Beauty franchises that offer services other than pampering treatments such as Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides and Just Lashes are on the rise, as Australians seek more specialised beauty and health-related services.

It seems the world of beauty franchising is indeed on the path to diversification – a trend Australian research firm IBISWorld reports is showing no signs of slowing down.

In its Hairdressing and Beauty Services in Australia April 2013 report the firm predicts “Beauty salons and day spas will offer a broader range of health and beauty services to clients, including spa treatments, massages, relaxation and other beauty treatments. Some consumers no longer view spas as ‘pampering’, but rather as a necessity for health and stress reduction.

“Consumers are always looking for the next miracle beauty treatment. The desire of individuals to retain a youthful appearance is expected to sustain ongoing demand for beauty treatments.” 

The report estimates the beauty industry will enjoy a steady growth over the next five years, with revenue expected to increase by an annualised 1.5 percent to $4.31 billion through 2017-18, a figure IBISWorld notes will in part be driven by the metrosexual movement and baby boomers who wish to delay or reverse the ageing process. 

Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides

Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides is a mobile franchise that provides professional makeup and hair services to brides and their bridal parties.

Founder Lisa Thomas explains the Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides philosophy is simple – “We charge based on the service required and do not charge the bride higher because she is a bride.

“Our hair pricing is charged ‘per style’ so that someone with short hair is not paying the same amount as someone with longer hair. We feel this is a very fair way to run a business.”

Both businesses are aimed at people who are able to work part-time and/or from home. “Our franchises are ideally suited to stay-at-home mums wanting to bring in an income stream but who also need the flexibility to be home with their kids.

“They are also suitable for part time workers who wish to add a second income stream, beauty salons or hair salons that are looking to add a mobile sector to their business and even students who can fit running their own part time business in with their studies,” Thomas adds.

Franchisees do need to have a background in the beauty and/or hair industries, along with a relevant industry qualification. “Essentially we have packaged the franchise deal to target those who perhaps have done the training and have some experience, but are finding it difficult to translate their skills into a business. 

“We haven’t priced it to train someone from scratch in all aspects of makeup or hair as this would make the franchise deals more expensive,” she says. 

Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides provides a one to two week training course that is tailored to suit the needs and requirements of the franchisee. “Initial training is designed for the individual franchisee – it will depend on their experience and areas of the business that they may require additional assistance with.”

The initial training covers everything from basic accounting through to airbrush and bridal makeup training.

Thomas says a Makeup 4 Brides franchise is $17,000 plus GST, meanwhile a Hair 4 Brides franchise costs $15,000 plus GST.

“This includes uniforms, car signage options, Makeup 4 Brides/Hair 4 Brides flyers, access to the online print management system for marketing material, the operations manual, and full business training,” she adds. 

Also included in the Makeup 4 Brides package is an M4B Pro Professional Makeup kit including makeup case, Iwata airbrush gun and compressor, and the Hair 4 Brides package includes a full H4B Pro Hair Products kit including hair styling case and hair padding.

Both businesses have an initial franchise term of five years and franchisees looking to renew for another five years can expect to pay a further $10,000.

Just Lashes

Just Lashes in the only Australian franchise that specialises in lengthening women’s eyelashes through the application of semi-permanent lash extensions.

A number of Just Lashes salons also offer the Caribbean Queen organic spray tan and the brand has recently introduced Bodyology, a technology that is designed to aid weight loss.

“The brand’s philosophy is to offer unique services. I refuse to bring in waxing and we don’t want to do facials. We definitely want to be unique and stay unique and that is working for us,” says founder Gwendoline McCracken.

Just Lashes facilitates a two week training program for its franchisees and one of their staff members, and it is included in the cost of the franchise.

“The first week is all about the services and a lot of the second week covers the operations manual and the running of the business.

“We bring in our accountants and go through GST, payroll and fair work and we teach franchisees how to interview staff and use our computer software,” she explains.

Additionally, McCracken says a Just Lashes team member will be on hand to assist franchisees with any teething problems when they first open their salon. “We send one of our qualified staff into the franchise to make sure they are comfortable for that first week at least.”

Potential franchisees do not necessarily need to have any prior experience in the industry; so long as they possess the right personality traits to make the business a success.

“I feel the interview with me in the beginning is so critical. I need to feel that warmth and passion from them because the clients need that – these days it is not just about the service – you have got to make people feel special.

“They need to have good communication skills and be business savvy because if not the minute they open their doors it will fall down,” she adds.

A Just Lashes franchise starts at $85,000 for a full turnkey operation, and the more services franchisees wish to provide the greater the franchise cost.

“You can just be a Just Lashes or you can have the full shebang, and that will take the price up from there. From $85,000 you can get a really good little business with a return on investment in the first 12 to 18 months,” says McCracken.

The initial franchise term is five years and McCracken says there are options for renewal after that.