beauty & hairdressing

Working in beauty & hairdressing Working in beauty Working with make-up Working in beauty journalism Working in hairdressing CLCI: IK/IL/OFM

Contents What is Connexions? Something for every 13 19 year old. Connexions is a new youth service providing advice, guidance, support and personal development services for all 13-19 year olds. Through Connexions Partnerships it brings together all the services that help young people and gives young people access to a Personal Adviser, someone they can trust. Connexions is an innovative and exciting development in the world of young people s services. It s about helping young people navigate their way through decisions about studying, jobs and careers. Through youth work it s about helping young people get the personal development opportunities they need to fulfil their potential and become the active citizens of tomorrow. It s also about helping those who have problems with drugs, alcohol, depression, are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Connexions is for all young people helping them to make decisions about their future. One of the cornerstones of the Service is its staff: well qualified, passionate and enthusiastic practitioners, known as Personal Advisers (PAs). Their role is to offer the young person appropriate information and guidance. They help smooth a young person s path through difficult choices and understand what s on offer. Careers Information and the Working in series In order to make informed career decisions young people need to be able to access good quality information about careers, education and learning. That information must be accurate, up to date and impartial. It also needs to challenge stereotypical images and views where these persist. These are some of the guiding principles which inform production of the Working in series. This well-established and popular set of books is aimed primarily at young people aged 13+ and they are recommended for inclusion in school and college careers libraries. Appropriate professional organisations are consulted to advise on content and to ensure that the books provide accurate information. However, qualifications and entry requirements change over time and readers should always check with other sources of information for the most up-to-date position. Introduction 2 Working in beauty Beauty Therapist Salon Beauty Therapist Cruise Ship Beautician Self Employed Nail Technician Aromatherapist Stylist Barber Mobile Hairdresser Salon Owner Junior Hairdresser 24 Further information 10 Working with make-up TV Make-up Artist Beauty Consultant 14 Working in beauty journalism Grooming Editor 16 Working in hairdressing

Working in beauty & hairdressing Introduction Wide range of opportunities In the modern world there is increasing pressure on people to look good, so the UK s hair and beauty industry is thriving. There are over 7,440 beauty therapy salons in the UK, employing nearly 34,300 people. Hairdressing has more high street premises than any other retail sector with 30,746 hairdressing salons and 4,317 barber s shops, employing over 177,475 people throughout the UK. The current demand for hair and beauty treatments means that there is a wide range of career opportunities for young people and adults within the industry. Beauty therapists and hairdressers are found in high street salons and department stores, health clubs and leisure resorts, hotels and even prisons. There are opportunities to be self-employed, owning either a salon or mobile business, to work overseas or on a cruise ship. A few hairdressers and make-up artists work for TV and film companies, others with fashion designers and photographers. The industry employs increasing numbers of holistic therapists like aromatherapists and reflexologists. In addition opportunities also exist for support staff such as receptionists and bookkeepers. Careers for men and women The majority of customers at beauty salons are women, and because of the personal nature of some treatments most beauty therapists are also women. Beauty salons can claim exemption from the Sex Discrimination Act and advertise specifically for female staff. However, some men are employed in holistic therapies, nail technician or make-up artist jobs. Men who train in massage tend to work in sports therapy. Hairdressing also has more female than male staff but more men are joining the profession each year. There is an increasing demand for traditional barber shop services and a small but growing interest in male grooming and beauty treatments. It is likely that the numbers of men employed in beauty and hairdressing will increase slowly over the next few years. A special combination of skills People who visit beauty therapists and hairdressers want to look good, but most also expect the treatment to make them feel good about themselves and help them to relax after the stresses of the day. This means that beauty therapists and hairdressers need a very special combination of skills. They need a high level of technical skill to carry out the treatments, a sound knowledge of health and safety procedures as they are working with tools and chemicals which could be harmful if used incorrectly, and excellent interpersonal skills to make their clients feel pampered. The work involves close personal contact with clients, so being able to relate to people from all kinds of backgrounds and being cheerful and friendly with all clients, no matter how long or difficult the day has been, is an essential part of the job. Fashions and techniques in hair and beauty change rapidly, so it is important to keep up with trends. Applicants should be practical, good with their hands and gentle. Artistic and creative ability and an eye for colour are useful in many jobs. Because the industry is all about looking good, beauty therapists and hairdressers should pay attention to their own personal grooming and appearance. Beauty therapists and hairdressers can work long hours, and much of the day can be spent standing, so it is important to be fit with plenty of stamina. Many clients need appointments to fit around their working hours, so evening and Saturday work are common. Sunday work may be required in salons within shopping malls, hotels, holiday centres and health clubs. Training There are a number of routes into beauty and hairdressing. You will find specific information in each section of the booklet on the qualifications and training required for the different jobs. Insurance Treatment liability and public liability insurance are essential for many of the jobs described in this book because of the nature of some of the treatments. These are often included in the membership of professional bodies. Useful Hints Check out organisations websites for information, the addresses are at the end of the booklet. Some might have useful hints about career choice or where to train. Note: Salary information can be found in Occupations produced by Connexions. Also available at www.connexions.gov.uk/occupations/ 1

Working in beauty Beauty therapists offer a wide range of treatments, from massage to manicure, all designed to help clients look and feel their best. Some practitioners choose to specialise in specific areas like aromatherapy or electrolysis. Opportunities for beauty therapists include: Working in a salon, spa, health club, hotel or holiday centre. Working on a cruise ship. Owning a salon. Freelance or mobile work. Teaching and lecturing. Beauty Therapist - Salon Gayle McArthur became interested in beauty after watching makeover programmes on TV. Now she is senior beauty therapist for a small chain of salons in Newcastle and Northumberland. How did you train? I did a two-year BTEC National Diploma course in Beauty Therapy at a local college. As well as beauty skills, I learnt about exercise and nutrition, marketing and finance. We started the course with a lot of theory including anatomy, physiology and dermatology. You need to have a good understanding of how the body works before you start treating people. Then you watch the lecturers demonstrating each therapy before you start practising yourself. There was a salon attached to my college, and we used to go there twice a week to practise treatments on clients. You are assessed all the time. I was very nervous at first, but practice made me confident. Did you have any other experience? When I was at college I had a part-time job in a salon in the town where I live. I used to answer the phone at first, but as I learnt more techniques at college I also gave some treatments. It was really useful experience that helped me to get my present job. Can you describe some of the treatments you offer? At the moment, non-surgical facelifts are very popular. That involves using an electrical microcurrent to contract the muscles which gives the skin a more toned appearance. I also do a similar treatment on the body. Red vein removal is also popular. I use heat to draw blood to the surface of the skin and remove the capillary. We also offer things like massage, facials, make-up, tanning treatments, eyebrow shaping and eyelash tinting. There s always variety in this job and no two days are the same. Customers want different things according to the season. In summer, when everyone wants to look good in swimwear, I do a lot of waxing to remove unwanted hair. At Christmas, facials, make-ups and manicures are popular with people going to Christmas parties. Is consultation with your customer important? Yes, because I need to know their medical history before I can give certain treatments. People with conditions like epilepsy, diabetes or moles shouldn t have some therapies, so I take a full medical history before I start. I also ask about their diet and exercise routine so I can give them advice on living a healthier lifestyle. I give each customer a prescription card describing the routine they should follow and products they should use so they continue to get maximum benefits from their treatment. Is there a typical client? Not really. They are all ages and from all backgrounds. I love meeting new people and the regular customers are great. We have a growing number of male clients. Usually they want back massages or facials, and sometimes back waxes. 2

