Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Beauty therapists aim to improve the appearance of their client's face and body, to make them look and feel better. They carry out such skills as manicure, pedicure, manual facials, waxing, makeovers and eye treatments.  
 
The beauty therapist first talks to their client about the kind of treatment they want. This is called a consultation. The therapist uses the information the client has given them and their knowledge of the different types of treatment available to decide which treatment is best.  
 
Beauty therapists work on all parts of the body. They do facials, using a range of products such as cleansers and toners. Often, electrical machines can be used.  
 
They also do facial and full or part body massages. A full body massage includes the back, the legs and feet, the abdomen, the arms and hands, and the shoulders. They massage using their hands or special equipment. They may use aromatic essential oils.  
 
Electrical equipment can be used for non-surgical facelifts - electric currents are used to stimulate the face muscles. Sometimes a client will ask for unwanted hair to be removed. The beauty therapist can do this using warm wax or sugar, or electrolysis.  
 
Waxing and sugaring consist of applying the warm substance to the prepared area, allowing it to cool and then removing it, either by stripping, peeling or rubbing it away. Electrolysis is a method of removing hair permanently - the therapist inserts a fine needle into each hair follicle and switches on a low electric current. This destroys the hair root and prevents further growth.  
 
Beauty therapists also do electrical treatments for slimming and toning, and give advice on exercise. Beauty therapists may specialise in the advanced use of electrical treatments, which can remove thread veins and skin blemishes.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep work stations clean and sanitise tools, such as scissors and combs.
• Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
• Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and rasors.
• Schedule client appointments.
• Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
• Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
• Analyse patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
• Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
• Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
• Order, display, and maintain supplies.

Further Information

• Beauty Therapist - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Beauty Therapist - from: YouTube [UK]
• Beauty Therapist - from: Get a Life in Tourism

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Those interested in this career area should follow a training course leading to a recognised qualification in Beauty Therapy. Courses are available in private Beauty Schools and some Further Education Colleges. They cover the practical and theoretical aspects of beauty therapy. Typical length of a course is between six months and one year although shorter courses dealing in specialised subjects are also available in modular form.

Training includes practical work to develop confidence and ability, as well as the various beauty treatments and the therapeutic aspect of beauty culture.  
 
The Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (CIBTEC) and the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) conduct exams in Beauty Therapy. Qualifications obtained on successful completion of these exams are internationally recognised. CIDESCO (Comite International d'Esthetique et de Cosmetologie) is the worldwide organisation for approved beauty therapy training in many countries, including Ireland. The prestigious CIDESCO diploma is recognised worldwide, in line with HABIC Hair & beauty Association of Ireland.  

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Beauty Therapist & make up artistry NFQ level 4-5 Search our FET Coursefinder 

FET Centre PLC Course: Beauty Therapy, Beauty and Complementary Therapy NFQ Level 5 & 6 courses can be found at the Further Education centres search our FET PLC coursefinder

Higher education CAO entry:Business Studies with Beauty and Spa Services, Business Studies with Beauty and Spa Management courses at NFQ Level 7-8  Search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: June, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €45k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, sessional rates and duties. Beauty Therapists in Private practice may earn more based on consultancy. 

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Salary Explorer / Indeed/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

There was a large increase in numbers employed for hairdressers and beauticians between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 5,700 persons employed; as such, numbers employed returned to preCOVID-19 levels. The majority of persons employed were female, with half working part-time. The share of non-Irish citizens, at 22%, was slightly above the national average of 19%.

Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for roles including spa/beauty therapists, hair stylists and barbers. There was a relatively high volume of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who were previously employed as hairdressers, beauticians or related occupations. Future demand for hairdressers and beauticians is likely to be linked to consumer behaviour, given the increased cost of living. 

• Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC)

  • HABIC The Enterprise Centre The Hill Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 Y1F6
  • 07196 15 200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• CIDESCO - Accredited Beauty Schools in Ireland

  • (066) 718 5776
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here