Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Beauty Advisor

A Beauty Advisor is a professional who provides guidance, expertise, and personalized recommendations to customers in the beauty industry. They possess extensive knowledge of skincare, makeup, haircare, and other beauty products. Beauty Advisors play a crucial role in assisting customers in achieving their desired beauty goals and enhancing their overall appearance. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Beauty Advisors.

Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.

Main Responsibilities of a Beauty Advisor

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Beauty Advisor:

Achieve

Achieve daily sales plans.
Achieve personal targets and help reach store monthly targets.
Achieve sales goals and proactive sales through initiatives.

Act

Act with customers in mind, great networking and relationship management.

Address

Address and successfully resolve client situations according to company philosophy and standards.

Adhere to

Adhere to brand grooming standards to display a professional demeanor.
Adhere to image / uniform guidelines and wears pager or headset at all times (if applicable).
Adhere to stockroom standards, shortage control, and compliance procedures.
Adhere to the Company cash loss prevention procedures and security policies.

Advise

Advise customers on how to take care of their skin.
Advise on color palettes, eyeshadow combinations, and makeup looks suitable for different occasions.

Apply

Apply professional make-up and conduct treatment consultation.

Assess

Assess customers' skincare concerns and provide appropriate product recommendations.

Assist in

Assist and support customers with their choices of products for themselves and as gifts.
Assist customers by demonstrating products, devices and applications of products.
Assist customers in selecting and matching foundation shades and makeup products.
Assist in merchandising and visual merchandising efforts to promote products effectively.
Assist in other areas of the store if requested / necessary, such as the cash wrap.
Assist in the execution of events.
Assist with creating a culture of service.

Attend

Attend product training classes and seminars.
Attend seasonal seminars hosted by Education team.

Build

Build and maintain relationships with customers, providing exceptional customer service.
Build and strengthen customer loyalty by finding the right solutions for our customer's beauty needs.
Build customer loyalty through follow up and repeat business.
Build lasting relationships with customers.
Build relationships and inspire loyalty programs.
Build strong customer relationships by offering knowledgeable and courteous service.
Build your client base through the Preferred Customer Program.

Champion

Champion the brand each day.

Clean

Clean display units, tools and testers throughout the day.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with colleagues and beauty brands to achieve sales targets.

Communicate

Communicate and manage agreed goals.
Communicate daily with vendor to grow and develop online business.
Communicate product knowledge to clients as appropriate.
Communicate professionally and foster a team environment of sharing and collaboration.
Communicate suggestions to store management on a routine basis.

Complete

Complete all required sales tracking forms.
Complete transactions accurately and efficiently.

Conduct

Conduct beauty workshops or seminars to educate customers about specific beauty topics.
Conduct product demonstrations and share tips for achieving specific beauty looks.

Confirm

Confirm testers are merchandised correctly, clean and aligned.

Contribute to

Contribute to individual and team development plans through constructive feedback.

Convey

Convey passion and master story telling.

Create

Create a sense of community in the team.
Create informative and attractive displays to showcase beauty products.

Deepen

Deepen client relationships and loyalty through personal connection and building trust.

Deliver

Deliver personalized beauty counter service to customers shopping online.

Demonstrate

Demonstrate and educate customers on the application techniques of various beauty products.

Determine

Determine client's needs and suggest products to meet their needs.
Determine individual and team sales targets to meet and exceed plan.

Develop

Develop and grow clientele through inter-sell with other families of business.
Develop comprehensive product knowledge of own line and key products in neighboring bays.
Develop positive relationships with department store floor managers and head office.
Develop your talents and strengths for future career growth opportunities.

Drive

Drive sales through suggestive selling and add-ons.

Enforce

Enforce loss prevention and shortage control procedures and maintain all safety standards.

Engage

Engage customers on a one-on-one basis to assist with determining personal needs.
Engage in the implementation of new initiatives and collaborate to achieve sales and support.

Ensure

Ensure all state license requirements are met regarding paid services.
Ensure a satisfactory and beautiful shopping experience for our clients.
Ensure compliance with sampling policies and procedures.
Ensure counter is adequately stocked, cleaned and properly merchandised.
Ensure data accuracy according to company policy and Standard Operation Procedure.
Ensure highest hygiene standards are adhered to.
Ensure prestige and derm brands are tracked and that daily targets are achieved.
Ensure proper presentation of products on shelves.
Ensure that 'in-depth' brand training is successfully completed for designated team members.
Ensure that the counter is ‘customer ready' from open to close of business.
Ensure that the work area is clean, tidy, hygienic and professional at all times.
Ensure they attend appropriate vendor schools.

