Explore Careers in Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy & Barbering

There’s lots of opportunity in the hairdressing profession to specialise, train and gain qualifications and skills. With the advent of celebrities like Kylie Jenner regularly sporting a number of complicated, unusual hairstyles and hair colours, the demand for more adventurous hair is on the rise. New technologies in hair extensions and coloration ultimately mean more chances for learning new skills.

More than this, the demands for multi-purpose salons are on the rise. A trim and blow-dry simply doesn’t cut it for many clients these days who expect manicures, pedicures and dermatological services to name a few. Professional progression is therefore easily accessible in the industry for those with the right amount of motivation.

Going freelance couldn’t be easier for professional hairdressers. From session stylists in high fashion photo-shoots to mobile hairdressing in communities, travelling far afield whilst working is easily doable in hairdressing.

If international isn’t for you but you still get kicks from a bit of travelling, there are plenty of opportunities to tour in the UK. Often large salon chains, hair product brands and hairdressing associations hold showcases and forums that are always looking for new talent to promote! They’re great networking opportunities and a chance to see the latest fashions, products and techniques in the industry.

Beauty therapists carry out treatments on clients’ faces and bodies. As a beauty therapist, you could provide a range of face and body treatments, including:

• facials – cleansing, massaging and toning the skin
• applying and advising about make-up
• eyebrow shaping and eyelash colouring
• manicures, pedicures and other nail treatments, like extensions and nail art
• removal of unwanted facial and body hair
• electrotherapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
• non-surgical skin improvement treatments
• spray tanning

You’ll need to be good with people and have excellent communication skills, as you’ll be working with a variety of clients. 

Some beauty therapists work for themselves, while others are employed directly either by smaller independent salons or by big chains.