This industry provides Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy services, through salons or being self-employed.
Are you visually creative?
Then you’ll know it takes time and skill to get an image just right. Take your talent to the next level with training and qualifications to make your career prospects look as good as your hair and makeup
With time and experience you could progress into management, focus on specialist skills such as Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up or start your own Beauty Therapy or Hairdressing business
Labour Market Information
Career Paths
Some of the career paths our students have progressed onto after gaining their qualifications:
Hair/Beauty Salon, health spa, cruise ship, self-employed-visiting client’s homes or working from home, film, television and theatre.
Barbers start their careers studying a Men’s and Women’s Hairdressing qualification or specific Barbering qualification. Specific skills involve consulting with them clients on their desired hairstyles, Cutting and trimming hair according to clients' instructions, styling hair, facial shave, shaping clients' beards and moustaches.
Beauty Therapist’s -start their career by mastering the basics in a range of treatments such as waxing, massage, facials, make-up and skincare. Adding to these skills by completing courses in specialist techniques like advanced massage, piercing and may have a career as Complementary Therapist, Reflexologist, Nail Technician, Cosmetic Consultant, Make-up Artist.
Hairdresser-start their career by learning skills in cutting, colouring, styling, giving advice on individual services to clients. They may work in a salon, at home or visiting client homes. Training maybe full-time or part-time at College or through an apprenticeship in a salon.
Make-up Artist- can gain valuable experience by working for amateur theatre groups, fashion shows or film productions. They apply make-up and style hair for models or performers, they may work with Production and costume designers to create a desired style. Also, some people decide to specialise as Wedding Make-up Stylist, Prosthetics Artist, Cosmetics Developer.
- Good communication skills to listen to customers needs and explain treatments/ styles clearly
- Creativity and artistic ability to keep up to date with new techniques and styles
- Strong customer service skills for interacting with people of different age groups and making them feel comfortable, building long term relationships.
- Excellent manual dexterity to apply beauty treatments, such as skincare products and make-up
- Physical stamina for standing for long periods, cope with long hours and heavy demands
- Awareness of style trends and a willingness to learn new methods of hairstyling.
- Precision and attention to detail for applying make-up and other treatments, neatly and accurately
- Ability to work well within a team and follow instructions
What skill/qualification do you need to work in this industry?
There are many routes into the hair and beauty sector, gaining academic qualifications is not as important as creative and practical skills in this industry. You can become a stylist without gaining a degree.
Employers in the Industry value work experience, helping build confidence, practice talents and interacting with others in a customer facing role.
The majority of people starting on a career path in this sector, study Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy up to level 3 at College which involves practical experience in a salon. Other people may decide to study an apprenticeship, where they are earning a salary whilst gaining the work experience.
Some people may progress onto study a degree in this industry to expand their horizons of the business and may progress to opportunities such as Theatre and TV styling celebrities, managing own salon, sales and teaching.
Courses at Lincoln College
Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector, Women and men’s Hairdressing, Hairdressing for colour Technicians, Beauty Therapy, Hair Professional, Hair and Media Make-up, Complementary Healthcare and Wellbeing.
For 19+ students we also offer the following part-time courses that a young person may consider:
Award in Body Massage, Facial Treatment, Lash and Eyebrow Treatment, Make-up, Women’s Hairdressing.
Search here for Lincoln College Courses
Work Experience
As part of your study programme you will be gaining work experience within the College salons or treatment rooms with your client group. You may also be considering part-time work to compliment your course with local hairdressers, beauty salons and spa’s. Your tutors are industry experts and have a wealth of employer contacts to support you with progression into employment.
Useful Links
Habia - Hair and Beauty Industry Authority is recognised by the Government as the Standard Setting Body (SSB) for the hair, beauty, nails, spa and aesthetic sectors.
NHBF - National Hair and Beauty Federation is the UK's largest trade body for the hair, beauty and barbering industries.
City and Guilds is a global leader in skills development, providing services to training providers, employers and trainees across a variety of sectors to meet the needs of today's workplace.
You can browse the City and Guilds professional qualifications through their website.
City and Guilds Beauty and Complementary Therapies
Quiz
Why not have a go at the career assessment on Career Coach and find out the best career route that suits you and search the job profiles.