Image consultants use their knowledge and skills to advise individuals and companies on all aspects of personal impact and appearance.

With a client base of private individuals, this can include;

• colour analysis
• style analysis
• choosing and applying make-up
• wardrobe management
• personal shopping
• talks and demonstrations.

With corporate clients it can also include:

• training workshops
• formal talks and presentations
• key-note speaking
• branding
• audits
• executive coaching
• body language
• etiquette
• NLP (neuro-linguistic programming).

Image consultants can work with people from all sectors:

• public and private companies
• politics 
• media
• adult education
• charities
• fashion
• retail.

The media increasingly need image consultants to contribute to television and radio programmes, and to articles in the local, national and specialist press.

Hours and Environment

The majority of image consultants work from home, so will need to have a suitable space. Alternatively, they may travel to visit clients at home or at work. Hours are flexible and depend on the client base, so it is quite usual for consultants to work evenings and weekends.

Skills and Interests

To be an image consultant you should:

• have a natural flair for style and colour, and often be complimented on your appearance
• be interested in working with people and gain satisfaction from helping making a difference to their lives
• have good interpersonal skills
• be articulate and able to converse with all types of people
• have the ability to put clients at ease
• be tactful and a good listener
• be persuasive and influential in getting clients to follow your advice
• be positive and self-motivated
• want to run your own business full time or part time.

Entry

Image consultants come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds and have a range of work experience including:

• sales
• marketing
• consultancy
• public relations
• retail
• fashion
• recruitment
• human resources
• management
• training
• coaching
• hair and beauty therapy.

Almost all are self-employed, setting up their own business after gaining relevant experience and qualifications.

You can do degrees, BTEC/SQA higher national awards (HNCs/HNDs) and foundation degree courses in a variety of related areas, for example:

• beauty therapy
• design
• marketing 
• media communications.

To get onto an HNC/HND or foundation degree you will usually need one A level/two H grades plus five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, or equivalent qualifications or appropriate experience.

To get onto a degree you will usually need:

• five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3); and 
• two A levels/three H grades or equivalent.

Developing a business can be a lengthy process, requiring promotion through advertising and PR, networking with local businesses and other groups, and establishing a reputation.

For additional advice on qualifications and career paths within the beauty industry, please see the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website. See the Further Information section of this profile for a link to the website. Please note: HABIA do not provide courses and are not able to supply lists of course providers.

Training

If you have the qualifications, experience, skills and interests outlined above you can do full tailored training. You can find details of recognised training providers (all private companies) through the Federation of Image Consultants (TFIC). Please see the Further Information section.

The only professional qualification for image consultancy available in the UK is the TFIC/City and Guilds Joint Award in Image Consultancy. This can only be taken as a member of the Federation with at least one year's work experience after training.

The Joint Award consists of one core unit, Colour Analysis, plus two units selected from :

• Women¹s Style Analysis
• Men¹s Style Analysis
• Instruction in Basic Cosmetic Application.

You must successfully complete assessment of all three units and submit an acceptable Portfolio of Evidence.

However, a qualification is not a prerequisite to working as an image consultant.

The TFIC also run seminars, workshops and events aimed at professional development.

Opportunities

Almost all image consultants are self-employed. Some work for large agencies (sometimes international), and specialise in a particular area.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only. Salaries for image consultants depend on the area of activity in which they work, and on how successful they are in building up a client base.

Experienced, active image consultants can expect to earn up to £30,000.
Those in the corporate sector who are in demand, can earn in excess of £40,000.

Further information

Oxford House
Sixth Avenue
Sky Business Park
Robin Hood Airport
Doncaster
DN9 3GG The Gables
Lammas
Norwich
NR10 5AF
Tel: 07010 701018