Want to begin a career in beauty therapy?
No matter whether it’s your first step or a further transition in this profession, this guide is meant to provide useful information on how to proceed to become a beauty therapist.
Beauty therapy in the UK opens doors for promising people who want to work hard and build their own very successful careers in beauty.
This guide can lead you in the right way to start building your beautiful therapist career and opening up a salon of your own in the UK to embark on the journey of a very fulfilling and exciting career.
What Is A Beauty Therapist?
Beauty therapists are expert professionals who primarily serve in spas, salons, and wellness centres.
Physiological upkeep is done by these experts with a special focus on body and facial parts.
They can either be licensed to perform an array of treatments or just specialise in a few specific areas such as facial beauty, massages, or waxes.
Beauty Therapist’s Duties & Responsibilities
The job description of a beauty therapist will vary by the institution from which he/she has been employed.
It embodies a range of activities that enhance the physical appearance of clients and give the latter added self-confidence.
The general duties and responsibilities are:
- Providing UV tanning and spray tanning services
- Hair removal using electrolysis or waxing
- Cleansing and toning skin
- Makeup application
- Carrying out spa treatments, massages, and other therapeutic services
- Advising clients on cosmetics, makeup, haircuts, and skincare products
- Shaping eyebrows and colouring them
- Conducting face and body skin analysis
- Non-surgical improvement of skin
- General administration and appointment booking
- Carrying out manicure and pedicure treatments
- Removing unwanted hair from the client’s body and face.
Average Salaries for Beauty Therapists
According to statistics, the entry-level beauty therapist salary in the UK stands at €15,000.
So, if you begin your career at a lower-level post, this is the salary of a full-time beauty therapist.
Otherwise, if your knowledge has been acquired through experience and expertise, then you may even earn €25,000 yearly.
For those owning a beauty therapy business, the income shall usually depend on the rates that they charge against the services they provide. Generally in the UK salon business owners make about €50,000 per annum.
How to Become A Beauty Therapist?
Want to be a beauty therapist in the UK? Here are the things you need to consider to launch your career:
1. Get Necessary Credentials
Accredited vocational training from an esteemed awarding body would be ideal. Most sought-after qualifications include diplomas in beauty therapy or NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications).
You may aspire to a Level 2 Beauty Therapy Qualification and gradually advance to Level 3 for more advanced skills.
These courses are provided in local colleges, online courses or at private beauty schools. Intermediate or advanced apprenticeships can also be leveraged to earn an industry-recognized qualification.
2. Attain Practical Experience
Now that you have done the theoretical part, you will have to get practical training and hands-on experience by working in a place of work.
This involves working in spas, assisting beauty therapists in salons, or working in a clinic set-up to build up your skill set.
Alternatively, you can seek an apprenticeship that includes job training with study.
3. Train Your Skills
Aside from technical expertise, soft skills like sales, customer service, or communication, may help you get success in the beauty therapy industry.
On the other hand, you need to constantly update your skills and knowledge with the current trends and advancements to top in the beauty therapy industry.
4. Find Your Work
Once one earns the right qualification and gains experience, he/she can be a freelance beauty therapist or find employment in any hotel spa, beauty salon, or wellness-cum-recreation centre.
For example, setting up a beauty salon is what an aspiring entrepreneur can do. Other people may consider creating a mobile beauty business.
How to Open A Beauty Salon?
Do you aspire to become an owner of a beauty salon? Here are a few ways to launch a beauty salon within the United Kingdom.
1. Establish a Business Plan
Create a thorough plan by stating what you intend to achieve with your salon business, as well as how you intend to achieve those successes.
Include a mission statement, executive summary, market analysis, financial information, marketing plan, SWOT etc in your plan.
The cost of a startup beauty salon is between €5,000 and €50,000.
2. Register Your Business
You need to choose the type of business framework your beauty salon will operate in (sole trader, limited company or partnership).
If you are a sole trader or limited company, register with HMRC for tax purposes. Give a name to your salon and register the company with Companies House if setting up a limited company.
3. Get the Appropriate Licenses and Permits
Before you start any beauty salon business, you must make an application for licenses from the local council, especially for beauty treatments such as body piercing, laser hair removal, and tattooing.
Get suitable insurance as well. Ensure that your salon complies with the health and safety regulations in the UK.
4. Plan for The Salon Equipment
Choose what furniture, decorations, and equipment you would need.
This includes buying massage tables, manicure tools, hairdressing blowing items, retail products for skin care, chairs, storage for hair and styling products, mirrors, shampooing stations with shampoo bowls, and so on.
5. Salon Team Hiring
While hiring people for beauty salons, consideration is to be made for the kind of staff. The quality of your staff can break or make your beauty business.
Evaluate the skill set, attitude, personality, and qualifications of the candidate before hiring them.
Ensure they have proper qualifications which could include City and Guilds or NVQ certification in beauty therapy.
6. Draw Up A Marketing Plan
It is very important to market a salon to gain more customers. A salon could be promoted through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Introduce promotions and provide discounted services or loyalty programs for new customers.
Use flyers and local advertising to promote and make visible your salon.
Conclusion
Here’s a guide to starting your beauty therapist career in the UK. Pursuing a career as a beauty therapist can serve as an excellent beginning point for an exciting yet demanding professional journey.
This requires you to get the right training, adopt the expected qualifications, and be on top of new trends. If you are getting ready to open your beauty salon, consider the above points to deliver quality services and grow your business.