Exceed

Exceed all sales and service brand goals and targets.
Exceed all sales and service goals and targets.

Execute

Execute the appropriate selling behaviours consistently to achieve personal and team results.

Explain

Explain features of a broad array of merchandise to customers.
Explain to customers how to use products they're interested in buying.

Focus on

Focus on achieving and exceeding individual and vendor line sales goals and event sales goals.
Focus on customer wants within total shop.

Follow

Follow merchandising and cleanliness in store.

Fulfill

Fulfill the business needs with value-based selling.

Generate

Generate sales through cross selling techniques.

Give

Give the best service to our customers on their terms.

Greet

Greet all clients who enter the store with enthusiasm.
Greet all walk-in customers promptly delivering friendly and attentive service.
Greet customers in a friendly, professional and timely manner.
Greet customers upon their arrival.

Handle

Handle and apply beauty products to clients, including fragrance.
Handle customer inquiries, complaints, and returns in a professional and timely manner.
Handle ongoing relationships with brands stocked in the beauty section in-store as well as online.

Help

Help clients find products they're looking for in our store.

Identify

Identify customer needs and recommend cosmetics and skin care products based on their preferences.
Identify customer needs and recommend cosmetics products based on their preferences.
Identify customers' needs and sells through demonstration and education.

Increase

Increase customer base and build business.
Increase customer base and build business for the future.

Inform

Inform customers of current promotions and events.
Inform customers on prices and special offers.

Initiate

Initiate strong relationships with customers through excellent customer service.

Introduce

Introduce new product launches.

Introduce

Introduce and promote Assisted Selling to customers.

Keep

Keep the beauty counter or area clean, organized, and visually appealing.

Know

Know and respect Visual Merchandising guidelines.
Know and understand the business challenges, client needs and the surrounding market.

Lead

Lead by example always to promote the Tilbury Touch and exceptional customer service.

Maintain

Maintain a clean and visually appealing beauty area.
Maintain all specific cosmetic line standards, policies and procedures.
Maintain a positive image as a liaison between Saks Fifth Avenue and designated vendor.
Maintain a positive image as a liaison between the company and your designated Account Executive.
Maintain a professional store environment and communicate inventory issues.
Maintain department cleanliness and hygiene standards.
Maintain high standards of timekeeping on counter to ensure team efficiency.
Maintain product knowledge by attending training sessions and workshops.
Maintain technology on counter.
Maintain technology on counter, to include screens, Ipads and music.
Maintain the required inventory levels and accurate stock files.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge, keep abreast of new trends in the market.

Make

Make follow up appointments ,leaving positive impression to clients.
Make things beautiful by having an appreciation for art, beauty and luxury.

Manage

Manage customer queries, through the use of sound judgement and achieving positive outcomes.

Maximize

Maximize sales and customer service during locally planned "on counter” events.
Maximize sales and awareness of promotional programs.

Meet

Meet or exceed monthly sales goals through individual and team sales.

Model

Model all Saks Fifth Avenue Principles (Greet, Relate, Exceed, Attend and Thank).

Model

Model exceptional customer service by building relationships with store customers.

Offer

Offer personalized consultations to determine customers' beauty needs and preferences.
Offer additional product suggestions to customers and send samples directly to customers.

Organize

Organize and straightens merchandise areas on the sales floor.

Participate

Participate in execution of 1-3 shop events per season.
Participate in inventory control.
Participate in meetings and give feedback for continuous improvement of the event.
Participate in promotional events, such as beauty workshops or product launches.
Participate in the promotion of our targeted products in collaboration with all Private Sale teams.
Participate in visual display and maintain professional visual standards.

Perform

Perform floor recovery, visual merchandising, price change, and related sales support tasks.

Prepare

Prepare displays and sets up promotions as directed by the Cosmetics Manager.

Process

Process customer transactions accurately using point-of-sale systems.

Promote

Promote a positive environment for customers and coworkers.
Promote sales of beauty products.
Promote sales of the cosmetic products.
Promote sales through encouraging customers to participate in the PC Optimum program.

Provide

Provide after-sales service to customers.
Provide courteous, knowledgeable service to clients.
Provide customers with beauty advice and offers product expertise.
Provide customers with guidance on beauty regimens, makeup application and product recommendations.
Provide honest advice and educate the customers regarding products.
Provide honest advice to customers regarding products.
Provide honest and confident feedback to customers about style and fit.
Provide information on new or existing products and services.
Provide intersell training on key products for neighboring bays.
Provide outstanding and quality customer service with every customer consultation.
Provide personalized fragrance consultation to clients.
Provide quality service in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner.
Provide skincare analysis and recommend suitable skincare routines.
Provide superior customer experience and extend exceptional client care through consultations.
Provide superior customer service and consultative services demonstrations.
Provide support to Boutique Director & Assistant Manager during event coordination and execution.

