Beauticians and related occupations
Also called: Beautician, Mask maker, Body artist, Lash artist, Nail artist, Wig dresser, Body piercer, Retail artist, Spa therapist, Beauty adviser, Colour analyst, Make-up artist
Beauticians and related workers give facial and body beauty treatments, apply cosmetics and dress wigs.
Main tasks
- Discusses clients requirements, analyses and advises client on appropriate skin care, and applies treatments to the face or body
- Massages scalp, face and other parts of the body and carries out spray tanning
- Uses waxing, threading, sugaring and other epilation techniques to remove any unwanted body hair
- Cleans, shapes and polishes finger and toe nails, applies nail extensions
- Performs specialist treatments for conditions such as acne, applies skin rejuvenation therapies
- Recognises problems and refers clients to medical practitioners if appropriate
- Advises clients on diet and exercise to assist in weight loss and slimming
- Maintains client records, sells and advises on cosmetic products and services, and ensures appropriate health and safety issues are addressed.
How to become one
There are no minimum academic requirements for entry, although some colleges require candidates to possess GCSEs/S grades. NVQs/SVQs in Beauty Therapy are available at levels 1, 2 and 3. Professional qualifications are also available.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship (England): Advanced beauty therapist (level 3). England. Typically 18 months. Skills England standard ST0211.
- Apprenticeship (England): Beauty therapist (level 2). England. Typically 15 months. Skills England standard ST0630.
- Apprenticeship (England): Nail services technician (level 2). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0635.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £24,124 a year The middle half earn £21,040 to null.
- About 102,300 people work in this job now, and about 106,000 are projected by 2035. (+3.6%)
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Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03