Golden Tips For A Gorgeous Portfolio: Build Your Beauty Business Brand Like A Pro

The beauty industry is the place to be. Thanks to social media and trends from Botox to Korean skincare, the beauty industry is seeing astronomical growth rates. People are simply going crazy for skincare and staying younger for longer. The result is an industry that’s generating a total of $10 billion in revenue, with skincare alone expected to generate $177 billion by the end of 2025.

We understand why so many people want in. But the fact that so many people want in means you have to stand out. Read on for tips on how to create a beautiful portfolio so your beauty brand stands out.

Understand What Makes a Great Beauty Portfolio

There’s a difference between a good portfolio and a great one. If you want to stand out, you need a great one. You’re almost telling a story about your work and why people should pick you. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get arts and crafts on it. Most people use an online portfolio tool to get the style and vibe right.

In our opinion, your portfolio should include:

• Before and After Photos: Clients always want to see the result. Before and after photographs are the way for people to see how good you are with evidence. Anyone can make a service list sound good, but it’s what people are seeing that matters. We probably didn’t need to say this, but pick your best work. A few of your best before and afters are all you need.
• Variety in Your Work: People want variety. If you want your beauty brand to succeed, you have to either be incredible at one service or really good at multiple services. Every service you offer should be in your portfolio—makeup, haircuts, brows, etc.
• Testimonials: Nothing is more powerful than the words from clients. Several positive reviews can go a long way in building credibility and trust.
• Training and Certifications: Always include your qualifications, certificates, and any industry-related training is critical. Some clients are really interested in it!

Build Your Portfolio Even If You’re Just Starting

You can still make a portfolio even if you’re only just starting. Still, we know it can be tricky to know how to bulk it out. Here are some tips for creating a great beauty brand portfolio if you’re only just starting:

• Practice on Friends and Family: If you need more pictures and testimonials, start with family and friends. While it is true that they are not good for business as paying clients (unless you are making them pay), they give an invaluable opportunity to perfect your skills and build a portfolio.
• Experience through Internships: You could always secure an internship and build your business on the side. An internship is still an experience and a way to grow a client base.
• Mentor Testimonials: Words from your practitioner are just as good as clients. If you’ve completed training courses and have been left positive feedback, use it!

Design Your Portfolio to Reflect Your Brand Identity

Your brand isn’t your work. Your brand is so much more than that. Your brand is your persona and what makes you stand out from all the other people going into beauty -and there’s a massive surge in aestheticians, so standing out is essential.

Here are a few tips to build a portfolio that stands out:

• Create a Consistent Look: Consider maintaining the same theme with colors, logos, font styles, and design elements. This will help to build a sense of authority around your brand.
• Use High-Quality Images: Focus on important things. Don’t use stock images if you can help it. Invest in a Canon camera with amazing image quality. Always be mindful that what you put out there is what people think of your brads.
• Tell a Story: Show your heritage, ethnicity, culture, and what made you build the brand you’re building. People will want to connect with you as a person, especially if they’re to be returning customers.

Use Social Media to Build Your Brand

Social media will be your best friend. Social media is the reason so many of these at-home aestheticians are making it so big. In our opinion, Instagram and TikTok are the two platforms that can grow brands the fastest. Daily Instagram and TikTok posts will slowly build a following, especially if you can jump on a trend.

• Post Regularly: Make sure you maintain your social media presence by engaging your audience with fresh looks, guides, or content related to trending videos.
• Use Hashtags: Always hashtag your posts with hashtags people are following. For example, a style of nail art that’s trending, facials everyone wants, or products people love that you’re using. You can definitely take advantage of trends to get post and story views.
• Engage with Followers: React to comments, DMs, and inquiries. Increased engagement will organically help you grow your brand.

Build Your Client Base: Network and Collaborate

Beauty is all about relationships and there is great scope for collaboration. A strong portfolio will certainly attract clients but networking and collaboration can help you build a bigger base and maintain your clients. Here are some pointers:

• Attend Industry Events: Trade fairs, beauty shows, and other local events can help you meet new potential clients and collaborators. You can also do TikTok and social media collaborations like giveaways, etc.
• Collaborate with Other Artists: Work with other beauty professionals, photographers, or influencers on creative projects to increase the visibility of your brand.
• Offer Referral Discounts: Nothing works better than word of mouth. Referral discounts are a great way to get more clients through the satisfied ones. Everyone loves a discount!

Highlight Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

The beauty industry is saturated and crowded, but differentiating yourself from the rest can be easy.

Are you trained in a specific treatment? A unique selling proposition (USP) should be highlighted to add value to your beauty brand. If you are a specific beauty service provider, say, a microblading or special event makeup artist, concentrating on it helps sharpen the clientele concentration.

Always show a passion for your USP. Clients are always happy to work with people who are genuinely passionate about what they do. If you don’t have a USP, find one! Every brand should have a USP that makes them better than the next.

Update Your Portfolio Regularly

As a beauty professional, you know your skills are constantly evolving, and so should your portfolio. Make it a point to regularly reflect on your work, achievements, and experience to show people you’re always learning.

Always highlight your best work to keep your portfolio looking fresh. You’ll see it yourself as you move through your career. The more you do, the better your work will be.

Most of the online portfolio creation tools will let you easily modify your portfolio. Some people also like to use their Instagram page as their portfolio, but we wouldn’t solely rely on it. It’s always good to have a print-out/hand-out version!

Conclusion

Your beauty business portfolio should form the very foundation of your brand. It is more than just a collection of your best work – it is a statement that reflects who you are and why you stand out as a beauty professional.