Derived from Eastern medicine practices, Holistic treatments are non-invasive therapies which aim to treat underlying issues. They work on creating harmony within in the body through connection with energy points or meridian lines to work on overall health and well being. They compliment the western approach of medicine by offering an additional method for relaxation and stress relief which can benefit a variety of clients. One of the most popular Holistic treatments is Reflexology. In today’s blog we’re going to put a spotlight on this ancient treatment giving you and insights into the benefits and practices.
What is Reflexology and how does it work?
Reflexology is an In-depth foot treatment designed to relieve stress, relax and rebalance the body. The treatment focusses on reflex areas on foot which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of body. Pressure is applied using thumbs/fingers to reflex points on feet to stimulate theseย specific parts of the body encouraging a balance affect.
Reflexology uses zone therapy which was developed by Dr William Fitzgerald.ย Dr Fitzgerald believed the body could be divided into longitudinal zones runningย from the top of the head to the tips of the toes, he found that those parts of the body in each zone are linked by a flow of energy and that the parts of the body in each zone can have an effect on each other.
The body systems are represented on the feet a good way to learn this areas is to see the two feet together as a mirror for the body. For example, the brain reflex is found on the top of the big toe, the spine runs from the big toe down to the heel on each foot. The right foot governs right-hand side of body, left foot governs left-hand side of the body. The image below details the organs and where they are found.
What are the benefits of Reflexology?
Stress relief โ stress is responsible for 75-85% of illness
Improves circulation โ body relaxes during reflexology โ tension that restrictsblood flow is reduced enabling the blood to flow more freely
Helps eliminate toxins from the body (improves the function of the lymphaticsystem and stimulates the excretory system)
Balancing โ improves the balance between the systems of the body so boostingthe immune system.
What is the role of the Reflexologist?
Reflexologists should never medically diagnose during a session with a client, the treatment is merely to focus on rebalancing the body and its systems. This is done by providing a relaxing treatment using pressure with fingers and thumbs to the reflex points not he client’s feet in order to stimulate various parts of the body. Reflexology is best completed In a series of treatments, most clients start to notice a difference after 3-6 weekly treatments. In general it’s recommended that a client have 4-6 treatments in a course.
How much canย I charge for Reflexology?ย
How much you can charge for a reflexology can vary depending on where you are practicing. On average in the UK the treatment can currently cost between ยฃ25-ยฃ60 a session. It’s worth doing your market research to see what other practitioners are charging in your local area.
How do I become a Reflexologist?ย
Our two day intensive Reflexology course will provide you will all of the information, techniques and hands on practice you need to get started with your Reflexology. Over the two days you will learn:
Health, safety & hygiene
Consultation techniques
Contraindications
Theory of reflexology
Reflexology massage movements and modifications
Treatment procedure for working on the feet
Massage mediums
Practical tuition on performing a reflexology treatment on the feet
Aftercare advice
Learn Reflexology skills with our Accredited Classroom or Online Course. Book your place securely online:
Running a profitable beauty business can be a rewarding yet daunting task! there are so many things to think about when running your own business. This can be challenging when the majority of your day is focussed on delivering treatments. If you’re struggling to find the time to generate new ideas for boosting income you’ve come to the right place! We’ve collated some of our best advice for therapists to maximise profits.
Increase your client base
Whether you are just starting up or have been going a while there may be opportunities to grow your client base. There’s the obvious promotional platforms such as social media/ local magazines, however many marketing experts agree that the networking is an avenue that can be the most beneficial when targeting new clients. For example, there may be the option to have a mutually beneficial partnership with local businesses in your area that compliment the work you do such as Bridal shops or Hairdressers. A ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ scenario of promoting each others businesses can boost both businesses profits. If you already have a loyal client base, you can also enrol the support of these clients to grow. Offering refer a friend rewards or hosting launch events within the salon whereby clients can bring a friend/family member along. These events work well along side the launch of a new treatment or product where you can offer taster treatments/demonstrations/product trials or spread out at various times of the year to mark events i.e Valentines day/Christmas.
Increase spend per visitย
If you’re serious about increasing your profit then one clear winning strategy is to encourage your client to spend more when they are with you. Use each treatment booking to your advantage to promote the add on services and retail that you offer within the salon. This doesn’t have to be a hard sell as remember your client is there for a reason, they may have come in to get amazing lashes.. their lashes will stay amazing for longer if they use a lash shampoo between infills! If you’re not retailing product in your salon you’re not only limiting your revenue but you may also be disadvantaging your client by not providing them with a full service which includes education and aftercare on how to maintain their treatment at home.
When up-selling services, consider the treatments that compliment each other the most. This could be adding additional massage onto treatments, adding additional LED therapy onto facials or tinting with Lash extension services. Also consider the benefits of courses of treatments, offering incentives can be an easy way to reward clients for booking courses such as by 6 get one free.
Top tips for retailing product:
Only recommend products that you genuinely believe will benefit the client, link these back to their main concerns or objectives. For example you may have a facial client concerned with acne so share why you think a spot treatment would work best for them or a Gel polish client who always has dry cuticles, why would this nail oil help?
Let the client explore the product. Give them the chance to try the product on their skin as most people prefer to try before they buy!
Review your treatment menu
A lot can be said for less is more, its important to focus on what you do and do it well vs offering too many services. Think about your niche and what makes you different, why should your clients come to you? It’s these unique differences that you should be promoting at every available opportunity. It may also be time to consider your pricing, when was the last time you increased your prices? Complete some market research into your local area to ensure you remain competitive and avoid underselling your skills!
Looking to start your own beauty business this year? Call our team on freephone 0800 999 2277 (option 1) to tailor a beauty training package for your business start-up. Already trained in beauty and need more business know-how? Our Online Starting a Business in Beauty Course is the ideal starting point to plan, market, brand and launch your own beauty business.ย
Brow trends come thick and fast just like fashion, the way we shape and style our brows can be directly linked to pop culture. From the over plucked 90s to the bushy 2020’s there’s a style for every era and with so much at our disposal now the possibilities for brow styling are endless!
