So, we’ve recently written about the beauty industry’s shift towards aesthetics. This information has led to questions from prospective students about the differences between a beauty therapist and an aesthetician. Today’s blog will describe the job specification for each role, their similarities, differences and the qualifications needed to achieve them.
A Beauty Therapist is a professionally trained therapist specialising in delivering beauty treatments. To successfully qualify as a beauty therapist in the UK, you will have to learn a range of treatments covering the face and body, alongside the anatomy and physiology of the human body.
These treatments include, but are not limited to:
For the purpose of this blog, we would like to clarify that we are referring to a non-medical aesthetician. A medical Aesthetician as the name implies would have some form of medical training, a Doctor or a Nurse, before moving to focus on the aesthetics side. An aesthetician needs to have in-depth anatomy and physiology knowledge, hence why there were only previously medically trained aestheticians. However, as times progressed, many training bodies realised the demand for anatomy and physiology training as a standalone.
A non-medical aesthetician would have no medical training but will have anatomy and physiology training. Therefore they would have a thorough insight into the human body and its inner workings, allowing them to safely work as an aesthetician.
As an aesthetician, you are essentially a skincare specialist. Working closely with your clients to understand their skin and its concerns before fixing and maintaining their skin. Treatments that aestheticians can offer are:
As a Beauty Therapist, you can cover a wider range of treatments concerning the face and body, as outlined further above. Beauty therapists will often work in salons and spas which are accessible to everyday clients. As they are offering a variety of treatments, beauty therapists will have a variety of clients.
Aestheticians, on the other hand, will usually focus on treatments concerning the face. The treatments offered by aestheticians are more complex, requiring more advanced training. Aestheticians are likely to work in clinics with expensive, high-grade equipment and treatments are a little pricier. Due to the bespoke treatments offered by aestheticians, their clients are willing to spend extra to reap the benefits.
In the UK, if you are looking to certify as a fully-qualified Beauty Therapist, you must achieve;
On the Level 2 qualification, you learn the basics needed to become a beauty therapist. The basics will cover skin analysis, cleansing and toning methods, facial massage and skin care. These are the foundations for most treatments, so they are mastered before you can move on to Level 3. However, due to the diverse nature of Beauty Therapy, Level 2 also teaches manicures, pedicures, waxing, eyelash and brow tinting.
During the Level 3 course, a Beauty Therapist will learn the more complicated treatments such as massages, facial and body electrotherapy, and head massages. The Level 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma also teaches students Anatomy & Physiology. As mentioned before, this is relevant for those offering treatments concerning the face and body.
Once the training for Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy Diplomas has finished, students can join the beauty industry as qualified Beauty Therapists.
Compared to the diverse nature of the Beauty Therapy Diploma, those studying to become an aesthetician will focus mainly on facial aesthetics. Therefore to qualify as an Aesthetician in the UK, you need:
The Level 2 Facial and Skin Care course teaches students to complete thorough skin analysis, massage, steaming, exfoliation and moisturising. Students will also learn how to understand their client’s skin better to create tailor-made masks and treatments. To successfully understand the client’s skin concerns, students training to be an aesthetician will learn how to conduct client consultations.
On Level 3 Facial Electrotherapy, students further their knowledge of advanced facial treatments. The treatments include electrical facials – facial electrotherapy:
These treatments are very advanced but are also the basis for most facials delivered via machines. Level 3 will cover Anatomy & Physiology also, which is necessary to move on to Level 4 Training.
Depending on the treatments you’d like to offer as an aesthetician would influence the Level 4 training you undergo. If you want to specialise in Laser, you train in Level 4 Laser & IPL. We will often recommend Laser & IPL training as the first stop for those interested in Aesthetics.
In the Level 4 Laser & IPL course at LSBM, students work with a professional laser therapist who will teach them how to use the industries leading laser machines. Laser is a popular choice for clients looking for a permanent solution to hair removal or for those looking to treat long-lasting skin concerns through laser skin rejuvenation.
At LSBM, we recommend Laser & IPL due to the in-depth nature of the course. Level 4 learners receive their training on 2 leading laser & IPL machines covering various body parts. This training will prepare them for other advanced courses and further their Anatomy & Physiology knowledge. Hence why we recommend Laser & IPL to those starting their advanced aesthetic training journey.
Simply put, it depends on your passions and interest. Maybe you are more interested in offering clients manicures, pedicures and the odd facial. Maybe you want to offer massages and waxing. Then the Beauty Therapy route is more suitable for you. As a Beauty Therapist, you should be passionate about the various beauty treatments you can offer as there is no guarantee of what your client will want.
If you are solely interested in the facial side of beauty, then you should consider an aesthetician career. For most people, their face is a large part of their identity, so they’re willing to make it look the best. As an aesthetician, this is where you come in, working closely with clients to give them their dream skin.
