How to act like a true Beauty Therapist!

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy, pride themselves on producing not only talented beauty therapists but also that we instil in our students a sense of duty and make sure that they realise that the impression you give off as a beauty therapist will either grow or kill your career. Generally most of our students start at our academy because they think that the life of a beauty therapist sounds quite glamorous. Meeting new people everyday and making them look and feel good sounds quite awesome! Part of doing this job successfully means that a beauty therapist has to adhere to a certain conduct regarding their behaviour. Let’s look at what is expected of a beauty therapist.

Firstly, professional standards are quite important. Therapists are required to be registered and commit to the attainment of their appropriate qualifications. It also means that you might have to attend additional training sessions or workshops to improve your skill and qualification. It’s expected of a beauty therapist to always be up to date with knowledge and skills available in order to provide a service of a quality standard – this includes reflecting on your own practises, identifying development needs and undertaking certain activities to fine-tune your skill.

Mistakes do happen and it is part of being human, but a beauty therapist is required to accept responsibility for any mistakes and be accountable for their conduct. It is a personal responsibility to keep improving yourself and your skill!

 

The second thing is to remember to treat people within their rights. However this also means that your own rights should be taken into account when people are communicating with you! Make sure you deal openly and in a transparent manner with your clients. Show respect towards individual differences and diversity and don’t discriminate or treat a client unfairly. Remember to be discreet when dealing with confidential disclosures from clients. They do not want their issues discussed and gossiped about and they are trusting you with sensitive information – make sure you keep their trust or you might lose them as a client! Ensure that any and all contractual arrangements you have with your client are clear, transparent and unambiguous to avoid any possible misunderstandings!

 

The third important thing is to build relationships. Try to develop and maintain healthy relationships with your clients and base it on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect. Make sure to demonstrate awareness that the client’s needs are a priority and always promote their welfare and best interests first when planning an appropriate treatment. Be clear in all forms of communications and ensure honesty, accuracy and cooperation when you are trying to make agreements. Remember the age-old rule: The customer is always right!

If you enjoyed this article and would like to know more about how to become a Urban Beauty trained beauty therapist. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our consultants today!

Is gel bad for my nails?

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy have put this article together to answer some of the beauty related myths that exist. Throughout this series we will test some and debunk others. Today’s article is about whether gel is bad for nails? Part of being a beauty therapist means keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments that are taking place within the industry. Also you are required to be able to reassure your clients that when they present you with a question such as is gel bad for my nails, you are able to offer them a educated answer that will keep them comming back for more treatments.  Being quite fond of manicures myself, I used to get gel manicures and then the impatient woman in me decided to switch to acrylic purely for the fact that it’s a quicker process. Looks like I made the right choice! But what is it that makes gel so bad for your nails? Let’s take a look.

The first fact that I found is that gel manicures are also linked to some health conditions like brittle and thin nails, skin irritations and even skin cancer. The brittleness of your nails is caused by the 100% acetone used to soak the layered gel off as well as the chemical-heavy gel formula. The acetone also leads to the skin irritation and dried out nails. Some girls have even reported allergic reactions to the acetone.

But to be quite honest, none of this will make me cancel my appointment at the nail salon. Then I found this: the UV lamps that are used to set the gel polish can lead to an increased risk for skin cancer! PLUS, constantly having polish on your nails could mask any tumours or infections that have already formed, making an early intervention and cure far more difficult.

It is in general not a good idea to leave your nail polish in place for an extended period of time, simply because you can’t see what’s happening underneath the nail polish. However, moderation is key when it comes to gel manicures. If you get this done regularly, you’ll need to educate yourself on the possible consequences and make sure you have the number of a board-certified dermatologist.

I think the biggest problem comes two or three weeks after the manicure. Your nails continue to grow and if your salon beautician is not as clued up, the gel will pull away from your nails and start to lift. It is impossible to not start messing with that little tip that’s lifted and help it along by peeling or filing it off. The top layer of your nail will be pulled off with this gel layer, which leaves your nails thin and susceptible to water damage. Then you’re supposed to actually wait for a new healthy nail plate to grow in before returning for your follow-up at the salon. This could take months and us girls don’t want to do that. Besides, your nails now look crap with the top layer peeled off and it’s so easy to go back to the salon and get that covered up. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really help in the improvement of your nails.

 

If you’re like me, this will not change your mind about getting those nails done. So here’s some advice – when you need to soak, ask your technician to wrap your nails in cotton that’s been soaked in acetone and then cover your fingertips with foil. This method is just as effective and some girls report that it’s even faster.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to know more. Please visit our website or pop into our salon or academy for more information on how to look your best.