Here’s the most popular eyebrow trends to watch out for this year!ย
All about the Lamination
Arguably, the most popular treatment in recent years is Brow lamination, favoured by celebrities and fashionistas! The treatment itself is a straight forward process where the brows are brushed and set using fixing product into the desired style, creating fuller more even brows. Often combined with tinting the treatment allows for the therapist to increase the visual volume of the brows which makes it a great treatment for clients looking to grow out their brows for a more natural style.
Our Brow Lamination, Shaping & Tintingย Training Courseย is designed toย help you give your clients a uniform, full eyebrow shape. ย This is the ultimate solution for eyebrows that do not have symmetry where the hairs follow a different pattern, with lamination (also known as lifting) we can realign the brows in such a way to give them the desired shape they want.โ This treatment solves the messy brow issue, creates volume and fullness, while giving you a sleek well-kept brow shape for up to 2 months. Treatments are typically between ยฃ30-ยฃ50 when combined with a brow tint and shape. A very lucrative service to offer to your clients!
Highly Defined Brows
Promoted by celebrities, this treatment aims to create natural-looking brow shape, defined colour and give the illusion of fuller, thicker brows, making these brows a must-have treatment. This high-precision procedure transforms eyebrows into a naturally arched shape, dramatically enhancing and defining facial features. Perfectly-groomed brows are one of the most popular treatments within the salon. Performed by a skilled brow artist the treatment includes techniques to create the desired brow shape and appearance, including waxing, tinting and threading.
Our Highly Defined Brows Training Course is a generic treatment course designed to teach you one of the most popular beauty treatments currently offered within the industry. You will learn a range of brow-grooming procedures, including waxing, threading and tinting of the brows, to allow you to competently offer this in-demand treatment from home and/or mobile, creating a natural-looking arches and a defined brow shape for your clients. These treatments typically earn you between ยฃ25-ยฃ40! Clients return every 3-6 weeks to maintain their precise brow shape, keeping your appointment book filled!
Henna Browsย
Similar to brow tinting Henna colours the natural brow. Henna is a natural alternative to other chemical dyes and is plant based making it an appealing option for colouring the brow and creating a more expressive brow. Henna also creates a better skin stain which gives a denser, fuller brow. Although a safe way to colour the hair and skin it is vital to perform a patch test when using Henna to check for skin reaction.
On our Henna course you will learn a range of brow-grooming procedures, including hot waxing, and application of henna of the brows, to allow you to competently offer this in-demand treatment from home and/or mobile, creating a natural-looking arches and a defined brow shape for your clients. Earn up to ยฃ35 an hour providing these lucrative brow treatments!
Want to up your Brow Skills & start earning up to ยฃ40 an hour? Explore our ABT Accredited Courses:
Updated 1st November 2024.
Achieving a recognised beauty qualification couldn’t be easier with our Accredited Online courses. Learn at your own pace, in your own time and start your own business! If you’re new to Online Courses this blog will be a useful guide through getting started with your Online Course.
What’s Involved
Our online courses are completed through our industry leading, user friendly Online Student Portal. You receive access to a wealth of high quality learning resources, written by beauty professionals including comprehensive e-manuals and detailed step by step video demonstrations. You can watch the videos as many times as you need. We include fun multiple choice online tests which are great for checking your understanding and can be retaken instantly, as often as you need to pass.
When you feel ready, you will practice on friends / family or training hand / head as relevant to the course. You need to provide evidence of 3 case studies which are submitted easily by email and assessed against industry standards to ensure your proficiency with the treatment skills. Individual feedback to help you improve and you simply resubmit as needed until you are at a successful level to achieve. Typically students complete these courses within 2-6 weeks (committing around 2-10 hours per week to study), although you have 12 weeks to access the course resources on the portal should you need to go slower. Students can take up to 12 months to email over their case study evidence for certification, so plenty of time to practice your skills to full confidence.
The Student Portalย
Once you have registered for your course you will receive an email with your link to access the Student Portal. The Student portal can be accessed through desktop, tablet and phones. If you are using a tablet or phone there is an app available to download, simply visit the App Store and search SAP LITMOS. When prompted for a domain enter: thebeautyacademy followed by your log in details.
We recommend your first point of call when you log in is the additional resources tab in your course, here you will find your practical case study materials, including consultation and feedback forms. Save this pdf file to your device or print for use when ready to start practising.
Guidance on Case Studiesย
You will receive a detailed list of required products and equipment as part of your online course resources. Optional, selected kits are available to purchase through our website. Other beauty wholesale companies are available such as Salon Services or websites like Amazon, to allow you to source basic items to get started. Courses are not brand-specific so you can use any brand / supplier you prefer for case studies.
When you have completed your case studies email in to [email protected] and attach your before and after photos along with your client consultation form and feedback form for each treatment required.
Your case studies will be evaluated with your certificate and/or feedback provided by email within no more than 7 working days.
Getting Started Once Qualified
Once you’ve achieved your online course certificate(s), you can purchase public liability (beauty treatment) insurance to begin offering your services to paying clients. We do not provide insurance ourselves but recommend several leading insurers. You can find more about our recommended insurers on our website. You’ll already have your products from completing your case studies.
You’ll need a brand for your business – a solid name and logo. You also need to decide what basis you want to work on – from home, mobile etc. You’ll also need to register for self-assessment if starting your own business with HMRC for tax reasons. You will also need to keep records of any income earnt and any costs (along with receipts). You may want to seek advice from an accountant to get this set up initially. If you’re new to running a business, you may find our Starting a Business in Beauty Courseuseful.
For marketing, you’ll need to set up social media profiles on Instagram, Facebook and even Tiktok to begin promoting your beauty business. You can also get word of mouth promotion by networking with other local businesses (e.g. hairdressers, wedding suppliers etc.) or local organisations (schools, parents groups, charities etc.) to promote your services, perhaps with an open evening offering taster treatments or gift vouchers for raffle prizes. You may want to print some business cards and a price list to share with them. Always remember to take before / after photos of your results to share online and encourage clients to share their lashes or nails on social media tagging you to help gather word of mouth. It will take a little time and patience to build a loyal client base. It is recommended to promote discounted block bookings for a course of treatments or encourage clients to book their next treatment before they leave each appointment. This helps plan future business and get your appointment diary full. Gift vouchers are also a great way to get some initial income flowing, especially around seasonal events like Mother’s Day or Christmas. If you need help with your selling skills, you might like to consider our Sales Skills for Beauty Course.
