Beauty Therapy

northdubgal

Hi all,

I am based in Dublin north and just curious if anyone has done any accredited beauty thereapy courses here?

I have been looking around lately but there are so many to choose from and with so much info its starting to get overwhleming!

What courses have you done and where??

Does anyone have any college suggestions?

I was looking at the www.beautyacademy.ie site but it only has an ITEC cert and I was thinking maybe its not enough. In this day and age I think I would need something a bit more accredited? If I could afford it I would love to do the course in Dun Laoghaire Senior College but man, going back to school full time would be a major shock to the system, never mind the pocket!!

If there are any beauty thereapists / or poeple who have done the courses, what would you suggest, where to start that would give good qualifications and make me ready for a job after the course?

Lil' Smiler

hey,

So you're looking to do it part time is that what you're saying?

I can tell you anyway that the Beauty Therapy course in SCD is brilliant. I have a friend who teaches on it and 5 friends who have done the course. I'd say if you're looking to do it full time you'll be looking at paying alot.

There's places like
Bronwyn Conroy (http://www.bronwynconroy.com/index.htm ),
Coogin Bergin (http://www.cooganbergin.com/beautycourses.htm),
Portobello (http://www.portobelloschool.ie/pagecarrier.aspx?pageid=3) and Galligans (http://www.galligangroup.com/galligan/Main/Home.htm)

Cupcakes

My friend did Beauty Therapy in Crumlin College. They do full time and part time courses. http://www.crumlincollege.ie/pages/full/full.html

d-redser

Cupcakes wrote: »

My friend did Beauty Therapy in Crumlin College. They do full time and part time courses. http://www.crumlincollege.ie/pages/full/full.html

Cupcakes, what did your friend think of Crumlin College? Did she do it full or part time?

I was thinking about doing this too but it would have to be part-time.

northdubgal

Lil' Smiler wrote: »

hey,

So you're looking to do it part time is that what you're saying?

I can tell you anyway that the Beauty Therapy course in SCD is brilliant. I have a friend who teaches on it and 5 friends who have done the course. I'd say if you're looking to do it full time you'll be looking at paying alot.

There's places like
Bronwyn Conroy (http://www.bronwynconroy.com/index.htm ),
Coogin Bergin (http://www.cooganbergin.com/beautycourses.htm),
Portobello (http://www.portobelloschool.ie/pagecarrier.aspx?pageid=3) and Galligans (http://www.galligangroup.com/galligan/Main/Home.htm)

I would love to do it full time but I really have to sit down and work it out money wise etc.

Your friends that completed the SCD course, do you mind me asking if they got good jobs after they finished the course? I am 29 so a bit wary about going back to school fulltime plus I would probably be the oldest in the class:o

I noticed that Bronwyn Conroy offer a combined part-time course in Beautician & Electrolysis. The cost is €4000 :eek: and it is accredited by CIBTAC. I will pay it only once I know if it is worth it and that I would be able to get quite a good job after..

any thoughts?

northdubgal

I have decided that I am going to try and find a way to do this course full time.

It makes more sense to do the course full time and then try and find some part time work for evenings & weekends. I was told that after the 1st 3 months I will be a qualified Beauty Specialist and be able to charge people for their waxing/facials etc... Just have to work up a client base.

So now I just have to decide on which college to go for.

SCD - CIBTAC Accretided, Crumlin College - CIDESCO or a private school which gives 3 certificates at the end - ITEC, CIBTAC & CIDESCO...

HELP!!

Lil' Smiler

In the 2nd year of Beauty Therapy in SCD you do CIDESCO. i'm not sure which was it actually works, like you get your qualifications or something and then you have to work up a certain amount of hours to get the overall CIDESCO one.

SCD is great for a cv when looking for jobs too. It's not that you'll get 3 certificates. I can't remember exactly what the subjects are but ti's the same as when I did Holistic Therapies in SCD, i did whatever number of massage courses and i have 7 diplomas from my 2 years and then there's an overall Holistic Therapies one. For certain anyway you will have your Anatomy & physiology one and your body massage so that's 2 in the bag anyway!

When they say full time they don't mean 9-5 everyday! I was in at mixed hours and had fridays off!

northdubgal

I rang them this morning and they are fully booked this year. So is Crumlin College...

Very disappointed :(:(

Lil' Smiler

That's the thing about Dun Laoghaire it's very popular so you have to get in early and they have a long waiting list then for people who drop out etc! Now unfortunately is too late yeah! That's a pity!

flynnser19

i might be going to crumlin too cause i wanna do it part time aswell and i have a few interviews for day jobs in dublin. is it hard to get to from the city centre???

northdubgal

flynnser19 wrote: »

i might be going to crumlin too cause i wanna do it part time aswell and i have a few interviews for day jobs in dublin. is it hard to get to from the city centre???

