Level 2 Diploma in Beauty Therapy (RQF)

Develop the professional communication skills and client care behaviours that form the foundation of every beauty therapy consultation. This unit covers how to greet and receive clients, conduct effective consultations to identify treatment needs, maintain client records in line with data protection requirements, handle complaints and feedback professionally, and build the kind of trusted client relationships that support a successful long-term practice. You also explore equality, diversity, and inclusion as they apply to beauty industry workplaces, ensuring every client receives a respectful and personalised service.

Understand the legal and professional responsibilities that govern health, safety, and hygiene in a beauty therapy setting. This unit examines the key legislation that applies to salon environments, including the Health and Safety at Work Act, COSHH regulations, and the Electricity at Work Regulations. You learn to identify and report hazards, apply appropriate risk management procedures, maintain a clean and hygienic treatment area, handle and dispose of waste safely, and follow correct sterilisation and disinfection protocols to prevent cross-infection between clients. The unit also covers emergency procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

Master the theory and practical delivery of professional facial treatments, one of the most in-demand beauty therapy services. You study the anatomy and physiology of the skin, including skin types, conditions, and the ageing process, alongside the contraindications that affect or restrict facial treatments. You learn to perform a full facial consultation, select appropriate products and techniques for each client's skin type, and deliver a complete facial treatment encompassing cleansing, toning, exfoliation, steam, extraction, massage, mask, and moisturiser application. The unit develops your ability to adapt treatments and provide appropriate aftercare advice to support lasting skin health.

Learn to deliver the full range of professional eyebrow and eyelash treatments that clients seek in every salon setting. This unit covers eyebrow shaping by threading, tweezing, and waxing; eyelash and eyebrow tinting using professional-grade products; and the application of strip and individual artificial eyelashes. You develop a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the eye area, the contraindications that affect treatment, the correct patch-testing protocols for tinting products, and the precision techniques required to achieve symmetrical, flattering results. Aftercare advice for each treatment type is covered in full, along with the retail opportunities that arise from recommending maintenance products.

Build the skills and knowledge required to deliver professional manicure services to salon clients. This unit covers the anatomy of the hand and nail unit, including the bones, muscles, nerves, and blood supply of the hand and forearm, and the structure and growth cycle of the natural nail. You learn to assess nail conditions and contraindications, prepare the treatment area and client, and deliver a full manicure treatment sequence including cuticle work, nail shaping and buffing, hand and arm massage using effleurage and petrissage techniques, and the application of base coat, coloured polish, and top coat. The unit also covers nail art as a finishing option and the provision of homecare advice to support nail health between appointments.

Develop the professional competencies required to deliver a complete pedicure treatment, one of the fastest-growing service categories in the UK beauty and wellness market. You study the anatomy and physiology of the foot and lower leg, including the bones, joints, and soft tissue structures relevant to pedicure practice. The unit covers assessment of the feet and nails for contraindications, preparation of the client and treatment area, and delivery of a full pedicure sequence including footsoak, cuticle treatment, nail shaping, callus removal, foot and lower-leg massage, and polish application. You also explore the conditions, diseases, and disorders of the foot that a therapist may encounter and the appropriate referral pathways for those beyond the scope of beauty therapy.

Gain competence in professional waxing, one of the most requested and technically demanding services in the beauty therapy treatment menu. This unit covers the structure and growth cycle of hair, the contraindications that affect waxing treatments, and the differences between warm wax and hot wax application for different body and facial areas. You learn to conduct a thorough client consultation and patch test, prepare the client and treatment area, and apply and remove both warm and hot wax efficiently and with minimum discomfort. Treatment areas covered include the legs, underarms, bikini line, and facial areas. The unit also addresses aftercare advice, retail recommendations, and the management of adverse reactions.

Develop the technical make-up artistry skills required to create professional, client-appropriate looks in a salon or commercial setting. This unit covers colour theory and its application to cosmetic make-up, the anatomy of the face and how facial shape and features influence make-up technique, and an analysis of the product categories used in professional make-up application, from primers and foundations to contouring, blush, eye make-up, and lip colour. You learn to consult with clients about their desired look, prepare the skin correctly, and apply a range of daywear and evening looks. The unit also covers make-up for special occasions including bridal and photographic make-up, and the provision of retail recommendations to clients wishing to recreate looks at home.

Learn how to educate clients in professional make-up application techniques, a service that builds long-term loyalty and positions the therapist as a trusted expert. This unit focuses on the skills required to plan, structure, and deliver one-to-one make-up instruction sessions for clients with varying levels of experience. You learn to assess the client's current skills, identify their goals, and design a personalised lesson that covers the products, tools, and techniques most relevant to their daily routine or special occasion needs. The unit also covers how to give constructive feedback, adapt your teaching approach to different learning styles, and ensure the client leaves with the practical knowledge and product recommendations to replicate the results independently.