From client feedback you gauge what future treatments you might like to learn and offer, taking on further Online Courses as required to develop the skills to keep your business going from strength to strength. Typically it takes around 6-24 months to establish a new business. For inspiration, why not take a look at some of our previous students’ success stories.
See a sample of our Online Student Portal & Quality Course Content
With lockdown restrictions in place, many aspiring beauty therapists are turning to online training courses. And why not? They offer flexible, affordable training that can be completed safely and conveniently from home. But are all beauty courses equal with so many new beauty training companies popping up online? We discuss what you should look out before before you take the leap…
Accreditation
Accreditation simply refers to if the course is recognised and validated by an external awarding or industry recognised body who will check the quality of the training course and provider to ensure they are meeting a good standard of delivery and are suffcient in content to enable the student to succesfully learn the treatment skills and go on to safely practice the treatments in the industry upon completion. Many new beauty training companies popping up claim to be accredited, however they are often registered on with a CPD register service which just validates how many hours the course entails, it doesnโt necessarily ensure any quality of course or standard of delivery. Without the right accreditation you may end up with a certificate that is not recognised by professionals in the beauty industry meaning you may not be able to gain insurance, to buy products from professional sources and therefore you may not end up being able to work with clients and to earn. Rest assured, all courses offered by The Beauty Academy are accredited with recognised beauty industry bodies and accrediting partners. We offer qualifications through VTCT who regularly inspect our training centres and provision to ensure the highest standards are being delivered for our classroom courses. All Classroom Courses and Virtual Academy (Live online training) are accredited by Associated Beauty Therapists (ABT). All of our self-paced Online Courses (delivered through our Online Student Portal) are accredited by International Practioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM). These means the certificates you achieve will be recognised and valued by those in the industry and allow you to actually earn as a beauty professional.
Insurance
Many training companies are secretive about who their Online courses are insurable with, simply saying โyes with many providersโ but cagey on who. Unfortunately this may then result in your achieving a certificate for a treatment which you then cannot either add to your existing beauty insurance policy or to acquire new insurance to cover, therefore being unable to offer the service. All courses offer by The Beauty Academy are recognised by the industry leading insurers including Balens, ABT, IPHM, Insync & Radius insurance among many others. This means you can absolutely obtain beauty liability insurance to cover you as a professional therapist upon completion of your course(s) to enable you to actually begin working and earning from your treatments and reaping the rewards of your hard work and investment in the courses.
We are open and honest about our courses, what career routes they can lead to and in helping to guide you to the best path for you. If youโre unsure of the best start, weโll always advise you to start with the cheaper option such as our Online Courses which start at ยฃ99 to allow you to try out the training and treatments, make sure it is right before you but potentially upgrading to a larger course package or qualification option such as VTCT awards. We want you to be on the best training option for you, whether that is face to face training or online courses. And what is more, weโre here for you throughout your studies and beyond. Our expert Support Team can answer any questions you may have whether about insurance, products, treatment step by steps and more. We fully support your progress towards an exciting new career in beauty.
We have been offering private beauty training since 1990, weโre the original and we believe the best. We are one of the largest providers of beauty training in the UK with 10 exclusive, permanent training centres across England. We offer payment plans to help spread the cost and all courses can be booked securely over the telephone with an Advisor or through our website 24/7.
We get so many calls from prospective students excited at the idea of jumping into a new career in beauty but totally unsure where to start – which treatments should they learn and which to offer first? Our wonderful team of Course Advisors are all fully qualified, experienced beauty professionals and have experienced the beauty sector first hand whether that was previously through working in salons, running their own beauty businesses or as beauty training professionals so they certainly know a thing or two about what sells to clients, what is in demand right now and how best to get started. Our blog this week focuses on how to decide which beauty treatments to learn, based on what is most in-demand with beauty clients right now…
The beauty market as it stands todayโฆ
Online demand for beauty products has surged in 2020 and Mintel predicts that value sales of beauty/grooming products through online sales will rise 24% to ยฃ1.9 billion in 2020. The beauty sector in general, has been predicted to grow by up to 21.1% up to 2022, thatโs a huge number of beauty products being bought and treatments being delivered every single day and a huge amount of money being earnt by therapists all over the UK. With unprecented times seen in 2020 through the COVID pandemic and sadly some industries failing to bounce back, it is not surprising many people are looking for other career options and perhaps to follow long-held dreams of working in beauty.
Technology has evolved massively within the last 5 years with aesthetics being one of the largest growing sectors and with money being tighter for many, clients are also keen on treatments that give long lasting or multi tasking results allowing them to save time or money in other areas of their beauty regimes such as tinting, lash lifting (in place of extensions), spray tanning and facials like microdermabrasion giving flawless results that help reduce the need for daily make up application.
Lockdown also saw a huge number of clients getting into DIY beauty at home (and seeing some disasters unfortunately) that made them both appreciate the benefits of a professional but the perks of mobile treatments, with many clients still not feeling fully comfortable returning to salons as yet despite Covid-secure measures. This is great news for those starting out, helping to keep overheads down on premises or renting a room, mobile working also allows you to have flexible working hours or maximise your earnings working just part time around other employment.
The sectors of beautyโฆ
Beauty can be broken down into reasonably separate treatment sectors:
Massage & holistic therapy
Skincare & aesthetics
Make up artistry
Nail technician services
Lash & brow services
Other general beauty (hair removal, spray tanning etc.)
Most beauty therapists will specialise in one or two of these areas of beauty, possibly offering the odd add-on treatment as demanded by their unique client base so picking the sector which most sparks your passion is the best starting point. Think about treatments you regularly receive already or beauty products that you canโt live without โ bring this passion into your work and share it with others, all while earning a living.
