I want to be a beautician...

Lollipop95

Hi guys

When I leave school I really want to train to become a beautician in Galway(can anyone suggest some good beauty colleges located there,close to NUIG if possible) but I have a couple of questions if some people wouldn't mind answering them

1.Do I need a science subject to be a beautician?

2.Is the employment high for beauticans

3. Is the course hard?

4. Is the pay good?

Thanks a lot,
Lollipop

orlaeryn

Hi there,

I can't recommend an college in Galway as I trained in Dublin. Generally if going to study beauty it is beneficial to have a science subject, but in my experience it is not essential. Most colleges will accept you without it. Wherever you decide to train you should be looking to gain ITEC, CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications. these will be recognised internationally.

If you go for a private college, you will pay a lot more than say a VEC college, and will generally get your basic qualifications in 1yr, these are usually face, body and electrolysis. If you decide to go for a VEC college usually the courses are so much cheaper and over 2 yrs, where you will get the above qualifications as well as some extras ( usually the likes of aromatherapy, reflexology , media make up etc, it will vary from college to college..)

Beauty therapy is a tougher course than most think, there is a lot of study involves as well as lots of practical work. You will learn a lot of anatomy and physiology, as you need to understand what you are working on from inside out!

Employment is generally not that easy to find, especially when newly qualified, as so many employers want therapists who are experienced. I would say to be prepared to do plenty of work experience, and know that it will be either for no payment or for very little payment.

Once in paid employment as a junior therapist, even though qualified generally minimum wage is what's paid with some salons offering commission on sale of treatments and products. Again this will vary from place to place..Even for experienced senior therapists (3-5 yrs experience) the money is really not that good, I always feel it's a job you really have to love to do long term, for this very reason. Of course you can make a decent salary, but unless you decide to open your own business you will never really make the big money.

I know that doesn't make it sound very positive, I'm sorry! It really is a good career, but just be warned it is a long road.. I would suggest you contact some of your local salons or Spa's and ask for work experience now, it's a good way for you to get insight into what it's really like to work in a salon before you commit to the course. Normally they will have you do reception work as well as shadow therapists wherever possible so it would be a good taster for you

All the best if you decide to go ahead, I'm sure you will enjoy the course and hopefully be working away in a couple of years.

saa

employments opportunities are better for beauticians who learn how to do nails or specialised treatments.

Agree with the above post aim higher than the VEC course.
Do an internship asap.

hattoncracker

I don't know if it's the same for beauticians, but heres my two cents:

My sister is a hairdresser, she did a two year course in a VEC college to get her diploma, then she went on to do another year to get a higher award, this was part time so she was able to work too. Shes now in the final year of a diploma that allows her to teach it! She's gotten a job in a convent teaching hairdressing for €50 an hour which is only two hours a week at the moment, and she works in another salon in county Tyrone (we are a monaghan family). She's also a qualified nail artist which she did nights after college.

Get the qualifications, but also get a car, stick flyers up in your local shop, if you're able to drive and are reasonably good at your trade then you will build a rep for yourself. my sister is very talented and has wanted to be a hairdresser since she was 11, she has a very good reputation in our area and has done weddings, confirmations and debs in her converted salon in our garage! You can do it too!!

If you can travel to people's homes that's a good niche market, but it takes a lot of hard work!!

Good luck!