Hairdresser / Barber vs Beauty specialist

Comparison at a glance

What does a Hairdresser / Barber do?

As a hairdresser or barber, your main responsibility is to cut, style, and care for clients' hair. You will help clients choose hairstyles that suit their preferences and facial features, and advise them on hair products to maintain or improve hair health. Your work is highly creative as you design looks that match current trends or individual styles, and precision is essential when cutting and styling hair to achieve the desired result.

You typically work in a salon setting where you have extensive contact with clients. This means strong communication skills are important to understand client wishes and provide advice. The physical aspect of the job involves standing for long periods and using your hands and arms actively. You may also perform treatments such as washing, coloring, or perming hair, which require technical knowledge and attention to detail.

What does a Beauty specialist do?

A beauty specialist focuses on treatments that improve clients' skin and overall appearance. This includes facials, massages, hair removal, and makeup application. The role requires knowledge of skincare products, hygiene standards, and sometimes commercial insight to recommend suitable products or services to clients.

Beauty specialists often work in salons or spas, sometimes with more flexible hours than hairdressers. Like hairdressers, they have direct contact with clients and must communicate well to understand their needs and explain treatments. The work involves medium physical effort, including standing and using hands for treatments, as well as some analytical tasks such as assessing skin conditions to decide on appropriate care.

The key differences

• Hairdressers/barbers specialize in hair cutting, styling, and care, while beauty specialists focus on skin treatments and other beauty services like massages and makeup.
• Education for hairdressers is typically at the vocational (MBO) level, whereas beauty specialists can have education at both vocational (MBO) and applied bachelor's (HBO) levels, especially if specializing in skin therapy.
• Hairdressers mostly work on location in salons, whereas beauty specialists may work in a wider range of settings including spas and wellness centers, offering more diverse workplace options.
• The typical salary for beauty specialists tends to be slightly higher, with a range up to €3,400 gross per month, compared to hairdressers who earn up to €3,000 gross per month.
• The RIASEC codes differ slightly: hairdressers are classified as Artistic and Social with an emphasis on artistic (ASE), while beauty specialists are Social and Artistic with a stronger social component (SAE).

Similarities

• Both careers involve high levels of direct contact with clients, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Creativity is important in both jobs, whether in designing hairstyles or applying beauty treatments and makeup.
• Both roles involve medium physical work and require attention to hygiene and client comfort during treatments.

Education and route

To become a hairdresser or barber, you typically follow a vocational training path at the MBO level, such as a Kappersopleiding or Haarstyling en -verzorging program. These courses provide practical skills in hair cutting, styling, coloring, and client communication, preparing you for work in salons.

Beauty specialists usually start with vocational training at the MBO level, such as the Schoonheidsspecialist program, which covers basic beauty treatments and skincare. For those interested in more advanced skin therapy, an applied bachelor's degree (HBO) in Huidtherapie is an option, focusing on medical skin treatments and deeper knowledge of dermatology.

Salary

In the Netherlands, hairdressers and barbers typically earn between €1,900 and €3,000 gross per month, with an average around €2,450. Beauty specialists have a slightly higher salary range, from €2,000 up to €3,400 gross per month, averaging about €2,700. These differences reflect the varying levels of education and specialization within the beauty sector.

Which career suits you?

Choose to become a hairdresser or barber if you enjoy working creatively with hair, have good manual dexterity, and like building relationships with clients through regular visits to the salon. This career suits you if you prefer a focused specialization in hair care and styling within a dynamic, social environment.

Choose to become a beauty specialist if you are interested in a broader range of beauty and wellness treatments, including skincare, massages, and makeup. This path is suitable if you want the option to pursue higher education and potentially work in various settings like spas or medical skin clinics, and if you enjoy combining social interaction with technical knowledge about skin and beauty products.

Frequently asked questions

What level of education do I need to become a hairdresser or barber?

You typically need vocational training at the MBO level, where you learn practical skills in hair cutting, styling, and client communication. This training prepares you for work in salons and similar settings.

Can beauty specialists work in medical settings?

Yes, especially those with higher education such as an applied bachelor's degree in skin therapy (HBO) can work in medical or dermatological settings, performing specialized skin treatments beyond typical salon services.

Is physical strength important in these careers?

Both careers involve medium physical work, including standing for long periods and using your hands actively. Physical stamina and good posture help manage the demands of the job.

Do these careers offer opportunities for self-employment?

Yes, both hairdressers/barbers and beauty specialists can work independently by opening their own salons or studios, allowing more control over their work schedule and client base.

See also

• Careers in beauty and fashion
• Careers in healthcare