Consider the optionsโฆ
Think about how you want to train โ do you prefer the idea of face to face courses, is that practical for you in terms of travel, childcare, work shifts etc.? We offer courses 6 days a week across 10 centres so there is likely to be training dates that work for you. These courses are fast track, typically delivered in 1 day so ideal for those who work long hours where longer term study may be tricky. Prefer to take more time over your learning, studying online at your own pace? It might be that our accredited online courses or Virtual Academy training is better suited to your needs โ no attendance of the centre is required for these so they are great for those with caring commitments or who live too far from a centre. Our online courses are also budget friendly and accessible, starting at just ยฃ99 each. Classroom courses start from only ยฃ129.
Think about what is popular in your area โ are there already a huge amount of lash technicians operating in your local area? Maybe you live round the corner from 2 or 3 nail bars. Remember there will always be business for a highly trained technician and other businesses simply signify there is demand but take your competition into consideration when deciding which treatments you start out with learning. Also think about your start-up costs in terms of kit and marketing. Online marketing through social media is free beyond your time and often very effective. A website is also a great investment, even just a free website building platform to get you started with an online presence. Youโll also need to think about where youโll work. Do you have a spare room at home or are you going to work mobile in which case youโll need a reliable car? Factor in any considerations like getting agreement from your landlord to work from home if renting or adding on use for work purposes on your car insurance policy.
Start realistically โ book courses to learn one treatment you will specialise in to begin with or consider a package of suitable linked treatments that will allow you to offer popular treatment packages to clients to boost your earnings. Our Multi Buy Course Packages have all been carefully selected as treatments that work well as a business start-up opportunity and save you money on training in the long run also, versus booking each course individually. Remember we offer payment options to help spread the cost, including 0% credit through PayPal Credit on balances over ยฃ99.
Top treatments for 2020/2021:
Multi tasking treatments that deliver long lasting results that help your client cut down on additional product costs or treatments e.g. lash lift and tinting versus eyelash extensions, microdermabrasion and spray tanning to save on daily make up application, brow lamination and tinting over more expensive long-term treatments like microblading.
At home โspaโ pampering such as holistic massage therapies and luxury pedicures. Lots of people have had a difficult year and might not feel safe returning to salons or spas. Many are also put off the idea of gift vouchers at the moment due to lots of businesses folding in these difficult times taking the go-to spa voucher gift for Christmas off the list so now is a great time to advertise in your local area for your mobile holistic treatments to get the bookings rolling in.
Make up and hair up services โ with wedding numbers capped, many are finding their wedding budget stretches slightly further to include a professional make up artist or to have more pre-wedding pampering. Take advantage of this as wedding bookings increase in 2021 and donโt forget to promote these services to ensure you get advance bookings. If make up is your passion, donโt be put off learning these skills because of the current restrictions on gatherings, now is a great time to train so that you are ready to take advantage of pre-bookings for 2021/2022 as the industry will soon bounce back in abundance.
Nail services that promote natural nail care such as gel polish or fibreglass and quick dip powder overlays to help strengthen natural nails, give long lasting colour and cut out the cost of nail extension maintenance. Typically overlay treatments like gel polish can last up to 3 weeks and usually attract a lower cost per service for clients than ongoing nail extension infills, removals and full sets. More clients are also feeling the rewarding benefits of having long, strong nails of their own rather than plastic tips, having got used to nail self-care during lockdown.
Facial skincare and aesthetics are only going to grow in popularity lead by celebrity trends for clear, flawless and minimal make up perfection. Everyone wants to look fresh and youthful and facial skincare is certainly moving with the times. To pursue training in more advanced aesthetics, a VTCT Level 2 and/or 3 in Facial Skincare or Beauty Therapy are usually the pre-requirements and there has never been a better time to start learning to enable you to progress into these advanced skincare careers.
Still unsure what training option is best for you? Feel free to get in touch with our team to discuss our courses further and get answers to any questions you may have that are stopping you from taking the first step towards your new careerโฆ.
The Beauty Academy offer a full range of VTCT Qualifications in all aspects of beauty therapy ranging from single units for those looking to specialise in one professional skill such as Facial Skincare to a full diploma at level 2 or 3 suitable for those looking to gain full time employment in the industry. Our VTCT qualifications are delivered on a ‘blended’ learning basis giving you optimum flexibility with your learning, while still providing full support and expert face to face tuition on a fast track basis.
Much of the study is completed on a distance learning basis, online from home including your theory coursework. Students have access to a wealth of learning resources on our online portal including training videos, manuals and support documents. Attend for 1-5 training days (depending on qualification) to learn your practical skills at one of our 10 conveniently located training centres, across England. Practice your treatments to build a portfolio and then once ready, book your assessments.
Most students complete within 4-6 months, studying on a part time basis at home beyond their initial training days, learning around other commitments. All students have up to 12 months to complete the qualification, should you need to learn at a slower pace.
Full access to our expert in-house Support team by phone or email throughout. We offer the most flexible, fast track way to achieve your VTCT beauty qualification and start your new career, ideal for those who need to learn around their existing work or commitments such as childcare that make attendance of year long face to face courses unsuitable for their needs. Most learners are aged 25 or over, as those looking to either change career or start something new; although their are no age limits.
What are VTCT Qualifications?
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a specialist awarding and assessment organisation offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors. With more than 2,000 approved centres worldwide, VTCT has an ever-expanding list of centres throughout the UK and Ireland, with a growing international presence. VTCT have been providing qualifications since 1962 and in 2016 expanded to take over iTEC adding to its specialist worldwide training offer.
If you are looking to embark upon a new career in beauty therapy or take your existing role in beauty further, VTCT qualifications will set you ahead of the competition and open up a wealth of career opportunities whether that is employed in the salon, spa, nail bar, cruise liner, opening your own salon or working as a beauty trainer in a further education college or for private beauty training provider.
Achieving a prestigious and internationally recognised VTCT Qualifications will demonstrate you have an assessed high standard of competence within your treatment skills; giving both employers, insurers, industry bodies, advanced training providers & potential clients confidence within your abilities as a beauty professional.