Regardless of the route you choose, here at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, we can answer your questions and make your decision that bit easier. If you would like to talk to a member of staff about the best route for you, then give us a call on 020 3966 8690.
If you’re a skincare fanatic, then I’m sure you’ve heard about Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion treatment is everyone’s favourite technique for deep and thorough exfoliation.
The treatment name translates to scraping of the skin, but simply Microdermabrasion treatment will deeply exfoliate your skin. A professional will remove the outer layer of dead skin to reveal new and supple skin.
When receiving Microdermabrasion, your aesthetician will use a handheld machine. Two types of microdermabrasion devices can be used during the treatment: Diamond or Crystal. Whatever stone your therapist uses, the device will buff out the skin and vacuum up the dead skin. These machines should not be confused with the microdermabrasion tools advertised online!
Whilst we’ve referred to it as a facial treatment, you can receive Microdermabrasion all over your body; neck, chest, hands and back.
The thought of a deep exfoliation using a diamond tip may sound unappealing, but it can be a relaxing treatment if carried out correctly. So, not only is Microdermabrasion relaxing, but the treatment is also very beneficial for your skin.
In the same way, you are encouraged by skincare experts to cleanse, moisturise and apply sun protection, you need to be regularly exfoliating!
When exfoliating at home, it is recommended to exfoliate your skin at least once a week but no more than three times. Due to the in-depth nature of Microdermabrasion, you should only get the treatment once a month to reap the long-term benefits.
Microdermabrasion can benefit your skin by:
These results happen as the treatment encourages new cell growth through exfoliation.
We recommend those interested in Microdermabrasion get the treatment every 4 to 6 weeks.
For those of you already working in the beauty industry, you know how popular Microdermabrasion is. However, if you are just entering into a career in beauty and aesthetics, this is a treatment you need under your belt!
Here at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, we teach Microdermabrasion in the following course:
A staple for every beauty therapist looking to move from beginner to industry-ready. A VTCT accreditation is recognised globally due to its longstanding and high standards. Employers know they can trust graduates who have studied a VTCT beauty course at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up.
Learning Microdermabrasion with us ensures that you are using the best tools on the market. Practising on our industry-standard equipment will prepare you to start offering the treatment immediately. You will also get the chance to work in the commercial LSBM salon on paying clients to perfect your technique.
On our Level 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma, you will also learn:
The course runs over the span of 24 weeks and is also available on the weekends.
If you are interested in finding out more about the most popular treatments on the market, to help pick the right course for you. Get in contact with us at admin@beauty-school.co.uk and our friendly staff will help you pick the course that is best for you!
Today’s blog is about beauty supplements, so it’s a little different, for those of our readers who are more interested in holistic beauty! In our CIDESCO course, students learn about holistic therapies. The holistic beauty approach focuses on an all-inclusive approach to a healthy body, mind, and soul resulting in better and more radiant skin. Adopting a holistic approach to beauty will see you eating better, working out more often and meditating, all of which will better you altogether.
So, the topic of the blog is beauty supplements! Whether you’re scrolling on Instagram or at your local supermarket, you’re bound to come across supplements. Many of us take them in the form of multi-vitamins, but there are supplements that promise to strengthen our nails and hair.
According to the NHS, most people actually do not need to take supplements, they need to get their vitamins from a healthy balanced diet. However, many people have dietary and recreational habits like smoking, drinking or low-calorie diets that restrict them from getting the nutrients they need.
Vitamins and minerals are necessary nutrients that the body needs to function. The NHS added that taking too many supplements and doing so for a lengthy period of time can actually cause more harm than good. Department of Health and Social Care suggests supplements for people who have deficiencies related to particular vitamins and minerals. For example, all babies and children must take vitamin D supplements to absorb calcium and phosphorus as they don’t get adequate sun exposure.
The recommended vitamin supplements are manufactured into liquids, tablets, water-soluble tablets, gel caps, capsules and so on to make it easier for the consumer to take them with their food. These supplements are not vitamins and minerals but can be amino acids, herbs, botanical extracts and many other ingredients with nutritional value.
In the beauty industry, there are a lot of companies with supplements that have made big claims on having the “magic pill” that will solve all of our vanity problems. Their beauty supplements claim to give youthful skin, lose weight fast or grow hair and nails etc. Social media culture is also a huge problem in pushing these beauty supplements. Big brands will pay popular influencers and celebrities to advertise these products to their followers.
Problems from this kind of advertising can rise, as many influencers and celebrities are not healthcare professionals, nor do they vet companies properly. In fact, many companies and celebrities have received major backlash for promoting things that do not fulfil the promises stated in their advertisements.
Not to mention, there are a lot of companies creating supplements which are not regulated by the Food Standards Agency. It is important to buy vitamins recognised by your local authority! Otherwise, you might buy fake supplements that can be so damaging to your body. A telling sign of a counterfeit product is that it would be significantly cheaper than the original. Sometimes ‘bargains’ are too good to be true.
