Careers
With larger numbers of women entering the work place, the need to
appear well groomed and attractive has assumed greater importance, not
just for women, but also for men. Moreover, the complexities of modern living
leave little time for personal grooming, causing more people to turn increasingly
to professionals for treatments thatenhance and maintain their looks. This
has resulted in a burgeoning of beauty products and beauty treatments,
turning beauty care or cosmetology intoa 100 crore industry.
Today make-up is no longer a cultural issue. With the growth of the vanity industry
and the financial returns generated by it, there are many more women and even
men coming in, both as providers and seekers of beauty care.
Beauty care or cosmetology covers the overall condition of looking good, and
therefore includes everything from beauty therapy to health clubs. Often, two
or more services are offered under one roof, and quality of services and facilities
can range from the luxurious salons at five-star hotels to functional commercial
establishments and intimate owner-run parlours. Some beauticians also work
at clients' homes, while others cater for both men and women. Many beauticians
prepare and sometimes sell their own beauty care products.
Those who have completed a course in beauty and hair care can work in a
salon or beauty parlour. With the fast growth of the cosmetics business
and the entry of international brands using interested and trained housewives
to explain and market their wares, there is much scope in the sales and
marketing of beauty and skin care products too. Working at a health club or
fitness centre is also a growing career option as the number of these institutes
double every year.
Make-up artists are also much in demand with the growth of television.
Self employment is an attractive option but should only be considered after
some years of experience and a study of the location of the parlour, existing competition
and the ability to raise start-up capital for the venture.
WORK
Work in the field of Beauty & Hair care encompasses several areas.
Beauty Therapy covers treatments of face, skin, nails and body, and extends
from make-up and facials to massage and diet. It also includes advising clients
on grooming and make-up, or dealing with skin complaints that do not require
medical treatment.
Hair dressing includes treatment of the hair and scalp, as well as styling and
cutting. Hair dressers use a range of techniques to make hair look healthy and
attractive, and are required to know about the care and application of hair pieces,
wigs and other hair accessories. They also advise clients on the right choice
of hair style and care and maintenance of their hair.
Beauty Consultancy is usually provided by large cosmetic firms and involves the
sales and promotion of beauty products produced and developed by them.
Beauty consultants have to be knowledgeable about skin care, of the use of
different products and the benefits of various treatments advocated.
Fitness and exercise is a new, up and coming area of work that covers
everything from health clubs, yoga and aerobics to work at gyms.
The area that has increased in importance with the burgeoning of television
is the expertise of make-up and hair dressing artistes for the film and television
industry, and in modelling and advertising
ENTRY
It is essential for a candidate to have at least a Diploma in Beauty / Hair Care.
Eligibility:
There is no specific eligibility criteria required for entering the beauty field.
But being a specialist skill, it does require not only professional expertise
but also a great deal of practical trai ning to gain proficiency. There are severa
l training schools for beauty and hair care courses. Most require no particular
academic qualification. However, a 10+2 or at least a class10 level qualification
is preferred.
Duration:
The duration of the courses varies from institution to institution, and also
depends on the specialisation
INSTITUTIONS
Some of the prominent institutions imparting training in beauty and hair care
are listed as follows
- Shahnaz Hussain's Women's World International, B-40, Greater Kailash-1, New
- Delhi. (With branches and franchises all over the country.)
- Habib's Hair Academy, M-3, South Extension, Part-2, New Delhi. (With branches
4. Blossom Kochhar's Pivot Point, New Delhi.
5. Smiles, A-160, Azad Nagar, MIG Colony, Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West),
Mumbai
JOB PROSPECTS
Beauty and hair care professionals can find employment in the following major
areas of work :
*In a salon or beauty parlour
* In a cosmetics manufacturing company
* in a health club or gym
* In television or film
* Self-employment