Beauty consultant

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could supervise other beauty consultants or move into retail management.

You could work as a beauty brand sales representative or start your own beauty business.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• persuading and negotiating skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Business - Beauty consultants work in a sales-driven environment where they need to meet targets, understand customer buying behaviour, and promote products effectively. Many also progress into retail management or start their own beauty businesses, where understanding marketing, finance, and business planning is essential.
• Art and Design - Beauty consultants demonstrate make-up application techniques and advise on colour choices that suit different skin tones and features. A strong sense of colour theory, aesthetics, and visual composition helps them create looks that customers are happy with.
• English Language - Beauty consultants spend most of their day talking to customers, listening to their needs, and explaining how products work in a clear and persuasive way. Strong communication skills help them build trust, handle questions confidently, and close sales.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Beauty consultants advise customers on skincare products, perfumes, and cosmetics, which all involve chemical ingredients and formulations. Understanding the basics of how ingredients interact with skin – such as acids, oils, and active compounds – helps them give more informed and credible recommendations.
• Biology - Beauty consultants need to understand skin types, skin conditions, and how the body responds to different products and ingredients. Knowledge of human biology – particularly the skin, hair, and nails – helps them give accurate advice on which products will work best for each customer.
• Psychology - Beauty consultants need to read customers' body language, understand their motivations, and adapt their approach to different personalities. Knowledge of how people make decisions and what influences their confidence helps when recommending products and building rapport.
• Mathematics - Beauty consultants handle cash and card payments, monitor stock levels, and track sales against targets. Basic numeracy skills are important for managing transactions accurately and understanding sales performance figures.