Working in beauty & hairdressing What hours do you work? I usually start work at 10 a.m. The salon has late nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when I am at work until 7.30 or 8 p.m. On Saturdays I finish at 2.30 p.m., and I have Mondays off. It can be tiring if I have to do a lot of massages in one day, but the time never drags. What does being senior consultant involve? I m responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly. I look after the cash and do stock checks and stock orders. Sarah, our junior beauty therapist has just finished college, so I help with her training and make sure she knows about the products we use. Are you still learning? Oh yes. If a new product or technique comes out, I have to learn about it. That could involve going away for a week at a training centre or going to night classes at a local college. I m very lucky that this salon puts a lot of emphasis on training and my boss pays for my courses. Gayle s tips Visit a few local colleges before you choose your course. Look at the facilities they offer in their training area. Some beauty jobs aren t advertised in the conventional way. Send your CV to lots of salons. Most employers will keep it on file until there is a vacancy. If you hear of a new hotel or sports complex which is about to open and which might need a beauty therapist, send in your CV. It s always good to look keen. 3

Working in beauty Beauty Therapist Cruise Ship Adena Sassoon works for a company which has beauty salons on over 110 luxury cruise liners. The ships visit destinations all over the world, including America, Alaska, China and the Caribbean. After four contracts working on board ship, Adena is now based on shore, training other cruise ship beauticians. How did you get your job? I studied for a BTEC National Diploma in Beauty Therapy. I wanted to travel, and I thought working on cruise ships would be glamorous. Towards the end of my course, I applied to my present company because they had a good reputation. The interview was very demanding. I had to talk about myself in front of all the other candidates, give a back massage and a facial, take a theory test and have a one-to-one interview. I was thrilled when I was selected. Did you do any further training? The company prepared us for life on board ship. We slept in shared rooms on a corridor and even took a sea survival course. We also learnt about the company s own range of beauty products, as well as retail and communication skills. What is work like on board ship? It s the hardest work I ve ever done. I worked twelve hours a day, five and a half days a week. I was in my treatment room, ready to start work at 7.45 a.m., and my hair and make-up had to be perfect, no matter how late I had gone to bed. The treatment room always had to be spotlessly clean. I saw up to eleven clients a day. Treatments include massages, facials, slimming treatments, manicures and pedicures. We tend to specialise on one area. I started on body treatments, then moved on to facials. There are targets to meet for the number of clients you see, and the number of beauty products you sell. But the rewards are very good. Your accommodation on board ship is free, your salary is tax-free, you are never bored and there is a lot of job satisfaction. What about when you are off duty? The social life is wonderful. I could use all the passenger facilities, like the cinema, pool and ice rink, and see all the shows. You meet all sorts of interesting people, including millionaires! I could also use the crew facilities like the bar and Internet café. Did you see much of the world? I could go ashore on days off if the ship was in port. I ve been to America, Barbados, Martinique, Australia and the Philippines and many European ports. I ve been horse riding in Columbia and swum with dolphins in Acapulco. You have to be very disciplined though, because you must be back on board ship one hour before it sails. 4

Working in beauty & hairdressing What about safety? Before each cruise all the crew take part in emergency drills, so we know exactly what to do if there is a problem. I ve learnt fire fighting, how to deal with passengers in emergency situations, and I can launch and steer a lifeboat. Did you miss your family? Yes, but I can phone them every week and we write regularly. You commit to an eight-month contract when you work on a cruise ship, so you are away from home for a long time. Fortunately, everyone who works on board is very friendly and welcoming. They become your family. There are fantastic parties, particularly at Christmas and New Year. What about promotion? There are good prospects with my company. First I was promoted to managing a team on board ship. Recently, I joined the training division of my company. That means working in the UK, training beauticians to work on ships. I m so proud when I see people I ve trained doing well. I still regularly fly out to visit ships to make sure that everything is running smoothly and standards are being met. Beauticians on liners can also e-mail me with problems and questions about products and promotions. What qualities do you need to be a beautician on a cruise ship? It is hard work, so you must be dedicated and focussed. You live and work with the same people for eight months at a time, so you must be adaptable and easy going. But you must also conform to rules as ship s discipline is strict. Getting in To work on a cruise ship you must: Be qualified to at least NVQ level 3 in Beauty Therapy, or equivalent. Be at least 18 and a half. Pass a medical. Hold a visa to work in international waters. 5

Working in beauty Beautician Self Employed Senga Smith worked in hair and beauty salons for seven years before becoming self-employed. How did you train in beauty therapy? I trained as a hairdresser, but the salon where I worked also offered beauty treatments. I thought the beauty therapist s job looked interesting, so I went to night classes to study for SCOTVEC qualifications. Why did you go freelance? The salon closed down. I had a friend who freelanced and she enjoyed it, so I thought I d give it a try. A lot of customers from the salon wanted to stay with me, so I had a ready-made client list. Before I started, I needed to learn a lot about running a business. I did a course for business start-ups which included bookkeeping, legal and insurance requirements. Set-up and running costs are a lot less than for other types of business. Make-up and cosmetics don t have a long shelf-life so I buy small quantities of them as and when I need them. What services do you offer? I tend to stick to fairly simple treatments like facials, manicures and make-up. I did a course to learn ear-piercing a few years ago, and that is very popular. I used to do waxing to remove unwanted hair, but I decided to stop because it was so inconvenient. I had to carry a couch in the car and wait for the wax to heat before I could start. The treatment can be quite messy and it just wasn t practical to do it in someone s home. My customers range from young girls, preparing for a night out, to elderly ladies who can t manage their own nails. I also do a lot of bridal work. 6 How do you prepare for a day s work? I check my appointment book to see what treatments I am doing, and pack everything I might need into my beauty bag the night before. I have to be organised, as I can t afford to forget anything. I don t keep a lot of stock because cosmetics and make-up have a relatively short shelf-life. Compared to some businesses, there isn t a lot of initial investment. If I think I will need something unusual, I have a consultation with the client before I buy the product. I keep an eye on magazines and shops to check the latest make-up and nail varnish colours, and I buy the products that I think my customers will like. Do you spend a lot of time driving? If I m working full-time, I drive between 250 and 300 miles a week. To keep travelling time to a minimum, I try to book as many appointments as I can in the same area. Traffic can cause problems, and I always have to allow for delays. I work in and around Dundee, and it can often take longer to drive across the city than it does to travel to one of the surrounding towns. What hours do you work? It certainly isn t a nine-to-five job! Many clients want appointments in the evenings and on Saturdays. When you are working for yourself, you tend to push yourself harder and fit in more work than you might if you were working for someone else. On the other hand, when my daughter was born I decided to work part-time. Working for myself means that I can arrange appointments when my mother or husband is available to look after the baby, so I don t have to worry about child care. Senga s tips Working for yourself takes a lot of commitment, so be sure you really want to do it. Be careful about things like insurance. Talk to someone with experience of running a similar business. Go on lots of courses to keep up to date with fashions. Join a professional body it helps you to keep up-to-date with developments in the field. I joined the Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation to be in touch with other freelances. Is there a downside to being self-employed? Because clients phone me at home, I never feel as though I have finished work. They can call quite late at night, or they might want me to give them a treatment immediately, even though I have no free appointments. Setting prices can be difficult. I check what other people in this area charge, but customers expectations differ so much. Some people expect the treatments to be really cheap because I am working in their homes, other people see it as a very personal service and expect to pay more.

