To work in the beauty industry is to work with people when they’re stressed, self-conscious, vulnerable, picky, overly friendly — the list goes on and on. That means a day in the life of a beautician is always interesting and rarely simple.
Luckily, there’s a huge community of spa workers, hair stylists, masseurs, estheticians and other beauty workers who understand both your passion and your struggle.
To help ease the tension — and hopefully give you a laugh — here’s a roundup of experiences unique to your field:
Too many people still believe the “beauty school dropout” stereotype
One of the most annoying parts of working in a spa is fighting the incredibly wrong — and, honestly, offensive — stereotype that beauty school is a backup plan. Learning the ins and outs of a spa or salon is not easy, and you put in just as much work as those who earned a traditional degree.
Don’t let the haters get you down. Just show them how much power you have over the beauty and comfort, instead.
Small talk can quickly turn a little too deep
You’re trained to read body language and determine who wants to chat during their session. The client, however, isn’t usually as perceptive. How many times have you asked where your client is from only to hear their entire life story?
The good news is, you’ve likely become a skilled multi-tasker who can listen to a client talk while giving them their latest hair style.
Friends and family always ask for free services
Part of working in the beauty industry is constantly shielding yourself from friends and family who want free services. Yes, your job is to make people feel relaxed and confident, but you have bills too.
Next time a friend or family member asks for a complimentary package of your high end skin care line, just email them your rates.
There’s no perfect soundtrack
There’s a small percentage of people in this world who can listen to chimes, trickling soundscapes, or Enya for 9 hours everyday. If you’re one of them, congratulations! If you’re not, you’ve probably learned to drown it out.
The back pain is real
Bending over for 40+ hours every week can lead to body aches typical for someone in their late 90s but, for you, it’s the harsh reality of the spa industry.
We hate to say it, but investing in good shoes, regular stretching and the occasional massage for yourself can help keep the aches and pains at bay.
You constantly want to help others — even strangers
Everywhere you look, you see eyebrows with the potential to be in a makeup campaign, a thick head of hair waiting to be styled, or a hardworking mother who definitely deserves a 90-minute deep tissue massage. Because when it comes down to it, your passion is to help people live their best life.