Difference between a beauty therapist and a beautician?

[Glam Nails]

I know this would sound silly
What is the difference between a beauty therapist and a beautician?

XXX

 

[Scottish_girl]

Nohting - beautitian is just the shorter word version

 

[tenorcutie]

a beautician doesnt do body treatments like massage and electrical etc
A beauty therapist can do everything

 

[BABSann]

a beautician doesnt do body treatments like massage and electrical etc
A beauty therapist can do everything

This isn't really true,beautician is a name given to either a beauty therapist or beautician irrespective of our qualifications.Personally I dont like being called a beautician but every so often I will have a client call me one and I cringeDont know why I just dont like it.Beautician just feels old fashioned to me.

 

[allyballybee]

When I trained, college told us that a beautician was the basic training nails, make-up etc. xx

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

When I trained, college told us that a beautician was the basic training nails, make-up etc. xx

Loads of definitions in 'google' define a beautician and beauty therapist as one and the same thing.

Personally, I am like BABSann and cringe :irked: at being called a beautician. I think it is very outdated and makes the job sound cheap IMO. It conjures up images of somebody in a mini skirt with pink hair, ultra long nails, a fake beauty spot and chewing gum on the job . No thanks :lol: LOL!

 

[Glamour Puss7]

Yes I dont like to be called "Beautician" either, I much prefer to be called Beauty Therapist its definitely more modern! Beautician is very old fashioned i cringe also!

 

[kylieb]

Ah thank you for posting this!!!!
It's one of my pet hates being called a beautician!
A beautician is someone for e.g that stands behind the make-up counter in boots.
Beauty Therapists do anything beauty related. x

 

[bombini]

Loads of definitions in 'google' define a beautician and beauty therapist as one and the same thing.

Im of the same opinion, at the end of the day beautician is just an old fashioned term for beauty therapist IMO its like hairdresser / hair stylist one and the same thing aren't they ?

Ive heard all sorts of things over the years like a beautician is only qualified to level 2 or only does make up etc, etc

I hate the term beautician I always think of it as being very 80's !

 

[jiff!22]

yes, i agree with kylieb!
i was once told that a beautician was someone who manned the make up/perfume counters in boots and such like.
then a beauty therapist is someone trained to perform beauty treatments, waxing etc.
i also cringe at being called 'the beautician' even tho i tell them my name all the time! :green:

 

[tigi]

Well , I call myself a nail and beauty stylist ! I like it, it's very now ..... Lol.

Tigi
xxx

 

[Velveteen]

What's the difference?
The country you're in and the level of training.

In Australia, a person with a Cert III Beauty Services is referred to as a Beautician. They perform basic services. A person who holds a Cert IV or V (Diploma) of Beauty Therapy are referred to as a Beauty Therapist, the latter specialising in an area (eg. spa therapy, thalassotherapy, permanent hair removal etc) and this is reflected in the pay scale. For the latter, if they undertake the spa stream, they can call themselves a Spa Therapist or Skin Therapist.

For those who go onto to do post graduate studies (Advanced Diploma/Grad Dip), there's a lofty title of Paramedical Aesthetician.

 

[Beautician29]

I was always taught at college that a beautician is level 2 and beauty therapist is level 3 because they do all the massage and facial and body electricals.

 

[BABSann]

What's the difference?
The country you're in and the level of training.

In Australia, a person with a Cert III Beauty Services is referred to as a Beautician. They perform basic services. A person who holds a Cert IV or V (Diploma) of Beauty Therapy are referred to as a Beauty Therapist, the latter specialising in an area (eg. spa therapy, thalassotherapy, permanent hair removal etc) and this is reflected in the pay scale. For the latter, if they undertake the spa stream, they can call themselves a Spa Therapist or Skin Therapist.

For those who go onto to do post graduate studies (Advanced Diploma/Grad Dip), there's a lofty title of Paramedical Aesthetician.

It goes to show the differences in different countries.Over here in the UK a level 3/advanced diploma means we are trained in spas, electrical treatments,fitness and all the usual treatments associated with a beauty therapist. We are all called beauty therapist no matter how qualified,a level 2 therapist will still be called a beauty therapist.

The usual difference between therapists is one will be called a senior beauty therapist and the other will be called a beauty therapist.I think it's one of those things that will always create confusion tbh and differences in opinion.:green:

 

[essentia]

I was always aware that a BT was level 3 or equivalent and a beautician concentrated on face, waxing and nails. Definiately more apparent in the 80's and I do not feel country related at all. I guess it depends on the person. I do not care for either term much and tend to call myself an electrolysist these days. Beautician sounds too young and BT sounds inappropriate for my middle age (just my opinion):hug:

 

[*sarah*]

I never know what category I fall under because I started as a nail technician then added waxing and spray tanning if people ask what my job is I usually just say nail technician lol xx

 

[BABSann]

I was always aware that a BT was level 3 or equivalent and a beautician concentrated on face, waxing and nails. Definiately more apparent in the 80's and I do not feel country related at all. I guess it depends on the person. I do not care for either term much and tend to call myself an electrolysist these days. Beautician sounds too young and BT sounds inappropriate for my middle age (just my opinion):hug:

I have heard it mentioned several times over the years by people in other countries on here.inc this thread!!! i.e the lady from Queensland.Not saying only people in other countries think this however when holidaying abroad I have noticed all the salons refer to their staff as beauticians.Just an observation:hug:

 

[essentia]

I have heard it mentioned several times over the years by people in other countries on here.inc this thread!!! i.e the lady from Queensland.Not saying only people in other countries think this however when holidaying abroad I have noticed all the salons refer to their staff as beauticians.Just an observation:hug:

Yes - I mean it is a generic thing - widespread.:hug:

 

[nataliemichelle]

I think the title Beauty Therapist sounds much more like a fully competent professional, whereas Beautician sounds like someone who just paints nails and applies a bit of make up. Thats just my opinion

 

[Velveteen]

Sorry, I'm a bit confused by some of the responses :o

I wasn't offering an opinion in talking about what title I'd be preferred to be called by or commenting about other countries. When asked about the differences between beautician and beauty therapist, I was specifically referring to Australia (because that's where I live and work) and the beauty award which is how beauty therapists are classified. I agree that everyone has their idea of how they should be addressed but I was referring to how they are addressed in industry over here. As this site embraces more than one nation, I thought that this was okay....

It goes to show the differences in different countries.Over here in the UK a level 3/advanced diploma means we are trained in spas, electrical treatments,fitness and all the usual treatments associated with a beauty therapist. We are all called beauty therapist no matter how qualified,a level 2 therapist will still be called a beauty therapist.

Exactly. Different countries have different ways of classifying trades and naming their qualifications (for example, our advanced diplomas are paramedical quals while your diplomas are similar to level 3 only they're level 5 here..etc.) and the title they give usually corresponds with the training they've received, hence the difference! :green: