Looking for all the best beauty side hustles?
Have you been spending time crawling through Instagram and Tik Tok for the next big thing in beauty trends?
Perhaps you are really artistic and have a real interest in helping make people more beautiful. Why not turn that interest into a beauty side hustle?
Or maybe you are already working in the beauty industry and want to make a little extra on the side.
Either way, I am here to help you with the best beauty side hustle that suits your skills and interests!
In this article, I will cover 21 of the most profitable beauty side hustles.
21 Beauty Side Hustles You Can Start Right Now
- Laser Hair Removal
- Hairdressing
- Special Events Makeup
- Nails
- Tanning
- Hair Extensions
- Semi-Permanent Makeup
- Reiki
- Eyebrow Design
- Dermal Filler
- Waxing
- Eyelash Extensions
- Facial Treatments
- Chemical Peels
- Facial Massage Therapist
- Beauty Consultant
- Colorist
- Body Wraps
- Beauty Influencer
- Beauty Product Tester
- Beauty & Cosmetics Virtual Assistant
DISCLOSURE
Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.
1. Laser Hair Removal
Most modern women want a hair-free existence.
Laser hair removal is still a highly sought-after beauty trend. Start-up costs include an IPL course and paying for the hair removal machine. Your main costs are going to be the machine and the ongoing maintenance of it which can cost upwards of $250,000 with $12,000 annually to maintain the machine.
Another way to do it is to reach out to your local beauty salons and ask if you can train with them on your weekends if you’re doing this as a side hustle. Some run training alongside their services, so you may be able to get experience and training simultaneously.
Look for courses run by your local beauty school, and there are so many available that you can get qualified and start getting clients in no time.
Once you have experience and training, you’ll be able to start getting clients in no time.
Many people will pay good money to get their hair removed permanently and you’ll be able to create quite a lucrative career from this side hustle.
For example, this beauty side hustler started from a “tiny, windowless room,” but has now expanded to have multiple clinics across the United Kingdom.
She moved her machine from client to client at first but then expanded into having a storefront.
Laser hair removal is lucrative in that you can charge at least $350 per person, just for a bikini hair removal.
If you calculate that against all the other parts of the body that can start adding up quite quickly.
If you need convincing, the global laser hair removal market size was valued at USD 443.84 million in 2020.
2. Hairdressing
This is one for the girls (or boys) who used to trim their doll’s hair when they were little.
If you’ve tried one of the hair tutorials that have taken Tik Tok by storm, why not make some easy side hustle money from it?
Hairdressing isn’t just about cutting hair.
There’s styling, blow drying, coloring, and even a perfect wash is sought after.
Time-poor women always need someone who can wash and style their hair at a moment’s notice.
In the United States, the hair industry is expected to grow to 102 billion dollars by 2024, and is expected to keep growing.
With a few tools, you can set up from home and make some big bank in no time.
Some freelance hair stylists earn between $200 – $300 a week. As long as you have some hours in your evenings and weekends you’ll be able to block off time to see clients between other obligations.
3. Special Events Makeup
Is Halloween your favorite time of year? If you love unleashing your creativity with makeup, you can turn this into a great beauty side hustle.
It’s not just about turning people into zombies. There is a vast need for special events makeup.
Think weddings, proms, or gender reveals. Everyone wants someone to help make their eyes pop and look like an Instagram filter.
You can even throw in special events hair, and you’ll be a one-stop-shop.
Most makeup artists can charge from $100 per client for special hair and makeup.
If you’re doing a wedding, you’ll be able to charge around $300 per person.
The best thing about weddings is that you’ll most likely be working on the bridal party as well. More people equals more money.
Source makeup and accessories online at a reasonable price, and you’ll be able to keep your start-up costs lean.
As you get more clients, you can expand your repertoire, adding more colors and skills, which will help you build a great portfolio.
4. Nails
A fresh mani-pedi is something that every woman loves.
What about nail art?
That takes it to the next level. If you’re the type of person who always has their nails looking top dollar, why not consider doing nails as a side hustle?
Nails is an excellent beauty side hustle as you won’t need too much to start up, and it’s always in high demand.