Which VTCT Courses are available?
We offer a full range of VTCT awards in Beauty Therapy and also VTCT Level 3 Award in Education & Training for those looking to take their beauty career into a teaching capacity. We offer Level 2 qualifications ideal for complete beginners, along with Level 3 in Nail Technology and Massage Therapy which are advanced awards which can also be started as a complete beginner. We have single unit qualifications in individual treatments such as Facial Skincare for those wanting to specialise in a specific treatment, although we generally recommend the full Level 2 or 3 Diploma courses for those looking to gain an all-rounder set of skills most sought by employers within the beauty sector. Discover our VTCT courses by clicking below or for more guidance on the best course for you, select one of the options below to get in touch. All VTCT qualifications can be booked securely through our website or by calling our team on Freephone 0800 999 2277.
Where could a VTCT Qualification take my career?
The vast majority of our students achieve their VTCT qualification within 4-6 months and upon completion, enter the beauty industry either on an employed basis within a salon or spa, or start their own beauty business. We often have students who travel the world while working in beauty, working aboard cruise liners offering luxurious spa treatments. Many students enter professional competitions and gain recognition within the industry for their high level skills and flair for beauty. Once you have a VTCT Level 2 and/or Level 3 in beauty, you can then go onto learn further beauty treatments to expand your knowledge and boost your opportunities or could even take the VTCT Level 3 Award in Education & Training to begin offering beauty training courses yourself, work for a further education college or as a trainer for a private beauty training company to share your knowledge and inspire a passion for beauty in others. Click below to read the success story of one of our past students. You can see also Reviewsfrom past students to assure you of the quality of our training.
Absolutely, yes! You can definitely achieve an accredited beauty qualification through only online training. Our courses are accredited by IPHM and recognised for insurance internationally giving you the best chance of success in a beauty career wherever you live and work. As our courses are completed entirely online, there are no distance barriers to overcome. Online training options give you full flexibility of studying anywhere in the world, even the comfort of home. They also allow you to study at your own pace, whether that is fast track or more slowly to fit around other commitments.
We get asked this question all the time as so many are dubious about trying something new for them, but once they discover the benefits of online training they go from course to course expanding their learning with complete confidence. Our courses are written by experienced beauty industry professionals in an easy to follow style. From high quality training videos to detailed step by steps in course manuals. You also have full access to our expert in-house Support Team for any questions along the way.
Online courses with The Beauty Academy allow you to achieve a recognised, accredited beauty qualification that enables you to get insured and start your new beauty career.
Need more reassurance? Read some recent student reviewsโฆ
At The Beauty Academy we offer two options for Online Study, both provide an accredited certificate on completion;
Online Courses completed through our Student Portal. You receive access to a wealth of high quality learning resources, written by beauty professionals including comprehensive manuals and detailed video demonstrations. You take multiple choice online tests throughout the course which are great for checking your understanding and learning as you progress through the course. These can be taken as often as needed until you achieve a pass. You also submit a small number of case studies to us by email which are assessed against industry standards to ensure your proficiency with the treatment skills. Individual feedback to help you improve and you simply resubmit as needed until you are at a successful level to achieve. Typically students complete these courses within 2-6 weeks (allowing usually around 2-10 hours per week to study), although you have 8 weeks should you need to go slower. Achieve an IPHM accredited certificate, courses start at only ยฃ99!
Virtual Academy Courses are completed through live, tutor led training sessions delivered online through Zoom. Initially you complete some basic health and safety theory through our Online Student Portal. You then โattendโ your online teaching session which typically lasts 60-90 minutes. A recording of the session is emailed to you which can be watched back as often as you need. You submit your one best case study of a recommended 3 minimum for feedback. Once a suitable standard of treatment skill is achieved, you โattendโ a short online session where a tutor observes you complete some basic treatment skills to ascertain your confidence and given final feedback. Once completed, you achieve an ABT accredited certificate, courses start at only ยฃ149!
Online Courses
Great for those who like self-paced, independent learning.
Full support from our team throughout by phone or email.
Flexible to work around you, study as many or as few hours each week as prefer – complete within 2-8 weeks.
Studied entirely through Online Student Portal.
Watch videos, read manuals, do quick tests and submit case studies.
No assessment days or formal exams required.
Study on mobile, iPad or pc, when on the go or from home.
Accredited by IPHM, suitable for insurance in the UK, Ireland and overseas.
Virtual Academy Courses
Great for those who prefer to learn with tutor interaction.
Ask questions & get additional support during the online session.
Full support from our team throughout by phone or email.
Live online sessions available daytime, evenings & weekends.
Recording of session to watch back as often as you need + e-manual to keep.
Join Zoom session, practice treatments, join Zoom assessment, achieve qualification!
No attendance of the training centre required, all done online.
Complete sessions on mobile, iPad or pc – no fancy tech required.
Accredited by ABT, suitable for insurance in the UK & when temporarily abroad.
Our courses are accredited for insurance purposes. Courses accredited by IPHM are accepted by their recommended insurers for work in the UK, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, parts of the USA, & most of Europe. ABT offer insurance for therapists primarily working in the UK and temporarily overseas (except USA/Canada). This means upon completion of your online course(s) you can successfully begin working either from home or mobile offering your treatments and begin earning, once insured.
The requirements of individual salons / employers / local council licensing will vary. Generally speaking most students entering the beauty industry will do so to be able to start their own business working from home or mobile as this is often the most lucrative way to work in the industry with uncapped earning potential. Online courses may enable you to gain work in a salon either employed or more likely on a self-employed basis as the certificate is accredited, however for those such as college leavers looking to qualify to gain full time salon employment, you may wish to consider more formal options of training such as VTCT Qualifications.
How do I sign up?
Click below to explore the training options, whether Online Courses or Virtual Academy Courses. We offer Multi Buy Packages which are carefully selected course combinations, put together to give you the best business start-up opportunity with treatments that sell to clients well as a package. These allow you to save money booking courses individually and get you started quickly on the path to your new beauty career! Book securely through our website when ready. Alternatively, if you canโt see what youโre looking for or donโt know where to start; why not give our friendly team a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277 and they can chat you through any queries and point you in the right direction!
