The beauty and cosmetology industry has exploded over the past few years. Triggered by the arrival of influencers, the industry has become a real phenomenon. Thanks to alternative, low-cost marketing through Instagram and YouTube and a growing market, no other branch can earn you so much money in a short time. Beauty related businesses are popping up everywhere and they all appear to be making a profit. So it seems now is the time to take advantage of the beauty craze. The range of business ideas is so wide any aspiring entrepreneur will find something to invest in.

Conventional businesses such as hair and makeup salons have been around forever and although their popularity is in no way declining, the industry is constantly evolving and new, more profitable professions are emerging. So anyone considering a career in beauty should first consider these 5 suggestions, likely to be the most lucrative niches in 2019.

Male Grooming

In 2019, the social stigma against men taking care of their looks has finally been abolished, which means men are more eager than ever to spend time and money on appearance. The reason we’re poinitng this out at the very beginning is the fact that none of the suggestions on this list excludes men as potential clients. Owners should always keep in mind that the beauty industry is now open to everyone.

Now we got that out of the way, let’s get into an old school trend that’s making a comeback: barber shops! Young people, millennials in particular, have brough back some long forgotten beauty trends. Beards have been trendy for a few years now, but more and more men are seeking professional grooming and are willing to spend large sums of money on facial hair styling and beard care products such as oils, beard balms, and even beard shampoo.

Hot shaving, which includes the traditional techinque of using hot towels, is the most sought after male grooming servise. As hair removal inevitably causes damage to the skin, revitalizing skin treatments, treatments against ingrown hairs and facial massages are also becoming very popular. 

Of course, none of these procedures is paticularly innovative. In fact, they are very basic and easy to learn, but they are now marketed at a younger generation free of stereotypes, which makes male grooming a great startup idea for young entrepreneurs.

Microblading

In 2019, eyebrows are big. Both literally and figuratively. In the sea of eyebrow makeup products that cost too much and promise to do miracles yet leave the buyer disappointed, more and more people are turning to microblading as a long lasting alternative.

Microblading is a type of permanent makeup – an eyebrow styling procedure that involves injecting pigment into the skin. Microblading artists use special needles to ‘tattoo’ additional lines between the natural eyebrow hairs of their clients, or start from scratch and create a whole new pair. The result is a customized pair of eyebrows that last for up to two years without touching them up. 

The reason microblading is such a profitable bussiness is the fact that this procedure is still not so common in beauty salons. The demand for microblading is growing quickly thanks to Instagram influencers and numerous celebrities who are opting for it, yet the number of certified, crafty artists is relatively low, so 2019 is the perfect time to start a microblading career.

To do that, all you need is an initial investment into a short but informative course such as the PhiBrows USA microblading training. These live training courses cost around $3500 and provide you with all the knowledge and the basic microblading technique you need to start working. This is the only mandatory investment, as you can immediately start working as a freelancer from home or start making house calls. As a two-hour microblading session costs from $350 to $800, you’ll quickly start earning enough to rent out your own space.

Eventually, it is advisable to take some of the more advanced courses such as Powder Brows or even PhiScalp, as constant learning lets you widen your range of services, which means more money in your pocket.

Nail Art

Yes, nail salons are nothing new, but what the clinets are looking for nowadays is a chance to experiment. Most salons only offer basic manicures and gel nail polishes, but in order to make the big bucks, your joint must stand out by offeering a wide range of nail art. It may seem that your town is flooded with nail salons, but clients are not settling for anything short of perfection anymore. With a bit of effort, you’ll be earning plenty.

Nail trends change often, so artists must keep up. For example, tie dye is the biggest nail trend of 2019. Mastering the basics such as gel polish and acrylic nails only takes a short course, which leaves the technician with plenty of time to learn all the innovative techniques and perfect their nail art. The goal is to master as many different styles as possible so that each and every customer gets exactly what they want. This way, you’ll quickly make a name for yourself and outdo your competition. 

Eyelash Extensions

Silk lashes have been extremely popular this year, and judging by the latest makeup trends, they’ll be sticking around. This procedure basically means glueing an artificial hair onto a natural eyelash hair, which stays on for the whole growth cycle of eyelashes. As the cycle last about two weeks, this means you’ll have returning customers.

To  become a certified lash tech, all you need is to pass a short training course such as the ones held by Anete Steina and you’re good to go. A session costs $18-$25 depending on the type of hairs used. Just like microblading, you can start from home and work your way to your own salon.

Natural Cosmetics 

With everything going on with the environment right now, more and more people are going off of conventional cosmetics made with chemicals and artificial ingredients. Organic skin and makeup brands have been particularly profitable lately, so both production (which, of course, requires prior education in chemistry) and distribution of organic cosmetics is very lucrative. Both of these require significant initial investments, but the potential earnings are colossal.

Some of the most popular natural products are face creams, body lotions and hair care products, as well as handmade soap bars and bath bombs. Customers are starting to pay more attention to ingredients and appreciate transparency from brands. Honest, ethically made and vegan-friendly products are sure to become best sellers.