It’s no secret that the pandemic has changed the landscape of many businesses across the UK, with the professional beauty sector being one of them. While many feared that lockdowns would signal the demise of beauty businesses, the opposite, in fact, turned out to be true.

Despite the lengthy closures, beauty and hairdressing businesses have continued to grow in recent years and they were more likely to survive lockdowns than many other sectors. As the UK public endured months without their regular beauty treatments, many realised the importance of looking good and feeling confident.

Another shift as a result of the pandemic is the ways in which professionals are choosing to work. As people spent more time at home, long commutes, lengthy working days and burnout became challenges of the past. This led to many seeking new ways of providing their services.

The freelance appeal

With many beauticians opting for a focus on work/life balance and a flexible lifestyle, the number of freelance workers has risen. Those who are self-employed make up nearly two-thirds of all hair and beauty professionals.

Being self-employed is an attractive option for many in the industry, with benefits such as being able to choose working hours, working mobile or from a premises, selecting a client base, and navigating the differences between working inside vs. outside IR35.

Those with young families are likely to benefit greatly from being able to choose working hours to fit around school times and holidays.

There are also a wide range of services that can be provided such as nail treatments, waxing, facials, hair removal, tinting and massage so it’s possible to tailor offerings based on your skills and interests.

Challenges of going freelance in the beauty industry

There are, however, some challenges to embracing the freelance lifestyle. It can be difficult to build a business from scratch and grow a reputation. Going self-employed also means investing in quality equipment such as acrylic nail sets, tools and treatments.

Another factor to consider is whether to rent out premises or offer mobile services. Being mobile allows clients to receive treatments in the comfort of their own home, but some are likely to want the experience of a professional salon.

It’s also important to demonstrate reviews and testimonials, which can be tricky when just starting out. Clients will usually prefer to choose a professional with a good reputation or one that’s been recommended to them by someone they know.

Freelance beauticians in Birmingham

The success of a freelance beautician also depends on location and local demand. However, there’s good news for those self-employed professionals in Birmingham, as the city boasts the most number of freelance beauty workers (207) with four star reviews or more.

When delivering services, good value is the number one factor for clients leaving positive reviews. Customers also want to see a great overall experience, good results and friendly staff. Complimentary offerings such as hot drinks, water, free gifts or other perks can also higher the chances of a client leaving a great review.

While choosing to work freelance as a beauty professional can be a daunting prospect, there are many advantages and, with so much demand, now is the ideal time to take the leap – especially if you’re lucky enough to be based in the city of Birmingham.