Whether you’re hoping to become a Melbourne-based cosmetic tattooist, an esthetician to the stars in LA, or anything in between, pursuing a career in the beauty industry can lead you to a life full of adventure. To get started on the noble path of helping people look and feel their best, consider taking the following steps:
1. Learn the science
It’s all well and good to memorize and perfect the techniques of the trade. However, you’ll be far better equipped to improvise, make informed recommendations, and think on your feet if you understand the science that goes into beauty products and services. You’ll understand why certain products work with others and why some ingredient combinations are terrible for your skin. Trust us when we say your clients will appreciate this depth of knowledge, leading to plenty of repeat and referral customers.
2. Learn to love problem-solving
As an esthetician, you’re basically the Dr. House of beauty. Clients will come to you with all sorts of complaints, and you’ll often find that what works for one person doesn’t work for another. Acne, for example, can be caused by a variety of factors, so you may help one person fix their skin with regular facials while another person has to be referred to a dermatologist for medication. If you want to succeed, it’s crucial to learn to love the process of figuring out cause and effect and developing unique plans of attack for each client.
3. Develop an online presence
Even as a student, you can start developing an online following. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are ideal for aspiring aestheticians, and you don’t have to be an expert to start a channel. People love following journeys, so you may be pleasantly surprised to discover just how many people want to tune in to learn and grow with you as you pursue your education.
Look to skincare YouTubers like Cassandra Bankson, Gothamista, and Jackie Aina for inspiration. Just be careful not to get sucked into the world of drama and controversy that swirls around YouTube’s beauty space!
A strong online presence will help you negotiate higher pay, but it can also open up many incredible opportunities for creating your own products and collaborating on creative projects. So, don’t underestimate the power of social presence.
4. Only promote products you love
There’s nothing wrong with recommending (and selling) products to your clients, so long as those products are filled with high-quality ingredients at the right concentrations to genuinely deliver benefits. So, be super choosy about the brands you work with and promote, and be careful about working for a salon that stocks products that don’t align with your values and ideals.
5. Become a specialist
While it certainly helps to have a broad skill set, you’ll deliver far better results for yourself and your clients if you become a specialist in a related collection of services. Focus on becoming the best cosmetic tattoo artist or facialist in town, and you’ll wow your clients while also unlocking the ability to charge higher prices for your premium services.
6. Learn about business and sales
The one caveat to the specialist tip above is that you must also back up your professional skills with an understanding of sales and business strategies. Building knowledge in these fields will help you take control of your career, improve your profitability, and provide better customer service to your clients.
Follow these tips, keep your motivations for entering the beauty industry at the top of your mind, and you’re sure to have a prosperous future helping people look and feel beautiful.