What Do Beauty Therapists Do?

So, what do beauty therapists do every day? They help people feel good and look their best. They care for skin, nails, and hair through different treatments. These include facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. They also give simple skincare advice and help clients feel relaxed and happy. Beauty therapists often build friendly bonds with regular clients. Each day is busy but full of smiles and creativity. In this guide, you’ll learn about their duties, skills, training, pay, and career paths.

In this article, we talk about the work of beauty therapists. You will learn what they do each day and the skills they need. We will also look at how to start training, how much they can earn, and how their career can grow. By the end, you will understand what this job is like and if it could be right for you.

What Is a Beauty Therapist?

A beauty therapist is a trained person who helps people feel good and look nice. They talk to clients and check their skin, nails, or body needs. Then they suggest the best treatment or product for them. This can include facials, massages, waxing, or nail care. They always work safely and keep their tools clean. They also write down each treatment to remember what was done before. Most of all, they make clients feel relaxed, happy, and confident when they leave.

If you want to learn more about this career or start your own journey, check out All You Need to Know About Beauty Therapy and Makeup — a blog that teaches you everything from skincare and treatments to makeup skills, perfect for beginners or anyone looking to grow in the beauty industry.

What Do Beauty Therapists Do?

Beauty therapists do many things to help people look and feel their best. To begin, they talk with clients to learn about their skin, nails, or body needs. They also do patch tests to make sure each treatment is safe and comfortable. Once that’s done, they start the treatment, which could include facials, massages, waxing, or nail care.

During the treatment, they work carefully to give the best results while keeping the client relaxed. At the same time, they make sure all tools are clean and follow hygiene rules to keep everyone safe. After the session, they often suggest products to use at home to keep the skin or nails healthy. They may also offer small tips for self-care and help clients book their next visit.

Finally, they write down all treatment details to remember what worked best for each person. Every day, beauty therapists bring comfort, confidence, and a touch of happiness to the people they care for.

Common Treatments and Services Offered in Salons and Spas

Salons and spas offer many treatments to help people look and feel their best. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Facials – Clean and refresh the skin to make it soft and glowing. They also help with acne, dryness, or dull skin.
  
• Waxing and threading – Remove unwanted hair from the face or body. These methods keep skin smooth for weeks.
  
• Brows and lashes – Shape eyebrows and tint or lift lashes for a neat look. This helps enhance natural beauty around the eyes.
  
• Manicure and pedicure – Care for nails, hands, and feet, often with polish or gel. They also improve nail strength and keep hands and feet clean.
  
• Massage – Relax the body, ease stress, and reduce muscle pain. It also improves blood flow and helps you feel calm.
  
• Body treatments – Use scrubs or wraps to smooth and soften the skin. They can also refresh and hydrate tired skin.
  
• Advanced treatments – Some trained therapists offer peels, laser, or other special skin care. These help improve skin tone and fix deeper skin problems.
  

Each treatment brings comfort, care, and confidence to every client.

Skills Every Beauty Therapist Needs to Succeed

To do well as a beauty therapist, you need more than just good hands. You need care, patience, and a real love for helping people feel good. Every client comes to you for comfort, confidence, and a friendly face.

First, good communication is very important. You should listen carefully, understand what your clients want, and make them feel welcome. A kind smile and a little chat can turn a simple visit into a lovely experience.

Next, hygiene and care matter every day. Keep your tools clean, your space tidy and your hands steady. Clients trust you with their skin, so you must always be careful and gentle. Also, good time management helps you stay calm and organised. When you plan well, you can give each client the time and care they deserve.

Lastly, knowing your products helps you guide clients better. When you suggest the right things with honesty, they trust you and come back. With skill, kindness and care, you can make every client leave feeling happy and confident.

How to Train to Be a Beauty Therapist

If you enjoy beauty and love helping others feel good, this career could be right for you. The training path is simple and clear. First, you start with a Level 2 course. This teaches the basics like facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and hygiene. It helps you build confidence and learn how to work with clients.

Then you move on to a Level 3 course. Here, you learn advanced face and body treatments such as massages and electrical facials. This level prepares you to work in busy salons or spas. After that, you can take a Level 4 course or short specialist training (CPD). These teach advanced skills like chemical peels, laser treatments, or other modern skincare methods.

Each level helps you grow step by step. With practice and care, you can build a career that makes people feel happy, relaxed, and beautiful.

Qualifications and Courses You’ll Need (NVQ, VTCT, or Diploma)

To begin your beauty therapy journey, you need the right qualifications. The best option is an Ofqual-regulated NVQ or VRQ course, such as VTCT or City & Guilds. These are well-known across the UK and teach real salon skills.

Here’s a simple route to follow:

Start with Level 2:

Learn the basics like facials, waxing, and nail care. This level helps you build confidence and understand client needs.