In the UK, the Food Standards Agency has deemed two specific ingredients as dangerous: DNP and DMMA. The first one DNP (Dinitrophenol) is commonly found in supplements that claim they are fat burning or slimming. It has been deemed that it is not fit for human consumption and is extremely dangerous to human health. In humans, the chemical can cause a comatose state and may result in death. The case of DMMA (Dimethylamylamine) is a synthetically made substance that is often described as a “natural” stimulant commonly targeted at bodybuilders and people who are trying to lose weight. As DMMA contains a lot of caffeine it can cause higher blood pressure, and cerebral haemorrhage and can lead to other cardiovascular issues that can result in a stroke or death. This is because DMMA speeds up a process in the body called thermogenesis, which is the body using fat to generate energy through heat. Both ingredients are illegal and products with these ingredients should be reported to the FSA.
With that being said the question still remains, are supplements necessary to take? The answer is not as simple as it seems, as many studies have not been able to definitively prove that all supplements make a significant difference. There is a large portion of the market that is not regulated by FSA. As mentioned before at the beginning of this blog, there are still influencers promoting supplements that have “magical” marketing claims but there is little to no scientific evidence behind the alleged claims. Based on research, the best nutrients to supplement are:
All of these supplement nutrients can be found in food and it is better to eat foods that are rich in these nutrients and take supplements so that the benefits are maximised.
We’re aware that the year isn’t over yet, but there are already many beauty trends floating around the internet. We’ve scoured Tiktok, Instagram and Twitter to bring you the most popular beauty trends of 2022.
Whether you are a beauty therapist, aesthetician or nail technician, you want to be keeping up with the latest trends in beauty.
Keeping up with the latest trends will put you in front of your competitors as you will be able to offer the most in-demand treatments. Clients are always searching for therapists local to them that can offer popular treatments, so why not be one of them?
By now, you’ve heard of glass skin? If not, here’s a quick explanation. Glass skin refers to skin that compares to clear glass. Skin that appears flawless with no pores or blemishes to be found. To achieve glass skin, you should aim for well hydrated and glowy skin.
Many of us have left the products that promise anti-ageing, instead choosing products that repair the skin and its barrier. By focusing on healing the skin barrier, you are less likely to develop blemishes. This is because our skin barrier protects us from irritation and inflammation.
Brands have taken note of this shift by releasing products that focus on our skin’s health.
You’ve spent so much time working on bettering your skin, right? Why would you then go and cover it with the heavy makeup? Barely there foundation and skin-enhancing bases are the latest makeup trends.
Previously there had been much focus on airbrushed skin and flawless bases. However, with the movement of loving and embracing ourselves, real skin is in. Consumers are looking for a lightweight coverage foundation that allows a glow to shine through.
Before 2022, you could definitely overdo it with the blush. There was a saying, “If they know you’re wearing blush, then you’re wearing too much.” Flash forward to 2022 beauty trends, and there is no such thing as too much blush. Blush is the product of the year, cream, powder or tint. Blush is so in, that it’s taking over the use of contour products.
Makeup artists recommend applying your blush up to your temples. Placing the blush across your cheekbones will frame and lift your face.
Of all the trends we’ve found for 2022, skincare is the standout trend. This is the year when we achieve the best versions of our skin and only want products that help us achieve that.
The Level 2 and Level 3 Combined Facials and Skin Care Course is THE beauty training you need in 2022. The course is for those with a passion for everything skincare.
Maybe you’re someone who worked hard to improve your skin, and now you want to share those tips and tricks with others? Or maybe, you have a passion for product formulation?
To become a facial expert, you need a theoretical understanding of the skin to treat various skin types and problems. This facial and skincare course is for you and, in just 7 weeks, will teach you everything about the skin.
Skin Analysis allows you to identify your client’s skin type to recommend the best and most appropriate treatments. Students will learn how to understand the client’s current skin regimen and how their lifestyle is impacting their skin.
Correct cleansing, balancing, and toning are also taught in the course, which is the beginning of every skincare routine or treatment.
The theory learning in this module involves the anatomy & physiology of the upper torso, including the muscles, bones, blood and nerve supply.
Finally, as a student at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, you will have the opportunity to show your skincare training off in our commercial salon. You can work on the faces of clients with various skin types and skin concerns.
Why not end your 2022 with a wealth of skincare knowledge that will put you at the forefront of clients’ demands?
We are often asked by those interested in our CIDESCO course, what are our graduates doing now? What career can you get into with a CIDESCO qualification?
So, to answer these questions and show you the potential careers you can pursue, we’ve caught up with two of our CIDESCO graduates. Sanfred, who is running her own salon as a CIDESCO graduate and Amelia who is now working at a luxury spa, Calcot Manor Spa Hotel. These graduates are currently thriving in their chosen enterprises, and we couldn’t be more proud of their achievements.
