project a pleasant and calm persona. It will put your clients at ease and provide a favourable treatment experience.
2. Tactful In Selling Products & Services
The beauty industry is reliant on positive word of mouth and repeat business. You will almost certainly have to sell the same customers’ new beauty goods and further services. So it will be pretty beneficial to have a clear understanding of how to market and establish customer loyalty.
However, you have to be very careful and smoothly slide in the topic of the product you want to sell in the conversation. Tread lightly so that your clients do not get the wrong idea. They must not think you are trying to force a service on them.
Make the conversation in such a way that your client feels in control of the situation. Then, they’ll automatically want to buy the service. Furthermore, you can get an additional bonus by driving up the business sale this way.
3. Handle Treatments With Professionalism
Just knowing about the dos and don’ts of how to become a beautician will not take you far. Because, apart from the required qualifications, you need to have essential skills.
Beauty therapists have a responsibility to uphold their companies’ standards. Also, you need to respect the requests of their clients. Body image is a personal and sensitive topic. Hence, consumer discretion should be maintained at all times.
Provide each service with utmost professionalism and care. If your client does not feel comfortable or feels hesitant, stop right away. Reassure them that the treatments are supposed to feel this way.
4. Maintain Cleanliness
As a beautician, you will be dealing with many people every day. Furthermore, you will often be in close proximity to your client. Hence, maintaining high cleanliness standards is essential.
Maintain a clean working environment and disinfect equipment at all times. It’s critical to clean all of your equipment and surfaces before beginning treatments. You have to clean off the working space afterwards as well. This will ensure the room is ready for your next client. Your hygiene, as well as your uniform, must be presentable and clean all the time.
5. Continuous Learning
If you have passion and devotion for the industry, continuous learning will take you higher up. You can learn so much from those around you. Being a beautician is about having good intuition.
Because you need to understand what your clients like and what they do not, you should have some tricks up your sleeve all the time and use them to woo your customers.
Furthermore, you need to stay updated on the latest trends to survive in this industry. Taking an accredited beautician course can help you in the long run. You will learn the latest skills and techniques in the industry by getting certified. No matter how professional or gifted you are, you must show a willingness to discover throughout your career.
Salary Of A Beautician
The average salary is around £15,000 at the beginning of your career as a beautician. However, as you progress, you can expect to earn as much as £20,000. Furthermore, the salary will increase as you gain more experience and get a promotion. For instance, salon managers can expect to earn up to £25,000.
The figure can vary if you work in a high-range salon. Furthermore, your work location and level of expertise will be factored in a while determining your salary.
Brands and manufacturers are constantly expanding their product and treatment lines. Consequently, some salons offer commissions based on the products you can sell to your clients. However, you should try to upgrade and specialise in specific beauty treatments regularly. It will help enhance your beauty therapist compensation.
However, as a freelance stylist or beautician, you decide how much you would make. Therefore, your income is highly dependable on your chosen niche. For instance, a self-employed makeup artist can earn more than someone working at a makeup salon because of their client base.
Foundation course for learning all the salon techniques
Beautician Course is perfect for beginners or for existing skilled person wanting to extend their skills and techniques.
Foundation course for learning all the salon techniques
Beautician Course is perfect for beginners or for existing skilled person wanting to extend their skills and techniques.
Conclusion
Beauticians play a crucial role in analysing their client’s needs to good. They work to meet the demands and expectations of clients with perfection. Your beautician skills could secure your work all over the world.
You can be sociable and build a relationship with your regular clients. It is a profession that lets you strike a friendship quickly. No two days are similar in the life of a beautician. So, tap into the most fun and creative industry of beauty today!
Further Reading
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