A Day in the Life of a Beauty Therapist

Choosing to train to be a Beauty Therapist with Urban Beauty Academy can be a exciting and rewarding career path that opens up a lot of doors both locally and internationally. Our team have put this article together to try show you what a typical day for a beauty therapist could look like.

Whether it is the lunch ladies, mums, business women and even men who have to go through the hectic days on and on with no day off should just try spending a day in the life of a beauty therapist. Spare a day from your busy schedule and see how much change a day spent with a beautician can bring in your life.

Getting groomed in a salon sitting on a chair which is not just some ordinary chair but a luxury leather chair is the first step to feel pampered.

A beauty therapist is the professional who is familiar with media, fashion, health care and hair dressing. These therapists don’t just make you look good, they can make you feel good as well. A day spent at the saloon of the therapist can help you deal with all the physical stress particularly in the locomotive system of your body.

Let’s see what your beauty therapy journey will be like:

Skin Care Treatment

You will get manual facial treatment such as cleansing, toeing, moisturizing and a facial massage. After this, facial mask will be applied to soothe the skin and exfoliate to get rid of the dead skin cells. The products to offer manual facial treatment are chosen according to the skin type of the client.

Manicure and Pedicure

The manicure session lasts for about 30 to 45 minutes. It includes massaging the hands and arms, cleaning the nails, giving them shape and lastly applying enamel.

Pedicure involves foot massage and leg massage. It is a relaxing experience for many clients because you get to soak your feet in warm water.

Epilation

It is a process of removing the facial hair and body hair. This treatment is available for both men and women. Waxing, threading and even the permanent hair removal treatments are offered on the demand of the clients.

Makeup

A makeup session with the beauty therapist is not just meant for getting dressed for a party. Many clients book a makeup session to learn how to apply makeup and use the cosmetics that are perfect for their skin tone. Of course you can also book a session to get pampered and look your best for any special occasion.

Massage Treatment

The best part of the beauty therapy session is the massage treatment. Shoulder massage, body massage, head massage, and other massage treatments can just make your day. Most people would like to spend their day with a beauty therapist just because of this relaxing session.

Along with the typical treatments, specialized treatments such as botox, exfoliation, red vein replacement are also provided.

Beauty therapy would have its own effects on the clients. It is usually preferred that if you want to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience, you must discuss the kind of pampering you want from the therapist.

Speaking of the demand of beauty therapy sessions throughout the world, many students are enrolling themselves at the Urban Beauty Academy just to peruse their career as beauty therapist.

Wonderful Mothers Day Treat!

Mothers Day is just around the corner and our team at Urban Beauty Academy have put this article together to give you some tips on how you can make Mothers Day that extra bit special. Taking care of that special person in your life is very important and at home pampering is the best, and you don’t need to spend hundreds of Rands to make your mother feel extra special. As a graduate of our academy you will be able to do plenty of treatments at home. Any technique you learned and pass on to your mom will make her feel like she is at an exclusive spa plus these skills act as a great Mother’s day gift.

 

You mom would love a homemade beauty treatment. Using your talents whip up an egg white/lemon face mask. This is a great facial that evens out skin tones. Use ½ lemon and one egg white. Juice the lemon into a beaten egg white. Gently apply to your mom’s face and leave on throughout the night. Wash off with warm water in the morning. Assure your mom that this is part of your school regimen.

 

Awesome cool cucumbers for tired eyes give mom less puffiness, help with dark circles and are just refreshing. Just have mom lie down in a darkened room, put the cucumbers on her eyes, and let her take a short nap.

 

While she is napping, whip up a plant-based milk smoothie. Banana-Peach Almond Milk Smoothie is healthy and uses a frozen banana to make it creamy. For the ultimate in eating decadence, put a bowl of fresh strawberries and whipped cream for dipping near where mom is resting.

 

Nothing is better than a reflexology session and a foot massage. It is a well-known fact that there are certain reflex points on the foot that correspond to pressure points on the body. Massage your mom’s feet to promote healing, feeling good, and looking great. Mom deserves better sleep, an improvement in blood circulation, and a loss of everyday aches and pains.

 

If you are not sure about the reflexology session, treat mom to a rose-scented milk foot soak. Soaking in a milk bath is luscious. The lactic acid in milk is believed to help rid the body of dead skin. Just add a few drops of rose-scented essential oils and rose petals. All it takes is a soaking container and ½ gallon of milk. Do warm the milk.