What course did you study at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, and why did you decide to take the course?
I studied CIDESCO Beauty Therapy Diploma & Spa program at LSBM and my reason for choosing that course was because of how entailed/intense the course was. Also, knowing that it is the most prestigious beauty qualification in the world was something anyone entering the beauty would go for.
What are you doing now as a career? What are your future career ambitions?
I’m currently running my own Salon, Makeup and Spa nestled in the heart of Accra, Ghana. I have also branched into Permanent Makeup, where I specialise in ombré brows, semi-permanent lip blush and lashes. Aesthetics is so popular at the moment, everyone wants their skin to look better than skin. My future career ambition is to own one of the biggest/most successful beauty schools here in Ghana (West Africa) and excel more in the field I’m currently in.
How did you find your course? What were your best bits?
I did my research very well before deciding on the CIDESCO course. After all, I had to leave Ghana to come and study in the UK for a year. If it wasn’t worth it, I wouldn’t have thought twice about aborting the mission. Of all my findings, LSBM was the one for me and the best decision I ever made.
What were your course tutors like?
I had the best tutors ever, to be honest. Nira was one of my favourites. Sumi gave me a bit of a tough time, but I knew she had our interest at heart and wanted us all to put in our best.
What is your favourite part of your current job?
I can’t pinpoint one thing over the other because I love everything that comes with my job. I’m also my own boss and have about 7 employees, who are all working hard for my company. What more could I wish for lol.
Would you recommend The London School of Beauty & Make-Up to someone interested in studying beauty therapy?
I have recommended LSBM to many people, especially from my country (Ghana). They keep sending me DM’s to know whether or not my study in the UK was worth it, the procedure I went through with my visa application before entering LSBM etc.
What would your advice be to someone looking at starting a career/course in beauty therapy?
There’s a saying, “Hard work beats talent any day where talent fails to work hard.” My advice will simply be to WORK HARD!
If you’re looking to start a career/course in beauty therapy, go for it. With anything you put your mind to, put in hard work, dedication, effort, and success will be the outcome. Firstly, do your research very well and put in the effort and hard work during and after studying.
If you’re interested in keeping up with Sanfred’s work as a beauty therapist and semi-permanent makeup artist, then follow her on Instagram!
To keep up with her Semi-permanent Makeup looks: @sannysmakeup or @precise_ombrebrowsbysanny
For her salon page, you can follow her @sannys_b_parlour
What course did you study at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, and why did you decide to take the course?
I studied the CIBTAC/CIDESCO course.
What are you doing now as a career? What are your future career ambitions?
I started my career on the cruise lines and gradually moved to superyachts, working mainly in the Mediterranean. Now, I’m working as a spa therapist in an award-winning luxury spa hotel located in the heart of the Cotswolds, called CalCot Manor Spa Hotel. I hope to become a senior therapist and then work my way up to become a spa manager. Who knows, I might even open a spa in the future! I would like to focus my career more on the facials side as this is the area I am most interested in.
How did you find your course? What were your best bits?
I found the CIBTAC course very intense, there was a lot of information to learn and routines to follow. You get the hang of it after a while. With the CIDESCO course, I found this one a little bit more relaxed. I loved the focus on the spa and holistic side, it was one of my highlights.
What were your course tutors like?
My course tutors, Trisha and Ellie were the best tutors I could hope for. They look out for you and encourage you. It was a very supportive network, even after I left the academy, help and advice is always on hand.
What is your favourite part of your current job?
What I love about my position is meeting new clients and building a connection with them to make them feel relaxed and safe. I love making a difference and giving them the best treatment possible. This is how you get your regulars.
Yes, it’s fast pace and intense, but you come out with good knowledge and qualifications that are recognised internationally.
What would your advice be to someone looking at starting a career/course in beauty therapy?
All I can advise is, to increase your knowledge in all aspects of the industry. Do some of your own research, this really helped me. Do a course that involves lots of different beauty treatments as you may prefer one thing to another. Sometimes, we think we know what we want and really enjoy but it’s not always the case, for example, I always thought I would be more into nails, but I now prefer facials. The most important thing I would say is to have passion.
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Thank you to both Sanfred and Amelia for taking the time to answer questions for interested students. We hope this will help those of you who want to know what doors a CIDESCO qualification can open.
If you’re reading this blog, you are probably already very aware of what you can learn in the course. However, for those who aren’t, head to the course page to find out more. CIDESCO Beauty Therapy Course Page.
We highly recommend the CIDESCO diploma for those of you looking for a fully comprehensive beauty qualification you can take anywhere in the world.
If you would like more information about how our CIDESCO course could kickstart your career in the beauty industry, get in contact today. You can call us on 0203 966 8690 or email us at admission@beauty-school.co.uk.
