Beauty consultant

Beauty consultants sell make-up, perfume and skin-care products, and give advice on their use. They usually work on the cosmetic counter of a large shop or store.

Also known as:

Cosmetics consultant

Work activities

Most beauty consultants work on the cosmetic counters of department stores or large chemist shops. They advise customers on beauty products such as makeup, perfume and skin-care items; they help customers choose what to buy, by suggesting suitable colours or types of product. In larger stores, they usually work in a team. They might also give facials, eyelash and eyebrow treatments and makeovers to customers, in order to guide and advise them to buy the products that suit them. Consultants must give a high priority to sales. Companies usually set a sales target to be reached; they reward the consultant with commission added to basic salary if they are successful. The work is often very competitive, as several cosmetic companies usually operate in the same store.

Beauty consultants sometimes operate cash tills and take payments from customers. They could deal with cash, debit or credit cards, loyalty cards and vouchers. They might have to pack and sometimes gift-wrap goods. They also have to answer questions from customers about what products contain and how they have been tested. Other duties include checking stock, keeping the sales area clean and tidy, and displaying goods in an attractive way. Self-employed consultants are responsible for all aspects of the business, such as bookkeeping, and ordering and accounting for stock. Some beauty consultants sell products to people in their homes, either by distributing brochures or through a party plan system. Others might work in salons, spas or hotels, or on cruise ships, for example. Beauty consultants usually have to wear a uniform or follow a dress code set by their organisation.

Personal qualities and skills

As a beauty consultant, you will need to be able to:

Relate well to clients.
Work as part of a team.
Work calmly under pressure.

You should have:

Good interpersonal, listening and verbal communication skills.
A good sense of colour and fashion.
Sales and customer service skills.
A confident, friendly and tactful manner.
A smart appearance; you’ll need to be well groomed.
In-depth knowledge of the products you sell.
A steady hand and the ability to use fine brushes, for example, if you are demonstrating products by applying them to customers.
Basic number skills.
The stamina to work long hours.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Beauty consultants earn in the range of £14,000 a year, rising to £25,000. In addition to these figures, commission is usually awarded according to sales targets being achieved.

Beauty consultants work store hours, which could include at least one late evening in the week, and working on a Saturday and Sunday, with time off in lieu.

What’s happening in this work area?

There have been many retail store closures in the last few years, including larger department stores with beauty departments. In addition, the industry is dominated by online sales – often driven by high-profile vloggers and social media influencers who either market and sell their own cosmetics or shape the buying habits of consumers. The beauty industry itself is in reasonable shape, however most sales of cosmetics are online, rather than following from a visit to a high street store.

Employers are major cosmetic houses, department stores and pharmacies. Opportunities for beauty consultants occur in towns and cities throughout the UK. Some cosmetic counters in retail outlets are franchises run by a self-employed beauty consultant who is responsible for all aspects of the business such as book-keeping and ordering stock.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on job boards and large employers’ websites, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

Some trainee consultants have a background in beauty therapy or retail sales. There are some full-time and part-time courses that include beauty consultancy, often within a general beauty therapy or make-up course. These courses are available at colleges of further education or private colleges. Level 2 certificates or diplomas in beauty consultancy or beauty consultancy services, or a level 2 certificate in cosmetic make-up and beauty consultancy, might also be available.

One of the following apprenticeships could also offer a great way into this career path:

Beauty and make-up consultant (level 2 / intermediate)
Beauty therapist (level 2 / intermediate)
Advanced beauty therapist (level 3 / advanced)

Whether or not you do an apprenticeship, training is mostly on-the-job, with experienced staff demonstrating how to arrange the counter, re-stock shelves and order new goods. This training is supplemented by in-service courses run by the cosmetic company. You will learn about the full range of beauty products, how to apply them and which points to stress when selling them. You will also learn how to give facials and make-up sessions to customers, as companies expect you to give demonstrations in the store or to outside organisations in order to boost sales. It might be possible to work towards: certificates and diplomas in customer service, retail skills, beauty therapy, and beauty therapy make-up.

Beauty consultants could progress to team leader and manager posts, and then to area manager.

Qualifications

Entry requirements vary. Employers usually prefer to recruit consultants with retail customer service skills. Some look for applicants with beauty therapy training. Some GCSEs, including English, maths and science, might be useful.

If you wish to enter this career through an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Relevant skills in beauty therapy or retail sales are useful.

Related careers

Beauty therapist
Image consultant
Make-up artist
Nail technician
Personal shopper
Sales assistant
Spa therapist