 

Give her a day or a session of makeup. You are the professional so give her the tips and tricks you have learned. Want to get her eyeliner on straight and gorgeous. Use scotch tape under the eye as you apply the liner. Give her face a lift with a light pink or white matte pencil. Sweep it underneath the row. Her eyes will automatically be lifted, and she will look years younger.

 

Help your mom out on her foundations. She needs to use a lighter foundation that still gives her the coverage she needs. You know the tricks. Pampering mom is helping her clean her makeup brushes. These are the brushes she uses very day and probably the reason her makeup looks “old.” Wash her makeup brushes with eye makeup remover and soapy water. You have given your mom the gift of a cleaner skin.

If you liked these tips and would like to know more on how to become a qualified Urban Beauty therapist. Please do not hesitate to contact one of our consultants today!

Is Beauty Therapy a Good Career Choice?

Our team at Urban Beauty Academy have put this article together to highlight some of the options that a career in beauty therapy can offer our academy graduates. Firstly it is wise to choose a career that gives you several job options in the same field. If you are interested in a career in beauty therapy, here are some options you can consider:

    • Nail technician
    • Make-up artist
    • Masseuse
    • Hairstylist
    • Spa manager
    • Lash and brow specialist
    • Skincare specialist
    • Beautician

To determine which career would suit you best, you can have a look at the various job descriptions for beauty therapists to see what each one entails.

 

Where do beauty therapists work?

    • Beauty spas
    • Salons
    • Cosmetics departments of large stores
    • Specialist beauty product stores
    • Clients’ homes
    • Colleges or beauty schools (as beauty therapy teachers)

Advantages of a career in beauty therapy

    • Depending on where you work, you may have flexible working hours.
    • You are able to work anywhere, and you do not necessarily have to be confined to one place. You also have the option of doing house calls.
    • It can be financially rewarding if you are good at what you do, and there will always be a demand for beauty therapists. Many women like to get pampered, and are willing to spend money on beauty treatments.
    • You do not need to undergo intensive training to start out in the field of beauty therapy.
    • There is room for career growth: you can become a salon manager or owner, or you can decide to work as a freelance beautician.

Urban Beauty Academy is an accredited training institution that prides itself on training beauty therapists that will thrive in the market place. If you are serious about a career in beauty, then please do not hesitate to contact us today for more information on when our next in take is happening. Let us guide you to a career of success and glamour within the world of beauty.

What does a beauty therapist do?

What does a beauty therapist do?

beauty therapist

What does a beauty therapist do exactly? Our team at  Urban Beauty Academy is often asked this question and it is surprising to many aspiring beauticians what the answer entails. A beauty therapist is not merely a person that does manicures and pedicures, or a little waxing and eyebrow shaping. Let us explain why:

Beauty therapists apply face and body treatment as well as advice on skin care. This may include the following:

  • Analyse body type and advice on exercise programmes and nutrition: This does not make you a nutritionist, but experience with different body types and involvement in the health industry means you may have some insights. With a little further studying you can even use this as a value added service at your salon.
  • Provide advice and support to clients following cosmetic surgery: Clients may have had cosmetic surgery and want to hide temporary scars or accelerate the healing of the skin. Here a beauty therapist uses skills learned in beauty academy to provide the right advice and aid.
  • Apply make-up: This in a very creative outlet and possibly a career in its own right. Urban Beauty Academy teaches our students how to assess the client and apply make-up in such a way as to bring out the best features of the face and hide the little imperfections.
  • Maintain client records: Beauty therapy is not all hands-on creativity and caring. Admin duties are required as well. By maintaining comprehensive client records you will start building intimate relationships with your clients and know what they need without them even having to think about it.
  • Carry out skin analysis and give advice about skin and body care: The skin is the biggest organ in the body, so it almost goes without saying that taking care of it is of utmost importance.
  • Use a variety of treatments and electrical equipment to treat individual skin and body conditions: You will learn how to treat skin and body conditions tailored to the specific needs of each client.
  • Recognise problems and refer clients to medical practitioners such as dermatologists, plastic surgeons, endocrinologists, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists: As a beauty therapist you’ll spend a lot of time having your client in your hands and also verbally communicating with them. This will lead to you being in a position to identify any health care issues very early and be in a position to make suggestions and referrals.
  • Perform manicures, pedicures, nail extensions and eyelash and brow tinting: Here we are. The mainstay of many beauty salons around the world. Not to be scoffed at, these are the services that are most often requested. Good therapists most often have a client coming in for a basic manicure and build a relationship from there.
  • Provide advice on and sell cosmetic products and related beauty equipment: A beauty salon is still a business that requires money to be made. A nice benefit is that through the relationship you build with clients, they trust you to know what they need.
  • Perform facial or body massage and aromatherapy treatment: In the modern age our clients are susceptible to enormous stress in their daily lives. We as beauty therapists can offer relieve and relaxation in the form of massages and aromatherapy.
  • Remove facial and body hair by electrolysis or waxing: Another mainstay of beautician services. You will be required to remove unwanted and unsightly hair in order to give your client the confidence required to wear any outfit anywhere.
  • Perform reception duties (such as receiving bookings and arranging appointments): Another admin task which is essential to remain organised and focused on the core activities of a beauty therapist.

