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Beauty hurts…the beautician!
October 22nd, 2007
When I left school (way back in 1986) my great ambition was to be a make up artist, so much for that great plan! I did though manage a two-year hair and beauty apprenticeship. I lived off a meager £27 ($54) a week, out of which came rent, travel, lunch, clothes, socializing.
I think I learned more about how to stretch a £ than I did how to do hair or beauty! Jesting aside, I learned a great deal about the beauty industry, enough to make me realize it is not nearly so glamorous as one imagines.
The hours are generally long, you’re on your feet almost all day and you need to have great people skills as that is how you’ll keep your clients coming back and increase your tips!
Some of the worst hairdressers I knew in terms of technical ability were the best paid as they had charisma and the regulars enjoyed the banter, also the power of the hairdresser was such that they always managed to persuade the client they looked ‘fabulous darling!’
Despite the hard work it was a fun environment to work in and of course you get to flex your creative talents. That is unless every client wants the latest trend and therefore you spend the next fortnight transforming individuals into clones.
Don’t forget the freebies. With your friends and colleagues needing models to practice on, you may find yourself with a new look every week. Having a trainee practice on you can be painful too. I still recall the brave volunteer at college who had no less than 15 students take turns to remove a strip of wax from her legs! Lobester legs and that’s no joke!
If you want to be a hairdresser or beautician, the usual route is a college course or an apprenticeship but make sure the course you do is recognized within the industry, as there are many that are not! Also if you are thinking of traveling, look into courses that offer internationally recognized qualifications.
Remember, beauty hurts!
Photo Credit : Zen Cat
2 Responses to “Beauty hurts…the beautician!”
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Starting a new business on your own can be tough and without outside backing…it can be a nightmare. unfortunately if you have no one backing you…you will be forced to cut into your savings which could be pretty costly if the business does not work out in the end. Best of luck to whoever decides to pursue this!
December 28th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Sometimes I wonder where to put that on my resume: “learning how to manage what little money they pay me” …does that go under special skills or achievements? LOL
Really, whatever job you do should be something you love. I am not fond of my job but it pays my bills and it is hard to find something that pays me as much or more. I would take a job making much less if it meant I felt fulfilled as a person and like I was making a difference. I am currently trying to pay down all my debt. My plan, if I can, is to either quit my job and do something on a volunteer basis or go to school and take a job helping people or the environment, no matter how little it pays. Certain things are worth more than money.