Working in beauty & hairdressing Nail Technician Katherine Rae When Katherine was six her aunt took her to a nail salon in Canada. It was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with nails. What does a nail technician do? I apply nail extensions which are artificial nails, applied or built up on top of the natural nail. There are three main types of nail extension, and the type I use depends on the client s lifestyle and individual needs. Some people want temporary, easily removed, extensions for a wedding or special occasion. Some want more permanent extensions, because they bite their nails, or because their nails are flaky or slow-growing, or just because they like the look. I also decorate the nails. Decoration ranges from a natural pink and white look to fantastic multicoloured designs. I ve painted everything from animal skin effects to tropical scenes on nails. I use an airbrush to paint the designs. There are all sorts of other decorative options; you can pierce the extension and hang a tiny charm from it, or you can embed tiny jewels inside acrylic extensions. Do you need to be artistic? Not really. To create airbrushed designs I use pre-cut shapes, which stick to the nail, as a guide. With good training you can learn all the skills you need. How did you learn? When I was quite young I used to buy nail kits from shops and practise on my friends and myself. As a teenager I helped out at a hair salon, and discovered all the professional nail products available at wholesalers. There wasn t much formal training at that time, so I started teaching myself. Then I went on courses run by product manufacturers. As soon as the NVQ became available I did that. Even though I was an experienced nail technician by then I learnt a lot from it, including business studies, first aid and health and safety. Is health and safety a big factor? Yes, you have to take a lot of care because you are dealing with human tissue. You need to be able to recognise signs of skin and nail disease, and you should never apply nail extensions to people with those conditions. Hygiene is very important. Some of the tools and chemicals involved can be harmful if used incorrectly. There s a lot to think about. How has your career developed? I ve been employed in a salon, rented space in a salon, worked from home and been a mobile nail technician. I also spent some years working in the Canary Islands. Now I have my own salon and private training college. Winning nail competitions has really helped my career. I have travelled all over the world to compete. Winning has given me a high profile in the industry, and because of that I was asked to teach and demonstrate for one of the product manufacturers. I m now their head of education in Europe and I train other teachers and students. I speak Spanish, French and some German, which is useful for teaching abroad. What are the rewards? There are so many! I love it when customers leave the salon and can t stop looking at their nails. People who bite their nails alter the shape of their finger tips, but after six weeks of wearing nail extensions, the shape can improve dramatically. Having attractive nails can do so much for someone s confidence. Katherine s tips Try to find a nail technician who will let you shadow them. That will help you decide whether you will enjoy the work. Good people skills are essential because you can spend up to two hours facing a customer and holding their hand. It s wonderful when people I have trained are successful. I m always thrilled if they do a really great set of nails or win a competition. What is next for you? I ve just filmed a set of five videos teaching nail art. I ve also done special nails for music videos. That s really interesting work and I hope to do more. 7

Working in beauty Aromatherapist Ivory Fuller has her own aromatherapy business. She works part-time at a natural health centre and also visits clients in their own homes. Aromatherapy massage removes toxins from the body and makes people relax, so they not only feel better but also often look better. What is aromatherapy? It s a way of bringing the body back into balance using oils distilled from different parts of plants. They work with the natural chemistry of the body systems, hormones for example, to help all kinds of complaints. You can benefit from oils in bath water, in steam inhalations, or in massage. The molecules in the oils are so tiny they can pass through the skin or lungs and into the bloodstream. How did you train? I did a part-time college course leading to Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) diplomas in anatomy and physiology as well as aromatherapy. We learnt about body systems, including the skeleton, muscles, circulation and glands, and about the oils that help each part of the body. Each oil has many different properties. Students practised massage on each other at first. Later we saw clients who came to the salon at the college. What happens when you see a client? Aromatherapy is an holistic therapy, so you look at the whole person, not just the complaint. If someone comes to me complaining of headaches, I talk to them about their lifestyle and build up a complete picture of them. This helps me understand why they have headaches, stress or poor diet, for example. Then I decide on the best oils to help them and recommend a course of treatment. Clients can be nervous, especially if they have never had a massage. It s important to explain the treatment and how it works and reassure them that all of their body stays covered except the part I m working on. The whole experience should be relaxing. I burn aromatherapy oils in a vaporiser and play gentle music to make a calming environment. For massage, I choose the oils I am going to use and dilute them with a base oil as most are too strong to use directly on the skin. Sometimes clients use the massage to get rid of clutter in their head, and they will talk a lot. Some clients talk about very personal things so confidentiality is a must. Others prefer to just relax and be quiet. It s important to listen, but not to persuade a client to talk if they don t seem to want it. Is there any aftercare? I recommend clients drink lots of water to flush out toxins after a massage, take it easy for the next 24 hours, and give the oils time to work before bathing or showering. Massage is so relaxing that it can slow down people s reactions, so I warn them to take extra care when driving. I give advice on diet and exercise if someone needs it, and often give them oils to take home to use in the bath. 8

