The industry today — workplaces, job opportunities and future

The craft lives on the fact that people prioritize skincare, wellbeing, and looking good. It's a demand that has proven resilient and has created a market with many different kinds of workplaces. Here we look at where you can work as a beautician and what shapes the craft's future.

§Where do cosmetologists work?

Most beauticians work with treatments directly on the customer but the frameworks vary greatly. Some are employed, others are self-employed and some move toward sales and advising about products.

• 01Skin and beauty care clinics, where facial and body treatments are the focus.
• 02Spa and wellness centres, often in connection with hotels, fitness, or health spas.
• 03Own clinic as self-employed — alone or with employees.
• 04Parietal
• 05Cosmetics and skincare businesses, for example in product demonstration, education or sales.

§The two specializations in practice

If you choose skin and beauty care, your focus is on facial and body treatments, skin analysis and beauty care. If you choose spa and wellness treatment, the subject points more towards relaxing treatments, massage and wellness experiences. Both paths open for employment in clinics and centres, but the two specialties pull you in slightly different directions in the job market.

§Demand and employment.

The beauty and wellness market is characterised by people wanting to spend money on feeling good about themselves. This creates ongoing demand for skilled therapists, particularly those who know the craft and are good at customer relations. Like in many service trades, it follows economic cycles — in tight times treatments are something customers can choose to cut back on — but a trained beautician with a strong reputation is well positioned.

§What shapes the future?

The craft develops with new products, new technology, and new treatment methods, and customers become more aware of both ingredients and sustainability. Social media plays a large role in how clinics are found and chosen, and many practitioners actively use them to show their work. Those who keep learning new things and follow along have the best cards in hand.

§Self-employed or employed?

Many beauticians find an area they become particularly skilled in. It can be advanced facial treatments, makeup, body treatments or skin care aimed at specific skin conditions. Specialization makes you attractive and can provide better earnings.

“A good craft and a customer who feels in safe hands — that is still the best business plan in the trade.”