Beauty therapist qualifications?

[jacquelineanna]

I would choose experience and a good reputation over any qualifications.

And I don't care what title people want to bestow on me - I am not stuck on other peoples thoughts and opinions.

As one geek has already mentioned I have clients who call me their waxing lady or their nail lady or their beauty lady.

I know my own value and worth and have been weighed and measured according to what I can do.

Peace and respect.

 

[skingeek78]

I would choose experience and a good reputation over any qualifications.

And I don't care what title people want to bestow on me - I am not stuck on other peoples thoughts and opinions.

As one geek has already mentioned I have clients who call me their waxing lady or their nail lady or their beauty lady.

I know my own value and worth and have been weighed and measured according to what I can do.

Peace and respect.

I respect your comments. Please understand that I value experience and certainly reputation.
I would not choose someone on the basis of a higher qualification alone, but rather on their added skills, character and experience, aswell as the relevant qualification. I absolutely don't think certificates alone make a therapist good.
Prefer to leave other people to do their own business and a qualification is not always a reflection of whether someone is good at something or not, I have voiced my opinion because personally I feel my hard work is under valued when it is openly said that the same skills and experience can be gained from attending very short courses that I have studied over a period of years and then been examined on.
And I don't want to give anyone a title, all I know is that my professional title is dictated by the qualification that I took to acheive it, it's just a fact the same as if I had qualified to be an Engineer, Mechanic or Accountant and I am proud of it.
And I can't speak for anyone else but I can confirm that within my training which was strict, we all had to gain work experience.

 

[jacquelineanna]

I posted independently of all other responses ... but thank you for your reply Skingeek :hug:

 

[ker3003]

I'm a qualified dental nurse and studied anatomy and physiololgy whilst doing my NVQ. A few years ago I decided dental nursing wasn't for me, as I had a mortgage to pay for and a young child I couldn't justify going to college full time to study NVQ level 2 and 3.
So I chose to do intensive courses to gain my qualifications, all the courses are accredited by the Beauty Guild and I think people who choose to do short courses put in hard work just like anybody else. I know for all my courses I had work to do afterwards and case studies to complete.
Just because someone can't go to college full time to gain a qualification doesn't mean they aren't as good at their job. For instance my friend did all her training from short intensive courses and now owns a salon and is busier than the other salons in town whose owners went to college and have NVQs. X

 

[Nat-Nat]

This has been debated time and time again and I think sometimes some very hurtful things are said! I know some therapists who have done short courses and some who are NVQ trained and believe me they are some fab therapists and some shocking ones amongst both. As someone says it really should be more what you do with it afterwards and reputation.

Personally I call myself a business owner and entrepreneur!!!

 

[wemsie]

I'm a qualified dental nurse and studied anatomy and physiololgy whilst doing my NVQ. A few years ago I decided dental nursing wasn't for me, as I had a mortgage to pay for and a young child I couldn't justify going to college full time to study NVQ level 2 and 3.
So I chose to do intensive courses to gain my qualifications, all the courses are accredited by the Beauty Guild and I think people who choose to do short courses put in hard work just like anybody else. I know for all my courses I had work to do afterwards and case studies to complete.
Just because someone can't go to college full time to gain a qualification doesn't mean they aren't as good at their job. For instance my friend did all her training from short intensive courses and now owns a salon and is busier than the other salons in town whose owners went to college and have NVQs. X

Well said, ker3003. i am so interested in obtaining such qualification through intensive short course(s) as my circumstance wouldnt allow me go to a college now. can you pls guide me as to the right place or site to go? would appreciate. many thanks.

 

[skingeek78]

Well said, ker3003. i am so interested in obtaining such qualification through intensive short course(s) as my circumstance wouldnt allow me go to a college now. can you pls guide me as to the right place or site to go? would appreciate. many thanks.

