Beauty Therapy & Hairdressing

Jessica Simpson flies hers halfway around the world on a regular basis; Jennifer Lopez once attributed her success on the red carpet to hers…the importance of a really good hairdresser should not be underestimated. The one consistency in this ever changing world is our vanity; and people who can magic us from a mess into a muse are always going to be in fashion.

Going to the beautician is no longer a simple task of getting your nails done. Advances in treatments and the continual progress in cosmetic surgery have had huge connotations for the industry as training for this field is calling for high levels of expertise and increased training requirements.

A survey in 2006 found hairdressers to be those happiest in their job with beauticians following fourth (behind clergy and chefs). You can’t argue with happiness; so read on to find your path to job satisfaction…

Education
To become a fully qualified beauty therapist you must study towards a qualification approved by CIDESCO, CIBTAC or ITEC, who are the internationally recognised beauty therapy bodies. A number of private and PLC colleges around the country offer recognised full time courses. Course titles include Beauty Care, Beauty & Complimentary Therapies and Beauty & Retail Sales Consultancy. These courses generally take two years to complete.

Typical subjects covered on a beauty therapy course include Cleansing, Skin Analysis, Facial Massage, Electrotherapy, Indian Head Massage, Diet & Nutrition and Depilation. You might also study more general subjects such as business, IT and communications. These courses don’t appear on the CAO system; instead you apply directly to the college. Generally a full Leaving Cert is required, while for some courses you need to have studied biology – review each college’s prospectus for further details.

There are schools that run full-time further education hairdressing courses and FÁS offers traineeships in hairdressing, but perhaps the most lucrative avenue into the profession is to start your training with a major hairdressing chain. This allows you to earn as you learn. You will experience everything from the basics – washing, shampooing and blow-drying – to the more complex skills of cutting and colouring. A full salon training programme takes around four years to complete and involves both on-the-job and offsite instruction.

There is usually a work placement for trainee beauty therapists and hairdressers to gain experience with clients in a salon setting. To be awarded their diploma, students must pass a series of theoretical and practical exams.

After Qualification
The majority of beauty therapists, hairdressers and barbers choose to work in salons or spas, while others take the self-employment route and choose to either visit clients in their own homes or set up a salon themselves.

There are also plenty of opportunities for a beauty therapist or hair stylist to move into different fields. One option is the fashion industry, styling models for photo shoots or the catwalk. Another option is to take a further qualification in alternative therapies such as aromatherapy.

The Work
Facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and plucking are all on the menu at your average beauticians while hairdressers and barbers cut and style hair and both professions can find themselves as an agony aunt as many customers use their services to help prepare for an important dinner, holiday, meeting with the ex, etc.

Specialist equipment is ubiquitous in the beauty therapy business – electrolysis and laser hair removal are two of the most popular treatments offered and beauty therapists need to be fully trained in how to use the relevant machines. Electrical equipment is also used for certain slimming treatments and the eradication of thread veins and skin blemishes.

Some therapists specialise in a particular area, such as nail technicians. Many beauty therapists and salons also offer additional services in alternative therapies and treatments such as reflexology, henna painting, aromatherapy, holistic massage and body wrapping.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
A vivacious personality is at the forefront of the necessary characteristics for this industry. The aim is to make the client’s experience as pleasurable as possible and so enthusiasm and conversation are important. Employees should also be well groomed; a hairdresser with unruly hair doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Most beauty therapists and hair stylists work in a salon environment. Working hours are generally nine-to-five business hours, although sometimes you may have to work evenings and weekends if demand is high; e.g. around Christmas. Other environments could include photography studios, cruise ships, health centres and customers’ homes.

The Money
Newly qualified beauty therapists and hairdressers don’t rank high on the pay scale, with most starting on minimum wage. However, a salary in the beauty field can rise quickly with promotions and most salons pay their therapists commission for selling beauty products to their clients, which can boost income considerably.

Jargon
GHD: The right arm of most girls/women in Ireland; stands for Good Hair Day; is the best hair straightener known to mankind
Depilation: The act of removing hair from the surface of the skin
Electrotherapy: The method of using electrical stimulation to treat or heal skin problems
Trichology: The science of the structure, function and diseases of the human hair

Job Titles
Beauty Therapist
Barber
Hairdresser
Hair Stylist
Make-up Artist
Nail Technician
Spa Therapist
Trichologist

Further Resources
IBPA (Irish Beauty Professionals Association)
46 Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 661 0777
Web: www.ibpa.ie
Email: info@ibpa.ie

AINT (Advanced Institute of Nail Technology)
2-6 Temple Road
Blackrock
Co Dublin
Tel: 1850 200 673
Web: www.aintnails.com

Irish Hairdressers Federation
Seskin South
Ballyragget
Co Kilkenny
Tel: 056 883 3808
Web: www.irishhairfed.com
Email: seskin@indigo.ie