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Beauty therapist
Beautician
Beauty therapists provide face and body treatments to help clients look and feel better.
Average salary (a year)
£16000
Starter
£25000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
as customers demand
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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 college qualification in beauty therapy. This may help if you apply for jobs as a trainee in a salon or spa.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    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
    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
    More Information
    equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
    guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
    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.
    Other Routes
    You could also train with a private beauty school.
    More Information
    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
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    Skills and knowledge
    You'll need:
      Customer service skills
      Sensitivity and understanding
      The ability to work well with your hands
      Excellent verbal communication skills
      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
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    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
    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 & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    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.
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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