Mobile facials, waxing and spray tans

Bring facials, waxing and spray tanning to clients' homes, parties and weddings.

Client receiving a facial treatment from a therapist in a beauty salon.
Startup cost$2k to $8k
Monthly revenue$1.2k to $5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • $2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
  • Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

What it is

A travelling esthetics service with a portable treatment bed and kit, serving clients at home or at group bookings such as bridal parties and pamper events.

Your first three steps

  1. Ask your state board whether licensed estheticians can work at clients' homes, and whether any extra permit is needed
  2. Buy a portable bed, sanitizing supplies and a starter set of products, and price your services against local salons
  3. Offer a launch deal to neighbors and local groups, and ask wedding planners about bridal party work
Who pays

Busy professionals, new parents, older clients who prefer home visits, and groups booking for events.

How it makes money

Price per treatment plus a travel fee, with higher-value group bookings and event packages.

Skills that help
  • Esthetics and waxing technique
  • Setting up a clean workspace anywhere
  • Route and time planning
  • Good communication
Watch out for
  • State esthetician license and any rules on mobile services, which vary by state
  • General liability and professional liability insurance
  • Sanitation standards in clients' homes, check what your board requires
  • Travel time and gas costs eating into profit, set a clear service radius
  • Local business license in the city or county where you work

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: mobile facials, waxing and spray tans

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a mobile esthetics business?

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $8,000, depending on your portable treatment bed, kit and the services you offer. Travel time and gas costs can eat into profit, so it helps to set a clear service radius.

How much can a mobile esthetician earn?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,200 to $5,000, depending on your services, how many home visits and group bookings you take, and your prices. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

What licenses and rules apply to mobile esthetics services?

Check your state esthetician license and any rules on mobile services, which vary by state. Also check what your board requires for sanitation in clients' homes, liability insurance, and the business license in each city or county where you work.

Other ways to run this business

Esthetics studio in a rented salon suite

Rent a private suite and offer facials, waxing and skin treatments to regular clients.

  • $5k-20k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises

Home esthetics room for facials and waxing

Turn a spare room into a small treatment space for facials and waxing by appointment.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Similar beauty ideas

Beauty therapist shaping a client's eyebrows with thread in a salon.

Solo brow studio in a rented salon suite

Rent a small private suite and book clients for brow shaping, threading, waxing and tinting.

  • $2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
84,176 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
Stylist cutting and colouring a client's hair in a bright salon.

Solo stylist in a rented salon suite

Rent your own private suite and run your own hair business, setting your own prices, hours and client list.

  • $2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
84,176 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year
Therapist giving an aromatherapy massage with essential oil bottles nearby.

Aromatherapy treatment room or home studio

See clients in a rented treatment room or a home studio for calming aromatherapy massage sessions.

  • $2k-8k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
A hairdresser cutting a customer's hair in a bright salon.

Home hair studio

Turn a spare room or garage into a private hair studio with low overhead and regular clients.

  • $2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
84,176 US businesses with employees in this field, +1.5% in a year

Makeup artistry classes and short courses

Teach makeup skills in small group classes and short courses using rented studio or salon space.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
1,717 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.5% in a year

Mobile hair system fitting and care

Visit clients at home to fit and maintain hair systems, ideal for those who want privacy or have trouble traveling.

  • $1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Photo: u_19g0ihl6c7 on Pixabay

More ideas →