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Career in making people look good

Fancy a career in making people look beautiful? Or even better, working in a top class spa as a spa therapist. Beauty education is fast taking shape as a lucrative option for students all over the world as specialised training centres are opening up for students in the UAE.

Located in Dubai Healthcare City, Academie Esthetique, a French international beauty school is Dubai’s first full-fledged beauty training centre.

Ruth Lisa Koprowski, Academie Esthetique’s principal, has been in Dubai for over a year and overseen the project grow from ‘a shell’ to a fully operational beauty academy, a role which she describes as ‘challenging but exciting.’

She explains that the aim of the academy is to educate students at an international level, specifically targeting people from the Middle East. With more than 300 top-class spas in the UAE, the beauty industry is fast shaping up as a well-paying career alternative.

Basic qualifications are preferable, but Ruth points out that more essential is the mentality to agree to full time study for a long period.

“We have taken students with no qualifications,” she states, “provided they have the ability and the willingness to work hard and they can cope, then we will take them.”

The short courses offered require no formal qualifications, as Ruth explains that basic knowledge of biology and anatomy is essential.

“A short course can accommodate up to 10 students,” she says

The academy offers a variety of short courses, such as a three-day basic make-up course, or a longer six-day intensive spa management course, however the main focus is on the one-year international diploma courses.

“The main aim is not about short sharp fixes,” Ruth states. “It’s the international programmes and being recognised as a proper institute that provides training for a long term career.”

Revenues for hotel spas in Dubai have risen by 45.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, according to Ernst and Young, and the demand for beauty specialists is greater than ever.

“Hotel spas and medical companies have a huge demand for qualified staff and spa therapists, nail technicians, make-up artists are in high demand,” adds Ruth

Stressing the need for proper formal education in beauty, Huda Kattan, a Hollywood-trained, Dubai-based makeup artist and beauty consultant says, “It definitely makes a difference going to a beauty school as opposed to learning it on the job. Learning it the right way is a first step to understanding beauty.”

Huda Kattan is one of the few professionally trained make-up artists in the UAE. After a career in finance and public relations, Huda moved to the Joe Blasco Make-Up school in Hollywood.

“Not only did I gain great experience but I learnt a lot of techniques in a short span of time. If I were to learn it on the job, it would take me ages and chances are I would never learn some of the techniques,” says Huda.

Spending four days a week styling high-profile clients, Huda also 
hosts regular classes for interested students.

“It is a busy industry and taking up a career in the beauty and make-up is indeed very profitable. Being trained in a specialised form of make up like bridal or photography make-up gives students an added advantage,” asserts Huda.

Derek Bennett, Owner of Colour Symphony, which publishes magazines on beauty and hair care, says, “Earlier there was a different scenario in the beauty industry. People were willing to hire untrained staff and get away with it, but now there is a greater need to be certified.” He adds, “Getting trained and experienced people can be expensive and most of the companies here look for cheap labour.” 
 muaz@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE