Beauty therapist
Beauty therapists provide face and body treatments to help clients look and feel better.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £16,000 - £25,000
Typical hours (a week): 37 - 40
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How to become a beauty therapist
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- specialist courses run by private training providers
College
You could study for a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy.
College (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
Apprenticeship
You can do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in beauty therapy.
Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 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 on the job.
Other routes
You could also train with a private beauty school.
More info
Professional and industry bodies You may find it useful to get professional recognition by joining a register like the Guild of Beauty Therapists. Further information You can find out more about careers in beauty therapy from the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority and the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology. You can also find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- 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
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- giving a facial by cleansing, massaging and toning a client's skin
- giving a makeover by applying and advising on make-up
- shaping eyebrows and colouring eyelashes
- giving a manicure, pedicure or other nail treatment like extensions and nail art
- removing unwanted facial and body hair
- giving electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
- giving non-surgical skin improvement treatments
- offering UV (ultraviolet) and spray tanning
Working environment
You could work in a salon, at a health spa, on a cruise ship, in a hotel or from home. You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
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.