This is a crafty design side hustle, and you can hone your design and drawing skills to create some beautiful and innovative nail art.
Add an at-home service, and you’ll be able to tap into a market that needs pampering but without the added stress of having to find car parks.
At home, mani-pedi services are also highly sought after for bachelorette parties.
This nail side hustler charges $85 for just manicures and $165 for a nail package (including manicure and pedicure).
This is more than if you head into a nail salon, but people are willing to pay for the convenience of having the service in the comfort of their homes.
A nail tech side hustle is excellent if you can offer a service list that taps into different needs.
5. Tanning
Everyone loves a sunkissed look.
That great sun glow that looks like you’ve been on a beach vacation without needing to leave your city.
A tanning business is a great side hustle because it’s lucrative all year around.
With a couple of start-up costs, you’ll need to get the spray tan machine and a repertoire of shades so that you’re able to offer a complete service that is competitive with bigger brands.
Your start-up costs could work out to upwards of $2000, which includes the applicators, marketing, and training.
But once you’ve invested the money at the start you’ll be able to earn a return in no time.
Once you develop the skill and have a steady client base, you’ll be able to charge $20-$35 per client.
Soon enough, you’ll have no issues gaining a steady stream of customers all year long.
6. Hair Extensions
Long luscious model-worthy hair. That’s the dream.
This is one of the easiest side hustles for hair stylist to get into. Hair extensions are another lucrative beauty side hustle because it is highly in demand.
You don’t even need to be a qualified hairdresser to offer this service.
However, this is the kind of side hustle for hairstylist who wants to offer more than just haircuts.
Your start-up costs will include sourcing the hair extensions and having enough experience to put in the extensions to create a seamless look for your clients.
The first thing you need to decide is what kind of hair extensions you will offer, and then take the time to master your skills.
If you need a course to learn some skills, you’ll earn money back from a handful of clients.
7. Semi-Permanent Makeup
Dark bushy eyebrows are trending, and this is a trend that’s here to stay.
Microblading is a semi-permanent makeup technique that is going to earn you big bucks.
Depending on where you live, you can charge between $500 to $2000 per client.
As microblading requires several sessions and touch-ups over time, you’ll have repeat clients on your books.
The best thing? You won’t need any prior qualifications. You need ambition and good training.
You can opt to learn in person at your nearest salon or try an online course.
Once you’re trained up, you’ll have paid off what you invested in no time.
Go beyond eyebrows and look at doing permanent eye or lip liner. You’ll have a menu of services for your ever-growing client list in no time.
8. Reiki
If you haven’t heard of Reiki, don’t turn your mind away from it yet. Reiki is one of the great side hustles in health and wellness.
Reiki is from Japan and is an alternative medicine that involves the transfer of universal energy from the practitioner’s palms to their patient.
Reiki practitioners use “energy healing” to move energy in and out of their client’s bodies.
Your clients will feel rejuvenated, and so will you.
Reiki is the cheapest and easiest side hustle to train in, and you’ll be able to bring so much calm and peace to your customers.
There are many courses online for you to learn the technique.
With low start-up costs (approximately $5000) and easy training, once you know what you’re doing, you’ll be able to hit the ground running while also feeling at peace in no time.
Reiki practitioners can charge between $25 – $100 per session, based on how long the session is. You’ll be earning your money back within months.
Win-win!
9. Eyebrow Design
If you’re a star at creating a beautiful eyebrow arch, without microblading, you can head down the eyebrow design route.
Create impressive eyebrow designs for your clients and you’ll have repeat clients needing their brows done every two weeks.
Learn to shape, tint, and thread. Start-up costs are low because you’re main cost will be the course (which can cost approximately $95).
Once you know what to do you can start up from home or a mobile service which will keep your overheads low.
If you’re doing threading, you’ll just need some thread and some steady hands.
Create a client base by word of mouth, and you’ll be able to grow your expertise and client book in no time.
10. Dermal Filler
This is also known as Cosmetology. This is a good beauty side hustle if you’ve got enough for your start-up costs which can cost upwards of $10,000.
This beauty therapist side hustle will involve more of an investment, unlike some of the options above.
This can be a great beauty side hustle, but it needs a lot of training and involves high start-up costs.
