10 Things Every Esthetician Should Know

Working as an esthetician means that you have to be able to juggle a lot of different skill sets while making certain that you meet your clients’ needs.  It is the level of diversity in the job makes it so very interesting.  Whether you are waxing, giving a facial, or advising a client about skin care, it’s necessary to have a broad range of knowledge on various beauty-related issues. It is also crucial to be able to communicate this knowledge to your clients effectively.

1. Know Your Products and Research Them

As a beauty professional, it is important that you know your products inside and out.  This means that you should have tried your products yourself whenever it is possible.  It also means that you should know what new products are on the horizon.  If you think about it for a moment, you will realize how much sense this makes.  You are the professional and so people come to you for advice on beauty-related issues such as skin care.  This means you need to be very familiar with existing and new products.  Stating something along the lines of “people seem to like it” isn’t an optimal response.  It is better by far for you to be able to state that you have personally tried a product and give detailed feedback. 

2. Keep Learning New Skills

Your goal as an esthetician is to be professional. For this important reason, you should continually upgrade your skills and your knowledge level.  Every industry progresses, and this is definitely true where the beauty industry is concerned.  As a result, take advantage of new beauty industry related classes whenever you can.  There is an added benefit from doing so. Your employer and your clients will see you as being more valuable.

3. Know How to Maintain Your Own Personal Appearance

It is important that your personal appearance is reflective of the image that you wish to portray.  Make sure that you are in overall good health.  Remember that you are trying to sell health and beauty.

4. Know How to Perform Procedures without Causing Pain

It is critical for your success that you are able to treat clients without pain.  Performing your procedures without pain means that you are skilled and you know what you are doing.  Do this and your clients will likely tell their friends about you and your “magic touch.”

5. Be On the Lookout for Serious Medical Conditions

Part of your job as an esthetician is to be on the lookout for any serious medical condition.  Obviously you are not a doctor, but if you notice something irregular, let your client know so they can visit a medical professional.

6. Know How to Properly Disinfect Equipment and Do it Often

Every person you are treating is important and loved by someone.  Keep this in mind when you are working with your clients.  Odds are you are working with someone’s mother, grandmother, or sister and there are people that count on them.  Make sure that you disinfect equipment as often as possible, preferably more than once a day.

7. Be Skilled in All Forms of Safety

Put safety first, as you are dealing with people’s health and well-being.  People often visit salons so they will feel better.  Practicing proper safety will make sure they leave feeling that way.

8. Know What You Should Be Paid

It’s only fair that you know the going rates for your services. Keep up to date on what you should be paid.

9. Understand the Power Structure

You should always be well informed about what the “chain of command” is in your salon.  A smart esthetician will know who is in charge and when.

10. Know How to Network Like Crazy

Smart professionals network.  There is no reason that you shouldn’t use one of the best networking tools ever, the Internet, to market yourself.  Websites like Facebook give you an excellent opportunity to reach out and keep your clients thinking about you.  It is also a great way to have new clients stream in your direction.  We are most definitely in a digital age, and that means you should also consider having a website.  A website full of glowing and great recommendations will definitely help you find new clients.  After all, if you are engaged in a good deal of social networking, it is a good idea that people have a page they can visit to find out your schedule and contact information.