The size of the beauty salon industry in India is estimated at about Rs.2000 crore. The growth is attributed to the advent of foreign TV channels, changing lifestyles, higher purchasing power, greater awareness of treatments, more jobs where the appearance counts, etc. It has been seen that branding, speciality skills, specialised services and niche products have been the main drivers of growth in the beauty salon business, specially at high end salons. Another new trend is that salons are slowly being converted to “day spas,” where spa treatments are also being offered. The client spends the entire day at the day spa, instead of going to an exotic location for several days. A salon cum day spa offers both salon services, as well as spa treatments. Beauty product sales counters are also opening in malls and department stores. These require trained personnel too.
For example, the sales representatives at the Shahnaz Husain counters are trained to advise customers in purchasing products according to individual needs. They not only have basic beauty training, but are also trained in cosmetic products and sales. Such trends have intensified the focus on professional beauty courses and their quality. There is no doubt that there is a demand for trained personnel in beauty, specially in terms of being equipped to deal with the quality and diversity of services expected. The hospitality industry is also slated for phenomenal growth during the next few years, with a large number of hotels expected to come up. Most hotels offer salon and spa services, so we will definitely see an increase in demand for people who are professionally trained in beauty. Career prospects in the beauty business have never been brighter.
Today, the beauty world offers several career avenues, with tremendous lucrative opportunities for growth and specialisation. A minimum school leaving education is enough to launch into vocational beauty training, yet there are opportunities to complete courses right upto an advanced level and also go into related fields.
Entrepreneurship – starting one’s own beauty clinic
Managing salons, health clubs or spas
Beauty Therapists in salons and day spas
Masseurs
Beauty Consultants / Beauty Advisors
Make-up Artists
Hairstylists
Product Consultants in Cosmetic Companies
Teachers in beauty schools
After completing a professional diploma course in beauty, one can go ahead and obtain advanced training in make-up, hairstyling, nail art, massage, spa treatments, traditional Ayurvedic treatments, aromatherapy, electrolysis, etc. A professionally qualified beauty therapist can open her own salon and become an entrepreneur, or secure employment in a salon. It is also possible to acquire further training and become a Beauty School Teacher. The fashion industry, advertising, television and the big screen also require expert make-up artists and hairstylists. It is possible to specialise in different kinds of make-up, like bridal make-up, make-up for television, movies, still photography, ramp modelling, etc.
Very early in my career, I started encouraging ordinary housewives to open salons in their own homes. This way, they could have a career and attain financial independence and yet, be close at hand to care for home and family. I trained them and offered the Shahnaz Herbal franchise. This was the beginning of my training schools and franchise system. We have included business and salon management in the syllabus of our Diploma Course, along with pointers on how to make the business profitable, so that the student is equipped to start a salon at home, if she so wishes.
The syllabus at our school for the professional Diploma Course includes theoretical knowledge, along with the learning of practical skills, like facial, head and body massage and other salon treatments, like waxing, threading, manicure, pedicure and so on. Dietetics, body care, weight control, nutrition, exercise and the use of skin, hair and health care gadgets are all part of the curriculum. The course also deals with the causes and treatments of various skin, hair and body problems. The accent is on preventive, protective and corrective cosmetic care. Students learn the dangers and damage caused by many chemical treatments, so that they can exercise caution while carrying them out. Hairdressing and styling, as well as make-up are included. All theoretical knowledge is followed up with practical applications. The course also covers clinic and business management, client handling and maintenance of hygiene. The beauty business is a people’s business and requires the ability to communicate with people at a personal level. Therefore, students are given knowledge of sound client handling and salon management, along with knowledge of the investments required to open one’s own salon, and techniques of making the venture a profitable one.
The beauty profession offers many opportunities. For young boys and girls, poised on the threshold of life, wondering which way to go, looking for a challenge of something new, cosmetic-care extends a great deal of promise. Similarly, those who are looking to enhance their income, or an older woman, who suddenly finds time weighing on her hands, can all find a satisfying career in cosmetic-care. The training will certainly open up an entire vista of opportunities.
