Hey :)

[Yorkshire-Girl 01]

Hi There. I just thought i'd introduce myself! I'm Tasha, 17 & from West Yorkshire. I'm seeking some advice in relation to the beauty therapy industry. Basically later in the year, september to be precise, I am hopefully going to college to do a Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy. I just wanted some advice, however little, but preferably from someone who was/is working in the industry about the course & what skills i'll need in order to be able to be good and see it through, also just any extra general advice about being a beauty therapist would be great! Pro's/Con's perhaps?

Thankyou in advance. :)

[Mobile-Tranquility]

Hello Yorkshire-girl,

I am a self employed beauty therapist. I recommend that you
1) volunteer for all the college clients that everyone else does not want to do. Don't just do enough to pass the modules, the more experience you get then the less daunting industry will be.
2) Keep well ahead of cause work and start learning bones and muscles of the body ready for level three.
3) Get a Saturday job in a local salon, even if it means making the tea's - looks good on your CV that you have qualified and salon experience.
4) During the summer holidays do extra private causes if you can afford or ask for them as pressies off family. The more you can do the more you can offer potential employees. Look to your local area to see where you could fill a niche. Learn extra more advanced waxing and get a pot for home to practice on friends and family.
5) If you can stay on to complete lvl 3 Beauty and follow that by lvl 3 Holistics then that will help.
If you do plan to work for yourself eventually then always start by gaining experience in a salon or spar first. The ships are hard work but experience with them puts you at the top of the jobs pile when apply back in the UK.

Hope this helps and good luck for the future.

[lchesh@hotmail.co.uk]

I have been working in the industry as a full time employed therapist for 12 years, I started in a nail bar whilst i was at college then a make-up counter.
When I had got my level NVQ 3 I worked in a local salon then moved to a beauty spa. I am now the spa manager and am thinking of going into training.
My advice is go for it, their are so many aspects of beauty you can work in and if you are career focused you can work abroad the world is your oyster.
Just bear in mind its not the best paid job! You will start of on a low salary but if your a good therapist you can usually make good commission.
You will need to work unsociable hours its not mon- fri 9-5, I work lates and weekends which can be a pain sometimes.
If you are outgoing, organised and like meeting new people you will do well.
Goodluck.

[Yorkshire-Girl 01]

Thankyou so much for both of your replies. I could not have asked for better advice or from more suitable people to be honest! Can I just ask is there anything inparticular on the course that I should start looking at now perhaps, so I will have a step up from the others & also in both of your experiences, where is the best place to work as a Beauty Therapist and why? Thanks again! :)

[Mobile-Tranquility]

I would concentrate on Anatomy and Physiology of the lower arms and hands (including nails), Lower legs and feet, face and scalp. You will need to know muscles, bones and the whole nail structure. Learn your contra indications. Don't scrimp now because you will re-cover some of the work in level 3 plus an infinite amount more. Level 3 is much harder but well worth the effort.
Two books that will help are:
1) Beauty Therapy by Jane His****, Elaine Stoddart, Jeanine Conner. ISBN 978-0-435456-40-5. This is a level 3 book but quite expensive so start saving and as soon as you have finished all your level 2 would recommend you start looking through this.
2) Anatomy & Physiology Therapy Basics third edition. ISBN 978-0-340-90808-2. This is a book that I still refer to as I specialise in Sports Massage.
Ask your tutors for a list of books and get them from the library.

[Yorkshire-Girl 01]

Ahh, thanks again Mobile-Tranquility! I'll look for books now then :) Take care!