Beauty Therapist

Beauty therapists use a range of facial and body treatments to enhance the appearance and improve the well-being of their clients. Treatments carried out may include facials, applying make-up and tanning products, manicures and pedicures, body massage and aromatherapy. Therapists working in a beauty salon may also be responsible for reception duties.

Full-time beauty therapists work between 37 and 40 hours a week, which often includes evenings and weekends. There are opportunities for part-time work and flexible hours.

Individual therapies take place in treatment rooms or cubicles, which are warm, clean and private. For many treatments beauty therapists have to stand and bend over the client. If they have an allergy or a sensitive skin condition, some products may irritate their hands.

They usually wear a uniform to protect their clothes and to look clean and smart.

Salaries range from £10,000 a year to over £20,000 a year.

A beauty therapist should:

• be a good listener, to find out which treatments would suit clients
• be able to put people at ease
• have a smart appearance and good personal hygiene
• have artistic flair, if specialising in make-up, nail art or skin decoration.

There are opportunities throughout the UK for work as a beauty therapist in salons and beauty clinics, leisure clubs, spas, hotels and health farms. There are also opportunities to work overseas.

Although there are no set entry requirements, beauty therapists are usually expected to have a recognised Level 3 qualification in beauty therapy. Beauty therapy training can take place either at a college or a private beauty school. Private schools offer a range of fee-paying qualifying courses.

Some Level 3 courses require at least three GCSEs (A*-C) for entry. English, maths and science are useful subjects. The Diploma in hair and beauty studies may be relevant for this area of work.

There are also higher-level courses on offer including degrees, foundation degrees and Higher National Diplomas in beauty therapy and salon/spa management. Apprenticeships may also be available in beauty therapy, make-up or massage.

New products and techniques are being introduced all the time, so beauty therapists always need to keep their skills up to date.

Beauty therapists could become managers of a salon, health farm, spa or leisure club or a trainer or lecturer, make-up artist or field sales representative for a cosmetics or health company.

Some train as complementary therapists or open their own salon.

Further details