Hair and Beauty Retail Assistant

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A Hair & Beauty Retail Assistant is a customer service professional who specialises in helping clients choose the right haircare, skincare, cosmetics, and beauty products. Working in salons, beauty counters, specialty beauty stores, and department stores, they provide expert product recommendations, demonstrate beauty techniques, and handle sales transactions. With a strong understanding of beauty trends, product knowledge, and customer service, hair and beauty retail assistants play a crucial role in enhancing the shopping experience and driving retail sales.

ROSE BONASERA

Dermal Therapist.
Director, Elixer Skin Fitness

elixirskinfitness.com.au

WATCH INTERVIEW

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Rose Bonasera Dermal Therapist, Director Elixer Skin Fitness

Rose Bonasera is a leading dermal therapist with over 20 years experience in the professional skincare industry. Her experience ranges from educator, dermal therapist, working with a leading Sydney plastic surgeon to running her own award-winning skin clinic.

Rose is the Director Elixir Skin Fitness and is driven to achieving incredible and sustainable results for her clients. Elixir Skin Fitness was voted by Vogue Australia as South Australia’s Best Skin Health Clinic in 2018.

Rose has a special interest in inflammatory skin conditions, extrinsic and intrinsic ageing and the connection between the skin, gut and internal health. Rose’s goal is to educate her clients on how they can look after their skin with an integrative approach, creating customised skin treatment plans for each client’s unique story.

Rose enjoys working in partnership with male and female clients to achieve positive changes in the appearance of their skin, and as a result, also increasing their self-confidence.

Rose is results-driven and is passionate about working with some of the latest equipment devices available to achieve outstanding results for her clients. Rose also successfully runs Elixir Education Events every year for existing and new clients, inviting industry-based guest speakers to continue educating her clients on an integrative approach to skin health and the generation prevention culture.

LEARN FROM ROSE IN HER INTERVIEW WITH SAHBA

Details

What Does a Hair and Beauty Retail Assistant Do?

Hair & Beauty Retail Assistants support the daily operations of a beauty-focused retail environment by assisting customers with product selection, skincare or haircare advice, and maintaining an inviting store layout. Their role combines sales, merchandising, and beauty expertise to ensure customers find the best solutions for their needs.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Greet customers and provide expert beauty advice based on their needs.
  • Assist clients in choosing haircare, skincare, cosmetics, and fragrance products.
  • Demonstrate makeup application, skincare routines, and haircare techniques.
  • Operate point-of-sale (POS) systems, process payments, refunds, and exchanges.
  • Restock shelves, organise beauty product displays, and ensure store cleanliness.
  • Keep up with the latest beauty trends, product launches, and brand updates.
  • Promote special offers, loyalty programmes, and beauty services.
  • Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and product returns professionally.

Work Environments:

Hair & Beauty Retail Assistants work in a variety of beauty retail settings, including:

Beauty Counters & Cosmetic Stores:
Selling premium makeup, skincare, and fragrances.

Hair & Beauty Supply Stores:
Assisting professionals and consumers with salon-grade products.

Salons & Spas with Retail Sections:
Recommending take-home hair and skincare solutions.

Luxury Department Stores:
Selling high-end beauty brands in exclusive retail environments.

Pharmacy Beauty Sections:
Advising customers on cosmeceutical and everyday beauty products.

Online & E-Commerce Beauty Stores:
Assisting with customer service, product recommendations, and digital sales.

Skills & Qualifications

Skills required:

Beauty Product Knowledge:
Understanding skincare, haircare, and cosmetics.

Strong Customer Service & Sales Skills:
Ability to engage with customers and build relationships.

Makeup & Haircare Demonstration Skills:
Showing clients how to use beauty products effectively.

Basic Computer & POS System Knowledge:
Handling transactions and store operations.

Attention to Detail & Merchandising Skills:
Maintaining an appealing and well-stocked beauty retail space.

Teamwork & Adaptability:
Collaborating in a fast-paced retail environment.

Qualifications required:

While formal education is not always required, the following qualifications can enhance career opportunities:

Certificate II or III in Retail Services (SIR20216 / SIR30216) 
Covers customer service, sales, and store operations.

Certificate III in Beauty Services (SHB30121) 
Provides fundamental knowledge of beauty products and applications.

Certificate III in Makeup (SHB30221)
Ideal for beauty retail assistants working in cosmetics stores or makeup counters.

On-the-Job Training & Retail Brand Certifications 
Offered by major beauty brands for product knowledge and sales training.

First Aid & Workplace Safety Training 
Useful for retail environments in large beauty and department stores.



Career Growth & Opportunities

Hair & Beauty Retail Assistants can advance their careers by:

Becoming a Beauty Counter Manager or Senior Sales Assistant 
Leading sales teams and product promotions.

Specialising in Luxury Beauty Sales
Working with high-end brands in department stores or flagship stores.

Transitioning to Visual Merchandising
Designing beauty product displays and store layouts.

Moving into Retail Management
Becoming an Assistant Store Manager or Store Manager.

Exploring Product Training & Brand Representation 
Educating staff and clients for beauty brands.

Becoming a Beauty Consultant or Skincare Specialist
Working directly with clients on personalised beauty solutions.

Expanding into E-Commerce & Digital Beauty Retail 
Managing social media, online sales, and virtual beauty consultations.

With the beauty industry continuously evolving, a career as a Hair & Beauty Retail Assistant offers endless opportunities for growth, blending product expertise, customer engagement, and business operations in the exciting world of hair and beauty retail.