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Performing arts

Image consultant

Image consultants advise individuals on their appearance and how to make an impact.

Annual Salary

£14,000 to £40,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

38 to 40 variable

You could work: freelance / self-employed; as customers demand

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% fewer Image consultant jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

You’ll advise private individuals on:

  • how to dress in colours that suit them
  • clothes, make-up and hair that will improve their look
  • how to organise their wardrobe space
  • styling for events like weddings or business meetings
  • how to present themselves in public

You’ll advise corporate clients on:

  • how to deliver training workshops
  • how to use voice and body language in business situations
  • personal branding and appearance
  • how to understand brand and corporate cultures
  • business etiquette, including spoken and written communication skills

Working environment

You could work from home or at a client's business.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • applying directly
  • private training courses
University

It's not essential to get into this job, but you could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

  • beauty therapy
  • media communications
  • marketing

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
College

You can complete a course that will give you the basic skills needed by professional image consultants. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Make-up
  • Level 2 Diploma in Fashion Retail
  • Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
For more information
Direct application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got experience or qualifications in areas like:

  • business consultancy
  • fashion, hair and beauty therapy
  • public relations
  • retail
  • sales and marketing
  • training and coaching

Other routes

You could do private training courses to develop your skills, with industry organisations like the Federation of Image Professionals International. You could then set up your own business using these skills.

More information

Career tips

You should build up a portfolio that shows off your skills, for example makeover 'before and after' shots. You could also include client case studies that explain the impact of your advice and the difference it's made.

Further information

You can get more details about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

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You could work for a large, international agency, or specialise in a particular area of work.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work on your own
  • leadership skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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