These are some of the aspects we at Urban Beauty Academy will cover at our state-of-the-art beauty academy. Contact us for any further information and we’ll be happy to assist.

Six Requirements to become a top beauty therapist!

Six Requirements to become a top beauty therapist!

beauty therapist

So you want to be a beauty therapist. We are happy you have made this decision and our team at Urban Beauty Academy welcome you to the exciting world of beauty therapy. Urban Beauty Academy has compiled a list of qualities that will make you a popular and successful beautician after completing your studies at our beauty academy. Here they are, all equally important:

  • Good health with no allergies to beauty products:

A very important requirement. As a beautician you will be exposed to treatment chemicals for hours on end. Even though these chemicals provide little danger to clients, clients are only exposed to them for an hour at a time. You will have to be sure you aren’t sensitive to any of the chemicals used and have no potential allergies as this will definitely mean that your career won’t last long if it happens at all. At our beauty academy you’ll get practical exposure to a lot of the products so you will be sure before starting out. Do contact our beauty academy or any other industry expert to make sure about the dangers of beauty chemical exposure.

  • Neat personal appearance at all times:

One is essentially selling a product and the first tangible advert for your product is your own personal appearance. Just like you won’t feel comfortable visiting a dentist with poor teeth, a client visiting a beautician would like to see that her beautician will take as good care of her as a client as she does of herself personally.

  • Pleasant and tactful:

Dealing with people everyday a beautician will soon learn that the service starts the moment you make contact with the client. A pleasant hello and welcoming demeanour can do wonders to calm nerves of a first time visitor. Tact regarding any little imperfections is very important too. The client may be well aware of the mole or blemish and will be self-conscious about it. Part of the daily job is to be tactful when discussing treatment options and while doing treatments.

  • Genuine interest in people:

Connecting with your client is very important as the treatments and services are very intimate. It is therefore incredibly important to have and display a genuine interest in your client and connect on a more personal level than merely professional. The genuineness of your approach will leave a lasting impression and keep clients returning.

  • Sensitivity when dealing with clients for body and facial treatments:

To add to the requirement for tact, it is incredibly important to remain sensitive to the insecurities your client may suffer. Part of the allure of a beauty salon is to feel pampered and safe, so it is beneficial not to remind your client of their daily insecurities. When you do happen to touch on a sensitive topic, reassurance is essential. At Urban Beauty Academy the experts will show you how to approach these little obstacles.

  • Good hand-eye coordination:

The work a beauty therapist does can be very intricate at times. Doing design work on nails, applying make-up to eyes and removing hair from sensitive areas all requires good coordination between hand and eye. If you are not naturally talented in this area, some repetitive training can help you.

There you have it. Six of the qualities we at Urban Beauty Academy believe are required to make for the beginnings of an excellent beauty therapist.

Interested in being a beauty therapist?

Interested in being a beauty therapist?

beauty therapist

Urban Beauty Academy wants to know if you have an eye for what beauty beholds. Do you want to use this talent to make others look as good as they deserve? Do you want to make a career out of establishing yourself in your neighbourhood, city, and national or even international fame as a beautician? If so, then read on. We at Urban Beauty Academy would like to equip you with the knowledge and tools to make this dream a reality and become the beauty therapist you were meant to become.

 To become a professional beautician requires starting off professionally and you can do that at a professional beauty school. With a variety of programs for learners to choose and a comprehensive curriculum we can offer you the head start in the beauty industry you deserve.

Beauty therapy involves many disciplines that can be utilised to offer prospective clients a service in order to beautify their bodies while soothing the soul. At our Urban Beauty Academy you’ll learn how to perform treatments of the nail and skin, manicures and pedicures, nail extensions hair removals. Also your creative side will be challenged by doing make-up applications, eyelash and eyebrow shaping and not forgetting a little physical exercise by performing muscle relaxing body massages. These skills are best learned from experienced and respected lecturers well versed in the latest techniques and products.

When you choose to pursue a career as a beautician you only need to decide on which beauty academy or beauty school can offer you the best learning. Invariably, once you have very successfully completed your studies, you will need a job. A reputable and established academy like Urban Beauty academy assists students to find apprenticeship opportunities to start off their careers.

