20 Exciting Careers for Beauty Lovers

Discover your career options if you’re a beauty lover – from hair styling to cosmetic surgery – and find out what you can potentially earn.

Reviewed by Chris Leitch

Beauty lover hairstylist career example

If you spend most of your time following the latest beauty trends and trying out the most popular skincare and makeup routines, then you’re probably destined for a career in the beauty industry.

There are hundreds of opportunities waiting for you, regardless of if you have an artistic hand! And to help you find the perfect career, we’ve put together this list of the 20 most exciting beauty careers.

1. Dermatologist

Dermatologist

Average annual salary: $208,000

Dermatologists are medical doctors that specialize in skin, hair and nail concerns. To become a dermatologist, you’ll need a real passion for treating extreme cases (think: Dr Pimple Popper) and have the stomach to handle it, too!

2. Eyelash technician

Eyelash technician

Average annual salary: $36,510

If fluttery eyelashes excite you, you might want to consider becoming a certified lash technician. The best part is that you don’t have to sit through three years of beauty school; indeed, within just three days, you can be well on your way to becoming an entrepreneur with your first set of clients.

3. Graphic designer

Graphic designer

Average annual salary: $53,380

If you have a passion for graphic design and beauty, you can combine your love for both and work for a major beauty brand. Cult Beauty, Feelunique and Huda Beauty are just a handful of online beauty retail sites that hire skilled designers to help them keep up with their changing graphics.

4. Product developer

Product developer

Average annual salary: $71,640

As a product developer, you’ll be responsible for mocking up and testing new products for beauty ranges. So, if you really have a passion for formulas, textures, and consistencies, this is the ideal job to get your hands stuck into the making of skincare and cosmetic products.

5. Spa owner

Spa owner

Average annual salary: $116,350

If you have business management experience, you could open your own salon or spa and focus on your main passion — the best part is that you get to be your own boss. You could also aim to open a salon if you’re a trained beauty therapist and work in your own establishment while managing your staff members.

6. PR specialist

PR specialist

Average annual salary: $62,810

As a PR specialist, you’ll be working to place your brand in the best light possible and increase their popularity. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have good interpersonal skills and be able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

7. Nail technician

Nail technician

Average annual salary: $27,870

Working as a nail technician, you’ll create unique designs and nail art while giving your clients the nail length and strength that they’ve always wanted. You will also have the option to work in a salon or as a freelancer or open your own business.

8. Hairstylist

Hairstylist

Average annual salary: $27,380

If you have a knack for styling hair, you’ll excel as a hairstylist. In such a large field, you can specialize in coloring, styling, wedding hair or extensions, and even work towards becoming a celebrity stylist.

9. Beauty writer

Beauty writer

Average annual salary: $67,120

As a beauty writer, you can work for a glossy magazine or a trending website, or venture off on your own and start your own blog. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll mainly write about new products and trends in the beauty industry.

10. Special effects makeup artist

Special effects makeup artist

Average annual salary: $106,920

To work as a special effects makeup artist, you need to have the artistic talent to transform faces and bodies. This profession involves special training and requires a lot of dedication if you want to make it onto a film set or theatre stage.

11. Laser hair removal technician

Laser hair removal technician

Average annual salary: $27,380

Laser hair removal is becoming a increasingly popular career for women in the beauty field — and men too — seeking permanent hair removal methods. If you’re not shy with a laser gun, you could invest in your certification and a machine before setting up your own business.

12. Massage therapist

Massage therapist

Average annual salary: $43,620

As a massage therapist, you’ll help relieve people’s stress and knots from their muscles, making them feel more relaxed. To succeed in this career, you’ll need a calm and friendly persona to make your clients feel comfortable.

13. Image consultant/Stylist

Image consultant

Average annual salary: Variable

An image consultant helps their clients improve their overall look with styling, makeup, and skincare tips. So, if you’re interested in the overall package, you could help transform people’s appearance, making them feel happier and more confident in the process.

14. Cosmetic surgeon

Cosmetic surgeon

Average annual salary: $208,000

Cosmetic surgeons, otherwise known as plastic surgeons, help clients change their esthetics by undergoing specific surgical and nonsurgical treatments. To succeed in this field, you’ll need to undergo years of medical studies and practice before you can work on your own patients.

15. Photographer

Photographer

Average annual salary: $41,280

As a photographer, you can find your niche in beauty shots, taking pictures for glossy magazines, brands and online resources. You’ll need to have a good portfolio to showcase your work and bag the job of your dreams.

16. Esthetician

Esthetician

Average annual salary: $36,510

Estheticians, otherwise known as beauty therapists, are trained professionals who offer a range of beauty treatments, including tailored facials, waxing, massages and nail services. People who follow this path usually choose a few procedures that they are good at and focus on them.

17. Cosmetologist

Cosmetologist

Average annual salary: $27,380

The job growth for makeup artists has risen immensely over the last 10 years, proving that there really is a demand for people who can enhance natural beauty by using a few cosmetic products. To enter this field, you’ll need professional training and certification, and good social media skills to promote yourself online.

18. Model

Model

Average annual salary: $31,910

Another career option is becoming a brand ambassador for a company and appearing in a number of their campaigns. To succeed as a model, you’ll need to meet specific physical requirements and have the look that the brand is seeking.

19. Beauty school instructor

Beauty school instructor

Average annual salary: $40,590

If you’ve already made it yourself in the beauty industry and you want to share your knowledge and wisdom with aspiring beauty professionals, then you might want to consider becoming an instructor. As you’d have most likely already completed training and certification, the next step would be to complete an instructor training program and pursue licensure.

20. Tattoo artist

Tattoo artist

Average annual salary: $65,800

Have an undying love of tattoos and the culture that surrounds them, and great drawing skills? Then you might want to think about becoming a tattoo artist. As a tattoo artist, you’ll sketch tattoo designs based on clients’ requirements and then apply those designs on clients’ skin.

Final thoughts

As you can see, many beauty jobs go beyond stereotypes. You just need to have the passion and dedication to make it in this highly competitive market.

Which of these careers can you see yourself doing? Let us know in the comments section below!

Originally published on 9 June 2015.