This is because it involves using needles and injecting chemicals into people’s faces.
You must be trained up and understand physiology before you can start working with clients. To start up you’ll need to make sure you’re doing a few things.
- Partner with a doctor – if you don’t have a medical degree you’ll need to partner with one to get your business off the ground.
- Pay for the filler and injectables.
- Rent a space to perform the procedure. It isn’t hygienic to perform this at home as you’ll need to make sure that your space is 100% sterile.
Once you’ve started up, you need to do treatments to earn back your start-up costs regularly.
The first thing you need to do is find a course near you so that you understand what the procedure involves.
Once you’ve started, you’ll be able to charge between $530 – $930 per syringe.
Each client is different so your charges will vary. Don’t expect to earn a profit in your first year because of the high startup costs.
But over time, with the right amount of clients, you may be able to turn a profit, if you put in enough time and effort.
If you’re thinking about doing this a beauty side hustle, think about how much time you have and whether the time you can put in will give you the right return.
Is Cosmetology A Good Side Hustle?
The short answer to this is no.
While cosmetology is a growing industry, you will have high start-up costs and the need to partner with a doctor, which eats into your profits.
You also need to find and keep clients to make any profit.
Jobs for cosmetologists are expected to increase by 8 percent between 2018 and 2028, meaning though there will be jobs, there will be a lot of competition.
Cosmetology courses can also be expensive.
Wondering how much is beauty school? Attending a school with accredited programs can cost from about $5,000 to $15,000.
That may be affordable if you can work while studying.
However, do you get paid in cosmetology school? Well, the answer to that is also no as you will most likely need to be certified first.
If this is an area that you really want to go into as a side hustle, make sure you do some research to understand all that’s required.
11. Waxing
Laser hair removal might be picking up, but people are still not ready for the multiple sessions and money needed for the permanent hair removal that comes with laser hair removal.
Waxing is still very much a need in the beauty game, and with low start-up costs (upwards of $8000). Waxing isn’t just for the legs or women.
You can expand to every part of the body, and a highly sought-after industry is men’s waxing.
You need to have perfect eyes to find those niggly tiny hairs that fail to come out with one rip.
Specialize in creating an experience by offering different types of wax and after wax treatments.
To learn how to create the perfect wax experience, you can do a course online.
Recent reports show that a waxing business can turn an annual profit of $50,000. You’ll be able to charge between $45 – $100 for a full leg wax and with each body part, you can create packages for your clients.
You can turn a pretty painful treatment into a relaxing spa-like experience, which can mean charging more.
People pay for experiences so this is a great time to capitalize on that.
12. Eyelash Extensions
Eyelash extensions are hot right now, and the best part, it’s one of the best beauty side hustles to do from home!
Yes, all you need to do is set up a cozy, relaxing vanity room for your customers.
The first step to making this dream come true is to take a recognized training course that will allow you to perform treatments.
Becoming a lash technician offers excellent flexibility.
Set your own rates and work hours.
You can earn up to $104,000 a year as a lash technician. Who knows, this could become a full-time gig once you’ve mastered it!
13. Facial Treatments
Do you enjoy making others look and feel good?
If you do, a side hustle as a facialist is for you!
A facialist performs simple skin care procedures such as blackhead removal, skin hydration, and more.
You can earn up to $48,000 as a facialist depending on who you work for, your experience, and the hours you work.
14. Chemical Peels
A chemical peel is a skincare procedure that is to remove dead skin cells from the face to encourage the growth of new skin cells.
This is a great esthetician side hustle, as light and moderate chemical peels can only be done if you’ve done training in advanced skin therapies.
There is big money in chemical peels, it can make up to 25% of total revenue with high profits!
15. Face Massage Therapist
If you are already a facial therapist, adding other complimenting services such as face massages may be a good idea.
Face massage therapists or practitioners massage the muscles and tissues around the face and neck area to stimulate lymphatic drainage and lift the muscles.
There are many certification courses online that’ll qualify you to work at spas and treatment centers.
You can earn up to $90,000 a year as a facial-massage practitioner, and you get to set your own hours.