Working in beauty & hairdressing Ivory s tips Read a lot about aromatherapy. It s not just about nice smells. You are a walking advert for your business. Customers must feel confident about you touching them, so you must always be clean, well-groomed, and appear to be calm, even if you re not! How do you find clients? I treat some of my friends. It is difficult to charge friends, so I must keep reminding myself that this is a business. I take my leaflets to lots of health-food and similar shops in Worcester, where I m based. Once I offered free head massages in a local shop. That attracted quite a few clients. I also give demonstrations at holistic fairs and other events where potential clients might be. Was setting up your business expensive? I spent a lot on my course, books, massage couch, uniform and towels. I also had to buy a selection of CDs to play while people relax. The oils are very expensive. I clubbed together with friends from college to buy some of the most expensive ones and we divided them between us. I need public liability insurance to practise, and I subscribe to professional magazines. It adds up to a lot of money. Is personal safety an issue? I take precautions when I am working in people s homes. I always make sure a friend knows where I m working and I take my mobile phone wherever I go. I tend to see male clients at the health centre where there are always other people around. What are your future plans? I ve been asked to give aromatherapy treatments at a fitness centre. I m also starting a course on aromatherapy in cancer care, so I shall be doing voluntary work at a hospice. Getting in beauty In general, beauty therapists are trained at colleges of further education and private colleges throughout the UK. There is a wide range of full and-part time courses and many do not require qualifications for entry. It is important to choose courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications so check with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or Scottish Qualifications Authority before making a final decision. Addresses, phone numbers and other contact details for these organisations are given at the end of the book. Higher National Certificate/Diploma courses and degrees in beauty therapy are offered at over 20 universities and colleges in the UK. These courses usually require GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) and A level/advanced Higher, H grades or equivalent. Applicants should check with universities and colleges at an early stage. All colleges have in-house salons so students can gain practical experience. There may be a few openings for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships in beauty therapy. Advanced Modern Apprenticeships are open to people aged between 16 and 24 and lead to NVQ/SVQ level 3. Some employers may ask for qualifications, for example up to four GCSEs/S grades (A C/1 3), or equivalent, for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships. Trainee beauty therapists help qualified staff with treatments and work towards NVQ/SVQ level 2. Many salons expect new employees to hold or work towards NVQ/SVQ level 3. Salon managers or owners can take NVQ/SVQ levels 3 and 4 in business subjects which, although not specific to beauty therapy skills, cover skills such as operational planning control and development, business strategies, human resources and information development. There are many other qualifications which allow beauty therapists to expand their skills and improve the range of services they offer. There are courses in specialist areas like hair removal techniques, red vein treatment, ear piercing, clinical camouflage, mendhi/henna skin decoration, anatomy and physiology and first aid. Complementary and holistic therapies like Reiki, reflexology, colour therapy and crystal therapy are also available. Again, it is important to choose courses which lead to nationally recognised qualifications. 9

Working with make-up Make-up is used to enhance someone s natural appearance, or to change it completely. Many make-up artists work on a freelance basis, and some work areas are extremely competitive. Opportunities can include: Working in TV, film and theatre, producing everything from a fresh, natural look, to realistic wounds or fantastic special effects. Working with models on catwalk fashion shows or photo shoots for adverts and magazines. In the music world, working on pop videos, or making up artists for shows. Showing people how to use make-up to camouflage scars and birthmarks. Applying make-up for special occasions like weddings. Working in a department store, advising customers on the best products for them. TV Make-up Artist Gill Garner has done make up for TV, films and commercials. Now she is make-up designer for the children s TV series Byker Grove. How did you get into TV make-up? I did a hair and beauty course at college then applied to my local TV company who took me on as a trainee make-up artist. The system has changed over the years and now there are very few companies who will take on paid trainees. It s more usual to do a three year college course in TV and Film Make-up and then get as much paid and unpaid work experience as you can. What skills do you need? Hairdressing skills are a must. You do a lot of work on actors own hair or on wigs and false beards. Wigs cost a fortune so you must keep them in good condition until the end of the shoot. You also need to be very versatile because you can be asked to produce anything from an authentic Victorian hairstyle to a realistic-looking gunshot or stab wound. Research skills are very important here. I look at old paintings and photos for historical dramas. I use medical books to find out how wounds and diseases really look. You must be able to work quickly. Shooting time is limited and you can t hold up the camera crew because you haven t finished making up one of the actors. You also need to relate to all kinds of people of all ages. Actors can be challenging, but you must always be patient and polite. How do you prepare for a production? Before filming starts I read the scripts, and look at what every character does in the course of the story. I mark any part of the story that affects my work. For example, if a character has an accident, I know his make-up will involve cuts and bruises. If he appears again a week later, I also need to know how his wounds will have changed in that time. If a lot of outdoor filming is involved, I need to think of hair styles which won t be ruined by wind. I discuss my ideas with the director and show him trial make-ups to make sure he approves. I shop for the materials I need, always keeping to a budget. What happens during a shoot? I start work about an hour before the camera and lighting crews arrive. On period dramas, where hair and make-up takes a long time, I could work from 4 a.m. until 10 p.m. 10

Working in beauty & hairdressing GIll s tips This is a very competitive business. Get as much experience as you can. This could include doing the make up for amateur stage shows, or asking to help and observe a make-up team as an unpaid volunteer. Be persistent but polite. Phone each production company as often as you can to show you are really keen. Most jobs for make-up artists are short term contracts, so you must make lots of contacts in the industry and be prepared to travel to find work. As we finish making up each group of actors, they go out on set to be filmed. One of the make-up artists always goes out with them to re-touch the make-up if they spoil it by eating, or rubbing their faces. The rest of us start work on the next group of actors required for filming. What are the challenges? Continuity is very important. Most productions are not filmed in sequence. You might film an actor going into a door one day, but not film him emerging on the other side until three weeks later. Of course, the audience believes that this has happened in a split second, so he must look absolutely identical in both shots. I take photographs and measurements to make sure that his make-up is the same each time. Teamwork is also essential. I might do a wonderful make-up, but if it is badly lit, it won t look right. I discuss with the lighting engineer who can use lighting to make it look perfect. And the rewards? Seeing your work on screen is always satisfying, but I also really enjoy the atmosphere. I love chatting to the actors and crew. 11

Working with make-up Beauty Consultant Stuart Mysyk works for a major French perfume house, selling fragrance, skincare and make-up ranges. He is based in a large department store in Edinburgh. How did you become a beauty consultant? I d done various jobs in department stores, but I d always been interested in grooming products. There was a vacancy on one of the men s grooming counters in the store where I worked so I applied for that. Having a career plan is important to me. I worked for different companies in the industry and in different stores to gain more experience. Now I m an account manager for one of the top French perfume houses. What about training? Most companies provide a week-long induction course covering product knowledge and retail skills. First and foremost, this job is about selling. There s also a lot of on the job training, covering skills like customer service, administration and paperwork. As you become more experienced there are further courses to expand your skills and knowledge in areas like make-up techniques, management skills, or new products. Skincare ranges are becoming more and more scientific, and it s important that the company keeps us informed of new developments so we can pass on our knowledge to customers. Can you describe a typical day? I start by making sure the counter looks perfect. Each perfume house has a distinct image, and everything we do has to support that image. That means I have to pay a lot of attention to my own personal grooming. No one will buy beauty products from someone who looks unkempt. We re selling a dream, not a nightmare! Mornings can be quite quiet, so that is a good time to catch up with paperwork like reports and customer records. As more customers come into the store I concentrate on customer service and sales. Advising customers is one of the most important aspects of the job. I often give mini-makeovers at the counter so customers can see and feel the effects of products on their skin. What is involved in a makeover? I start by analysing the customer s skin. If she is using the wrong skincare product, the make-up won t look good, so it s vital to get it right. I ll recommend products and a skincare routine for her to follow. Then I look at make-up. The customer may have her own ideas, she may want me to recommend something completely new, or she may want a special look for special occasions. Choosing and applying make-up is a bit like painting on canvas. It s also about enhancing the customer s features. I usually do this by adding something that s not already there. For example, if someone has blue eyes, I apply earth-toned eye shadow to make a contrast. I talk to the customer all the time to make sure she s happy with what I m doing and to help her follow my techniques at home. 12

