Beauty business ideas you can start for up to £5,000
38 ideas
These 38 beauty business ideas suit people who want to start small, build a client base and keep overheads manageable. Many are mobile, such as a mobile nail technician, mobile spray tanning or a mobile bridal and event make-up artist, so you can travel to clients rather than pay for premises.
Home lash studio
Apply lash extensions and lash lifts by appointment from a dedicated room at home.
- £800-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile foot massage service
Bring relaxing foot and lower-leg massages to homes, offices and events.
- £500-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile barber
Cut men's and boys' hair at customers' homes, care homes and workplaces.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rent a barber chair
Rent a chair in an existing shop and build your own client list for a low start.
- £400-2k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home eyebrow studio
Shape, tint and thread eyebrows for local clients from a spare room at home.
- £500-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile brow technician
Travel to clients' homes, offices and events to shape, thread and tint brows.
- £400-1.8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile aromatherapy massage therapist
Bring relaxing aromatherapy massage to clients' homes with a portable couch and your own blends.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home treatment room aromatherapist
Turn a spare room into a calm treatment space and see aromatherapy clients by appointment.
- £600-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Aromatherapy clinic in a rented room
Rent a treatment room in a salon or wellbeing centre and build a regular client base.
- £1k-4k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile bridal and event make-up artist
Travel to brides, party guests and event clients to do their make-up on the day.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home nail studio
Offer manicures, gel polish and nail extensions from a dedicated space at home, by appointment.
- £800-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile nail technician
Travel to clients' homes, offices and events to do manicures and gel nails with a portable kit.
- £600-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home treatment room facialist
Offer facials from a dedicated treatment room at home, building a loyal local client base.
- £1k-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile hot stone massage therapist
Bring relaxing hot stone massage to clients' homes, with a portable table and stone heater.
- £800-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile hairdresser
Cut and style hair at clients' homes, ideal for busy families and people who can't easily get to a salon.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Self-employed hairdresser renting a chair
Rent a chair in an established salon and run your own client book without the cost of a full premises.
- £500-2.5k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home beauty studio
Offer nails, lashes, facials or waxing from a spare room set up as a treatment space.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile beauty therapist
Travel to clients' homes, offices and parties with a portable kit for nails, hair or beauty treatments.
- £700-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile non-peroxide teeth whitening
Offer legal, low-strength cosmetic whitening at clients' homes or events as a beauty add-on.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile spray tanning
Travel to clients' homes to give spray tans for holidays, weddings and nights out.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile spa treatments at home
Bring massages, facials and pamper sessions to clients' homes or parties with a portable treatment setup.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home treatment room for facials and waxing
Set up a clean, calm treatment room at home and offer facials, waxing and tanning by appointment.
- £1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home waxing and threading studio
Offer waxing and threading from a spare room set up as a clean, private treatment space.
- £500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Mobile waxing and threading service
Travel to clients' homes with a portable setup, offering waxing and threading at times that suit them.
- £400-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others, like a home beauty studio or renting a salon chair as a loctician, give you a fixed place to work. Before choosing, think about which treatments you are already trained in, what extra qualifications or insurance clients will expect, and how much kit, products and travel will really cost. Also consider whether you prefer regular local clients or occasional higher-value bookings. Start with the idea that fits your skills and your week, then test it with a few paying customers.
More ideas
- Home beauty room
- Mobile facials, waxing and spray tans
- One-to-one image consultant
- Mobile hair system fitter
- Home waxing studio
- Mobile waxing service
- Ear piercing from a rented room or home space
- Home-based hair extension technician
- Mobile hair extension technician
- Extension specialist renting a salon chair
- Home-based loctician
- Loctician renting a salon chair
- Mobile loctician
- Mobile foot spa treatments
Questions
Do I need qualifications to start a beauty business in the UK?
It depends on the treatment. Many services are not formally licensed, but insurers, suppliers and clients often expect recognised training. Check what your chosen treatment requires, and whether your local council has any rules for it.
What insurance and rules should I check before starting?
Look at public liability insurance and, where relevant, treatment risk cover. Also check product safety, patch testing practices and data protection for client records. Your insurer, trade body and local council can tell you what applies to your service.
Is it better to work mobile, from home or rent a chair?
Mobile work keeps costs low but adds travel time. Working from home may need checks on your lease, mortgage, insurance and planning rules. Renting a chair gives you a professional setting but adds regular costs. Compare each against your likely bookings.