Beauty therapist
Give people special treatments for their face and body to help them look their best and feel good.
Also known as: beautician
About the job
A day in the life – Beauty therapist
What it's like
You would give people special treatments for their face and body to help them look their best and feel good.
You’d welcome clients to the beauty salon and chat to them about what they want. You’d tactfully suggest treatments you feel they might like or which might benefit them. You’d help them relax and feel pampered.
You would:
Answer the telephone and welcome visitors to the salon
Book appointments
Carry out beauty treatments
Check and order supplies
Keep notes of clients’ medical histories and treatment programmes
The treatments you’d provide could include:
Facials, to cleanse, massage and tone the skin
Applying and advising about make up
Shaping eyebrows and colouring eyelashes
Manicures, pedicures and other nail procedures like extensions and nail art
Removing unwanted facial and body hair
Electro-therapy treatments to improve body tone and shape
Non-surgical skin improvement
UV (ultraviolet) and spray tanning
You might offer other treatments such as massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and reflexology.
Occasionally you might need to refer clients to their doctor, for example, if they have a severe skin problem.
You would earn a commission on any beauty products that your customers buy from you, so good sales skills would be valuable.
Hours
Your working hours would typically be 9am to 5pm, including Saturdays. Some salons offer evening appointments.
Environment
You could work in a high street salon or beauty clinic, health spa, hotel, or on a cruise ship. You could also be self-employed, either working from home or visiting clients in their own homes.
Travel
If you are self-employed, you may be visiting clients in their own homes.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- pedicure
- manicure
- upselling
- tints and shades
- setting appointments
- training delivery
- dermalogica
- eyelash extensions
- social media management
- deep tissue massage
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- attention to detail
- respecting
- creative
- verbal communication
- building relationships
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Science
Skills for Work: Beauty
A Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in Beauty; or relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Beauty Therapy (SVQ level 1/2/3).
You can enter some Beauty National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2-6) with no formal qualifications but some courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate a good eye for visual effect, communication and customer care skills, such as Skills for Work Beauty (SCQF level 6).
Skills for Work Hairdressing (SCQF 4/5)
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