Don’t be shy in asking questions. Many professionals in the beauty industry started with the same questions and in an ever-changing industry like ours advice from working professionals can also aid you in making the right choices. Urban Beauty Academy will  also gladly answers any questions you may have, so give us a call or send us an e-mail and let us see how we can assist.

Is Beauty School for me?

Is Beauty School for me?

beauty school

Should I study at beauty school next year? What options are there for someone interested in beauty therapy? Our team at Urban Beauty Academy have put together our top 5 reasons why you should consider a career in beauty and kick-start your journey at Urban Beauty academy:

  • There is increasing demand for qualified therapists:

There is currently over 400 jobs listed on the popular Gumtree website for beauty therapists. Internationally the prospect of finding employment increases even further, especially in more affluent first word countries.

  • Have an entrepreneurial itch? Start your own business:

One of the easiest skill sets to transfer to a business of your own is that of a beauty therapist. Utilising skills and techniques taught at a beauty academy one can invest with very little capital in a smart little beauty salon. One has only to look around to see how many independent salons are operating in or close to your area. Urban Beauty loves to see students blossom into young business owners.

  • Job fulfilment:

If you enjoy people, you will find job fulfilment in the beauty industry. You get to treat a variety of different clients each day, each one of whom brings a different experience to your day. Added to this is the benefit of knowing you added something to your client’s live by providing a great service.

  • Ever growing industry:

With the average age ever-increasing, beauty treatments are becoming more and more important. With more people living to an older age than ever before and with technology always improving there is no reason one has to look one’s age. We believe that clientele will only increase, both due to the aging factor and the increase in wealth across the spectrum.

  • A wide variety of potential career paths:

Urban Beauty prepares you to be a balanced beautician. However at the beauty academy you will be exposed to a variety of possible specialisation areas. As a specialist you can establish yourself as a pre-eminent beautician in your field and unlock considerable earning potential. Specialisation can be pursued as a nail technician, make-up artist, facial skin care therapist, massage therapist, retail cosmetics assistant, salon manager or lash and brow specialist.

Urban Beauty invites you to explore the world of beauty therapy and join us in 2015 to start your journey at our beauty academy.

Urban Beauty Hair Academy offers our advice on how to become a hairdresser

Urban Beauty Hair Academy offers our advice on how to become a hairdresser

urban beauty hair academy

Urban Beauty Hair Academy provides you with the tools and expertise to become a qualified hairdresser. But how exactly does one go about deciding to be a hairdresser and what is required to reach your goals? If you have a natural interest in hair and styling and love to meet people, read on.

  • What does a hairdresser do?

A hairdresser cuts hair! Fortunately it’s not that simple. A hairdresser is taught at our hair academy on how to do different cuts and styles. You will also be required to colour hair and perform other treatments such as perms or straightening. Your clientele will be varied, so you will need to cut and style the fashion conscious, both male and female, also the elderly and kids. Urban Beauty Hair Academy teaches you how to style for all sorts of customers and also how best to communicate with them.

  • How do I train to be a hairdresser?

Urban Beauty Hair Academy is one possible solution.  The Urban Beauty Hair Academy offers three South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) Qualifications. Having met all assessment and moderation requirements and certification endorsed by the Services SETA, our students are in possession of accredited educational qualifications when they exit that will be recognised both nationally and internationally.

Once you have completed these training courses you will have the skills to be able to perform a wide variety of haircuts and styling for both men and women of all ages. You will know how to deal with clients and handle bookings as part of your reception and admin duties and also how to maintain a clean, efficient and pleasing salon. Training at our hair academy endeavours to equip you as fully as possible to be a hairdresser.

  • I am qualified, what now?

Congratulations, you now have a nationally and internationally accepted qualification in hairdressing. Urban Beauty Hair Academy assists our students with work placements while studying and job opportunities after qualifying.

Starting out you have some options.

Some salons offer “rent-a-chair” opportunities, where you rent a work section from the salon to use at arranged days and hours. This way you build your client base and fill up your appointment book. You also get to keep the income from each customer you service.

You can also work for a salary at a salon. In this way you earn a set wage and work at determined hours. Most salons offer a commission structure as well.

You may also decide to be self-employed and offer your services to your customers in the comfort of their own homes. This does require some marketing and extensive travel, but can be very satisfying with good earning potential.

Urban Beauty Hair Academy  is pleased to have provided you with a little introduction on how to enter the exciting world of a hairdresser. Contact our hair academy to find out more.