There are various ways to train for this profession in Switzerland. On the one hand, you have the option of completing basic vocational training as a beautician with a federal certificate of competence. This apprenticeship lasts three years. The vocational training takes place in a beauty institute, while the school-based training takes place one day a week at a vocational college.

The duration of an apprenticeship or continuing education, further training in this field depends heavily on the degree. As a rule, an apprenticeship lasts this long:

• Cosmetician with Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training 3 years
• Cosmetician in Medical Cosmetics with Federal Diploma of Higher Education 2 years part-time
• Make-up artist with Federal Diploma of Higher Education 2 years part-time
• Cosmetician with certificate 10 to 12 months part-time (varies depending on the school)

Continuing education, further training courses for beauticians vary greatly in length, from a few days to several months. Enquire with the training provider of your choice.

A make-up artist course can teach make-up basics in a short space of time. However, if you want to become a make-up artist with a federal certificate, you can prepare for the professional examination in a two-year extra-occupational course. This is longer and more comprehensive than a simple make-up artist course. The make-up artist training course has a modular structure - usually six modules. If you have no previous training, you must attend three additional foundation modules beforehand. The federal examination is conducted by the Swiss Make-up Artists Association (VVdS). Interested parties can find training courses from the VVdS, which maintains a list of specialist schools, and its supporting associations. To work as a make-up artist, you need skilled hands, sociability, communication skills and a sense for shapes and colors. In addition to creativity, the job of make-up artist also requires commitment, the ability to work under pressure and a willingness to work irregular hours. The written examination for the professional examination for make-up artists takes place in October and the practical and oral examinations take place in November. The federally recognized diploma allows you to work internationally and lends the service you offer the necessary respectability.

• Enjoy working with and for other people
• Good manners
• Courtesy and customer-oriented behavior
• Interest in dermatology, human physiology and anatomy
• Skilled hands
• A feel for aesthetics, colors and shapes
• Sense of cleanliness and hygiene
• Resilience, well-groomed appearance, discretion