16. Beauty Consultant
If you are wondering how to make money while in cosmetology school, here is a makeup side hustle for you!
Beauty consultants usually work behind the counters of beauty brands in a retail setting.
They know their products well, and provide customers with recommendations, or answer any questions they may have.
Beauty consultants make $40,000 to $50,000 on average in a year.
Nowadays, you can become an online beauty consultant and work behind a virtual counter too, and make more than $20 an hour.
17. Colorist
Here is one of the side jobs for hairstylists that can pay extremely well if you’re good at the job!
Hair colorists provide their customers with hair color recommendations and treatments based on their hair type and hair dye sensitivities.
They also style the hair once the treatment is done.
Hair colorists earn anywhere between $10,000 to $100,000 a year.
This depends on the amount of time and effort that you put into the job and the experience you have.
18. Body Wraps
Body wrap treatment is an up-and-coming spa treatment that removes toxins and tones the body, providing the skin with a smoother look.
This is one of the beauty services that make money and that should be carried out by a trained body wrap technician.
Body wrap specialists can earn up to $29 an hour and $60,000 annually.
19. Beauty Influencers
If you’re looking for side hustles for hairstylists, side hustles for estheticians, or basically, for anyone with a thriving beauty side to their personality, this is it!
Beauty influencers are making it big on platforms like Instagram and TikTok by creating content like how-to videos and paid product reviews.
By becoming a beauty influencer, you can make fun tutorial videos (more on this below) and collaborate with your favorite brands, all while you get paid!
20. Beauty Product Tester
Wondering how to make money in the beauty industry from your couch?
Here is the easiest of all beauty side hustles to start from home.
Become a beauty product tester, and all you have to do is test out products and provide feedback in your free time.
This is one of the fun cosmetic side hustles that allow you to try out and experiment with different brands’ products.
21. Beauty & Cosmetics Virtual Assistant
One of the latest beauty industry jobs that you can do online is to become a beauty & cosmetics virtual assistant.
This is one of the few beauty industry side hustles that you can do from home!
Your responsibilities may entail brand management, creating content, and engaging with customers.
Earn $18 to $35 an hour by being a Virtual Assistant with a side hustle beauty industry.
Additional Beauty Side Hustles If You’re Already In The Beauty Game
Sell Your Beauty Products
Do you like mixing your oils with your creams?
If you love experimenting with your skin products, why not create your beauty product line and start a skincare side hustle.
There are so many options available to you. You can opt to make small batches of your products.
If you’re needing some inspiration, there are plenty of courses online that teach you how to create beauty products.
You can also partner with a company that will turn your products into a line that they can market for you.
With the eCommerce world that we live in, you’ll be able to get your products in front of the customers you need in no time.
Teach Beauty Skills
Most people learn the next new makeup technique from a video online.
Whether it’s a Tik Tok, Youtube, or Instagram video, social media is a platform with great possibilities.
Teaching beauty skills is highly sought after.
Beauty Youtubers have also been able to turn their makeup tutorials into full-blown beauty lines. Some beauty Youtubers to note:
- Jeffree Star (16.4M subscribers)
- Huda Kattan (4.15M subscribers)
- Zoe Sugg (4.91M subscribers)
- Carli Bybel (6.15M subscribers)
- Kathleen Lights (4.16M subscribers)
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even set up your makeup or beauty course on a platform like Udemy.
Out of all the other beauty side hustles, this one will simply allow you to turn your daily beauty tricks into an entire learning course.
If you’d like more of a one-on-one relationship, you can set up workshops online through Zoom.
Again, you don’t need a qualification for this. You need a bit of creativity and perseverance.
Become A Stylist
Capsule wardrobes are all the rage right now on Instagram.
People are constantly looking for ways to look stylish but without the effort of figuring out what to buy and from where.
If you’re the fashionable friend in your group, why not become a stylist?
It is one of the most lucrative fashion and beauty side hustles.
Again, take to social media and showcase your style to build a portfolio and following.
Soon enough, you’ll have people asking you for help with styling. There are so many ways you can take this, and the best part is all you need is to wear your clothes well.
If you need some inspiration, try an online course that will walk you through the steps needed to become a fashion stylist.