I doubt it would be too hard... they have listed the busses that will drop you near enough..

Dublin bus provides the following services linking with Crumlin:
17 Blackrock - Rialto
18 Sandymount - Palmerstown
19 Cedarwood Road - Dolphins Barn
19a Glasnevin - Dolphins Barn
50 City Centre - Firhouse
56a City Centre - Tallaght
77 City Centre - Crumlin Road - Jobstown, Tallaght
77a City Centre - Crumlin Road - The Square, Tallaght
83 City Centre - Kimmage
121 Cabra - City Centre - Clogher Road - Drimnagh
122 Cabra West - Drimnagh
123 Griffith Avenue - South Circular Road
150 City Centre - Willington Roundabout
155 City Centre - Sundrive Road - Greenhills
210 City Centre - Crumlin - Bawnogue

Lil' Smiler

northdubgal wrote: »

Your friends that completed the SCD course, do you mind me asking if they got good jobs after they finished the course? I am 29 so a bit wary about going back to school fulltime plus I would probably be the oldest in the class:o

I noticed that Bronwyn Conroy offer a combined part-time course in Beautician & Electrolysis. The cost is €4000 :eek: and it is accredited by CIBTAC. I will pay it only once I know if it is worth it and that I would be able to get quite a good job after..

any thoughts?

Apologies, I never saw this post. well one of the girls works in the Four Seasons, another is well known name in the industry, working for a company who supplies a lot of skin care ranges, make up, wax to the salons in the country and she goes and trains all the qualified therapists how to use the products they sell, another is a beauty therapy teacher. The others have all got good jobs in salons! if it is a salon you want to work in. There is definitely jobs out there!

Beautybeanie

What beauty courses have you done and where??

Cert III Beauty Services (eg. NVQ3 equivalent - Beautician's qualification)
Diploma of Beauty Therapy - Sydney, Australia (Beauty Therapist)
Grad. Diploma Dermal Science - Perth, Western Australia (Skin Therapist)

Does anyone have any college suggestions?

Research thoroughly. I can't emphasise this enough. Do you know what is happening in the beauty industry right now? Pay little attention to ITEC/CIDESCO/CIBTAC and more attention to how the college delivers its education and what they educate you in and whether it is relevant. For example, electrolysis is not used widely anymore as it has been largely superceded by IPL and SIPL. If you don't know what these are, this is further reason to educate yourself on what it is you need to know. After all, fat lot of good you'll do with your career if you pay $$$$$$ only to find out that your skills are current. And believe me, I've met a lot of Irish beauty therapists coming over here to Australia on working visas who are caught short because of exactly that.

If there are any beauty therapists / or people who have done the courses, what would you suggest, where to start that would give good qualifications and make me ready for a job after the course?

Start with a lesser qualification than the Diploma. That way, you won't be inundated, you can master the basics, hook into salon life and hone your skills set as well as earn money at the same time. Then, when you're ready, proceed with further studies at which time you are well able to work independently (ie for yourself) and, as such, well may be able to deduct the cost of those studies as a tax deduction. (That's how I did it).

If I could add further suggestions: 1. Consider what it is you want to do exactly in your beauty career and look at what the market is doing. Salon work is lowly paid work and is not the be all and end all: there are many facets to the beauty industry. For example, the spa industry is booming and huge growth is anticipated in Ireland in this area over the next five years. Will your course be able to equip you to be able to work in a spa?
2. Consider other modalities that complement beauty therapy. For example, I took additional education in film/tv/stage make up as this was my market niche and I trained further in massage therapy because it gave me a better employment opportunity (in Australia, formal beauty & massage therapy qualifications are a good marriage). Friends of mine have taken on other courses such as personal training, styling and airbrushing techniques which has ensured them a good position in the market.
3. Keep abreast of changes. Apart from what I said about hair removal methods, waxing has gone through changes as has nail technology as well as treatment regimens for skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Ultimately, when in doubt, don't.

northdubgal

Beautybeanie wrote: »

Cert III Beauty Services (eg. NVQ3 equivalent - Beautician's qualification)
Diploma of Beauty Therapy - Sydney, Australia (Beauty Therapist)
Grad. Diploma Dermal Science - Perth, Western Australia (Skin Therapist)

Research thoroughly. I can't emphasise this enough. Do you know what is happening in the beauty industry right now? Pay little attention to ITEC/CIDESCO/CIBTAC and more attention to how the college delivers its education and what they educate you in and whether it is relevant. For example, electrolysis is not used widely anymore as it has been largely superceded by IPL and SIPL. If you don't know what these are, this is further reason to educate yourself on what it is you need to know. After all, fat lot of good you'll do with your career if you pay $$$$$$ only to find out that your skills are current. And believe me, I've met a lot of Irish beauty therapists coming over here to Australia on working visas who are caught short because of exactly that.

