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Do you spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on hair and make-up? Are you the go-to person when your friends need to dress up for a party and want to look gorgeous?
If you are that person, you might consider a career in the beauty industry.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington and Angelina Jolie don’t set foot outside their doors without the help of their hair, nail and make-up people, and it’s an industry that keeps growing.
How to become a beauty therapist
Before you decide to become a beauty therapist, you should consider if it is the right career choice for you.
You should also have a look at the skills and abilities that are needed for the job because this will give you an indication of whether you are likely to be successful in this line of work or not.
Skills and characteristics required to become a beauty therapist:
. Good communication
. Passion for working with people
. Time management
. Physical ability to perform the work (including good hand-eye coordination, good colour perception and an eye for detail)
. Willingness to work flexible and irregular hours (often including evenings and weekends)
. A well-groomed appearance
. Ability to maintain confidentiality
. Creativity and artistic ability
This is what you will need to do before becoming a beauty therapist:
1. Training
Before you can work as a beauty therapist, you will need to undergo training that will equip you with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You can obtain training by enrolling for a beauty therapy course at a reputable college or beauty school, or by applying for an apprenticeship.
There are no formal requirements for becoming a beauty therapist in South Africa, but other countries might have their own requirements, which must be met before you can work as a beauty therapist.
2. Practical experience
Beauty therapy is a very practical field of work, which means that practical experience is usually an important consideration when you apply for a job or market yourself to clients. So it is a good idea to get as much experience as you can, even while you are still studying. A good way to gain experience is by working as a volunteer, or by working part time while studying. You should also keep a portfolio of all the work you do, so you can show potential employers and clients what you are capable of.
3. Finding a job and establishing a client base
Once you have completed your beauty training, you can apply for a job as a beauty therapist, or you can start your own beauty therapy business. In most cases, you will have to establish your own client base.
The beauty industry is very competitive, which means that you will have to work hard to attract and retain clients.
Reputation is very important, and you should make sure you conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.
4. Next steps
Once you are working as a beauty therapist, you should work hard to build a good reputation for yourself and to market your skills to clients.
You should also make sure you keep up to date with new products and techniques in the industry.
You could consider expanding your skill set by doing additional courses in beauty therapy. You could also think about specialising in a particular area, such as nail care, make-up artistry or skincare therapy.
– Compiled by Yvonne Grimbeek
