Susan Cressy

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Welcome to the Susan Cressy Web Site

 

The primary purpose of this web site is to provide a source of reference for students of beauty, spa and holistic therapies. However I have been asked on many occasions for information and advice from people who have a personal interest in a particular therapy or aspect of the beauty business. I will endeavour, therefore to provide information that will be useful for anyone interested in beauty and holistic therapy. If you are looking for a career in beauty, or holistic therapy and need to know where to start I will point you in the right direction and help you make your decision.

Beauty Therapy qualifications include:

 

NVQ/SVQ Diplomas Levels 1, 2 and 3.

These are National Vocational Qualifications that are work related, competence based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to carry out a job effectiveley. They provide evidence that the candidate is practically competent in their area of experetise and that they have the essential underpinning knowledge required to work safely and effectively providing a professional service for clients.

Picture source - sxc.hu Spanishale

 

1210262_feet_and_flowers spanishale sxcLevel 2 Beauty therapy route includes 3 core (you must complete all of these) units:

  • Health and safety
  • Promoting products and services
  • Develop and maintain effectiveness at work

In addition you will complete 5 mandatory units:

  • Improve and maintain facial skin condition
  • Provide eyelash and eyebrow treatments
  • Remove hair using waxing techniques
  • Provide manicure treatment
  • Provide pedicure treatment
  • Plus ONE optional unit see below

 

 

1184802_wet_refllection sxc_cherubciwiLevel 2 Beauty Makeup route includes the 3 core units plus 4 mandatory units:

  •    Provide facial skin care treatment
  •    Provide makeup services
  •    Plan and promote makeup activities
  •    Enhance appearance of eyebrows & eyelashes

   Plus ONE optional unit:

  •    Fulfil salon reception duties
  •    Provide eyelash and eyebrow treatments
  •    Remove hair using waxing techniques
  •    Provide manicure treatment
  •    Provide pedicure treatment
  •    Provide makeup treatment
  •    Plan and promote makeup activities
  •    Extend and maintain nails
  •    Provide nail art services 
  •     Pierce ears

 Picture source -  sxc.hu Cherubciwi  

 

New standards will be in place for September 2010

 

VRQ'S

This is a Vocationally Related Qualification. It is designed for those interested in working in the beauty industry. It provides the understanding, knowledge and practical skills required to provide a full range of treatments for clients. VRQs prepare the student for NVQ's, apprenticeships or employment.

 

Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies

The Diploma is a new qualification for 14-19 year olds. It's part of a national programme that is hoping to provide young people with more learning options and to encourage them to continue learning for longer.

  • It is a new qualification for 14 -1 9 year olds
  • There are 3 levels to study a Diploma at: Foundation, Higher and Advanced
  • It does not replace existing learning options
  • It sits alongside GCSE's A Levels and Apprenticeships
  • These qualifications may still be taken as part of the Diploma course

A Foundation Diploma is the same as 5 GCSEs at grades D - G

The Higher Diploma is the same as 7 GCSEs at grades A* - C

The Advanced Diploma is the same as 3.5 A levels

There are several awarding bodies that provide both full and part time courses in beauty therapy and they include:

City and Guilds

VTCT

Edexcel

ITEC

CIBTAC

CIDESCO

 

502-1 

The hair and beauty industry is a fast growing, dynamic and global industry, there are many exciting new technologies and products available that are used to provide advanced treatments for both face and body.

The industry offers more career opportunities than ever before, whether in the UK or abroad including; nail technician, spa therapist, self- employed beauty therapist, electrologist, TV and film make - up artist, technical or sales representative, company trainer and holistic therapist, to list but a few. Beauty jobs

 

 

 

This site is also useful for anyone wanting to know more about the different therapies available in salons and spas before trying out the treatments personally. There will be information on current issues within the beauty industry and my readers will be informed about new and exciting innovations and techniques.

In Summer 2004 my latest and most comprehensive edition of The Beauty Therapy Fact File was published and details of this and other beauty therapy and holistic books are available News about the 5th edition coming soon.

My latest book the Illustrated Beauty Therapy Dictionary was published in January 2008. 

Take your time browsing my site and I hope you gain some knowledge from my experiences and those of the other specialists who will contribute from time to time.