More than four in 10 (42%) beauty students plan to open their own business after qualifying, compared with 34% who aim to secure employment, according to new UK survey data from Business of Beauty.
The findings pointed to a growing shift towards self-employment among new entrants to the industry, raising questions around how prepared students are for running a business and what this means for the future workforce.
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The data also showed a strong pipeline of young talent entering the sector, with 70% of respondents aged 16–18 and 89% saying they had enrolled in beauty training due to a genuine interest in the industry.
However, despite high levels of motivation, students reported gaps in knowledge and confidence when preparing for careers.
Two thirds (66%) said they did not know what type of acne or skin condition they were treating, while 14% said they were unsure which awarding body their qualification was linked to, pointing to wider confusion around education pathways and industry standards.
TikTok overtakes Instagram for beauty career research
Students’ digital behaviour also reflected a shift in how the next generation engages with the industry.
More than half (53%) said they first turned to Google or websites when researching beauty careers, but TikTok (23%) was now a significantly more popular source than Instagram (11%), highlighting the growing influence of short-form video content in shaping perceptions of the industry.
The findings suggest that platforms like TikTok are playing an increasing role in how students learn about treatments, trends and career opportunities — often outside of formal education or regulated industry channels.
Students seek more industry support and guidance
More than three quarters (78%) of students said they wanted support and advice from industry professionals when they completed their course.
At the same time, awareness of professional bodies remained mixed, with 38% saying they were not aware of organisations such as Habia, Babtac or FHT.
Engagement with industry events was also relatively low, with just 28% having attended events such as trade shows, although a further 37% said they had not yet attended, suggesting potential for future growth.
Diversifying career paths across the sector
In terms of which sector students would most like to work in once qualified, traditional beauty therapy remained the most popular (25%), followed by spa, hotel and resort positions (17%).
Meanwhile, 16% were interested in specialising in one particular service such as facials, nails, lashes or waxing, and 14% were looking towards aesthetic medical and clinical environments.
The data also showed continued interest in further education, with 22% planning to continue studying, and increasing demand for higher-level qualifications.
Business of Beauty launches to bridge education gap
The survey was conducted by Business of Beauty, founded by Jo Harris, beauty business consultant and former general manager of Urban Retreat and London School of Beauty and Makeup.
Developed in collaboration with Habia, the research aims to better understand the motivations, expectations and career intentions of students entering the beauty industry.
Business of Beauty has been created to address a growing gap between education and real-world readiness, as more students enter the sector with strong technical skills but limited commercial awareness and business understanding.
The platform aims to connect education providers, brands and employers with emerging talent, while supporting students as they transition into employment or self-employment.
As part of this, Business of Beauty is launching a dedicated B.O.B Resources platform, offering guidance on starting a business, navigating employment opportunities and building professional confidence.
The initiative also includes plans for a biannual student survey and a Student Summit later this year aimed at strengthening links between education and industry.