Working in beauty & hairdressing Stuart s tips Talk to someone who is already doing the job and find out as much as you can about it. Research the companies you d like to work for on the Internet. Talking about the company background at an interview will show you are keen and help demonstrate your communication skills. Getting in make-up I also do longer makeovers, including a full facial, in a private room away from the counter. Sometimes I teach beauty schools where I get six customers together, make up half their faces and let them complete the other half. I also give skincare and makeup demonstrations, sometimes in-store and sometimes at charity functions or places of work. Demonstrations work better with two beauty consultants, one to apply the make-up to the model, and the other to explain to the audience what is happening. This can be a very theatrical job. You re always in the public eye, so it s quite important to be outgoing. What is your role as account manager? Administration and paperwork are my responsibility. I order stock, keeping within my budget. Certain products sell better in some places than others, so it s important to understand your customers and what they want. For example, in Scotland we don t get a lot of sun, so pale toned foundations are more popular here than they are in the south of England. I m responsible for a team of beauty consultants. I make sure that there are enough staff to cover the counter each day. I also train staff at the counter. I get a lot of enjoyment from that. It s really rewarding to pass on my skills to someone else. Many TV make-up artists qualify as hairdressers before joining a specialist course in TV and film make-up. Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Broadcast, Film, Video and Interactive Media, has joined with the British Film institute to run a database of relevant courses in further and higher education throughout the UK. See the Skillset website for details. The address is given at the back of the book. TV make-up is a highly competitive field, and, even after qualifying work may be difficult to find. Most jobs are for freelancers, and make-up artists need to be able to market their skills well to help them win work. Candidates should be prepared to start by doing unpaid work to build up their experience and network of contacts in the industry. There are a few Skillset-funded new entrant training schemes for make-up artists. Trainees are attached to real productions doing real work and meeting real people in the industry. This is invaluable experience, but places are limited and competition is fierce. There are no specific qualifications to be a beauty consultant, but employers will look for a good standard of general education, literacy and numeracy. Personal qualities are more important than exam passes. Previous experience in retail, sales, or customer service can be an advantage. Some qualifications which may be helpful (but not essential) are: Level 2 Certificate in Cosmetic Make-up and Beauty Consultancy (Sales) from The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT). This is a specialist qualification covering cosmetic make-up as well as the selling of cosmetics and perfumes and handling and controlling stock. Students can choose to specialise in make-up for ethnic skin colours. This qualification is available in a number of further education colleges. Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up from VTCT also available at some colleges of further education. NVQ/SVQs in Retail Operations. Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education in Retail and Distributive Services. SQA national and higher national certificate modules in retailing. Candidates can either contact perfume houses direct or ask the personnel department of their local department store to pass their details to any companies who may be recruiting. 13

Working in beauty journalism New beauty and grooming products are launched on the market every week. They all claim to make us look younger, fitter and more attractive, and many have scientific sounding ingredients. The choice is bewildering, so many women and men rely on their favourite magazines for advice on which products to try. Beauty and grooming editors review new products and treatments, give guidance on the latest make-up and grooming trends and advise readers about specific problems. Grooming Editor Andy Dixon is grooming editor for Men s Fitness magazine. Because the magazine has quite a small staff, most of the journalists have more than one role. Andy is also deputy editor. How did you get your present job? I heard about it through a friend. Many jobs in journalism aren t advertised in the conventional way, but news spreads through word of mouth. That means it s important to make good contacts with other journalists and be persistent. There is a lot of competition for jobs on magazines, but I could prove I had a lot of writing experience. I also have sub-editing and proof-reading experience, and the more versatile you are, the more likely you are to find a job. Initially Men s Fitness took me on as a freelancer, but after three months they made me a staff writer. What does a grooming editor do? I review new grooming products for men. Product reviews tend to be quite short. They help men decide which fragrances, skincare, haircare or shaving products they would like to try. I write features about wider aspects of grooming. Themes might include ways of preventing dandruff, looking after your skin, or footcare. I also answer readers questions. Men have become a lot more interested in grooming products over the last few years, but it s still not something they are likely to discuss with their mates. Instead, they write to the magazine. Questions cover a whole range of topics. Recently one man wrote to me asking if electrolysis would work on his bushy eyebrows, while another had a burning sensation under his arms caused by his deodorant. How do you research the answers? I always go to an expert in that particular field. For example, I talked to the British Skin Foundation about the man who had problems with his deodorant. Depending on the question, I could contact medical bodies, beauty therapists, or product manufacturers. Knowing how to track down the relevant expert is important. I use the Internet a lot, as well as a file of press cuttings. How do you find out about new products? Press releases and products arrive on my desk every day. I m also invited to a lot of product launches. The manufacturer invites journalists to watch a presentation about a new product. We can talk to representatives from the company and we are given press packs containing information and samples. We usually get champagne and canapés and it s a chance to meet lots of people, so it s part of the job I really enjoy. Finding out about new products is very important. If I can write about something new from a famous manufacturer before it arrives in the shops, the magazine will look good. 14

Working in beauty & hairdressing Andy s tips Getting into magazine journalism is hard, but don t be discouraged. Contact as many publications as possible. Be persistent without being pushy. Get the widest range of experience you can. The more versatile you are, the more likely you are to find a job. Are photographs important? Yes, because packaging plays a big part in the decision to try a product. When I ve decided which products I m going to feature I ll show them to the art editor. We discuss ways of photographing them so they ll look good on the page. Photos for the magazine are taken at a photography house, so I don t get involved in the shoot. Is it hard to meet deadlines? There is a lot of pressure. During the first couple of weeks of each month, I work from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. But at the end of the month, as the deadline approaches, I could have to stay in the office until 9 or 10 p.m. to make sure everything is completed on time. But that is common throughout journalism and it s balanced by the positive aspects of the job. What are the positive aspects? I really enjoy going to product launches. Magazine journalism can be very desk-bound, and you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen. Launches get you out of the office and give you a chance to meet people. I also get lots of free grooming products! Is there anything you find difficult? Writing about fragrance. It s incredibly difficult to describe a smell! Getting in beauty journalism Andy s route Studied for a BA and MA in English at university. Did a fourteen-week postgraduate course in journalism at the London College of Printing. Worked as freelance and staff writer for a number of newspapers and magazines before moving to Men s Fitness. There is no standard entry route, but usually employers look for a talented writer with a keen interest in the work and a qualification in journalism. The Periodicals Training Council website lists accredited degree and diploma courses in journalism at universities and colleges throughout the UK. Magazine journalism is a very competitive field, so it is essential to build up both a portfolio of press cuttings demonstrating writing ability, and a network of contacts in the industry. One of the most common ways of doing this is through unpaid work experience. The Periodicals Training Council website gives details of companies who offer work experience, as well as hints and tips on applying for a job. Contact details are given at the back of the book. 15