Who doesn’t love a good facial? For an hour or more, you get pampered and feel relaxed. But did you know, there are more benefits to a regular facial than doing them infrequently? Regular facials ensure exfoliation, deep cleansing, and treating major skin concerns. We go to the dentist, GP and hairdressers frequently, so why shouldn’t we go to someone to take care of our faces regularly? Especially knowing that if we look good, we feel good.
In this blog, we will help you justify the costs of those frequent facials by advising you of the numerous benefits!
The same way our moods are affected by the weather, our skin is the same! Depending on the humidity, temperature and access to sunlight, our skin’s wants and needs will change.
In the unkind winter, when the weather is cold and dry, our skin turns red, irritated and blistered. It doesn’t help to stay inside either, with central heating drying out our skin’s natural moisture. We recommend a hydrating facial to combat the dryness of the weather.
Summer is a time when we’re all out and about, constantly exposed to sunlight and UV rays, which are damaging to the skin. Most popular facials such as chemical peels and skin needling, sun exposure is not recommended. We recommend a facial that removes dead skin cells, extracts dirt, blackheads, pimples and excess oil during summer.
In spring, consider a facial that will brighten your skin, and in autumn, a facial that prepares your skin for the colder months coming.
Who doesn’t want to age gracefully? Facials designed to combat the signs of ageing will encourage cell turnover and boost collagen production, both great for anti-ageing.
Getting regular facials also tighten your skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Choose facials that include botanical ingredients that increase collagen production or facial peels that treat fine lines.
Spots start to form when the skin’s pores become clogged. Facials deep cleanse your skin and extract the excess oils and dirt in your pores, stopping them from becoming clogged.
For those with acne, your facialist can safely remove and treat active spots correctly, stopping bacteria from spreading. If you suffer from acne scarring, regular facials will help even out skin tone and reduce the visibility of scars.
Who doesn’t hate getting those pesky whiteheads and blackheads? They leave your skin rough and bumpy. They can also be annoying, especially if you have plans soon, so you may rush to remove them at home. DO NOT. You should never remove whiteheads and blackheads at home as that will further irritate your skin.
When getting a professional facial, the therapist safely removes your blackhead and whiteheads using a special tool. The proper extraction will limit your skin’s exposure to bacteria and shrink your pores.
With regular facial treatments, you are likely to have built a relationship with your beauty therapist. At that point, no one will know your skin better than them. They will be able to notice any changes your skin is going through and set you up with all the products you need at home to keep your skin glowing.
We’ve saved our favourite benefit of regular facials to last, and that’s the relaxation facials offer. We’re all stressed out and probably a bit busier than we should be. The day-to-day stresses of life can be overwhelming. Taking just an hour out of our month to be pampered is beneficial for our skin and mental health. So take time to yourself every month to walk into the beauty salon of choice, soak up the calming music and the tactful aromatherapy before lying on the comfortable treatment bed.
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Are you looking to get regular facials but worried about the cost? Why not take advantage of the great prices we offer here at the LSBM Salon. Our well practised students deliver high-quality beauty therapy treatments for affordable prices, all year round.
Students enrolled at LSBM work in the salon alongside their studies, monitored by a professional beauty therapist, delivering all your favourite treatments.
At the LSBM salon, you can receive the following facial treatments:
If you are interested in booking an appointment*, give us a call on 0207 776 9767. The LSBM Salon is open 10 am – 5 pm.
*Appointment availabilities depend on the availability of our student therapists.
So you’re interested in studying a comprehensive beauty course? Ideally, one that will teach you everything that you need to know to launch your beauty career. But which extensive beauty course should you choose? When students come to us looking for complete beauty courses, we will suggest 2 options. The options are the “CIDESCO International Beauty Therapy Diploma” or “VTCT Level 2 & 3 Combined Beauty Therapy Diploma”. We will tell you a little about each course before moving on to their similarities and differences.
Whilst we can’t pick for you, we can help you to understand these courses to make your decision a little easier.
The CIDESCO Beauty Therapy Diploma is one of our most popular courses, with students travelling from all over the globe to complete it with us. The CIDESCO qualification is globally recognised as the most highly respected beauty therapy qualification and the most internationally recognised qualification. Established in 1946, the Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie has since helped shape the standards of beauty training.
Here at the London School of Beauty & Make-Up, our CIDESCO diploma runs over 43 weeks, full time. Students enrolled on the course learn a range of aesthetics, body, beauty, and holistic therapy treatments. Exclusively to LSBM we also teach introductory aroma and reflex, scrubs and wraps so you get a fully comprehensive course.
As part of the aesthetics training, your tutors will teach you how to complete manicures, pedicures, waxing, brow, and lash tints. You will also learn how to carry out popular electrical facial treatments on clients and wax the body properly.
For the body treatments, students will master various massage treatments. Some of which include; Swedish, Indian Head and G5. CIDESCO students at LSBM also learn how to use electrical machines on the body.