Alternatively, this article talks you through the first few steps needed to become a fashion stylist.
Being a stylist means that you recommend clothes that your clients will buy.
The plus side to this is a big part of this job is shopping. So if this is something you love doing, start showcasing your style today.
Mystery Shopping
If you like shopping and free swag, sign up to be a mystery shopper.
Big brands are constantly looking for ways to test their customer service by enlisting shoppers who pretend to be real customers.
You get to try clothes, products, and services, all while getting paid—an excellent idea for a fashion side hustle.
The only downside to this easy side hustle is that the pay isn’t consistent, and you won’t raise your rates over time.
Companies set the rate and the tasks, so it’s up to you to apply and show up.
The more experience you have, the more complex the job, which means you will get more money.
Think going into a car dealership and pretending to buy a car.
It’s quite a different experience from buying a shirt at a regular department store. This does take more time compared to other beauty side hustles though.
So make sure that you do the math before you sign up to make sure that you’re not wasting time.
Most Profitable Side Hustle
Anything to do with eyebrows will make you the most money in the beauty side hustles game.
Eyebrows are the facial features that most of the population is focused on—even men. So if you’re looking for the most profitable side hustle, focus on the eyebrows.
Threading, microblading, laminating. There are so many options available just for eyebrows you’ll be earning back your start-up costs in no time.
And that’s a wrap! We’ve given you the rundown of 21 beauty side hustles. Do you feel inspired? With a bit of creativity and perseverance, this side hustle will be one you’ll be able to grow with over the years.
FAQs on Beauty Side Hustles
What Side Hustles Pay The Most?
The top 10 side hustle ideas that pay the most include:
1. Freelancing on Upwork
2. Personal Training
4. Photography
6. Driving for Uber
8. Creating Content On Youtube
10. Blogging
What Beauty Services Make The Most Money?
The 5 beauty services that make the most money are:
1. Microshading ($3132 a week)
2. Ombre brows ($3,630 a week)
3. Semi-permanent eyeliner ($4,000 a week)
4. Semi-permanent lip-liner ($4,337 a week)
5. Semi-permanent brows ($5,325 a week)
How To Make Money With Beauty?
7 ways to make money with beauty include:
- Become a certified esthetician – carry out beauty treatments like chemical peels
- Become certified in semi-permanent makeup – semi-permanent brows, lipliner, etc.
- Start a home-based or online beauty services business
- Become a skilled freelancer – freelance makeup artist, or nail technician
- Become a beauty consultant – provide makeup tutorials, recommend products
- Become a beauty writer – write for beauty brands or magazines
- Become a beauty content creator – start a beauty blog or vlog on Youtube
What Is The Best Beauty Business To Start?
The 7 best beauty businesses to start:
- Start a home-based salon providing beauty services
- Become a trained or experienced freelance hair or makeup artist.
- Get certified as an esthetician and open up your own spa business
- Create your own Etsy store and sell beauty products and sell them online
- Start a beauty blog or Youtube channel
- Get certified in semi-permanent makeup
- Become a nail technician
What sells the most in the beauty industry?
According to Statista, skincare products sell the most in the beauty industry. They account for up to 41% of the market share. Followed by haircare products, makeup, perfumes, toiletries and deodorants, and lastly oral cosmetics.
How Can I Start A Beauty Business With No Money?
Here’s how you can start a beauty business with no money:
- Choose your beauty niche
- Attend training and become certified
- Start freelancing and gaining experience
- Create a business plan
- Apply for licenses and permits
- Keep costs low – lease expensive equipment, set up business at home, etc.
- Create promotional packages for services
- Apply for a business loan or approach investors
Can I Run A Beauty Business From Home?
You can run a beauty business from home. You’ll save on travel costs and you will be able to work flexible hours.
However, opening your home to clients may not be the same as being a salon therapist. There are many factors to consider before making this decision.
Is Beauty Business Profitable?
Being in the beauty business is definitely profitable.
The beauty industry has always been a booming one, as beauty and skincare products are always making it to the top of the list for online shopping categories globally.
What is the number 1 side hustle?
The number one side hustle is to deliver food and groceries. It is one of the rapidly booming side hustle industries in 2023.
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