Working in hairdressing Hairdressing can open up all kinds of career routes for people with skill and experience. There are opportunities: In salons, health clubs, hotels and spas and holiday centres. In hospitals, prisons or the armed forces. On cruise ships. With film, TV and theatre companies. With photographers and models, working on adverts, fashion shoots and catwalk shows. For self-employment, either owning a salon or offering a mobile service, visiting clients in their homes. Teaching, lecturing and demonstrating. Stylist Brenda Robinson has always enjoyed working with people. After jobs in retail, catering and caring for the elderly, she moved into hairdressing five years ago. She soon realised she had found her ideal career. Now she manages an Afro-European salon. What is the difference between European and Afro hairdressing? Whatever kind of hair you have, a good cut is vital. Cutting is one of the most important skills for a stylist. Europeans often have finer hair and you have to work quite hard to make it hold a style. Afro-Caribbean hair usually has more texture. People often want it relaxed to make it softer and more manageable. How does relaxing work? I start by applying a white cream which protects the scalp. Next I apply the chemical relaxer, rinse it out and condition the hair. I can blow dry the hair or use an electrically heated comb to make the hair smooth. For very sleek styles, I pull the hair between pressing irons. Curly hair can be very stubborn, so sleek styles don t work for everyone first time. It s important to have a full consultation with the customer first, so they know what to expect. Can it damage the hair? I always check the condition of the customer s hair during the consultation. Relaxing can damage the hair, so I won t do a relax if it s out of condition because of too many colours or other chemicals. I learnt a lot about the chemicals we use when I was studying for my NVQ. If there is anything I don t know, I will phone the product manufacturer to check. I won t take risks with customers hair. What other styles are popular? A lot of my customers like braided styles. I enjoy doing those but they take a very long time. If the customer has long hair and wants very fine braids it can take up to eight hours. I stand for the entire time, and take only short breaks so it is tiring. You must wear comfortable shoes and watch your posture to avoid back pain. When I first started braiding, my hands used to hurt but I soon got used to it. Now I find it quite relaxing as I can plan the rest of my day while I am braiding. We usually have music or videos playing in the salon, and of course, I spend a lot of time chatting with the customer, so the hours fly by. With proper care, the style can last up to three months, so it s worth the effort. Colours are also very popular. Older customers tend to prefer blacks and browns to cover grey, but younger ones like really stunning colours like blondes and reds. How do you keep up with the latest trends? I have a friend in America who sends me magazines containing all the new American styles. Styles often cross the Atlantic and become fashionable over here. 16

Working in beauty & hairdressing Brenda s tips Do a really good hairdressing course like NVQ/SVQ. It will make you a lot more confident. Build up trust with your clients. Make sure you know enough to be able to answer all their questions, and be discreet if they confide in you. What is a typical week? Monday is usually my day off. On Tuesdays we have a special women-only day at the salon. In many cultures, women are not allowed to uncover their hair in front of men. This means they can t use conventional hairdressing salons. Even if there are no men in the building, they could be seen from the street. So on Tuesdays we draw the blinds, bar men from the salon and create an atmosphere where women from all kinds of backgrounds can remove their head-coverings and relax. Wednesdays tend to be a little quieter, so that is when I try to do the more time-consuming styles like braiding and hair extensions. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are usually extremely busy. On those days, I rarely finish before 8 or 9 p.m., but because I love the work, I don t mind. Have you any plans for the future? I want to learn about make-up and nails so I can offer additional services to customers. What do you enjoy most? It s great having a job where I can talk to so many people. A lot of people confide in me, and I find I can put my problems to one side to listen to theirs. I love to watch my customers walking out of the salon, looking totally different and feeling really good about themselves. 17

Working in hairdressing Barber Lee Hetherington has been a barber for nine years and now works for a small independent barber s shop and acts as manager when the owner is away. What is the difference between hairdressing and barbering? Many hairdressers aren t trained to cut the really short hairstyles that barbers are famous for. We use electric clippers to get that effect. We also offer shaving as a service. How did you learn to shave clients? I learnt by watching my boss. We use cut throat razors. It sounds difficult and dangerous, but it s really just a matter of confidence. I ve had so much experience that I don t really think about it now. We also use the razor to shave the hairs on the back of the neck. What other services do you offer? A lot of men want hair colour or highlights to cover grey hair or to look fashionable. We also do some perming. Recently, several customers have asked about things like head-massage, facials and manicures. We don t provide those at the moment, but my boss has plans to expand the business so we will introduce new services then. How old are your customers? They range from pensioners to young children. Children can be difficult to deal with if they haven t been to a barber before. They are taught not to talk to strangers, then see a stranger approaching them with a pair of scissors or clippers. No wonder they re frightened! The trick is to talk to them and get them relaxed. What other aspects of the job are difficult? With very short styles, it s hard to change the effect once you have started, so it s important to have a clear picture of the finished style in your mind. Consultation with the customer is very important, but men are often bad at describing the style they want, so I have to use a bit of intuition. Now I have a lot of experience, I know the right questions to ask to make sure I m doing what the customer wants. I also have to consider the type, condition and amount of hair and the shape of the face. If a customer asks for a style I know won t suit him, I try to talk him out of it, because if he (or his wife) doesn t like the final cut, I know I ll get the blame. 18

Working in beauty & hairdressing Lee s tips You re with people all day, every day, so it s important to enjoy working with them. Learn the art of conversation. When I first started training I was very shy. However, as the only boy on a training course with thirteen girls, I soon learnt to speak up for myself good training for talking with customers! How do you keep up with fashion? Mainly by looking at magazines and watching TV. It s a good idea to keep an eye on what celebrities and footballers are doing with their hair. At the moment a lot of men want hair like David Beckham. In the street or the pub I look at people s hair all the time and try to figure out how the style has been cut. Sometimes I ll ask another hairdresser how they achieved a particular effect. What are the worst things about your job? The hours are very long. I work 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, although I usually don t start till 11 a.m. on Fridays. Saturday is the busiest day, and I can be on my feet for up to five hours at a time. It can be gruelling, but often we re so busy that the time flies by. Awkward customers can sometimes be a problem. If a client has a bad day, they can try to take it out on you. It s really important not to react if this happens. In fact, if you try, you can often lift their mood by the time you have finished the haircut. And the best things? I spend so much time talking to customers and hearing their views on all kinds of subjects that I m never bored. I ve made lots of good friends through the job. I think it s a really satisfying job. There are always new challenges and something new to learn. And there s no better feeling than when customers come back again and again. Lee s route Left school with some GCSEs. Joined a national chain of ladies hairdressers as a trainee. Trained in a salon within a city centre department store. Spent two years working for an NVQ in hairdressing. Became a barber. 19

