AIBU to consider retraining as a beauty therapist at 40?

Feelingtoasty · 2026-06-08T11:20:14+00:00

Hi everyone, I was made redundant at the start of the year from an office job. I’m soon to be 40 and am wondering whether to retrain as a beauty therapist. Anyone done similar at such an age? How did you find it? AIBU?!

RockLobsterRockLobster · 08/06/2026 12:26

Go for it! It’s the perfect time to retrain and you have nothing to lose!

Imagine yourself a year from now, and what do you see yourself doing for a job? Don’t look back on this chance with regret.

I would take this opportunity and you might love your new career path!

ExtraOnions · 08/06/2026 12:28

My friend retrained as a Nail Tech in her 40s, loves it

TheMillionthBeautyAddict · 08/06/2026 12:37

It depends how you plan to retrain. I tried retraining last year with one of those training companies and what they don’t tell you when you sign up is you need to sort your own female models to demonstrate the treatments for your portfolio and you have to do X number of each treatment on multiple models. If you can’t sort a gaggle of models yourself then they tell you you’re not ‘business minded enough’ and don’t help at all (it really felt MLM-y in the assumption that you already had a network of people lining up to do this). So if (like me) you don’t have any female friends or relatives who believe in your ability to do this then you’d be better doing it at a proper college. Trouble is, very few colleges offer beauty therapy as a part time course these days. I qualified as a nail tech in the end instead as you can do the treatments on anyone for the portfolio.

Original poster

Feelingtoasty · 08/06/2026 13:53

TheMillionthBeautyAddict · 08/06/2026 12:37

It depends how you plan to retrain. I tried retraining last year with one of those training companies and what they don’t tell you when you sign up is you need to sort your own female models to demonstrate the treatments for your portfolio and you have to do X number of each treatment on multiple models. If you can’t sort a gaggle of models yourself then they tell you you’re not ‘business minded enough’ and don’t help at all (it really felt MLM-y in the assumption that you already had a network of people lining up to do this). So if (like me) you don’t have any female friends or relatives who believe in your ability to do this then you’d be better doing it at a proper college. Trouble is, very few colleges offer beauty therapy as a part time course these days. I qualified as a nail tech in the end instead as you can do the treatments on anyone for the portfolio.

Thank you, this is really helpful feedback. How did you find training as a nail tech and getting a job afterwards? 💐

OP posts:

truffleruffle · 08/06/2026 14:06

I was a qualified nurse old training with 3 grown up kids 2 at uni.
My workplace wanted me to upgrade via a long route which would have given me a diploma qualification.
I resigned when I discovered a fast track uni course which brought me up to degree level. I was 42 years old. My sons helped me with research and I was awarded a scholarship via the Royal College of Nursing which paid my course fees.
It was hard work but I went straight into a management job due to my previous nursing experience. Never looked back. If I can do it anyone can. Go for it.