Start with a lesser qualification than the Diploma. That way, you won't be inundated, you can master the basics, hook into salon life and hone your skills set as well as earn money at the same time. Then, when you're ready, proceed with further studies at which time you are well able to work independently (ie for yourself) and, as such, well may be able to deduct the cost of those studies as a tax deduction. (That's how I did it).

If I could add further suggestions: 1. Consider what it is you want to do exactly in your beauty career and look at what the market is doing. Salon work is lowly paid work and is not the be all and end all: there are many facets to the beauty industry. For example, the spa industry is booming and huge growth is anticipated in Ireland in this area over the next five years. Will your course be able to equip you to be able to work in a spa?
2. Consider other modalities that complement beauty therapy. For example, I took additional education in film/tv/stage make up as this was my market niche and I trained further in massage therapy because it gave me a better employment opportunity (in Australia, formal beauty & massage therapy qualifications are a good marriage). Friends of mine have taken on other courses such as personal training, styling and airbrushing techniques which has ensured them a good position in the market.
3. Keep abreast of changes. Apart from what I said about hair removal methods, waxing has gone through changes as has nail technology as well as treatment regimens for skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Ultimately, when in doubt, don't.

A lot of information there! I will print if off and go through it properly later when I'm finished work.

But here is a quick run down of the courses I'm looking at. They all have a very similar course content.

Skin and Eye Treatments - To include Facials, Eyebrow Shaping, Brow & Lash Tinting
Makeup Application - Day, Night & Bridal
Manicure & Pedicure Treatments
Hot & Cool Waxing Methods
Anatomy & Physiology
Professional Conduct & Business Awareness
Holistic Body Massage
Facial & Body Electrical Treatments
Electrolysis

Once I am finished this course I will want to do Reflexology, further massage courses, electrical treatments (endermologie etc).

northdubgal

My parents said they will help me with the cost of the course if I want to go to a private college for it!!

I am ecstatic! :D

Lil' Smiler

Oh that's brilliant! Congrats! My parents have been paying me to go to private college for the last year, I'm so grateful. Get used to the "Can i just have a little massage??"

Once you have your anatomy and physiology it opens up alot more for you. in SCD in beauty therapy they do aromatherapy & reflexology as part of the beauty course too!

northdubgal

Lil' Smiler wrote: »

Oh that's brilliant! Congrats! My parents have been paying me to go to private college for the last year, I'm so grateful. Get used to the "Can i just have a little massage??"

Once you have your anatomy and physiology it opens up alot more for you. in SCD in beauty therapy they do aromatherapy & reflexology as part of the beauty course too!

What college do you go to Lil' Smiler??

I would love to study the reflexology, really fascinates me.. Once I finish the course I know I will have a much better point of view and want to study further in different areas..

It really is a pity I cant go to SCD. When I rang up they said they are holding a beauty open day on the 16th so I might pop along to that anyway, wont hurt to have a "wee nose"

Is there much need for Electrolysis in ireland do you think?

northdubgal

I was doing more research on beauty therapy courses and I came across this site http://dife.info/newsite/1024by768/home.htm what do you guys think???

I emailed them and they still have places left. What do you think of the course itself compared to the private one costing €6k ??

VEC: http://dife.info/newsite/1024by768/home.htm
Private: http://www.beautyacademy.ie/beautytherapy.html

It looks like I might have to do 2 years if I choose the VEC??

Lil' Smiler

are those 2 places near enough to you?
In any case if you do choose the VEC, you can work after the first year because you'll have qualifications

I've never heard of the VEC college, might have heard of the other one but I don't know, I'd look at it carefully and see if you know anyone who's been to any of the colleges you've been looking at.

I'm not in SCD anymore, I've gone onto study Physical Therapy so I'm more in the massage/sports injuries end of things!

Beautybeanie

Once I am finished with this course I will want to do Reflexology, further massage courses, electrical treatments (endermologie etc).

Endermologie isn't worth doing a course for. It's basically a galvanic treatment. But you'll find this out as you progress.

I'm afraid I'm not the one to speak to regarding course content as City Guilds/NVQ isn't accepted here. I'd say Lil Smiler would better qualified to advise you in that regard.

