Career advice

[DiamondDivasBea]

Hi guys,

I hope you don't mind me posting this in here. I'm a little unsure to what is classed as 'qualified' and don't want to offend anyone or post in the wrong categories.

I'm a not really sure what to do next. I have always done my own hair and things for my fam and close friends and wanted to do hair and beauty after school but was put off working in a salon after doing work experience. So I wound up with a job in sales (non beauty related) however I started doing children's pamper parties a little over a year ago mainly for my niece and her friends and then people on Facebook saw the pictures and word of mouth spread and I became quite in demand. I absolutely love doing them and they always go down a treat. I specialise mainly in doing hair ups and full head of curls ect. I have never claimed to be trained and have been quite honest with people when they asked me what I did and no one has questioned me or been put off by this I just seem to get more and more compliments.
I was then asked to do bridal hair and hair styles for people for nights out ect so I invested in doing a one day bridal hair course and got a certificate for this and did the same for bridal make up. I was told that I didn't need any previous experience and could go onto trading with these certificates which I have done and I have been doing a lot of hairstyles for people for nights out and just charging £10-£15 to gain experience and actually have done a couple of wedding hair trials and booked weddings.

Although I have certificates and have set up insurance over the Internet I can't help feeling a bit like a fraud!!

Basically I've been thinking about doing a beauty (or hair and beauty course) at a local college part time in the evening to feel more confident and so I can do some part time salon work (would love to one day work on a makeup counter) I still have a full time job in sales so wouldn't qualify for any help with paying for the course and it would cost me £1.5k to 3.5k for this and I would only be L2 qual and not sure how much this would really help me given the career I want or should I just go on doing one day courses (the next one in eyelash application then waxing ect) and watching tutorials reading forums ect.

I am very business minded, already have a good client base and have taught myself how to create, develop and promote a website along with other marketing tools.

Any advice much appreciated thanks and sorry for banging on!

 

[Spooky]

Wow, what a great thread to read, if you have as much passion and determination as it sounds then I would follow your heart. Obviously your post doesn't say how old you are, if you have kids ect. I would say marketing yourself is the best way to go.... Be it showing your skills on Facebook, a website, get your skills out there and do it pronto!!!! Build yourself a make up and hair portfolio not only will these photos be great to show future clients but you will also see progression in your skills and ways to improve by photography. Hand your cv to make up counters, offer your services at weekends/ evenings to begin with and see where it takes you. Unless you are in a big department store don't be fooled by the industry... Sometimes it can be slow so lots of determination patience and persistence will go a long way. As for qualifications I would say set yourself a goal and save up for the best make up and hair course you can find if you are in a position to do so??? This certificate will prove you are serious though I think a Saturday job will also be beneficial though sounds like you will still have to work full time (or part time) plus college or a fantastic 3-7 day make up artist course.if you again are in the position ie no kiddies and live at home. Reach for the sky!!! Wish I had known at a young age where and how I could reach my full potential. Keep watching make up tutorials.... Get yourself on you tube. Look at Tanya Burr!!! I honestly could go on but it sounds like you know what you should do. Good luck in following your dream. Hugs x

 

[DiamondDivasBea]

Thanks! That was a much better response than I thought I would get!
I am by the way 30 and have 2 kids which is another reason why college is a big issue and don't really want to do it unless I really have to, although I do want to if that makes sense.
I do have a lot of passion in this and it's all I've thought about for last year or 2 whilst working full time and looking after my 2 boys who are 9 and 12. My work has got better and better and I charge some good prices for my parties and get a lot of recommendations. My party hair is in demand amongst my friends and their friends and I practise, practise, practise! I have an eye for a photo too so have a great catalogue of photos as well as ones I gave copied form photographers from some of the parties I have done (with their permission of course) I think I will look into doing a 7 day beauty/makeup/ hair styling course (if such thing exists) I want to specialise in weddings and pamper parties but would really like to do more than just hair and make up.

Oh yeah, and I've just renovated a house up in that time too! x

 

[Spooky]

Salj is thegeek to as about courses (hope you don't mind salj)! But I have alwaysfollowed her on salon geek and she has kindly given me some beneficial make up/ course advice- if u are in popular demand then that's a start! Good luck with it all xx

 

[DiamondDivasBea]

Thanks Spooky, I will get in touch with her xx