High School

There are a number of classes you can take in high school to help prepare you for a sales career. Naturally, business classes can be beneficial. Knowledge of business practices and procedures will help you understand the industry. Speech and English classes, as well as experience on a debating club, will help you develop better communication skills. Also, you should consider taking psychology classes because selling requires an insightful knowledge of people and an ability to read the customer. Computer courses are useful since retail stores now use computerized record-keeping, and a course in accounting can help independent cosmetics sales representatives better manage their businesses.

Postsecondary Training

Most of the beauty advisers who work for cosmetics companies in retail stores have college degrees or are working toward them. Business, sales, or marketing are possible majors for those in this field. Typically, some on-the-job training is involved for new employees at retail stores. There are no specific educational requirements for independent contractors, although some organizations, such as Mary Kay, offer materials and support to help their contractors learn about new products and improve their selling techniques.

Other Education or Training

The Professional Beauty Association and organizations at the state and local levels provide continuing education classes that help sales representatives stay up to date regarding new products and makeup application techniques, as well as hone their sales and business management skills. Contact these organizations for more information.  

Certification or Licensing

There are no certification or licensing requirements for cosmetics sales representatives.

The ideal cosmetic sales representative has previous sales experience, perhaps as a clerk at a grocery or drug store or in other sales positions.

A typical cosmetics sales representative must be familiar not only with many makeup products but also their colors, hues, and scents. They must be able to apply the right blend of beauty products to different people and be able to listen closely and answer questions posed by clients. A cosmetics sales representative should be a self-motivated, "people" person with good communication and interpersonal skills. They also need confidence, patience, and a persuasive personality.