Unit 101 Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
Unit 101 Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
Items in this lesson
Unit 101 Introduction to the hair and beauty sector
What do you already know about working in a salon?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will understand the services, roles, and career opportunities in the hair and beauty sector. You will be able to describe a salon job role, its responsibilities, and typical working day.
Salon Services Overview
Hairdressing & Barbering
Typical services: facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, massages, eyebrow shaping, tanning, and skincare advice.
Typical services: cutting, styling, colouring, chemical treatments
shaving, and beard grooming. Salons offer consultations and aftercare advice to clients.
Beauty Therapy
Types of Hair Services
Hair salons provide haircuts, colouring, highlights, straightening, perming, styling for events, and treatments for hair health.
Types of Beauty Services
Beauty salons offer skincare treatments, nail services, make-up application, waxing, massage, and eyelash or eyebrow treatments.
Occupational Roles in Salons
Roles: Trainee, Junior Stylist, Senior Stylist, Colour Technician, Barber, Salon Manager, Receptionist.
Hairdressing & Barbering
Roles: Beauty Therapist, Nail Technician, Make-up Artist, Massage Therapist, Spa Manager, Receptionist.
Beauty Therapy
Career Opportunities
The sector offers career progression from entry-level to specialist, management, or self-employment roles. Opportunities exist in film, fashion, cruise ships, and teaching.
Focusing on the Role: Hairdresser
Hairdressers cut, style, and colour clients’ hair, provide advice, and ensure high standard customer care.
Hairdresser: Responsibilities
• Greet and consult clients • Wash, cut, style, and colour hair • Recommend treatments • Maintain cleanliness and hygiene • Manage bookings and payments
Skills for Hairdressers
Technical Skills
Cutting, colouring, styling techniques, product knowledge, hygiene standards, and safety awareness.
Personal Skills
Good communication, creativity, patience, organisation, reliability, and customer service.
A Day in the Life of a Hairdresser
Start with salon prep, greet clients, perform consultations, deliver services, manage appointments, and close with cleaning and restocking supplies.
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
