Airbrush tanning salons - are you looking at a career?

Working in an airbrush tanning salon is only a very small facet of the beauty therapy industry, and it would be very foolish to limit yourself only to this. There are so many beauty qualifications, apprenticeships and courses available in the UK it would be impossible to cover all of them. This section looks at outlining what one would expect to encounter if they were looking to step into a career in the beauty / cosmetic industry in general, and not just a career in an airbrush tanning salon.

What are the hours in an Airbrush Tanning Salon?

Typically airbrush tanning salons require employees to work the usual 9am to 5pm hours with most of that time spent on your feet. However many salons are also open on Saturdays - yes Saturdays! The reason for this is to give clients who have full time jobs the opportunity to make an appointment, sometimes this factor will see some salons open in the evenings.

You are by no means restricted to the "typical high street salon." Beauty therapists can be found in department stores, clinics, fitness centres, hotels, health farms and even cruise ships.

What qualifications do I need?

Turning down the road to pursue a career in beauty therapy as a whole, you'll be happy to hear, requires no set entry qualifications. But enrolees should know that charisma, a smart appearance and stamina go a long way.

Below is a further guide to help you decide if such career is for you - a beauty therapist should:

• be well groomed, professional in appearance and aware of hygiene
• have a friendly and welcoming manner
• have some knowledge of human biology and chemistry
• be able to reassure clients and help put them at ease
• be a good listener as it helps to build up a rapport
• be commercially aware (this is necessary to successfully sell products and earn a commission) and confident when presenting information.
• have an artistic background or passion. This is always a bonus

Can you tell me about the training?

Airbrush Tanning Salon - The standard route is : a 1 -2year college course which incorporates placements, or internship at a private beauty school (shorter more intense learning) or finally some suppliers of beauty products offer training for staff to use their products specifically (this is a quicker option if a1l you are interested in is tan application.)

Courses you will encounter include:

• NVQs/SVQs ( National Vocational Qualification) Levels 1-3 in Beauty Therapy
• BTEC (Business & Technology Education Council) national certificates / diplomas in beauty therapy and beauty therapy science
• SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) national certificate modules
• City & Guilds Beauty Therapy and Beauty Therapy awards
• ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) certificates / diplomas in beauty therapy
• VTCT (Vocational Training Charitable Trust) certificates / diplomas in beauty therapy
• BTEC/SQA HNC/D.

Please contact each organisation for further advice regarding these courses.

How much could I expect to earn annually?

Typically in the beauty industry the more qualifications and courses you have under you belt the more valuable you are. This is why it is not advised to limit oneself to just becoming an expert in tan application. The following salaries are an average and should be used only as a rough guide:

• £8,000 pa for a newly qualified beautician
• £10,000 to £15,000 pa for experienced beauty therapists
• £15,000 and £20,000 pa if you work up to a managerial position or salon owner

(It should be noted that tips are often the norm and commission is usually paid on products that are sold)

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Airbrush Tanning Salons

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