How To Become A Beauty Consultant

Beauty consultants work in the cosmetics retail industry. They help customers to choose the right beauty products to make the most of their personal appearance and to suit their age, skin type and lifestyle. Most beauty consultants work in department stores, but are usually employed directly by a cosmetic company and only sell that company's products.

Some beauty consultants work for companies on a self-employed basis, demonstrating products in customers' own homes and selling directly to them. They recommend products that will be most suited to the customer's coloring, skin type and face shape, and demonstrate their use, for example, by giving facials or applying make-up.

They may also offer this service as part of the promotion for a particular product, or give demonstrations to groups in the store or for outside organisations. They may keep records of regular customers to provide personalized service. Other duties include displaying and restocking products and carrying out routine sales tasks such as wrapping purchases and handling payments by cash, cheque, or credit card.

Beauty consultant Average UK Salary & Prospects

At the beginning of your career as a beauty consultant, you can expect to earn around £14,000 a year. After 5+ years of experience, the average salary increases to around £25,000 a year.

Browse our jobs and salaries section for more information on the average salary and job prospects for beauty consultants in the UK.

What does it take to become a beauty consultant?

Here are some key skills that will help you become a beauty consultant or progress in your career as a beauty consultant:

• strong communication skills
• excellent customer service skills
• persuading and negotiating skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to sell products and services

Beauty consultant career opportunities

Beauty consultants are either directly employed by large stores, or are employed by cosmetics houses to work in the cosmetics section of a store. There are a few opportunities for cosmetics consultants to work at airport departure lounges, on cruise liners and in hotels. Self-employment opportunities are limited to selling cosmetics from home. This is often a part-time occupation. Promotion to senior consultant, supervisory and area management posts is possible.