Working in hairdressing Mobile Hairdresser Kamala Marr trained to be a hairdresser in Durban, South Africa. She worked for a while in New Delhi, India, then moved to the UK where she worked in salons in London, Birmingham and North Wales. What made you decide to go mobile? When my last salon relocated, I read there was a demand for home hairdressing, especially bridal work. Going mobile meant I could work the hours I chose, and that gave me the time to learn extra skills like fashion make-up and photography and Indian head massage. How do you find customers? Mostly through word of mouth. I work in North Wales, in quite a rural area, and some of my customers are farmers wives who can t get to town to have their hair done. I also work with elderly and disabled people who have difficulty in getting out. Other people want me to visit their homes to style hair for special occasions and parties Do you do a lot of driving? Yes, it goes with the job. I ve driven up to 70 miles to do someone s hair. It can be a problem in winter when road conditions are bad, especially in country areas. What sort of services do you offer? I do a lot of creative cutting and re-styling. I usually take magazines with me to help customers decide on a style. Consultation with the client is very important, because it s vital to find a style which will suit someone s face, personality and lifestyle. If my customer spends a lot of time outside, I can t do a style which is too complex, as it would soon be ruined in the wind and rain. Instead, I try to find something that is easy to care for. I do a lot of bridal work, going to the bride s home on the morning of the wedding to style her hair and help the bridesmaids. I also style hair for special occasions and parties. I offer Indian head massages to workers in their offices and style wigs for chemotherapy patients. I ve also had a lot of fun styling hair for models in fashion shows and wigs for theatrical performances. Do you miss working in a salon? Sometimes. It can be very lonely working by yourself. I miss the inspiration I got from working with other members of a creative team. However, I joined the Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation and they give me a lot of support. Is it difficult to keep up with trends if you don t work in a salon? I spend a fortune on hair and fashion magazines to keep me up to date. I also go to hairdressing conventions, London hair shows, and training courses whenever I can. You can see some of the country s best hairdressers giving demonstrations, and I find them really inspiring. What is your favourite part of the job? Definitely bridal work. I meet the bride a few weeks before the wedding for a consultation. I look at the clothes and jewellery she intends to wear, so I can plan a hair style to complete the look. We will probably try out a few different styles at the consultation. On the morning of the wedding I go to the bride s house or hotel to do her hair. It s important that I help her to feel relaxed and confident as I want her to glow with happiness on her special day. Kamala s tips Get lots of salon experience before you think of going mobile. It takes a lot of confidence to work on your own. You must be patient and understanding. Clients will treat you as their best friend, therapist and counsellor. Make a lot of effort to keep up to date with videos and magazines and by going on courses. 20

Working in beauty & hairdressing Salon Owner Trudi Jones started working in hairdressing at the age of 17 and enjoyed it immediately. At 22 she was promoted to manager. Now she is a partner in a large salon which employs 30 staff. Did you need to learn new skills to own and manage a salon? Yes. The creative and artistic side of hairdressing comes naturally to me, but I had to learn a lot of business skills. It s important to be confident about the financial and administrative aspects of running a business. You also need to know quite a lot of law, for example employment law and public liability. There is a wide range of business courses for hairdressers and I found them extremely helpful. I ve also just completed NVQ level 4 in Human Resource Management. How do you attract customers? We use a marketing and public relations consultant. We get together to discuss where we re going next, what sort of image we want to put across and what type of customers we want to attract. We use a variety of promotional techniques. We have a very attractive new brochure which customers want to keep. Our window displays are eye-catching and we change them regularly. From time to time we run special promotions, like money-off vouchers for new customers or for people who recommend friends. Press coverage in local newspapers is very helpful. We send the media all our good news stories, such as staff members winning hairdressing competitions or the salon raising money for charity. What about customer loyalty? Loyal customers, who return time and time again, are essential for all businesses. We have a client database, so we can check how many of our customers stay with us. To keep customers we must offer excellent service. Anyone who has a bad experience won t come back, so we monitor very carefully to make sure standards are being maintained and improved. If something isn t working we change it, and we have regular staff meetings to make sure everyone understands what we are doing and why. What else is involved in running a successful business? It s vital to have highly-skilled, well motivated staff. I m very proud that the salon has just received its second Investors in People award. I invest a lot of time and energy in training. The salon is an NVQ centre and we employ a training manager. I also have teaching qualifications and I am an NVQ assessor. Giving staff lots of opportunities to expand their skills and creativity makes them happier at work, and more likely to stay with the salon. Do you still have time to cut hair? Yes, I work in the salon three days a week. I like to stay in touch and enjoy using my hairdressing skills. I do some freelance demonstration work for a hair product manufacturer. I m also a member of Optime, an artistic hairdressing team. There are five of us, and we work individually and together, promoting British hairdressing skills and qualifications. I ve given demonstrations on stage all over the UK and in Paris, Amsterdam and Italy. Trudi s tips If you aim to own your own salon: Do market research to make sure there is demand for your services in your chosen area. Learn as much as you can about running a business. There are some excellent courses available. 21

Working in hairdressing Junior Hairdresser Ben Smith was doing a fashion course at college when he assisted some hairdressers who were helping out with a charity fashion show. Ben was so fascinated by hairdressing that he arranged to do unpaid work at their salon to gain experience. On leaving college, Ben tried other jobs but eventually decided to come back to hairdressing as a career. Was it difficult to get your job? Yes, because most employers are looking for trainees straight from school, or for people with an NVQ to prove they have experience. I didn t have that qualification, so I was very lucky that my boss decided to take a chance on me. Now I have just completed my NVQ level 2. What does the NVQ involve? There is quite a lot of theory, including health and safety and safe working practice as well as looking at the structure of hair and how it reacts to cutting and colouring. I spent a lot of time watching more experienced colleagues when I was training. Gradually, the techniques sank in, so by the time I had to do it for myself it came naturally. When I started colouring, perming and cutting hair, I worked on models who got free or low-cost styles because they were guinea pigs for a trainee. For my NVQ, I had to take before and after photographs of my models from front, back and side. Then I had to write up everything I had done from the moment the model walked into the salon until they left. This would include things like describing each section of hair, how I held it as I was cutting and the angle of the cut. How did you find models? Literally by standing on the street! I often spent hours in the evenings going up to strangers and asking them to be my models. New trainees are often very nervous and slow, but models always get a good hair cut because the trainee is very closely supervised. Everything is checked by the training manager or other senior colleague. They will suggest ways of changing and improving what you ve done. What kind of styles do your customers want? Our customers range from 2 to 82, so I do everything from very traditional to ultra-modern. A lot of customers want to look like their favourite celebrity, but sometimes I have to explain that those styles don t suit everyone. When someone comes into the salon, I look at their clothes, shoes and lifestyle, and find a style which will suit them and their needs. Most people don t have time to spend hours on their hair at home, so I 22

