Do you love making other people feel good about themselves?
Then a career in beauty therapy might be your calling. The beauty industry is screaming for talented, passionate people who are looking to add a little sparkle to the lives of others.
So, why work in beauty therapy?
Chisholm Hair, Beauty and Make-up Education Manager Lorraine Castle has been working in the industry for more than 30 years. Here, she outlines some of the perks.
What is involved in being a beauty therapist?
Beauty therapy covers a broad range of treatments for the face and body. It encompasses:
Beauty services – make-up, cosmetic tanning, waxing, lashes, brow treatments. manicures and pedicures.
Beauty therapy – massage, spa therapies, make-up (day and evening), manicures and pedicures, nutrition and advanced facials using machinery.
Dermal therapies – advanced skin therapy services.
What can you get out of a career in the beauty industry?
1) Plenty of job opportunities
Beauty therapy is a growing industry. According to the Australian Government’s Labour Market Insights website, from 2021 to 2026 the number of beauty therapists is expected to grow strongly and is likely to reach 42,400 – a projected change of 12.2% or 4,600 jobs.
“There’s a lack of skilled beauty therapists at the moment,” says Lorraine.
“Put it this way – when our Diploma of Beauty Therapy students finished at the end of last year, nearly 100% of our Frankston team were employed before they finished their studies and about 90% of Berwick as well.
“I have salons ringing me up desperate for our beauty graduates.”
2) Many different pathways
Beauty therapy opens many different doors.
You can work in a salon. Become a day spa manager. Work as a retail counter assistant or a nail technician. You can do hospitality and tourism management.
If being your own boss has been something you have always dreamed about, you can start your own beauty therapy business.
“A large percentage of workers in the industry are self-employed,” says Lorraine. “It gives them great flexibility to work from home or they can own their own salons.”
“The benefit of working for yourself is that you’re not on a set hourly rate. The harder you work, the more money you make.”
3) Rewarding outcomes
Beauty therapy can be an extremely satisfying career, according to Lorraine.
“By helping people with particular concerns, you can see their own attitude and belief system about themselves change,” says Lorraine.
“You see clients blossom – that’s the best part about being a beauty therapist.”
4) The social aspect
If you’re a people person, beauty therapy allows you to interact with lots of different clients. From teens experiencing acne to brides looking to shine on their big day, you’ll encounter people from all walks of life.
Often while you’re turning their nails into works of art or transforming their face with the latest make-up trend, you’ll find they will open up to you on a deeper level. With beauty therapy, you can establish beautiful enduring relationships with your regulars.
5) Lots of variety
Variety is the spice of life, and you can expect that from beauty therapy.
“You’re not doing the exact same service day after day,” says Lorraine. “You have the opportunity to mix it up and provide different services to different clients.”
6) Opportunities to travel
If you’re good at what you do, it may open doors to opportunities worldwide.
You could, for example, get a job on a cruise ship as a beauty therapist. Or perhaps work for a national or international brand as a trainer or representative.
Lorraine says Australian beauty therapy qualifications are well-regarded overseas.
“Australian therapists are highly sought after in other countries,” she says. “Asia and Europe especially love Aussie therapists because we have a very comprehensive learning program.”
7) It can be a creative career
Creativity comes into play with beauty therapy – in particular, with nail technology and make-up artistry.
“It’s just another form of expressing yourself, whether it’s on a canvas or a face or a nail,” says Lorraine.
“If you go down the pathway of doing nail technology with acrylic and gel nails, there’s nail art and advanced nail art techniques you can learn, which brings out your creative side as well.”
If you love working in a creative space, beauty therapy could even lead you to a career in the performing arts.
“You may end up being involved in things like musicals, stage or television make-up,” says Lorraine.
Tip: Check out our recent blog about how to start a make-up artist career for more inspiration.
8) Flexibility
For those who become self-employed beauty therapists, one of the key benefits is the flexibility around work hours.
“If you have school-aged children, you can work around that or around your partner’s work priorities,” says Lorraine.
What attributes do you need to work in the beauty industry?
Lorraine says one of the biggest myths about the industry is that beauty therapists are uneducated.
“People who believe that don’t realise that we have to learn anatomy and physiology, cosmetic chemistry, nutrition and skin science, among other things,” says Lorraine. “It’s quite in depth.”
To succeed as a beauty therapist, you need:
- Compassion and kindness
- A desire to communicate with people
- A willingness to learn
- Adaptability
- Professional integrity.
What beauty therapy courses does Chisholm offer?
- Certificate III in Nail Technology (38 weeks, 3 nights a week)
- Certificate III in Beauty Services (30 weeks, 3 days a week)
- Diploma of Beauty Therapy (60 weeks, 3 days a week)
The courses teach you how to perform beauty treatments, as well as offering retailing and communication training. They include a minimum amount of time in an on-campus salon, so that you gain hands-on experience.
Short courses are also available (see Chisholm’s beauty services).
Tips for applying for your first beauty role
Lorraine’s advice is to build a solid portfolio to showcase to prospective employers.
She says she’s seen hundreds success stories through Chisholm. One of her favourites was a student who started off doing a Certificate III in Beauty Services, went on to further studies, worked in the industry then returned to Chisholm as a teacher.
Approximate salaries
Seek.com.au lists the average annual salary of a beauty therapist as $60,000 to $70,000, or $30 to $35 an hour. Talent.com has a similar estimate of $58,500 per year or $30 per hour.
Lorraine says as a salon owner, you can earn anywhere from $75,000 to $120,000+.
Want to start a career in the beauty industry?
With so much demand for beauty therapists at present, the opportunities are limitless.
If you’re feeling inspired to pursue a career in beauty therapy, check out Chisholm’s hair, beauty and make-up courses.
