8 Free Apps and Online Tools for Beauty Professionals
Shears, clippers, blow dryers, curling irons… these are essential tools for every hairstylist, and the classes you’re taking at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology will teach you to wield them skillfully. But did you know that building a successful beauty career requires more than tool mastery? If you want to enjoy long-term prosperity as a beauty industry professional, you also need to hone your business skills. From photo editing and graphic design to staying on top of trends and finding new clients, these apps and online tools can help.
1. Feedly (www.feedly.com)
Staying current on trends and salon business news is essential if you want to be a top-notch beauty industry entrepreneur. But who has time to check in with dozens of individual internet sources and apps each day? Thanks to Feedly, you don’t have to. Just create a free account, type in your favorite blogs and online news sources, and the software’s AI research assistant will read the feeds each day and prioritize the trends and topics that matter most to you.
2. Evernote (www.evernote.com)
When you have a lot going on, it’s all too easy to forget some of the important things you want to remember. This app has your back, making it simple to take notes anywhere, organize projects and to-do lists, and even share ideas with others. It’s free to use and will help you keep track of beauty tips and tricks, important deadlines, business resources and more.
3. Pixlr X (www.pixlr.com)
Pixlr is a free online photo editor you can access from your web browser. Easy to use, it integrates drag-and-drop upload with an intuitive interface and AI-powered tools to make quick work of editing JPEG, PNG, and PSD images. Use it to touch up, crop, and resize photos for social media posts, your website, brochures, and other marketing materials.
4. Canva (www.canva.com)
Hands down the best free online graphic design software out there, Canva makes it easy to show off your beauty business with brilliant flair. You can use it to design logos, flyers, newsletters, brochures, announcements, and presentations as well as add visual excitement to your Instagram Stories, Instagram Posts, and Facebook Posts.
5. StyleBiz (for Android)
Download StyleBiz for free and use the app’s robust marketing toolbox to share relevant content across your online and social channels, promote your services, launch email marketing campaigns, offer coupons and more.
6. SalonCentric (for iPhone and Android)
As a busy beauty industry professional, you have a lot on your to-do list each day. The SalonCentric app can help streamline some of those tasks including shopping for supplies, staying current on trends, continuing your education, curating your social media accounts, and more.
7. Cosmoprof (for iPhone and Android)
From storing client profiles (including color formulas) to scheduling appointments and taking payments, the free Cosmoprof App makes it easy to run your beauty business from your phone. Download the app and you’ll also gain access to exclusive how-to videos from your favorite beauty artists and brands.
8. Glamsquad (for iPhone)
If you decide you’d rather be a freelance hairstylist, nail, or makeup artist rather than work in a salon or spa, the free Glamsquad app can help you build the business of your dream. Use it to connect with clients in your geographic area, create a schedule, book appointments, and manage payments.
In the beauty industry, life is what you make it. You can’t wait around for clients to fall into your lap– you have to go out there and get them! Not only will these apps keep you updated and current in the industry but the tools they provide can also help you stand out from your competition. “Why try to fit in when you were born to stand out?”
By Angela Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology
