12 Beautician Skills: Definition and Examples
By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Updated June 7, 2023
A beautician is a professional who offers beauty services such as hair, nails, and skin care. There are 12 skills that a beautician must master in order to be successful. These skills include: customer service, sales, communication, people skills, multitasking, organization, time management, problem solving, creative thinking, attention to detail, and product knowledge.

Beautician Skills
Beauty
A beauty skill is a specific ability or technique that helps beauticians to perform their work more effectively. There are many different beauty skills, ranging from hair styling and makeup application to skincare and nail care. While some beauticians may be able to get by with only a few basic skills, others may need to develop a more comprehensive set of skills in order to be successful.
Hair
A good beautician should have excellent hair skills. This includes knowing how to cut, style, and color hair. A beautician needs this skill in order to give their clients the best possible service.
Makeup
The ability to apply makeup is a key skill for any beautician. This is because makeup can enhance the appearance of a person, making them look more attractive. It can also help to hide imperfections and give the skin a more even tone.
Nails
A good beautician should have excellent nail skills. This includes being able to shape nails correctly, apply polish evenly, and remove polish without damaging the nail.
Skin care
Skin care is a vital part of any beauty routine. It helps to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant, and can even help to prevent some skin conditions.
Massage
A massage is a technique that uses pressure and movement to relax the muscles and soft tissues of the body. It can be used to relieve pain, improve circulation, and reduce stress.
Sauna
Sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or both.
Facials
A facial is a cosmetic treatment for the face, usually involving cleansing, exfoliation, massaging, and the application of products such as creams and masks. Facials are often part of a beauty routine, and can be performed by a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician.
While facials are not essential for everyone, they can be beneficial for those who want to improve their skin health or appearance. Facials can help to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and hydrate the skin. They can also help to improve circulation and stimulate collagen production.
Waxing
Waxing is a skill that beauticians need in order to remove hair from the skin. This can be done using a variety of methods, but the most common is by using hot wax.
Waxing is necessary for many beauty treatments, such as facials, body wraps, and manicures. It can also be used to remove unwanted hair from the eyebrows, upper lip, and other areas of the body.
Manicures/pedicures
A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the nails and hands. A pedicure is a similar treatment for the feet. These treatments typically involve the use of nail polish, lotions, and exfoliants.
Body wraps
A body wrap is a treatment that involves applying a bandage or cloth soaked in a therapeutic solution to the body. The solution may be designed to detoxify, hydrate, or reduce the appearance of cellulite. Body wraps are often used in spa treatments and are thought to have numerous benefits.
While there is no scientific evidence to support the claims made about body wraps, some people believe that they can help improve circulation, tone muscles, and aid in weight loss. There is also some anecdotal evidence to suggest that body wraps can help to relieve pain and tension.
If you are considering offering body wraps as a beauty treatment, it is important to have the proper skills and knowledge. This includes knowing how to safely apply the wrap, as well as how to choose the right solution for your client's needs.
Ear piercing
Ear piercing is a skill that is used to puncture holes in the earlobes so that jewelry can be worn. This skill is necessary for beauticians who want to offer this service to their clients.
How to improve beautician skills
As a beautician, your skills are your bread and butter. Without the ability to properly execute treatments and deliver quality results, you will not be able to build a strong clientele or earn a good income. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to improve your skills as a beautician.
One of the best ways to improve your skills is to get more training. This can mean taking additional courses at a beauty school or attending workshops and seminars offered by professional organizations. There are also many great books and online resources that can teach you new techniques and help you brush up on existing ones. In addition to formal training, it is also important to keep up with the latest trends in the industry by reading magazines and watching videos from experts.
Another great way to improve your skills is to practice as often as possible. If you have access to a salon, practice performing treatments on friends or family members. If you do not have access to a salon, there are still plenty of opportunities to practice; many beauty supply stores will allow you to use their products on customers in exchange for feedback. You can also create practice heads out of styrofoam balls or old wigs and use them to perfect your hairstyling and makeup application techniques.
In addition to practicing your skills, it is also important to pay attention to the way you present yourself. First impressions are very important in the beauty industry, so make sure that you always look neat and professional. It is also important to be friendly and personable with your clients; remember that they are entrusting you with their appearance, so it is important that they feel comfortable and confident in your abilities.
By following these tips, you can dramatically improve your skills as a beautician. With time and effort, you will be able to build a strong clientele base and earn a good income doing what you love.
How to highlight beautician skills
As a beautician, you should highlight your skills in order to attract customers and keep them coming back. You should be able to do hair, makeup, and nails. You should also be able to offer other services such as waxing and facials. You should be friendly and personable, as well as being able to provide a relaxing environment for your clients.
On a resume
To highlight your skills as a beautician on your resume, you should list any relevant experience you have in the industry, whether it's through formal education or work experience. You should also list any specialties you have, such as makeup artistry, hair styling, or skincare. If you have any relevant certifications, be sure to list them as well. Finally, highlight any soft skills that would be beneficial in the role, such as excellent customer service skills or the ability to work well under pressure.
In a cover letter
In your cover letter, highlight your skills as a beautician by discussing your experience in the industry. Include any relevant education or training you have received, as well as any specialties you may have. Be sure to discuss your ability to work with clients to achieve their desired look, and how you are able to maintain a professional and welcoming environment in your salon.
During an interview
When you are interviewed for a beautician position, be sure to highlight your skills in the areas of hair, skin, and nails. If you have experience in all three areas, be sure to mention that. If you have a specialty, such as hair color or skin care, be sure to mention that as well. Also, be sure to mention any customer service experience you have, as this is an important part of the job.