Throughout the course students learn more than just treatments as there are modules that focus on:
The CIDESCO International Beauty Therapy Diploma really is a complete beauty course. Upon successful completion of the course students will hold:
To learn more about the CIDESCO course and read the experiences of our alumni, head here.
Another of our most popular courses is the VTCT combined Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma. Vocational Training Charitable Trust is a leading assessment body in the UK with a strong foundation in the beauty industry. Previously students would complete the Level 2 Beauty Therapy Diploma before moving to Level 3. However, based on the feedback of our students, our expert tutors have constructed the complete beauty therapy course. The combined beauty course offers a seamless training program that saves you time. All of which makes the VTCT Level 2 & 3 Combi Beauty course a great option.
The Combined Level 2 & 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma is a part-time course running over 24 weeks.
On the course, you will learn aesthetic treatments covering facials, skincare, facial electrotherapy, waxing, manicures, pedicures, lash and brow treatments. Along with the Anatomy & Physiology of the upper torso and the theory of skin.
The body treatments element of the course focuses on body massage and electrotherapy. Aside from learning treatments, students learn about the contraindications of the treatments.
Client consultation, salon reception skills and management duties are extras in the curriculum. Similar to the CIDESCO Course, the VTCT combined course ensures that students are well-rounded beauty therapists.
Upon successful completion, students enrolled on the VTCT Combined Beauty therapy will achieve:
Both courses aim to train you to become the ultimate beauty therapist so there will be similarities, especially across the curriculum.
Both courses teach the foundations of beauty therapy which includes:
However, on the CIDESCO course, you will learn one more massage treatment that the VTCT combined course does not offer. The described treatment is the Hot stone massage along with figure analysis. Aside from that, students on the CIDESCO and VTCT will be mastering the same body massage and treatments.
Students on the CIDESCO course will learn and perfect their makeup application. We do find that most beauty therapists do not require this skill, so it may not be an important element when choosing the course for you.
The beauty industry is a popular career choice which is why you should choose a course that aides your career. Those on the VTCT course learn how to run a salon, from the receptionist to managerial skills. The CIDESCO course will also help students build their career skills by teaching Business Plan Creation, CV Writing and Interview Techniques.
We’ve told you about both courses and discussed their similarities and differences, and now the decision is all yours! But why study the course of your choice with us here at LSBM?
The London School of Beauty & Make-Up was established in 1995 putting us among the longest-running private beauty training centres in the UK. Regardless of which course you choose, you can rest assured that you will be receiving the highest standard of training. All our tutors have over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry under their belts.
Those looking to study CIDESCO or VTCT combined Beauty Therapy with us will have access to a commercial salon experience. Our salon is the largest of any beauty school in London, enabling students to gain their confidence and receive feedback from customers. As a beauty student at LSBM, you will practice learned beauty treatments on paying customers. For those looking to perfect the beauty treatments learnt on their course to become a well-rounded therapist, choosing a school that offers practical training is a must!
Do you have any other questions that you would like answered about the CIDESCO Beauty Therapy Diploma or the Combined VTCT Level 2 & 3 Beauty Therapy Diploma? Why not send us an email to contact@beauty-school.co.uk, and one of our course reps will be able to assist you personally.
As things are opening up back again and with the nights so long, going out with friends is a must this winter for the majority. Also, with the working from home movement coming to an end, many of us will end up heading out straight from work! In today’s blog, we’ve compiled some tips that will take your makeup from day to night.
When at work, most people go for the no-makeup makeup look or something minimal to look more awake early in the morning. No one wants to go in with a full glam makeup look that early in the morning – although kudos to you if you manage. Besides, after a long day of working in that makeup, it will most likely have shifted or not look as fresh.
Carrying a makeup bag to work with products that can dramatically change your day makeup look into a night is essential! A major difference between day and night makeup is the consideration for the different lighting. At night, lights tend to be dimmer, so the makeup needs to stand out more, this does not mean piling on lots of products. Adding colours and contrast purposefully helps makeup be more visible in low light situations.
It might sound very time consuming however it’s always easier to start with a clean canvas than tackling worn makeup! Carrying some skincare is just as important as the makeup. It does not have to be your full skincare routine, maybe just a makeup remover, face wash and moisturizer. After wearing your makeup all day at work, it has most likely smudged from the day’s tasks such as eating, sweating and just touching your face.
Your makeup would have been sitting in the pores for more than 8 hours with all of these factors mentioned previously, which can cause pores to clog and skin to break out. Micellar water and then cleansing the face can help prevent a breakout, and additionally, the new makeup will look better on freshly cleansed and moisturised skin.
If there is no time to remove the day makeup, an alternative is blotting papers to remove built-up sebum from the face. Blotting paper infused with green tea can be very beneficial because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Whether the occasion is clubbing, dinner or just drinks, long-wear makeup is way better for late-night adventures for several reasons. As most of the population here work 9 to 5, more people will be out around the same time. Lots of bodies in small venues equals heat and sweat. Wearing sweat and smudge-proof makeup will prevent your products from sliding all over the face.
