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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Beauty Therapists in Somerset CLCI: IK CRCI: RC Beauty therapists treat people’s bodies and faces to improve their appearance. The work can include make-up, facials, massage, hair removal, manicure, pedicure and other treatments. The job needs good practical hand skills and technical knowledge. Most beauty therapists work in small to medium-sized salons. Others work in health farms, natural therapy clinics and on board cruise ships. Some become self-employed by renting space in a salon or by working as a mobile beauty therapist. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BEAUTY THERAPISTS IN SOMERSET The number of beauty businesses in Somerset is growing. Beauty salons can be found in most Somerset towns and range in size from 2 to 30 employees. The typical salon has around four or five staff and is located in a town centre. Many salons concentrate on beauty. Others are part of hairdressing. A few specialize in nail technique work. Salons can either be locally run (and owned) or part of a nationwide chain. Some are run as franchises. There are also opportunities in Somerset to work in hotels and on health farms. People also set themselves up as mobile beauty therapists and nail technicians. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when still at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a beauty therapy course   Start as a trainee – or Apprentice – and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   Getting good GCSEs in English, maths, science and art can be a good starting point   NVQ and BTEC beauty therapy courses can be done full-time at college   NVQ, City and Guilds, ITEC, CIBTAC. CIDESCO and VTCT qualifications can be done part-time or as part of your training More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Beauty is closely linked to fashion so it’s important to keep up to date with the latest styles and trends WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. You could start on more if you’ve been to college for a while. Experienced staff can expect to earn £200- £250 a week and - with advanced training and assessor qualifications - you could earn up to £18,000 per year. Tips range from £15 to £80 a week. You can also earn commission from selling products and treatments. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHERS THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Beauty work isn’t as glamorous as it appears. Hours can be long (including late nights and Saturdays). Giving treatments can be tiring.   Health and safety is important together with keeping up-to-date with new beauty products, techniques, treatments and technology   The job changes during the year. Leg waxing and wedding make-up is popular in the summer   Duties include stock control, accounts, cleaning, reception, booking appointments and demonstrating   You need good communication skills and the right appearance. You also need to be friendly and to be willing to sell treatments and products   It’s important to feel comfortable when giving treatments to people   With experience you could become a beauty therapy salon owner or teach beauty in a college   It’s possible to specialise in theatrical, film and TV make-up as an alternative to beauty therapy WHO DOES THE WORK? Charlotte (19) has recently left college after gaining a BTEC National Diploma in Beauty Therapy. She’s now working in a large salon in Taunton that also offers complementary therapy. One day Charlotte would like to run her own complementary therapy business. This might come after working at a health farm or a spa Sam (18) is doing an apprenticeship in a salon in Yeovil. As part of the training Sam goes to college once a week for an NVQ course. In around two or three year’s time – with plenty of qualifications - Sam plans either to work in a salon in London or as a beauty therapist on a cruise liner More Info: A-Z careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use