I don't think there is any difference where and how you obtain your qualification, whether it is full time, part time etc... I hope that i was not misunderstood. as i stated previously I also could not do all of my training full time, the issue was with those who do not obtain a qualification and instead do short courses without examination/verification or whatever and currently there is no distinction, this will however soon be changing Many colleges/schools do offer training in short courses that you then go and put together case studies and extra practical for exams VTCT/NVQ or ITEC so you would be required to do a lot of work by yourself. For those who have existing skills and or busy lives this works really well.
Carlton Institute training is one of these who do this, also Penny Turvey Beauty Training. It is worth checking with the qualifying body you wish to attain qualification through and they will be able to help you find somewhere close to you, this is what I did x

 

[eternalscot]

When I trained you needed either 2 A levels or equalient for HND or money for a private CIDESCO course, which were rather like finishing schools. Now any drop out can do beauty just like air cabin crew had a cache now they are just like mcdonalds staff with aviation training. Things change once only 10% of the population went to university now its around 65% and if 50% are above average intelligence and 50% below intelligence it goes without saying there is a lot of dumbos with higher education. Focus on your own sucess and avoid the constant government social engineering polices from recycling through education to our imaginary global warming im fed up with it. Incidentally when I was at school they had a subject called social and vocational qualifications done as a standard grade/gcse geared to all the rems, they used to get taken to bowling allies and such like and passed their exam if that is not social engineering I don't know what is and it is not a qualification woeth having!

Sent from my GT-N7105 using SalonGeek

 

[skingeek78]

When I trained you needed either 2 A levels or equalient for HND or money for a private CIDESCO course, which were rather like finishing schools. Now any drop out can do beauty just like air cabin crew had a cache now they are just like mcdonalds staff with aviation training. Things change once only 10% of the population went to university now its around 65% and if 50% are above average intelligence and 50% below intelligence it goes without saying there is a lot of dumbos with higher education. Focus on your own sucess and avoid the constant government social engineering polices from recycling through education to our imaginary global warming im fed up with it. Incidentally when I was at school they had a subject called social and vocational qualifications done as a standard grade/gcse geared to all the rems, they used to get taken to bowling allies and such like and passed their exam if that is not social engineering I don't know what is and it is not a qualification woeth having!

Sent from my GT-N7105 using SalonGeek

Fortunately it is down to the individual to make the best from whatever route of education they choose or that is available to them and to develop themselves accordingly. For sure there are a lot of dumbos in life with or without any higher education being involved.

 

[eternalscot]

Fortunately it is down to the individual to make the best from whatever route of education they choose or that is available to them and to develop themselves accordingly. For sure there are a lot of dumbos in life with or without any higher education being involved.

Yes but my point is these courses often dilute our industry, which in turn does affect you and me as the therapist is expected to earn very little now as a CIDESCO therapist could be competing with a 2 day short course person. Same goes for being self employed your prices have to compete. So there are well trained therapists out there earning less than cleaners. This is no mistake by the goverment it is socailism through the back door.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using SalonGeek

 

[skingeek78]

Yes but my point is these courses often dilute our industry, which in turn does affect you and me as the therapist is expected to earn very little now as a CIDESCO therapist could be competing with a 2 day short course person. Same goes for being self employed your prices have to compete. So there are well trained therapists out there earning less than cleaners. This is no mistake by the goverment it is socailism through the back door.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using SalonGeek

When you put it like that I have to say that I agree with you. <3

 

[KirstieLou]

Beautician or beauty therapist I'm not sure why it matters which you are and why people get uptight about it?
If your providing a service of great quality and your doing it the correct way then a label doesn't matter.
I don't mind what I'm called, I've for nvq & diploma and further short courses I vary what I call myself just whatever pops into my mind. I don't think our cliens (the one who matter) care what our label is?

 

[ker3003]

Beautician or beauty therapist I'm not sure why it matters which you are and why people get uptight about it?
If your providing a service of great quality and your doing it the correct way then a label doesn't matter.
I don't mind what I'm called, I've for nvq & diploma and further short courses I vary what I call myself just whatever pops into my mind. I don't think our cliens (the one who matter) care what our label is?

Well said hun x

 

[skingeek78]

That's what it says on my marketing materials lol am I lying to people?

