Beauty Consultant
What is the work like?
As a beauty consultant you would sell cosmetics and help customers to choose the right beauty products to make the most of their personal appearance.
You would usually be based in a department store, but work for a cosmetic company and only sell that company's products. Your day-to-day tasks would include:
- recommending products to suit the customers' colouring, skin-type and face shape
- demonstrating the use of products, for example by giving facials or applying make-up
- promoting particular products
- keeping records of regular customers in order to provide a personalised service
- displaying and restocking products
- carrying out routine sales tasks such as wrapping purchases and handling payments.
You could also work for a company on a self-employed basis, demonstrating products in customers' own homes and selling directly to them.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need any specific qualifications to become a beauty consultant – your personal qualities are often more important than exam passes. You should have a smart appearance and a high standard of personal hygiene.
You would have an advantage with experience in retail, sales or customer service.
What further training and development can I do?
When you start work as a beauty consultant you would usually receive on-the-job training. During your first few weeks you may also attend a one- or two-week induction course at a company training centre. This could be residential.
Your company would usually provide regular short courses on new products and techniques.
You may also find the following qualifications useful:
- City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Consultancy
- BTEC Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Retail Beauty Consultancy
- VTCT Certificate in Cosmetic Make-up
- VTCT Certificate in Beauty Consultancy
- ITEC qualifications.
If you are aiming to move into a management role, your company may offer an internal progression route or day release to study for relevant management qualifications.
Where can I go for more information?
4 Heathfield TerraceChiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries can be from around £11,000 to £13,000 a year.
- Experienced consultants can earn up to and over £19,000.
Consultants are expected to meet sales targets. In addition to their salaries, they may be paid commission on the products they sell.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job in a department store you would work five days a week, including most Saturdays and possibly Sundays, and often with one late evening. However, part-time work is common.
If you were self-employed you would organise your own hours according to the times your customers are likely to be at home.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- an outgoing personality and friendly manner
- clear spoken communication skills
- sales skills
- customer service skills
- the ability to use cosmetics to good effect as part of your own beauty routine
- the ability to work in a small team and get on well with colleagues
- numeracy skills for cash handling and recording stock.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed by a large store, or by a cosmetics company to work in the cosmetics section of a department store. You could also be self-employed, selling cosmetics from home.
There are a few opportunities for cosmetics consultants to work at airport departure lounges, on cruise liners and in hotels.
With experience you could progress to senior consultant, supervisor or area manager.
Search Careers Advice
Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
