Hey
Recently a family member commented on how i looked when i was wearing my beauty tunic. He said i looked more professional and i had a clinical look about me, like my image was really clean. Ok, so my image is- short hair, minimal make up, purple tunic, black trousers and shoes, two rings, no watch, bracelet, or piercings, wasn't wearing a necklace and had just a little perfume on. I had no fake tan on or nails polished. He asked do clients not expect me to have fake tan, more make up etc but he liked the way i looked rather than caked with tan etc. I ask what every thinks a beauty therapist should look like as im wondering do my clients think i look professional and clinical. Every beauty therapist i have seen has fake tan on that doesn't look right, its patchy etc, they're draped with necklaces etc, stink of either too much perfume or smoke and have too many piercings and their hair and make up is tacky. Thats why i keep my image minimal as i dont like their image and find it off putty. Like if their tan was patchy id think oh my god my tan will go like that if i go to them.
Sorry for rambling on. Really i want to know is, would a client rather go to a therapist that looks like everyone would expect them to look like or go to someone they think looks professional and clean?
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I'm with you on that I prefer therapists to look professional and clean - erring on the side of looking more natural as opposed to made-up/fake tanned etc.

yes, i dont like them overdone.

i like to see a tunic and a clean neat image.
this sort of look gives a good first impression to me.

once you get to know a therapist and trust her professionalism then you see past the look but the first impressions do count i think.

Im glad some people are thinking like me. I am quite pale though and sometimes think clients would think oh i wont go to her because the tan must not be that good if she's not wearing it but to be honest i dont like tan when it comes off so id rather stick to the basics.
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I've been dying to ask this question for ages. I'm very new to the beauty industry and as a total tomboy I was worried what people would think of me as I'm not into make-up etc. What i've found is that if you have nice clear skin (not packed with make-up)and are healthy and clean looking people think that's professional. I don't think you have to have acrylic nails, spray tan and everthing done all the time because it's not very realistic for most people. If I see a girl with fake nails, fake hair, fake tan, fake lashes, loads of make-up I think "oh who could be bothered I don't have the time!" but if I see a girl with healthy looking skin or shiny hair I think " I wonder what she uses?" I think you sound very clean and professional looking and I'd stay as you are.

Im not a beauty therapist so i dont wear a uniform.

but i had a few come to the salon about a room. and tbh 3 of them were caked in makeup with bright red cheeks etc and didnt look nice at all. excpet for one who looked liked she was wearing makeup but very minimul and natural and looked better

It probably depends on the sort of people you want to attract.

Some people like the stereotypical heavily made up, tanned look, which is fine if that's what you like and those therapists will probably attract people with a similar image.

I personally prefer a natural, clean, professional look, which is what I wear, this in turn attracts clients who prefer a more natural look.

Having said that I don't think there is any excuse for having badly applied tan/nails or people smelling of cigarettes or like a tarts handbag, that's just unprofessional.

i always have my nails done and a tan but my tan is never patchy, i feel for me its the best advert for what i do, my clients are happy with the way i look and i am always complimented on my tan and nails.
I think therpists should look how they want to but always be professional
xxx

As a non-professional likely to go to a salon/therapist I would be completly put off by an ott tan/make up/jewellery/perfume/claws/fag smoke.

Id feel a lot better/happier/more at ease with some one who was clean tidy and not caked in rubbish and smelling dreadful. Plus tbh I think its more up-market, no offence meant to anyone thats just my personal opinion.

Hi,
I always wear my uniform.
But I do have my acrylic nails on all of the time, I can't live without them. I can't even work without them, also that does show my clients one type of nails I do, so that is an advertisement.
This week in my salon I will have spray tan on, didn't last week as it was my 1st week and I didn't have time to get it done. I do spray tan, but not where I rent nail desk space. As it is a Sunbed shop and they do spray tanning too.
This week I will also have Gel Hollywood toes, I was asked by so many last week what they were on my treatment menu, so this week I can show anyone who asks.
I wear natural looking make up, but always top up my lip gloss during the day, my hair will either be up or in a pony tail, never down, it is far too long, it could look messy and would get in my way.
I would expect my nail tech to have nice nails, whether with enhancements or natural.
I would also expect her to wear some make up.....but not OTT.
Perfume nice and light, I don't personally like heavy perfumes, but each to their own preference.
I also try not to eat garlic on eve before my salon days, that can be tricky, not too bad for me as at the mo as I only do 3 days.
Hope this helps a bit.
Lotsa luv x x x x x x

I think that if I wanted a spray tan I would like my therapist to have one otherwise it might make me doubt her faith in the product shes using.I dont think I would like her to be caked in makeup though-maybe natural makeup as you ask your client to remove theirs it might make them feel uncomfortable if they have no makeup on but the therapist does.The experience is all about making the customer feel and look good if you know what I mean-that said I think a friendly face and manner makes up for alot.

This is such a non issue!
You should be clean, tidy, with minimal makeup, wearing a uniform (if you are a beauty therapist), with short, unvarnished but well groomed nails. As my friend Jan says, "Never trust a spotty beautician!"
Slightly different for nail techs in that it's perfectly acceptable to wear enhancements, and arguably a more funky outfit.
Slightly different again for hair stylists who can have coloured and wacky hair!
I think tans should be subtle, no matter which branch of the industry you're in.
An air of professionalism should be projected and maintained at all times.

I agree, clean, tidy, minimal makeup, a uniform and short well groomed nails. However, the next part offends me. I have always been conscious of my skin as I worry that clients won't take my advice seriously when I have some acne on my chin. I have the knowledge to pass on to clients about how to care for their skin, but when acne is a medical conditon there's not a whole lot I can do about it. I look after my skin, using the products from our salon but I also have to take medication for the acne. It doesn't make me any less of a beauty therapist, or does it?

How does everyone else feel about the subject of spots on therapists? I know we can cover them up as best we can but then we enter into the problem of caking the make up on.

I too have a similar problem with my skin. I find that clients like the fact that I'm not "perfect", it just makes me more human.

I too have a similar problem with my skin. I find that clients like the fact that I'm not "perfect", it just makes me more human

I agree - some of the "pioneers" of skin care and techniques have been innovated because of their personal problems. I know a well known lady with whom I studied electrolysis techniques has helped many many people because she herself suffered with facial problems. Also Danne M. King was well known having acne, which was a driving force behind his skin care regime. Sometimes I think it can actually help clients know that you have overcome something with the correct approach and techniques. It means you have a deeper understanding and appreciation.