“The first impression is the last impression.”
Sounds clichéd, doesn’t it?
But it is not just a stereotype. Whatever we say or do, the way we look and talk, leave behind a lasting impression on the people we interact with.
The need to look the best is not just limited to family events or weddings, it has moved way beyond that. Be it the corporate world, fashion or mass media, people are becoming conscious about the way they look and prefer that everything should be on point.
With the demand for such services on the rise, the beauty industry is growing by the day and with it the need for skilled professionals. So, if you want to be a part of this lucrative industry and make a career, read on.
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1. Make-up Artist
What do you call a person who completely transforms the look of a person from plain to ravishing? A Sorcerer? No, a Make-Up Artist! Make-up artists, or Estheticians, are artistic individuals who specialize in the application of cosmetics and have a good sense of colour and shades. As a make-up artist, you could specialize in various makeup application techniques like airbrushing, light bending, theatrical, special effects, prosthetics or high definition.
Career Opportunities as a Make-Up Artist
There is a high demand for skilled make-up artists to work with actors/actresses, theatre productions, film sets and various media houses. Where the usual employer is the entertainment industry (Film, Theatre and Fashion), professionals are also required to work with salons, modelling agencies, fashion designers, etc. You can also write your own column or blog, and even become an editor for beauty and style magazines.
Some Institutes to Become a Make-Up Artist
If you are really interested in this field and want to acquire the professional skills, here are some leading institutes that you could explore:
- Lakme Academy (Mumbai & Delhi)
- Aashmeen Munjaal’s Star Salon and Academy (Delhi)
- VLCC Institute of Beauty, Health and Management (Multiple Locations)
- Pearl Academy (Delhi, Mumbai, Noida)
2. Cosmetologist
While the face is fundamental to a person’s allure, beauty extends much beyond the face. Cosmetology seeks to achieve a more holistic form of beauty by directing treatments and care to the entire individual – including the face, hair and body. A Cosmetologist is an expert who provides services like hairstyling, application of makeup, massage therapy, skincare treatment and nail art. They are different from make-up artists in the sense that they get an education for all beauty treatments.
Career Opportunities as a Cosmetologist
A Cosmetologist generally has knowledge of all beauty treatments and services, but some do specialize in one or more of them. As a Cosmetologist you could work in high-end salons, beauty/skin clinics as a skin/hair expert, wedding or event stylist, salon manager, hair stylist, etc. You could also become a Sales or Marketing Specialist in the cosmetics industry, teach in beauty schools/institutes or start up your own salon.
Some Institutes to Become a Cosmetologist
Some of the top institutes for becoming a Cosmetologist are:
- National and Regional Vocational Training Institute for Women (Multiple Location)
- Young Women Christian’s Association (Multiple Locations)
- VLCC Institute of Beauty, Health and Management (Multiple Locations)
- Shahnaz Husain’s Women’s World International (Multiple Locations)
3. Fashion Photographer
When you come across pictures in a magazine, demonstrating a model’s flawless skin or the vibrant colour of a lipstick, doesn’t it make you want to buy the same products? It is a photographer’s job to make them look striking and present them in the best manner possible. Fashion and beauty photographers work with models, designers, cosmetic brands, magazines, spas and salons to shoot clothing, accessories and beauty products for promotions. The career requires a keen aesthetic sense, creativity and adept photography skills.
Career Opportunities as a Fashion Photographer
You could work with various fashion designers, beauty and fashion brands, Magazines etc. There is a huge demand for photographers in the media and entertainment industry as well. Dabboo Ratnani and Atul Kasbekar are examples of fashion photographers who have reached the pinnacle in this field, and work with famous actors in Bollywood. Dabboo Ratnani also launches his own calendar with prominent Bollywood celebrities in them. So, if you have the required skills, this career can be highly lucrative.