If windows are the eyes to the soul then surely brows are the frames? A great pair of eyebrows can really give a face structure. They can also help correct an unbalanced face shape or give the appearance of a more desireable face shape. When so many clients are investing in lash extensions right now, it would be wrong not to have the know-how to create flawless brows to finish the look. We give you the top 10 ways to make brows look fuller and groomed…
Use a brow pencil to fill in gaps and create better definition to the brow shape such as using short pencil strokes to create high points above the brows making them appear more arched and refined. Choose a brow pencil close to your natural hair colour and if between two shades, go for the lighter option.
Use a brow powder to give a softer, fuller brow look. If you only want to achieve more fullness but more definition, opt for a brow powder. Generally brow pencils last longer on the skin but can look harsher on mature skin and accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Brow powders are a softer option and can be sealed with brow gels or wax.
Considering brow tinting โ if daily touch ups arenโt working for you, say if you swim or work in hot, humid environments, tinting may be a better option. Tinting can last 2-3 weeks. Treatments typically take only 15-20 minutes so easy to fit in alongside other beauty treatments. A longer lasting option is Henna brows which can last for up to 4-6 weeks instead. Henna brow products have great depth of colour and are naturally formulated so can be kinder to the skin. Tinting or henna can bring out the natural shape of your brows, especially for those with naturally fair or grey brows. This can make the eyes look brighter as the whites of the eyes contrast with the darker tones.
Encourage better hair growth by using a naturally formulated brow oil or serum. The massaging in of products daily can also help boost blood flow to the area which in itself encourages better hair growth and improved hair condition and strength. There are many purposely designed serums on the market or just good quality castor, coconut or extra virgin olive oils will also do a great job of nourishing the hair and skin.
Pluck in the right light and at the right level of zoom โ ensure you pluck your brows using suitably sharp tweezers to avoid hair breakage. Try to pluck in natural daylight to better help you see the new, finer hairs coming through and ensure you are following the right line for shaping. Avoid using magnifying mirrors as they force you to focus in on one hair at a time causing you to lose sight of the overall brow shape and you can get too pluck-happy resulting in uneven brow results or overthinning the brows.
Brows are sisters, not twins. Whenever tinting or shaping brows, ensure you work across both brows equally and check across both brows throughout for an even result. That said, brows are never identical so donโt try to force them to be or you could end up damaging the natural line of hair growth and having overly thin brows which is both aging and unflattering. Overplucking can lead to permanent damage so take care or best still, leave it to the professionals.
Have patiencewhen brow shaping โ donโt be tempted to pluck a clump of hairs at a time. Work on just removing one at a time. Avoid removing longer brow hairs as these are often the leading hairs which define how the rest of the brows sit and removal can leave unsightly gaps or loss of definition. Slanted tweezers are great for helping to select the right hair. Go slow and use patience when removing odd stray hairs between brow services or if attempting some home pampering. You can always go back and take another out but you canโt put a leading hair back in again if removed incorrectly.
Embrace other methods of hair removal such as hot wax or threading. Both offer a quick but accurate hair removal option that take out all the hard work of tweezers. Check reviews of any therapist you are considering booking with and ideally seek out photos of their recent work on their social media to ensure you will get the result you desire. Generally speaking waxing is more readily available and hot wax is great in small areas like brows to give clean results. Hot wax is also less likely to irritate sensitive skin. Threading is great for anyone wanting a more linear, angled look due to the way the thread moves. It is great for those with naturally thick unruly brows that need some serious attention.
Donโt lose patience with those long unruly hairs. Use a brow gel to brush and seal them into shape. If you really must improve them, donโt pluck them out but use short handled, sharp scissors to gently trim them so they sit better in place. Those long hairs often need to sit flat to provide the overall shape for your brows that all other hairs follow so take care not to be too snippy, particularly for the first few hairs at the start near the eyes as these can look bushy if trimmed too short.
If you really canโt get those unruly brows to sit correctly, consider a brow lamination treatment. Not only will they help give the appearance of thicker, fuller and more youthful brows; but it is a quick and relaxing treatment to receive. Typically taking around 30 minutes, results can last up to 6 weeks and when combined with a basic brow shape and tint, it can give you maintenance free, hassle free natural brows for over a month! Well worth investing in. The treatment uses similar products to lash lift (perming) products, but applied to the brows in a specific way that fixes and sets the brows in the desired direction as dictated by the brow technician.
Want to learn to create the perfect brows, explore just some of the many brow course options we have by clicking below. Canโt see the course for you or interested in a package? Give our friendly team a call on Freephone 0800 999 2277 and we can guide you to the right option!
Coloured mascara has been around for decades, flash back to the 80’s and blue mascara was all the rage. Fast forward 40 years and coloured lashes are back!
As more people invest in lash extensions, the classic black lashes are pretty standard but coloured lashes are gaining serious popularity as more clients seek something different to their standard lash enhancement. Fashion dictates bolder lash looks and coloured lashes are the perfect way to stand out from the crowd…
Clients may want to accentuate their eye colour, match an outfit or occasion, or just make a fashion statement.
The effects can be subtle such as a few carefully weaved in blue lashes to get that blue-black look many of us are already familiar with through tinting. Or you can go for a bright rainbow effect with ombre lashes. Our new Rapid Lashes, Tinting & Brow Shaping Course covers not only the quick lash extension application process suitable for beginners (and taking only 20-30 minutes for a full set); but also introduces the use of coloured lashes which you can incorporate across all lash extension services.
What are coloured lashes?
Lash extensions come in a range of curls, lengths and thicknesses, but now they are also more readily available in a wide range of colours too. Black lashes remain the standard lash but coloured lashes can be mixed with black lashes for a subtle effect, come in ombre options that allow you to apply a pre-selected complementary range of colours or selected in a chosen hue like blue or pink for desired effects. Every colour you can imagine is now available as a lash from subtle shades of brown to neon bright pinks and blues.