Move on to Level 3:

Study advanced face and body treatments such as massage and electrical facials. You’ll get ready for work in salons or spas.

Add CPD Courses to specialise:

Once qualified, take short, focused courses to grow your skills and find your niche. Popular options include:

• Brows and lashes
• Intimate waxing
• Dermaplaning
• Chemical peels
• Laser and IPL treatments
  

Train with trusted providers:

Choose flexible and tutor-supported learning with Training Tale. Their CPD courses help you upskill anytime and keep your knowledge fresh.

With each step, you’ll become more skilled and confident — ready to offer amazing treatments and build a rewarding beauty career.

Where Beauty Therapists Work – From Salons to Cruise Ships

Beauty therapists can work in many places. Each one offers a different kind of experience and a chance to grow.

• High-street salons: These are busy places where you meet many clients. You learn quickly and build strong skills.
• Spas: Spas are calm and relaxing. You give massages, facials, and body treatments to help clients feel peaceful.
• Clinics or med-aesthetic centres: Here, you work with advanced treatments like laser or chemical peels. You may work with medical staff too.
• Hotels and resorts: You offer beauty and spa services to guests. It’s a great way to meet new people from around the world.
• Retail beauty counters: If you love skincare and makeup, this is a fun place to work. You help clients choose the right products and give beauty tips.
• Mobile or freelance work: You can visit clients in their homes. This gives you freedom to plan your own time and work your own way.
• Cruise ships: You can work while you travel. You’ll care for guests and see beautiful places around the world.
• Home studios: Some therapists create small salons at home. Make sure you have the right insurance and local licence before you start.

No matter where you work, you help people feel happy, confident, and cared for — and that’s what makes this career special.

Average Salary for Beauty Therapists in the UK

Let’s talk about how much beauty therapists earn in the UK. Your pay depends on your skills, experience, and where you work.

Typical Pay Range:

• To begin with, starters can earn around £18,000 to £22,000 a year.
• As you gain more experience, you may earn between £25,000 and £30,000 a year.
• In addition, if you work in London or top salons, pay can rise to £30,000 to £35,000 or even more.

Extra Ways to Earn More:

• Moreover, you can earn extra commission by selling beauty or skincare products.
• Besides that, happy clients often leave tips after a great service.
• Also, working during busy hours like weekends or evenings can bring more pay.
• Finally, if you work for yourself, your income depends on how many clients you have.

Overall, your earnings grow as you improve your skills and build your client base. With passion, care, and continuous learning, you can enjoy a career that’s both rewarding and financially satisfying.

Career Growth: From Junior Therapist to Salon Owner

A beauty therapy career offers many exciting paths to grow. You can start small, learn every step, and build your way up to success. It’s a journey that rewards hard work, skill, and passion.

At first, you begin as a Junior Beauty Therapist. Here, you learn the basics, practise treatments, and build your confidence with clients. Then, as you gain experience, you move up to a Senior Therapist. In this stage, you take on more advanced work and start managing your own client list.

After that, you might become a Lead Therapist or Trainer. This is where you guide new staff, share your skills, and become a mentor in the salon. With more training, you can also step into a Clinic or Advanced Level 4 role, offering specialist services such as laser or skin peels.

Furthermore, as your career grows, you may reach the Salon Manager position. You’ll handle daily operations, train your team, and make sure clients have the best experience. Finally, with enough skill and confidence, you could become a Salon Owner or Freelance Brand, building your own business and following your dreams.

Along the way, it helps to keep learning new skills through CPD courses, improve your product knowledge, and strengthen your leadership abilities. Most importantly, stay kind and professional—because great client care always takes you further.

Final Thoughts: Why Beauty Therapy Is a Rewarding and Flexible Career

Beauty therapy is a career that blends skill, care, and creativity. Each day, you help people feel confident and relaxed through treatments like facials, massages, and nail care. It’s fulfilling work that brings joy to others while letting you express your creativity.

There are also many ways to grow — from salon work to freelance or even owning your own business. If you’re ready to start, explore the Beauty Therapist Bundle Course at Training Tale. It’s flexible, easy to follow, and perfect for building the skills you need for a rewarding beauty career.

FAQs: Beauty Therapist Career (UK)

• What does the beauty therapist do?
  Beauty therapists do face and body treatments. They give facials, massages, waxing, and laser hair removal. They also use spa, aromatherapy, and reflexology to help people relax and feel good.

• What is done in beauty therapy?
  Beauty therapy includes many treatments for skin, body, and nails. It covers facials, massages, hair removal, manicures, pedicures, and makeup.

• Does beauty therapy pay well?
  Beauty therapists in London usually earn between £18,000 and £27,000 a year. Pay can increase with skills, experience, and location.

• What are the duties of a beauty therapist?
  Beauty therapists do treatments like facials, waxing, manicures, and pedicures. They also talk with clients and suggest the right products.