If anything, I'd look at course content as opposed to cost and length of time. There are some truly crappy courses out there and plenty of colleges only too happy to take your money off you. Regarding the length of time spent at school, unless you have prerequisite courses that would allow you to register them as recognised prior learning, I would expect a Diploma to be more than a year at college. Over here, a Diploma of Beauty is around 18 months to 2 years (depending on the units you take) and a Diploma of Massage Therapy is normally 12-18 months but core units are shared with the Dip BT making it less time if you have that. With massage one has to take courses and seminars during the year that earn credit points so that your qualification remains current.

To give you an idea of the standard, graduates of the above courses can get into university with a year's credit. Most choose a Bachelor of Health Science, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, things like that.

Have you considered going to a few salons in your area and speaking to beauty therapists? Chatting with someone who's been where you want to go is always a good idea. Stay away from the disillusioned ones, though!

northdubgal

Lil' Smiler wrote: »

are those 2 places near enough to you?
In any case if you do choose the VEC, you can work after the first year because you'll have qualifications

I've never heard of the VEC college, might have heard of the other one but I don't know, I'd look at it carefully and see if you know anyone who's been to any of the colleges you've been looking at.

I'm not in SCD anymore, I've gone onto study Physical Therapy so I'm more in the massage/sports injuries end of things!

Yea the two places are around 25min drive max away.. and it's against traffic which is great

I dont know anyone that has done Beauty Thereapy full stop so I have no one to advise me on which course would be the best one to take.

I posed in the Louth section asking for people's opinions on the college itself so hopefully I might hear back.

Otherwise I am still stuck, I completed an online application for the college just to keep my options open, if I can save myself (parents) €6k then I will!!

Lil'Smiler, by looking at the courses and contents of each, which do you think would be the better option?

Beautybeanie

I dont know anyone that has done Beauty Thereapy full stop so I have no one to advise me on which course would be the best one to take.

1. Walk into a salon, any salon. Ask to speak with a beauty therapist. Alternatively, talk to one during an appointment.

2. Contact the Irish Beauty Professionals Association. They were very quick to respond to my queries about qualification equivalency - and I'm not even in the country! Their site is http://www.ibpa.ie

northdubgal

Beautybeanie,

Sorry I only seen your 2 posts now.

Thanks for those suggestions, I will email them now and see what they say...

I have an appointment on Sunday for a medi pedi (which I have never had before and badly need!) so I will ask loads of questions there also..

Lil' Smiler

I definitely agree with beautybeanie

Medi pedi... amazing!! I'm trained in them. Really really amazing!!

northdubgal

Ok after a long think and a bit more research I am going to go with the Galligan Group.

Only problem is I have no idea when the course starts and how much it is (although they all seem to be around the same price).

I have rang and left a voicemail, emailed and sent a message on their website...

They must be off for the week or just really busy..

Just wondering if anyone here knows when they are starting and how much they are? (I trawled through their website but cant see fee's or start date anywhere).

Lil' Smiler

I'd presume mid september kinda time.

Hmm quite unprofessional of them not to get in touch, give them time I suppose. maybe they're just on hols

northdubgal

I know..

I suppose it doesn't help that I am really impatient!

I finally know what I want to do career wise and I am eager to get going and I want to know that I have a place secured on this course!!

i will give them a ring in the morning from work and hopefully get to talk to someone then..

Thanks for all the help and advice!

smileysurfer

Hi guys, I know im jumping onto this thread now but......... I got my interview for Beauty Therapy in a few weeks for a private collgege (saving my ass off and going to go by night ) but I need help. Im at a serious loss as to what to say in the interview?????
I know i must tell them why I want to do it but as there are only about 18 places for this course I really want to impress!! Any one have any ideas or experience they could share as I could do with some advice/tips ???
Thanks in advance

mini mouse

it's been a few years since I trained but I found in my interview that what they really were looking for is someone who genuinely wants to be a therapist and is not looking at it as their back up plan ( i dont mean to generalise but it does happen)) ....it's a tough job and you really have to love it to succeed !
don't stress about it - just be yourself and im sure you'll have no problems!
they'll prob ask why you want to be a therapist, what areas interest you- salon work, spa work etc, what do you imagine the job would be like?

have you worked in a spa/salon environment at all before? If not and you're really looking to impress at the interview why not ask your local spa and//or salon if you can work with them for a day or two? it would show them how much you want to be a therapist !

best of luck with you're interview, let us know how you get on !!

smileysurfer

Thanks a mill for that!!!
Just got a call and have my interview on Wednesday morning of next week.

:eek:

Going to have to look imaculate and have myself really prepared becasue I HAVE to get in!! Cant wait now xxx

mini mouse

ah that's great!!!! best of luck with it now!!
let us know how it goes!!