What are the benefits of coloured lash extensions?
Create the perfect graduated ombre look that can be as subtle or dramatic as desired, simply apply more or less coloured lashes. That isn’t possible with a coloured mascara which just applies uniformly to all lashes.
A quick, easy way to get ‘look at me’ lashes that stand out and get your work as a Lash Tech talked about.
Easy word of mouth and new client recommendations guaranteed once you introduce coloured lashes!
Coloured eye lash extensions can enhance natural eye colour.
How toโฆ
To enhance eye colour:
Go for shades which complement their natural eye colouring or provide a contrast. Applied as an outwards flick from a third of the way inwards all the way to the outer corner of the eye. Keep the inner third of the lash line to dark lashes to give definition and open up the eye area.
Green eyes are great with purple lashes.
Blue eyes really glow with blue lashes.
Brown / hazel eyes look great with most shades but especially purple, green or blue lashes.
To create a fashion statement:
Bright shades to match an outfit or occasion make a bold statement. Applied either interspersed through a full set of black lashes or entirely in place of black extensions. You can create some bright, beautiful looks with extra time and creativity.
Top Tips for Coloured Lashes
Remember to factor in some extra time if considering coloured lashes both for the consultation stage to agree the look and for application. Let your client know this will add a little time to their appointment but is well worth it for the results!
Careful lash mapping is key โ decide where youโre going to apply the coloured lashes, how many etc. and make sure you work evenly acros both eyes in stages to get a professional, symmetrical look.
Consider using a clear lash adhesive. Typically lash extensions have a black colour to them to optimally help blending of standard black lash extensions but when going to the effort of using coloured lashes, this may be spoiled through use of a standard black adhesive. Clear adhesive is perfect when using lighter coloured lashes or when applying only coloured lashes; but can sometimes be less effective or most costly due to the thinner formulation. It may also take a little getting used to in terms of different glue drying times. Black adhesive will still work well for darker coloured lashes applied among standard black lashes. Remember if using a different adhesive, the client will need to have been patch tested with it 24-48 hours prior.
Charge extra for coloured lashes to reflect the artistry involved in their application. This will cover your additional treatment time and some possible extra cost for materials. It will also stand the service out ahead of your competition as many lash techs are not yet up to speed with coloured lashes and signal a premium service to your clients.
Advertise the option well on your social media, website and price lists so that clients know it is available and can let you know they want this when booking so you can factor in sufficient time and theyโll know the treatment cost ahead of the appointment. Also whether they need a patch test for a clear adhesive, you might want to start patch testing with both glues as standard anyway.
Book your place now on our Rapid Lashes, Tinting & Brow Shaping Course. Click below to Book Online, or have questions? Call our friendly team on Freephone 0800 999 2277.
Once nail salons are able to reopen (hopefully in August), we’re certain you wonderful nail techs will be packed out with clients wanting to restore their nails to former glory. We can imagine some of the nail extension horrors you may encounter and clever client scheduling will be key to fitting everyone in. But what else can you do to speed up your nail treatments to maximise your earning potential while additional safety measures are in place? Our blog this week looks at E-Filing…
What is E-Filing?
It is surprising to hear how many nail techs are not fully aware of e-filing and how it works. E-Filing is use of an electric nail file to speed up the time taken working on nail extensions. It can be used on both acrylic and UV Gel nail extensions to help finish and refine the product, to help with speeding up a maintenance or removal treatment such as to reduce the length of the extensions, take our excess bulk when rebalancing and to help with product removal (usually alongside use of acetone soaking). Experienced nail techs may also use an electrical file on natural nail plates (often called a Russian manicure), although specialist advanced training is required for this and not all insurers will cover this.
E-Filing helps to reduce the amount of manual filing required to speed up your treatments, give more even finish for better quality nail results and can help to reduce the risk to the nail technician long term of an RSI (repetitive strain injury) or aggravating of conditions like Carpal tunnel or arthritis. Quicker treatments allows you to fit in more clients so boost profitability but is also great for time pressured clients, who often want a quick and effective treatment.
Can anyone train to use an E-File?
We offer courses in E-Filing which can be completed through our Online Student Portal and are accredited by IPHM. The course teaches you to utilise an electric nail file when working on acrylic or hard gel nail extensions. We do not cover use on a natural nails as most clients prefer use of manual files on natural nails for a safer, more comfortable treatment. We will also soon be launching a Classroom based training option. The E-Filing courses are suitable for anyone who has completed a recognised training course in Acrylic or UV Gel Nail Extensions and ideally also within Manicure & Pedicure. If you are looking to train within these skills also, you may wish to look at our Online Nail Training course packages, Virtual Academy Nail Courses or Classroom based training. The courses are suitable for those recently qualified or who have been working within nails for some time.
The Main Perks
Incorporating E-Filing into your nail skills will be invaluable, especially once rushed off your feet post-lockdown. You will be able to;
Offer quicker nail extension treatments including for maintenance and removal.
Fit in more clients each day to maximise your earnings
Offer better results in your nail services than with manual filing alone
Reduce the strain on your precious hands and wrists from less manual filing
Reduce the amount of nail files within your kit, great for mobile therapists
Metal E-file drill bits can be easily and more thoroughly sterilised, offering a much more hygienic service
E-Files can be picked up affordably and are usually guaranteed for at least 12 months making a great investment
Still have questions? Why not contact our friendly team for more advice on the best training option for you?
Updated 30th October 2024
The key to business start-up success is careful planning. Considering the direction you want your business to take, the scale and the target market. Setting realistic goals with realistic timescales is vital to ensure you stay on track but also stay motivated. It can be challenging starting a new beauty business but also incredibly rewarding when you see the return on your investment in terms of a regular client base building, your treatment results gaining word of mouth or indeed just making a profit! We give you the lowdown on how to get up and running for success…
Have a business plan
Set yourself clear SMART goals. These are specific, measurable, achievable and time bound. So think about where you want your business to be and to take you in say 6 months, a year, 2 years and 5 years. Be realistic and take baby steps. Nothing is more demotivating than setting a goal impossible to achieve. Small, measurable goals are what you need so that with every milestone achieved, whether that is your first regular client, first client referral, tenth client booked etc. you have positive steps towards those bigger, long term goals.
