Beauty consultant

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Hairdressing and beauty
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Career outlook for beauty consultant

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£14,000

Experienced

£25,000


Currently employed in Scotland

7,000

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would help customers choose the right beauty products and make the most of their appearance.

You’d meet customers, chat with them about their looks and their lifestyle, and demonstrate how to use the products you think they’d like.

You’d probably work in a counter in a department store beauty hall, either alone or as part of a small team. You’d represent one cosmetics company and wear its products.

You would:

  • Spend time with customers and give them individual advice
  • Recommend products which will suit a customer’s lifestyle, skin type, face shape, colouring and age
  • Sell products to meet targets
  • Keep up to date with new products, fragrances, colour ranges and product promotions
  • Give customers a facial or a ‘make-over’
  • Monitor stock levels and sales
  • Keep customer records to offer a more personalised service
  • Wrap up customer’s purchases
  • Take payments.

If you work for a company on a self-employed basis, you would do facials and make-overs in customers' own homes. You would demonstrate and sell the products, sometimes one-to-one and sometimes to groups at parties.

Your customers will expect you to use cosmetics effectively as part of your own beauty routine.

Working conditions

Hours

Full-time retail beauty consultants work between 37 and 40 hours a week and do some weekend and evening work. There are opportunities for part-time work and flexible hours. Self-employed beauty consultants often work during the evenings.

Environment

Store-based beauty consultants work in large stores, which are busy, clean and well lit. They are based at a counter area and spend most of their time standing up to serve and advise customers. There is some lifting and bending and they may have to carry stock from the stockroom. In this job you would wear a company uniform, such as a suit or a white coat. You would also use and wear the cosmetics you are selling and promoting.

UK employment status

Full-time

27%

Part-time

27%

Self employed

46%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Building relationships
  • Verbal communication
  • Respecting
  • Attention to detail

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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required.

You can enter some Beauty National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF levels 2-6) with no formal qualifications but some courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).

You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.  

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Science subjects, in particular Biology/Chemistry

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that demonstrate a good eye for visual effect, communication and customer care skills such as:

  • Skills for Work Beauty (SCQF level 6)
  • Retailing (SCQF level 5).

Skills for Work Hairdressing (SCQF 4/5).