Working in beauty & hairdressing Ben s tips If you are looking for a job as a trainee, find the biggest salon you can. You will get much broader experience there. Show that you are really keen. If you are enthusiastic and motivated, you ll have a much better chance of being taken on. try to give them something easy to maintain. I talk each customer through the hair cut as I m doing it, and show them how to dry and style it themselves. If they find they can t manage, I m happy for them to call in to the salon so I can show them again. I m happiest when someone asks me for a style that s a bit quirky. That allows me to be more creative. At the moment I m interested in architecture, and the curves and angles of buildings give me inspiration for styles. What do you like about hairdressing? Art was the only thing that interested me at school, and hairdressing is a continuation of that. For me hairdressing is just like sculpture. I love the fact that I m doing something creative, and that I can make people feel happy and good about themselves. It s never boring, because no two hairstyles are identical. I m always learning and taking on new challenges. I enjoy the working atmosphere in the salon because it s quite relaxed. Is there a down side? I am often on my feet for nine hours a day. On busy days, when there are a lot of clients to fit in, I can work even longer hours. When I do get home, all my friends are constantly asking for my opinion about their hair, so sometimes it feels as though I never left work. Any ambitions? At the moment I m quite happy here because I m learning such a lot. In the future, I d like to open a state-of-the-art salon, preferably in a big city like London or New York where people are very fashion conscious. Getting in hairdressing Many people now choose to study full-time at a college of further education or private college. Courses run throughout the UK and many do not require qualifications for entry. It is important to choose courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications, such as NVQs/SVQs, so check with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority or Scottish Qualifications Authority before making a final decision. Addresses, phone numbers and other contact details for these organisations are given at the end of the book. Higher National Certificate/Diploma courses and degrees in hairdressing are offered at some universities and colleges in the UK. These courses usually require GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) and A level/advanced Higher, H grades or equivalent. Applicants should check with universities and colleges at an early stage. All colleges have in-house salons so students can gain practical experience. Foundation Modern Apprenticeships and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships are available for hairdressing careers. Trainees are employed by a salon and trained on the job and through day release at college. A Foundation Modern Apprenticeship leads to NVQ/SVQ level 2. Advanced Modern Apprenticeships are open to people aged between 16 and 24 and lead to NVQ/SVQ level 3. Some employers may ask for qualifications, for example up to four GCSEs/S grades (A C/1 3), or equivalent, for Advanced Modern Apprenticeships. Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships (Scotland), Modern Apprenticeships (Northern Ireland) and Modern Apprenticeships and National Traineeships (Wales) may also be available. Hairdressing trainees working for NVQ/SVQ level 1 could assist qualified salon staff with basic tasks. Most trainees start at level 2 which is the basic requirement to work as a junior stylist in a hairdressing salon. Level 3 is the industry recognised standard for hairdressers and covers more advanced techniques. A stylist holding NVQ/SVQ level 3 has wider opportunities for career development. Level 4 is aimed at managers or business owners. It is not specific to hairdressing skills, but covers areas like human resources, business strategies, operational planning control and development and information development. 23

Further information Further Reading Careers in Beauty Therapy Careers in Hairdressing Student Handbook All available from the Hairdressing And Beauty Industry Authority Occupations Connexions (includes salary information) Also available on the web at www.connexions.gov.uk/occupations Useful Addresses Hairdressing And Beauty Industry Authority Fraser House Nether Hall Road Doncaster DN1 2PH Tel: 01302 380013 Website: www.habia.org For information on nationally recognised qualifications contact: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 83 Piccadilly London W1J 8QA Tel: 020 7509 5555 Website: www.qca.org.uk Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Cadogan Suite, Hanover House 24 Douglas Street Glasgow G2 7NQ Tel: 0141 242 2332. Website: www.sqa.org.uk Professional Bodies British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology Ltd BABTAC House 70 Eastgate Street Gloucester GL1 1QN Tel: 01452 421114 Website: www.babtac.com Caribbean and Afro Society of Hairdressers (CASH) 22 Island Road Handsworth Birmingham B21 8HP Tel: 0121 553 0282 Federation of Holistic Therapists 3rd Floor Eastleigh House Upper Market Street Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 9FD Tel: 023 8048 8900 Web-site: www.fht.org.uk Freelance Hair & Beauty Federation 8 Willen Hall Luton LU3 3XX Tel: 01582 593593 Website: www.fhbf.org.uk Guild of Beauty Therapists Guild House 320 Burton Road Derby DE23 6AF Tel: 08700 004242 Website: www.beautyserve.com/jobs Aromatherapy Federation of Holistic Therapists PO Box 52 Eastleigh Hants SO53 4AB Tel: 023 8061 8850 Website: www.fht.org.uk International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists 82 Ashby Road Hinckley Leicestershire LE10 1SN Tel: 020 7400 7509 Website: www.ifparoma.org Cruise Ships Steiner Training Ltd 92 Uxbridge Road Harrow Weald Middlesex HA3 6BZ Tel:0208 909 5016 Website: www.steinerleisure.com 24

Working in beauty & hairdressing Journalism Periodicals Training Council 55/56 Lincoln s Inn Fields London WC2 3LJ Tel: 020 7404 4168 Website: www.ppa.co.uk/ptc Produces a free careers guide Your Future in Magazines Make-up Skillset The Sector Skills Council for the Audio Visual Industries 2nd Floor 103 Dean Street London W1V 5RA Tel: 08080 300 900 Website: www.skillsformedia.com Nail Technicians Association of Nail Technicians, Alexander House Forehill Ely Cambs CB7 4ZA Tel: 01353 665577 International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) 10-11 Heathfield Terrace Chiswick London W4 4JE Tel: 020 8994 4141 Website: www.itecworld.co.uk Vocational Training Charitable Trust Customer Service Unit Unit 11, Brickfield Trading Estate Chandlers Ford Hampshire SO53 4DR Tel: 02380 271733 Website: www.vtct.org.uk The views expressed by the individual case studies are not necessarily those of Connexions. Thanks to all the people profiled in this book and to the professional bodies for their information, especially to Elaine White of HABIA and Chris Taylor of the Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation for their help. Written by Vanessa Histon Produced by VT Careers Management for Connexions. Examining bodies City & Guilds 1 Giltspur Street London EC1A 9DD Tel: 020 7294 2468 Website: www.city-and-guilds.co.uk Edexcel Stewart House 32 Russell Square London WC1B 5DN Tel: 020 7393 4500 25

You can get more copies of this booklet from: DfES Publications PO Box 99 Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2SN Phone: 0845 60 222 60 Fax: 01787 375920 ISBN: 0-86110-839-6 Working in beauty & hairdressing is also available on the internet: www.connexions.gov.uk Feedback We welcome feedback on Working in beauty & hairdressing. If you have any thoughts on the information in this booklet, or how it s presented, please contact VT Careers Management at vtcmpublications@vtis.com. We would like to thank everyone who helped to arrange the case studies for Working in beauty & hairdressing. Crown copyright 2002 Produced by VT Careers Management for Connexions. Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial education or training purposes, on condition that the source is acknowledged. Price 5.00