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Expert Career Advice ➜ Building a Future ➜ How Beauty Professionals Can Practice Self-Care

Beauty professionals spend their lives caring for their clients by making them look and feel great while sharing their clients' joys and sorrows. In other words, it can be A LOT at times. And while most pros would probably tell you that they wouldn't change a thing, we're here to remind everyone that it's essential to focus on your own self-care, too.

Why is self-care so important?

Most of us have probably heard flight attendants explain what to do if oxygen masks release from the overheard area because of a loss in cabin pressure. You're supposed to put the mask on yourself first before helping someone else, like a child. The reason is simple: You can't take care of others if you haven't taken care of yourself.

This is true in all areas of our lives. Despite what we might have been led to believe, it's not a selfish act to take care of yourself—it's just the opposite. By taking good care of yourself, you can take better care of others, including your clients.

Below, we offer strategies for doing exactly that.

Set good boundaries.

Setting healthy boundaries with clients is a smart strategy for your overall well-being. As this WebMD article explains, "Establishing boundaries is good for you and the people around you. When you’re clear about your boundaries, people will understand your limits and know what you are and aren’t OK with, and they’ll adjust their behavior."

The article says that setting good boundaries can also help avoid burnout, which is common in the fast-paced and demanding beauty profession. And remember that healthy boundary-setting applies to all aspects of life—professional and personal.

So how do you set better boundaries as a beauty professional? Read on.

Be clear about how and when you'll communicate with clients.

Consider the many ways that clients and prospective customers can reach you—through social media, email, text, and phone. It's enough to make anyone's head spin. Unfortunately, people often expect instant communication from businesses, especially on social media, no matter the day or time. But this expectation is not only unrealistic, but also unfair.

People are certainly free to contact you when it's convenient for them. Just make sure you're clear about when they can expect to hear back from you. Luckily, technology—in this case, auto responders or automated messages—can help streamline communication with current clients and prospective clients alike.

Depending on the medium, you can set up an auto responder message that will set expectations concerning next steps. For example, if someone submits a form on your website, you can have a thank-you page that says, "Thank you so much for your interest in my services! I look forward to discussing things in more detail. I usually return messages within one business day. If you haven't heard from me by then, feel free to call me directly between 9 and 5 in case of a technical glitch."

You can also set up automated messages on various social media platforms:

• Facebook and Instagram allow you to do this through Creator Studio or Meta Business Suite.
• You can do the same in TikTok as well.

Automated messaging helps you to stay engaged and connected with fans, clients, and prospective customers without monitoring each platform 24/7.

Keep in mind that setting good boundaries goes beyond work life.

You need to practice boundary-setting in all aspects of your life. For example, if you work from home on Monday afternoons to do billing and marketing, you need to let the people in your house know that you're working and not to disturb you.

This might involve something as simple as closing the door to a home office. When the door is closed, it can signal that you're busy. (We realize this isn't always easy when you have kids underfoot—but you can try! You’re also modeling positive behaviors for your children.)

Stick to your boundaries.

Sometimes the hardest person to set expectations with is yourself. You might feel guilty for not responding to that direct message that comes in at ten o’clock at night or not rearranging your schedule to accommodate a new client. But once you violate your own boundaries, you’re telling other people that they are free to do the same.

We know how hard it can be, but stick to your rules. Because the minute you give in, you're going back on the self-care promise you made to yourself.

Take lunch breaks. (And vacations.)

A simple way to practice self-care every work day is by taking a lunch break. It sounds so basic, right? And yet studies report how essential lunch breaks are to our overall well-being.

The Harvard Business Review notes: "Everyone benefits when workplace lunches are normalized. One survey found that North American employees who take a lunch break every day reported higher engagement based on metrics including job satisfaction, productivity, and likelihood to recommend working there to others."

How you take your lunch break matters. Don't rush. Don't hide. Normalize breaks for employees and colleagues. Whether everyone takes their lunch break at the same time, or you stagger them over a two-hour midday period, be respectful of your time and other people's time.

The same is true with vacations. Now, we get it. Taking time off, especially if you're renting a booth or running your own salon, can feel challenging and even downright impossible. But study after study confirms that vacations are essential to our health.

This article from Forbes reports: "Taking regular vacations could help reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome—a cluster of health issues including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat and abnormal cholesterol levels. All of these symptoms raise the risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes."

Taking vacations can also improve mindfulness, boost brain power, and reduce stress. Have you ever noticed that many mom-and-pop pizza shops close during the Fourth of July week? They have the right idea.

You can communicate with clients well ahead of time when you'll be out so that they can schedule their services accordingly.

Limit the number of hours that you work each week.

Again, we know this can be easier said than done, depending on your circumstances. But working a ton of hours each week won't necessarily do your health any favors. So if you have the option to work fewer hours, consider doing so.

The BBC discusses research "that found that working 55 hours or more a week was associated with a 35% higher risk of stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared with a working week of 35 to 40 hours."

Taking off a couple of days each week is also important. Use the time to spend with family and recharge. You can also use the time for self-improvement through continuing education.

Invest in the right tools (and follow proper techniques).

Yes, buying the right tools will be an investment, but it's an investment that will benefit your clients and your health. (Come tax time, talk to an accountant about claiming your tools as a business expense, which can help offset your tax liability.)

Think about things like . . .

• High-quality, ergonomic tools and furniture (from scissors to brushes to the height of chairs and tables) 
• Cushioned floor mats that provide extra comfort and support 
• Good shoes that give your feet plenty of TLC

You should also pay attention to how you perform services. Think about . . . 

• Your posture 
• Sitting vs. standing for certain services 
• When and how to stretch between appointments
• Best practices for certain services (like how to brush and blow dry without overworking your muscles)

Ask for help when you need it.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's this: People's mental health matters, and we must remove the stigma around asking for help.

If you're struggling—at work, at home, or a combination—ask for help. Keep in mind that you might need help in several ways. Maybe you need to reduce your work hours. Or maybe you need to see a doctor or a therapist. Maybe you need to talk to your family and friends about how they can support you better. Or maybe you need a combination of the above. It's OK to not be OK. Seek the help you need.

Remember, self-care is a gift we give ourselves. When we do so regularly and generously, we're not only helping ourselves, but everyone in our orbit, including family, friends, and clients. So take good care, beauty pro!