Primer is essential because not only does it seal moisture in the face, and helps makeup products be applied more evenly. It also stops makeup from seeping into the pores, which again prevents breakouts. Another tip would be to wear waterproof mascara, as the night could be one with lots of dancing which causes sweating. Either way, mascara running around the eye, giving you panda eye is not a cute look at all! On the subject of eye makeup, priming the eye will prevent eye makeup from looking smudging or looking faded out. Similar to foundation, eye primer smooths out the complexion of the eyelid and prevents eyeshadow from creasing.
Also setting the face with a long-lasting setting spray will go a long way in ensuring that makeup stays put and fresh looking.
Night makeup is more about contrast and colour. Here are four things that you should do to transform your day makeup to a night makeup look:
Eyeliner can add depth, especially if time is limited. Adding a winged liner to a simple makeup look can make it look more dramatic and interesting. Eyeliner can draw attention away from tired eyes. Another hack to make the eyes look less tired is when drawing eyeliner, start in the inner corner of the eye thin and widen the liner near the outer corner of the eye. Adding mascara to this look can add more drama but avoid applying extra mascara on top of the day’s mascara, as this makes mascara extra clumpy.
A smoky eye is a go-to for a night look. It adds greater depth to the eye and makes the eyes seem more intriguing and alluring. Another plus is that there are smaller eyeshadow palettes out there specifically for smokey eyes and they are usually travel-sized. Making it easier to throw into your handbag on your way to work. Smokey eyes are also quick to do and don’t require defined edges or well-blended colours. A great choice for someone crunched for time to not worry about being late.
When going out, simply changing the lip colour to something bold is effective and time-saving. A bolder lip can spruce up a makeup look drastically. Opt for a lip shade that is a few shades darker than the natural lip colour or bold red lipstick. Unless you’ve gone for a dramatic eye look, then go for neutral lip colours.
Highlight can be utilised in numerous ways, whether it is around the eyes or the cheek. It distracts away from tired-looking skin. Also, because the light is dimmer, add a little extra highlighter for a nice glowy effect around the eyes, cheekbones, forehead or even on the body such as shoulders or collarbone.
Are you looking to spruce up your makeup game? Here at The London School of Beauty & Make-Up, we offer a range of makeup courses. No matter the level of skill you possess, we have something for you!
We offer one-to-one makeup classes, which is perfect for those who want to upgrade their makeup looks. For example, a popular request from students is transforming their makeup from day to night! We also get a lot of requests from students on mastering smokey eyes for their eye shapes.
If you’re more interested in becoming a makeup artist, we have 3 courses designed for the aspiring MUA. Ranging from 2 weeks to 10 weeks, whatever your end goal is, we can help you get there!
Are you looking to take your facial journey from your sofa to the salon but unsure of what to expect? In today’s blog, we’ve compiled some useful tips using our extensive facial knowledge to help you prepare.
A facial is a skin treatment that cleanses pores and removes dead skin cells from the face. The process encourages the face to look brighter and more hydrated. Facials can also address common skin issues and are customisable to the client’s skin.
Right now, there are many different facials on the market, promising to fix a host of skin concerns. But the main goal for all facials is to improve the appearance and overall health of the skin.
Facials normally last approximately 60 minutes. All facials are different but generally, facials follow this order:
– cleansing muscles
– pulling toxins out of the tissue
-boosting the immune system
-relieving stress
Most people have a day-to-day skincare routine they follow to keep their skin hydrated and looking fresh. However, before a facial, you may not be able to use some products. Before going in, it is better to wash all skin products off or skip your skincare routine that morning – bar sunscreen!
Especially if it is your first facial, you will be able to tell better if any irritation is due to the facial rather than the mixture of ingredients.
Facials promote stimulation and encourage the skin to rid itself of toxins and blockages within the skin. Many people have things in their skin routine that get rid of dead skin cells or even brighten the skin. For example, retinol is the vitamin responsible for removing dead skin cells so newer skin cells can appear. Retinol can cause dryness, redness and irritation in the skin, as it is a strong ingredient similar to Vitamin C.
Applying retinol before a facial would mean different ingredients that you are not supposed to use together may conflict on the skin and cause a more severe reaction to the facial, especially if it is the first one.
There is a difference between DIY extractions and extractions done by a facialist. Most people use their fingernails to pinch the spot and get rid of their whiteheads. This method can cause more harm as your fingernails may break the skin and lead to scarring later. Also, the hands hold a lot of bacteria that can cause the skin to break out more. If you need it is better to let a professional do it correctly and hygienically or use two q tips at home.
