Deciding what we want to be when we grow up is one of the biggest questions we ever have to answer. Childhood dreams can become squashed by the harsh realities and demands of adult life, and factors such as rent and bills and other expenses become more prominent.
But there is no reason that you can’t make money doing what you love! The beauty industry offers a long list of flexible, creative jobs which not only help feed your family but also help to feed your soul.
There are many pathways to take in this industry, and the jobs lend themselves well to small business ventures. Whether you dream of working with celebrities, for high-end beauty companies and department store counters or perhaps want to start your own business from the ground up and build a reputation that way…
Anything is possible when you set your mind to it with determination and imagination.
What jobs are available?
With so many careers in beauty and fashion to choose from, it can seem like an overwhelming task. So, to make things a little easier, we have compiled a beauty careers list of some of the most popular and in-demand jobs in the beauty industry for you to peruse, some of which you may not have considered before.
Seek advertises a whole range of jobs in the beauty sector, as well as offering career advice and guidance, helping you with life after training.
What are some of the best jobs in the beauty industry?
While financial stability can be a vital factor when considering career pathways, the saying goes ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life’. We have put together a list of jobs in the beauty industry which report high levels of enjoyment from employees:
Beauty Therapist/Esthetician
One of the most popular and rewarding jobs out there, beauty therapists, also known as estheticians, work with clients to make them feel their best. With many tools in their arsenal, beauty therapists offer treatments, advise on skin types taking into account sensitivities and offer product and skin care regimen options to suit the unique requirements of each client.
Beauty therapists will be privy to some of their client’s biggest insecurities, so creating a friendly, comfortable atmosphere that makes a client feel safe is of utmost importance.
Nail Technician
This highly sociable job has truly boomed in the last few years. With the rise of new nail treatments such as gels and acrylics, there are now more people than ever looking to get their nails done. Nail Tech lends itself particularly well to small business start-ups, as it is easy to offer a mobile service, taking your kit with you wherever you need to go, and offering you the flexibility to book appointments around your schedule.
This is one of the best beauty industry jobs from home; you can base yourself in your own space with clients travelling to you for appointments.
Personal Stylist
Personal stylists will work closely with their client, learning about that individual’s skin type, colour palettes, skin problem areas and desired looks to help create the perfect makeup or fashion moment. A personal stylist understands that each person is completely unique, and will be able to tailor their services to suit the needs of each client.
Photographer
A slight change from delivering beauty treatments, this is an excellent choice for anyone with a sharp eye for beauty and fashion and buckets of creative flair. Photographers will work closely with designers, companies and models to realise a vision and capture it in a moment. Lighting and composition play a huge role in this process – the studio will become a playground, a place to try new things and explore ideas.
You might consider checking out our sister company My Learning Online, which offers a collection of short online photography courses.
Which are the highest paying jobs?
Beauty Therapist/Esthetician
Beauty therapy is such a great all-rounder. This is a job that has many strings to its bow and so will always be in high demand.
Makeup Artist
Makeup artistry comes with so many career opportunities, from big events and weddings, high-end and celebrity styling, to mobile services called upon for special events or department store makeup counters. There will always be times when someone needs their makeup done. Also, if you start your own business, you get to decide your fees!
Tattoo Artist
Tattoo artistry has become a fully recognised art form, with small businesses and artists sharing their work on social media and building a following who specifically want their designs. Boutique tattoo artistry is an excellent choice for anyone with a penchant for the pen.
Hairstylist
Similarly to makeup artistry, hair comes hand in hand with makeup looks. Hair can be a make-or-break situation for many, with different hair lengths, thickness and textures presenting their own challenges. Having stylists on hand who know just how to do your hair will always be highly sought after. Once you start to build a reputation, your prices will rise with it.
Beauty Writer/Blogger
Beauty influencers are incredibly popular right now, with online how-to videos, hauls, and product reviews. The world is watching and beauty influencing can lead to company collabs and a rise in your reputation.
Beauty Editor
Want to live your Devil Wears Prada dreams? Beauty editor roles might just be what you are looking for. Working for magazines, companies or independent writing collectives in the beauty sector keeps everyone in the know about the latest and most innovative styles out there. This is a high-end job that you will likely need to work your way up to, but if Miranda Priestly can do it then so can you!
Our American neighbours over at Miss Millennia Magazine have a brilliant article going into more detail about some of the best high-paying jobs in the beauty industry.
Tips on how to boost your income through business
Online Presence/Social Media
One of the best ways to build a following and get your services out there is to create an online social media presence, where you can show pictures of your work, details on services you provide, and get clients to write testimonials about their experience having a treatment with you. Social media is everywhere, so getting yourself onto peoples’ ‘For You’ pages is a sure-fire way to spark interest.
Events and Fairs
Wedding and event fairs are perfect for small business owners. You can set up your own stall and advertise your services to all those passing by. These events allow you to meet people in person, get to know them, and what they want and connect face to face. This helps evoke trust and builds connections.
Networking
Social media is one of the best ways to do this, by following creators who you admire and creating a circle of people in the same industry as you. Perhaps even trying to collaborate with other creators to build a following and meet new creatives, expanding your knowledge and connections.
Want to get started?
Like the sounds of building a career in beauty? We’ve got you covered!
Here at New Zealand Beauty School, we have a whole assortment of different short courses to give you the best start to your career in the beauty sector. With everything from Professional Makeup Artistry and Facials, to Nail Tech and Eyebrow and Lash courses, there is something to suit everyone.
Our courses are created by professionals and will give you high-quality, rounded learning to prepare you for every aspect of the industry. And you won’t just be learning about the beauty side of things – we will equip you with the knowledge needed to succeed in business, such as organising appointments, stock orders, salon management, customer rapport and more.
Our courses come with a custom-designed kit, containing everything you will need to complete your training, sent right to your front door. The kit will have all the necessary gear to give you the best start to your career, allowing you to experiment and explore from the comfort of your own home.
All courses come with a downloadable brochure with further information about course content, modules and assessments, accessing your learning online and tutor support. Once you have completed the course you will receive a certificate of attainment, adding that touch of impressive professionalism for potential employers.
We offer an interest-free payment plan where you can pay your fees in instalments, paying a small amount per week, or you can receive a discount if you choose to pay your course fees upfront.
Choosing to study a beauty course online will give you 24/7 access to your studies, giving you the flexibility to work your learning around your schedule and lifestyle.
Enrol in one of our short beauty courses today and learn how to make money whilst doing what you love.