What do you think? Only you can answer that. Did you study and qualify as a beautician or beauty therapist or aesthetician? my issue with this is if I take first aid courses does it mean I describe myself as a paramedic, or if I am good at numbers and take an online course in book keeping can I sell my services as an accountant? I think things will be changing in the UK so hopefully it will all be completely irrelevant. I am just glad that I don't have this problem where I am, you take your diploma and qualify as an aesthetician and an extra year to be a specialist aesthetician, there are no grey areas.

 

[eternalscot]

What do you think? Only you can answer that. Did you study and qualify as a beautician or beauty therapist or aesthetician? my issue with this is if I take first aid courses does it mean I describe myself as a paramedic, or if I am good at numbers and take an online course in book keeping can I sell my services as an accountant? I think things will be changing in the UK so hopefully it will all be completely irrelevant. I am just glad that I don't have this problem where I am, you take your diploma and qualify as an aesthetician and an extra year to be a specialist aesthetician, there are no grey areas.

Exactly!

Sent from my GT-N7105 using SalonGeek

 

[Quiet Therapist]

Isnt it about context as there is always someone who has studied for longer or shorter than you. How the qualification is valued will be reflected in:

1. The number of companies you can have your insurance with
2. Which professional associations you can and cannot join
3. and ultimately whether you have loyal repeat customers which reflect in your quality client focussed treatments.

I class myself as a Holistic Beauty therapist (VTCT Holistics studied over years at college and various L2& L3 Beauty at an indepenedant training provider for 1-2 days each.)

The only difference I see between me and a NVQ L2/3 therapist is that they have had more college/tutor contact time than me and their qualifications are widely known.

I dont think it makes us better or worse therapists as its the experience and ability to build rapport with clients that is the value here and not the piece of paper.

I didnt really learn to drive until after I passed my test.

 

[pinknfluffy]

Beautician? Beauty Therapist? Who cares? Not our clients, as long as we provide a top-notch service to each and everyone of our own clients I very much doubt any of them will want in-depth break down of how 7 where we studied!
I have done ITEC, a&p, City & guilds, and some 1-2 day courses, but not an NVQ in sight! 5 years of studying in total! However - I don't need my qualifications to tell me I am good at what I do - my returning clients and recommendations do that for me!!!

 

[Lilai]

It was very interesting to read different opinions here. I personally, since joined Salon geeks feel my self-confidence dropped dramatically due to lots of critical words against short courses. I chose this field because I really enjoy it, I have higher education but not in this field. I attended the NVQ a while ago and I noticed the quality of the courses was quite poor as most of the students mainly funded teenagers and they are not very keen and they doing it for getting the job in salons, so I quitted, of course this is not true for everyone and I don't underestimate those holding NVQ but I don't think it is faire to disvalue those with different type of qualifications. I have been to different salon (mystery shopper) to check the quality of the therapists and I wasn&#8217;t impressed.
I feel attending continuous professional development and personal effort is very important. I really like to check my work regularly by experts, but I work part time from home, which I think refreshing courses can help and perhaps salon geek if I don&#8217;t receive attacks instead of help.

 

[JoyVR]

It was very interesting to read different opinions here. I personally, since joined Salon geeks feel my self-confidence dropped dramatically due to lots of critical words against short courses. I chose this field because I really enjoy it, I have higher education but not in this field. I attended the NVQ a while ago and I noticed the quality of the courses was quite poor as most of the students mainly funded teenagers and they are not very keen and they doing it for getting the job in salons, so I quitted, of course this is not true for everyone and I don't underestimate those holding NVQ but I don't think it is faire to disvalue those with different type of qualifications. I have been to different salon (mystery shopper) to check the quality of the therapists and I wasn&rsquo;t impressed.
I feel attending continuous professional development and personal effort is very important. I really like to check my work regularly by experts, but I work part time from home, which I think refreshing courses can help and perhaps salon geek if I don&rsquo;t receive attacks instead of help.

I often feel the same on here for the opposite reasons! Having done my NVQ but unable to fund lots of additional refresher courses feel I would be judged!

 

[sophiegees]

In beauty and nails it's what you do, not what piece of paper you have x