There is something uniquely appealing about being a beautician and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular career option, but how do you get started? You can’t jump straight into a beautician role without any training or experience and hope for the best. This would leave clients with questionable results, and you would struggle to make a living.
However, it’s also not a career that you need to dedicate years and years of education to. Once you have decided to pursue a career as a professional beautician, you can get stuck into treatments relatively quickly, and hands-on experience is a large part of getting started.
Training and Certification
Before you can get started as a beautician, you need to undergo training. After all, clients need to know that you are capable and competent. There are a variety of ways of training to become a beautician, and everyone’s road looks slightly different. The most common route is doing a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy. This is a full time course that lasts two to three years, depending on whether you are doing it part time or full time, and it results in qualifications that will help you to work as a beauty therapist. You might then go on to do more training, especially if you want to specialise in some way. There are also short courses to boost your beauty skills, such as PlasmaPen training, which will certify you in further treatment options.
Gaining Experience
One of the most important things to do when you are getting started as a beautician in the UK is to gain as much experience as possible. There are a lot of beauticians out there, and it’s hard to build up a following of loyal clients if you don’t have anything to show. It’s the same as applying for any job, you need to showcase your skills and experience, and highlight why you are the beautician to choose.
It’s a good idea to seek internships and experience wherever you can, including asking friends and family to use your services. Though formal experience is important, honing your skills and practising treatments on friends and family can help you build a portfolio. It’s a fantastic way for you to show off your work, including various treatments that you have training in. A strong portfolio is essential if you want to convey your skills to potential clients.
You shouldn’t struggle to find internships or work experience opportunities as a beautician. Working in a beauty salon will provide you with hands-on learning, training and valuable insights into what it’s really like to work as a beautician in the UK. It’s also great exposure and can put you in touch with potential future clients.
Specialisation
If you want clients to choose you as their ‘go to’ beautician, you need to stand out for the right reasons. Consider specialising in areas such as PlasmaPen treatment to stand out as doing something that many beauticians are unable to do. Specialising in a specific niche enables you to provide treatments that differentiate yourself from competitors. For example, PlasmaPen treatment is becoming more and more popular, and it has quickly made a name for itself as an excellent non-invasive and non-surgical treatment option. By specialising, you can attract clients looking for more specific beauty services.
Networking and Marketing
One of the biggest challenges of getting started as a beautician in the UK is successfully marketing yourself. This can be done in a variety of ways, but networking and promoting yourself on social media are by far two of the most effective methods. Building strong relationships with other beauticians, salon owners and suppliers can open doors for collaborations, referrals and recommendations. You could also attend industry events and networking sessions to connect with other people in the beauty industry.
When you are not networking, focus on marketing. In the world of beauty, this is largely done on social media and it can be extremely effective when it’s done well. Create and maintain a strong presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. You should post images of your work and engage with followers, but you could go even further by sharing beauty tips or informative tutorials. Social media can be a powerful tool for showcasing your skills and attracting clients if you remember to post regularly.
Staying Updated
It’s important to keep your skills current with regular training and by staying up to date with any new products that have hit the market. The beauty industry is dynamic and it’s always evolving, with new products and techniques constantly emerging. It’s important to stay up to date with everything that’s happening, as this demonstrates your commitment to providing the best services to your clients. Make sure to stay informed about new beauty products, technologies, and trends. Your clients will appreciate having a beautician who can recommend the most effective treatments and products for their unique needs.
Though there is a lot that goes into becoming a beautician in the UK, hard work really does pay off. Working as a beautician is hugely rewarding, and there are few things as satisfying as watching someone’s self-confidence grow when they see the results of a treatment that you have provided.
At PlasmaPen, you can boost your beauty therapy skills even further by providing fibroblast treatment to clients. It’s a non-invasive and non-surgical way to provide eye lifts, neck lifts, sun damage correction, mole removal, acne scarring treatment and skin tightening. Contact us today to find out more.