You also need to do the maths and have a fixed budget for starting your own business to cover the cost of insurance, tools and products, business cards / price lists, transport costs such as if you need a bigger car, interest on any business related loans, rent and bills if having a salon space etc. and then also if this is going to be your only source of income, work out how much you need to earn each day/week so you can keep track of your income versus outgoings. Initially you may need to have a buffer and expect it may take a month or more to start breaking even and into profit as you build up your client base.
Have a brand
Think about your branding. What is your company name and logo? Is it obvious what you do from that to stand you apart from others? Is it catchy and memorable? If youโll be using it online as part of a website address, on social media etc., and your clients will be searching for your business online; it must be easy to spell and not similar to existing company names or website addresses. Think about how you will present yourself โ will you wear a beauty tunic and if so, will this have your logo on it?
Get your brand online as soon as possible so a basic website will do to start. Platforms such as wix.com offer free or low cost hosted websites, ideal for web beginners. Social media is also vital โ set up a Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok profile for your business so you can showcase what you do, start building a following and start reaching out to your existing contacts to provide them an easy way to share what you do with their contacts too.
Youโll also want to register your business on Google Business listings so you appear on Google Maps, great when clients are searching the local area for your services (or indeed discover you accidentally when planning a journey). This will only work for those with premises or working from home, so is more tricky for those working mobile.
Have realistic expectations
If you are working your beauty business alongside another job, be realistic as to how much time you can give to the business and let it build gradually rather than trying to do too much, too soon and burning yourself out. You donโt want to lose love for what you do so make sure you still take time for yourself. If youโre going to go full time on your business, be realistic about how long it may take to build a large enough, regular client base to provide you with a solid monthly income. Donโt be disheartened if it takes some months to build up, just keep active in promoting what you do locally and with your contacts. Encourage clients to recommend you through word of mouth and speak with other related local businesses such as hairdressers, florists etc. to help build up clients and contacts. Build a steady projection of income too by always getting your clients booked in for their next appointment, before theyโve even finished their current one. This allows you to manage your appointment diary, always give a sense of urgency to them booking in and that youโre already getting booked up! You never want to give the impression youโre always free, create the sense youโre in demand!
If things are slower than hoped to start, stay proactive and think about what you could do to boost business such as a launch event hosted in a local hair salon or coffee store where you do mini treatments, pampering evening in connection with a local charity or school, advertising in local press, handing out price lists at the school drop off etc. And donโt underestimate the importance of social media and your website to help business find you. Plan marketing strategy so promotions you run throughout the year, retail products you could sell to boost sales, treatment packages for wedding or holiday season etc. The key is stay busy but stay positive. Most beauty businesses take around 6-9 months to become well established but once you are, your earning potential is uncapped so itโs definitely worth investing the time and effort.
Cover the legalities
Make sure you have beauty insurance in place and that it ideally covers your beauty kit. We recommend Balens, Radius, Insync or ABT for insurance. You can purchase a policy directly from your preferred insurer.
Check your car insurance policy will cover you for business related mileage and also any car contents in the event of damage or loss/theft. Make sure you are working safely and hygienically at all times. Think about waste disposal and if you need to apply for yellow bins or commercial waste collection.
If you are working from a room in your home, check your home insurance and mortgage / rental agreement permits this. If you are converting part of your home into permanent salon premises, you may wish to consult with your local council regarding planning restrictions, change of use and if business rates would be applicable. When inviting clients into your home, check if you need insurance in the event of accident/injury unrelated to treatments. You may also wish to take a first aid course and have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher or blanket on site for emergencies.
If you are renting a room in a salon or even your own premises, you may need to consider any additional insurance for the business premises such as employee or third party insurance to protect visitors and clients at your premises in the event of an accident/injury. If employing other therapists, take legal advice in regards to contracts and qualifications / insurance they must hold. Some local authorities require special treatments licensing in some areas for salons so this must be checked out before committing to premises. If you are working alongside another job, check your employment contract to make sure there are no clauses against this.
Finally donโt forget your safety. Make sure if you are working mobile that someone knows where you are at all times and check in with someone when arriving and leaving a clientโs home having given an indication of how long you will be there so that you always remain safe. Finally donโt forget to register with HMRC for tax purposes if working self-employed. You will usually need to submit an annual self assessment to declare your earnings and to correctly pay tax and NI contributions so make sure you register in a timely manner online and keep adequate records of your income and outgoings in relation to your business.
There is a lot to consider when running your own business but with careful planning, you can ensure you are always one step ahead with no surprises. Having written down goals that you can regularly review against is great for staying on track with progress and also helping stay motivated. Donโt forget it is important to keep learning as a beauty therapist so that you can stay ahead of the competition and offer something new to delight your regular clientele. There are huge rewards to running your own business including flexibility to work around your children or other dependents, pride of owning your own business, opportunity to have uncapped earnings and the chance to earn doing something you are truly passionate about.
Want to learn more about starting your own beauty business? Need more help to break your planning down? Our Online Starting a Business in Beauty Course is for you! Completed entirely online through our Student Portal which can be accessed from mobile devices 24/7, study at your own pace and receive support from our expert team throughout. Click below to find out moreโฆ
Derived from Eastern medicine practices, Holistic treatments are non-invasive therapies which aim to treat underlying issues. They work on creating harmony within in the body through connection with energy points or meridian lines to work on overall health and well being. They compliment the western approach of medicine by offering an additional method for relaxation and stress relief which can benefit a variety of clients. One of the most popular Holistic treatments is Reflexology. In today’s blog we’re going to put a spotlight on this ancient treatment giving you and insights into the benefits and practices.
The body systems are represented on the feet a good way to learn this areas is to see the two feet together as a mirror for the body. For example, the brain reflex is found on the top of the big toe, the spine runs from the big toe down to the heel on each foot. The right foot governs right-hand side of body, left foot governs left-hand side of the body. The image below details the organs and where they are found.
