Becoming an esthetician in this economy? Well, yes. It’s been almost four years in the making as an adult before the economy went kaput. But my love of beauty has always been there. I grew up around budget perfume wafting throughout my third-floor apartment as my mother got ready to go to a show with my father. I come from the land of Noxzema and lipstick that turned my lips a shade of red that didn’t quite work.
At any other time, I think it would make sense for someone like me to become an esthetician, but right now might be the worst time, especially with my job, which is my way to pay tuition is on the line with budget cuts.
The economy as we know it is in some of the worst shape it’s been in decades. Some would argue that it’s been awful since 2008. Right now, it’s seems worse; a lot of people are suffering to maintain even a small bit of normalcy and hold on to their jobs. According to Business Insider, consumption is a major source of our economy, and when that slows down, it’s a spiral; people cut back. And what do they cut back on? Non-essentials, including beauty, at least from professionals.
The state of beauty isn’t as “profitable” with consumers either. Despite consumers buying power and choices, the money was always in products, and spending is cooling down as people spend less to determine if products are effective. Don’t get me wrong, this is great because when people spend less, it means they care about whether a certain product gives real results. This however doesn’t mean those same consumers will turn to estheticians to make their skin better alongside those at-home products. And that’s scary for older estheticians without steady clients and even more so for new and aspiring estheticians such as myself.
Truthfully, who can blame people? I’ve pulled back on spending money. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for beauty, in fact, I am running towards it all in the pursuit of starting my own business — not just a business as an esthetician, but as a media maven because I’ve realized that I sit an interesting intersection of media, beauty and research.
As a trained journalist and researcher, there’s a lot of room out there for someone like me to “get a bag,” if you will. I can become a consultant, market researcher, creative copywriter, and more for indie and large brands. And I can do this by building Beauty Culture Club one article at a time.
For years, I’ve put my career in the hands of other people, “begging” for a media job that I have the skills and talent for, but no more. I am choosing to build it myself.
If you stick around, you’ll get an insider look at esthetician school, beauty reviews of products I buy (and are gifted to me), and roundups of the best beauty products no matter the season. When there’s time, Beauty Culture Club will explore the world of beauty entrepreneurs and you’ll get my thoughts on beauty news too.
It’s scary to spend money out of pocket for esthetician school, but I’ve never been more excited in my life. Join me, and you’ll learn a thing or two about beauty.
Beauty Culture Club 