Hairdressing and Beauty

"You can't wear music, but you can wear your hair different." (Vidal Sassoon)

Looking good and feeling good are now big business, and not just for women. In the UK there are about 245,795 people employed in the hair and beauty industry.
Both the hairdressing and beauty sectors have grown considerably in recent years. However, the current downturn in the economy is having some impact on vacancies, particularly in the beauty sector. Longer term, both sectors are likely to continue to grow.

To work in this sector you must be interested in learning the practical skills for the job and you must be a ‘people person’. You must enjoy working with all types of people. You must be a good listener, diplomatic and friendly.

You also need to be clean, well-groomed and interested in the latest styles and products. Some creative flair is necessary for most of the jobs. Many workers in the beauty industry are also interested in complementary health therapies like aromatherapy (see the ‘Health and Medicine’ career area).

Some of the materials you use, such as hot wax, or the chemicals which colour hair, could hurt you and your customers. You must also be careful and aware of health and safety issues.

Remember that if you ever want to open up your own salon you will need business skills too. A quarter of new businesses set up by young Scots are in the beauty industry!

Most hair stylists will train to Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Level 2. However, courses are available up to Higher National Certificate (HNC) level. Beauty care and beauty therapy courses range from one year National Qualification (NQ) to two year Higher National Diploma (HND) courses.

Sources

Habia Industry Statistics (2008)

Habia, Sector Skills Council for the Hair and Beauty Business (http://www.habia.org/)