Beauty therapist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training providers

Entry requirements:

College

You could study for a college qualification in beauty therapy. This may help if you apply for jobs as a trainee in a salon or spa.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Beauty Therapist Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Advanced Beauty Therapist Level 3 Apprenticeship.

These typically take between 15 and 18 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start out as a beauty therapy assistant in a salon or spa. You could then study for a qualification while you're working.

OtherRoutes

You could also train with a private beauty school.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills to put clients at ease
• sensitivity and understanding towards your clients’ needs
• the ability to work well with your hands for giving treatments
• excellent verbal communication skills to explain treatments
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to sell products and services
• knowledge of English language
• to enjoy working with other people
• a desire to help people
• active listening skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to read English
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to learn through your work
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Beauty therapists provide face and body treatments to help clients look and feel better.

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

• give a facial by cleansing, massaging and toning a client's skin
• do a makeover by applying and advising on make-up
• shape eyebrows and colour eyelashes
• give a manicure, pedicure or other nail treatment like extensions and nail art
• remove unwanted facial and body hair
• do non-surgical skin improvement treatments
• offer ultraviolet (UV) treatments and spray tanning

Location : You could work in a salon, at a health spa, on a cruise ship, in a hotel or from home.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £25,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends as customers demand

Career Path:

With experience you could progress to salon manager.

You could become self-employed and get your own salon, work from home or travel to clients.

You could also move into fashion, theatre or media make-up.