Another form of extraction that we DO NOT recommend is cleansing strips. Yes, they are everywhere and no, they aren’t good for your skin! As of right now, there is not enough supportive evidence to say that they damage the skin. Nonetheless, there is supporting evidence that as a temporary solution, they aren’t very effective.
They may remove blackheads from the skin, but only temporarily as the blackheads are likely to come back within a few weeks. They also do not minimise or remove pores, as it is impossible to do so. When the blockage is removed from the stripe, the pores may appear that they have gone or are smaller due to the blockage no longer being there. But like mentioned before this is very temporary.
You’re about to prepare for a facial, remember not to get a facial before a big event, especially if it is an exfoliating one. There are numerous reasons why a breakout might happen, but the main reason is stimulation. The massaging of the face and the products used will encourage whatever is clogging the pores to come up to the surface. Not only this but during facials, normally the facialist is also doing manual extractions of whiteheads and blackheads, which if they are not done properly can lead to clogged pores and some more pimples. Another reason is some skin types may be more prone to breakouts than others.
Hopefully, you found this blog post helpful! If you would like to read more of our blogs on facials & skincare, why not check out:
The Importance of Wearing Sunscreen
In today’s blog, we want to share with you all about laser hair removal treatments! The ever-growing popular choice for semi-permanent hair removal! Most of us are well acquainted with the challenge of staying hairless. Depending on which method you choose, the upkeep is costly, frequent and painful.
Hair growth has three different stages:
How a person’s hair acts in these phases is dependent on genetics, hormones and the location of the growth. All of these aspects should be considered when picking a hair removal method.
A lot of people started their hair removal journey through shaving. Shaving is a very temporary hair removal method as it only targets hair above the surface. There is a common misconception that shaving encourages hair to grow thicker and darker, but it does not. The only difference in hair from shaving is when the hair grows back, the tip of the hair would be blunter because of the blade. This can make the hair appear more noticeable on the skin.
Another popular method of hair removal is pulling the hair physically, whether it’s through waxing or plucking. When pulling out hair from the follicle, regrowth will take longer. As the hair has to grow underneath and then through the surface of the skin. Repeatedly pulling the hair from the follicle through methods like plucking can cause damage to the hair follicle and may stop hair from growing. Plucking is effective for stray facial hair, although it can be time-consuming.
It is not a method used for legs and underarm though unless the pain is for you, then do you! However, most people will choose to wax their body hairs. Waxing is an effective method for removing large sums of hair.
There are various waxing options available on the market, such as:
The wax is applied to the skin in the direction of hair growth and is left to set, then pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. But waxing can come with side effects such as pain, burns if the wax is too hot, red bumps, infection, ingrown hairs, skin tearing and discolouration.
In the last 10 years, laser hair removal has become very popular due to it being less painful than waxing or epilating. As laser hair removal treatments are now more common, they are more accessible and affordable for the general public. Originally, women mainly opted for laser hair removal but more men are adopting the semi-permanent hair removal method. Over a third of young men in the United Kingdom are opting for laser hair removal almost as much as young women.
The lasers produce a light beam at a particular wavelength which targets the melanin in the hair. The melanin absorbs the energy from the beam and converts it into heat. The heat damages the hair follicle which limits the hair growing in that treated region of the body. Once destroyed, the hair follicle will rarely grow the same way it did before laser treatments.
Although, this can be dependent on the age of the client and the area of the body. Laser is the most effective for hair removal as less hair grows back, it is not as permanent as people assume it to be. The hair follicles do not disappear, rather they are less noticeable as the hair is lighter and finer when it does grow back.
It is possible that lasers can cause minor side effects, but these should only be temporary. The most common side effects are skin irritation and changes in pigmentation. Similar to many other types of hair removal, laser hair removal can cause skin redness and irritation. Before the treatment begins, a topical anaesthetic is applied to reduce irritation afterwards. The irritation should not last more than 2 days but if it lasts longer or becomes worse, contact your aesthetician ASAP. Another common side effect is changes in skin pigmentation. On lighter skin, this can appear as dark spots and the opposite for darker skin. Like irritation, this is only temporary.
One of the most popular reasons for people opting for laser hair removal is because of ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs happen when the hair follicle is unable to push the hair out through the skin. The hair ends up underneath the skin layer, and since it does not grow up, it continues to grow sideways. Ingrown hairs are frequent with people who have curly or coarse hair. Ingrown hairs can cause infection, damage to the upper layer of skin and underneath. A lot of clients will also complain of pain as ingrown hairs can cause a lot of discomfort.
Laser is the most effective way to get rid of ingrown hairs, as the laser can get to the root of the hair follicle by burning away the ability of the hair to grow. Laser treatments can also help with razor bumps, which are inflammation bumps that develop after shaving. This can also be because of ingrown hairs not coming out of the skin. With laser hair removal, both problems are solved much faster than any other hair removal method. As laser has become more popular in the past decade, it has also become a more affordable option for hair removal.
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