Some Institutes to Become a Fashion Photographer
To add to your skills, you could pursue a course in Photography from various institutes like:
- Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Commerce (New Delhi)
- Raghu Rai Centre for Photography (Gurgaon)
- Indian School of Photography (New Delhi)
- National Institute of Design (Multiple Locations)
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4. Beauty Blogger
If you want to showcase your skills to a large audience in one go, just put it out there on the Internet! The same holds true for the beauty industry as well. Be it text or video, blogs can help you flash your knowledge of personal care, makeup, beauty and fashion to the entire world. Beauty bloggers write articles or create videos to inform and delight their audience. You can blog on a range of topics including product reviews, beauty/makeup techniques, makeup tutorials, beauty tips and trends, etc. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!
Career Opportunities as a Beauty Blogger
The traditional way to go about becoming a beauty blogger is to start your own blog or channel, and build it from the ground up. However, if you do not wish to dive right in, you can also begin your career in this field by working with or freelancing for beauty magazines, established beauty blogs, beauty brands and designers as a writer or editor. As you work and gain the skills over a period of time, you can venture out on your own.
Some Institutes to Become a Beauty Blogger
While no formal education is required to become a beauty blogger, getting a degree/certification in communication, journalism, fashion communication, cosmetology or design can help.
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5. Hair Stylist
“Having a bad hair day?” This question is generally used to depict a bad mood. It also illustrates how much your hair depicts your personality, appearance or even mood. People today are concerned with the way their hair looks and are paying more and more attention to styling them. This is where hair stylists come to save the day. Hair stylists are artists who give your hair just the perfect look through cutting, trimming, styling, and other techniques.
Career Opportunities as a Hair Stylist
There are a lot of opportunities available for a hair stylist. You can work with actors, theatre productions or on television sets for giving characters the right look. Not only the entertainment industry, hair stylists are in huge demand among the general public as well. Whether it is an event, a party or a wedding, hair needs to look perfect!
Some Institutes to Become a Hair Stylist
Various institutes that provide training to Hair Stylists are:
- Shahnaz Hussain’s Woman’s World International (New Delhi)
- Jawed Habib’s Hair Academy (Mumbai)
- VLCC Academy of Beauty & Hair (New Delhi)
- Orane Beauty Academy (New Delhi)
6. Image Consultant
The way you look, how you carry yourself, the colours you wear, how you eat, the way you talk – all play a part in presenting an image of you to the outside world. Image Consultants help you ensure that this image is just right. They work with businesses or individual clients and make changes to their looks, improve communication skills and social etiquette to give them a more polished appearance and persona. Such experts are in high demand in the corporate sector as well to provide training to employees on client interaction.
Career Opportunities as an Image Consultant
Any individual who is interested in this field can work in various sectors like airlines and hospitality industry, fashion industry, corporates and retail sector as a wardrobe consultant, fashion stylist, makeover consultant or image consultant.
Some Institutes to Become an Image Consultant
Institutes that provide a course in Image Consultancy are:
- Image Consulting Business Institute (Multiple Locations)
- Istituti Callegari Milano (Mumbai)
- Impact Image Consultants (Mumbai, Bangalore)
7. Nail Technician
Nails are an extension of what one wears, and thus Nail Art is the latest craze. It is fitting to describe this field of work as Nail “Art” because these professionals practice their creativity to create beautiful nail designs that showcase the wearer’s personality and style. Nail Technicians are professionals who specialize in this domain and beautify their clients’ fingernails and toenails. Their work includes manicures, pedicures, nail shaping and synthetic nail treatments. It demands a lot of creativity and thought in coming up with novel and innovative ideas.
Career Opportunities as a Nail Technician
You could open up your own nail salon or work with other top salons, spas, resorts, etc. that provide such services.
Some Institutes to Become a Nail Technician
Some institutes that provide training in Nail Art are:
- Nail Art Academy (Mumbai)
- VLCC Institute (Multiple Locations)
Being at the best at making people look their best, sums up the beauty industry as a whole. So, do you have what it takes to bring out the beauty in others?
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Have any more careers in mind in the beauty industry? Share with us in the comments below!