Raise

Raise operational issues for resolution in a timely manner.

Recognize

Recognize and celebrate great performance.

Recommend

Recommend additional and complimentary products.
Recommend and introduces products and services based on customer needs.
Recommend proprietary credit to all customers to meet company standards.

Remain

Remain current and knowledgeable on register systems.

Respect

Respect the uniform and grooming guidelines at all times.

Schedule

Schedule team to optimize coverage according to customer flow.

Seek

Seek fashion and product knowledge to build your expertise.

Sell

Sell proactively through initiatives to maximize and exceed sales targets.

Set

Set and achieve sales goals.

Set-up

Set-up and work with promotional displays and point-of-sale merchandising tools.

Stay current with

Stay current on beauty products, trends and techniques.
Stay informed about competitor products and pricing to provide informed recommendations.
Stay updated on the latest beauty trends, product launches, and industry innovations.
Stay up to date on department and store products and promotions.

Stock

Stock and replenish inventory to support Kohl's in-stock goals and drive sales.
Stock shelves and replenish products to ensure availability for customers.

Support

Support store operations, policies and procedures.
Support various tasks depending on store demands.

Take

Take every opportunity to extend exceptional customer service beyond the in-store experience.
Take pride in the organization and all aspects of the gig.

Understand

Understand client's needs and provide tailor-made solutions or proposals.
Understand marketing calendar and confirm store setups to correlate with marketing launches.
Understand sales plan by week and executes to plan.
Understand the competitive market and be aware of the trends and new products.
Understand the merchandise - the features, advantages, and benefits.

Use

Use IT system to record sales figures for data analysis and reporting.
Use tools and processes to support and educate clients to elevate customer experience.

Work

Work closely with the manufacturer of beauty brands to understand each brand's unique selling points.
Work collaboratively to achieve and exceed team and counter targets.
Work in front of the counter and approach all customers.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Beauty Advisor:

Skincare knowledge and expertise, including understanding different skin types and conditions.
Proficiency in makeup application techniques, including contouring, highlighting, and blending.
Knowledge of haircare products and techniques for different hair types and concerns.
Familiarity with cosmetic brands, their product offerings, and ingredient knowledge.
Understanding of color theory and the ability to match skin tones and recommend suitable makeup shades.
Competence in skincare analysis tools, such as skin analyzers or color-matching devices.
Knowledge of beauty tools and equipment, such as makeup brushes, sponges, and hair styling tools.
Understanding of beauty product categories, including foundations, primers, serums, and cleansers.
Ability to provide accurate and detailed product information to customers.
Proficiency in using beauty software or apps for virtual makeup try-on or skincare analysis.
Knowledge of beauty industry regulations, including labeling requirements and ingredient restrictions.
Familiarity with beauty product storage and handling procedures to ensure product integrity.
Understanding of makeup and skincare expiration dates and product shelf life.
Ability to adapt makeup techniques for different skin tones, ages, and cultural preferences.
Knowledge of specialized beauty treatments, such as facials, chemical peels, or hair treatments.
Competence in recommending and applying sunscreen and sun protection products.
Understanding of product compatibility and ability to recommend complementary beauty products.
Proficiency in product demonstration techniques, including swatching and applying makeup.
Knowledge of cosmetic chemistry, including the function and benefits of various ingredients.
Familiarity with beauty trends in different regions or cultural contexts.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Beauty Advisor:

Excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport and establish trust with customers.
Active listening and communication skills to understand customers' needs and provide tailored recommendations.
Empathy and sensitivity to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all customers.
Patience and attentiveness to address customer concerns and answer their questions.
Adaptability to work with a diverse range of customers with varying beauty preferences.
Creativity and artistic flair to suggest innovative beauty solutions and create unique looks.
Time management skills to prioritize tasks and provide efficient service to multiple customers.
Problem-solving abilities to offer solutions for customers' beauty challenges or issues.
Teamwork and collaboration to work effectively with colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment.
Sales and persuasion skills to promote products and drive sales through effective product demonstrations and recommendations.

Conclusion

By possessing a combination of technical expertise, customer-centric focus, and essential soft skills, Beauty Advisors can excel in their role and assist customers in achieving their desired beauty outcomes. With their knowledge and guidance, customers can explore and discover the beauty products that enhance their natural beauty and boost their confidence.