Katie Andrews Discusses Booming Beauty Industry in BBC Radio Solent Interview
The beauty industry is bigger and busier than ever, and we are proud to be at the heart of training the next generation of professionals. That was the message shared by one of our own beauty lecturers, Katie Andrews, in a recent interview with BBC Radio Solent.
Speaking with enthusiasm, Katie discussed the popularity of Beauty courses at the college and the wider demand in the market:
“We’re always oversubscribed on our courses. The interest in beauty treatments is just huge now, there’s a massive, massive demand on the market.”
From high street salons to independent specialists, the growth is visible everywhere.
“Lash extensions and brow bars are everywhere now,” she explained. “Students tend to do an array of different things [on our courses], from waxing, facials and make-up, but eye treatments seem to be the most popular because they really love their lashes and brows.”
Katie also discussed how beauty treatments are no longer seen as a luxury reserved for young women, but that the interest in the area comes from a wide-range of people.
“It’s across all generations now. Eyes are the main focal point when we communicate with each other, so everyone wants them to look good,” she said. “We do have a mixture of students, which is really nice to see. Men are definitely more interested in taking care of their personal appearance now more than ever, I think.”
This diversity in the classroom is something she finds both inspiring and encouraging, especially as it reflects changing cultural attitudes toward grooming and self-presentation.
Her passion for the subject is rooted in her own experience at Bournemouth and Poole College, where she first trained in beauty treatments before launching her career.
“I was always very creative and loved the idea of looking on trend,” she recalled. “Having the opportunity to go to college to learn beauty treatments was a fantastic opportunity for me and has given me a good array of career paths to go into. I went to Bournemouth and Poole College, and one of my teachers is still teaching there now, 27 years later!”
Today, she not only teaches the next generation of beauticians but also serves as proof of the career opportunities a college qualification can open up, from salon work to self-employment, product consultancy, and beyond.
The growing appetite for beauty services, particularly in areas such as lash extensions, brow shaping, and skin treatments, is reflected in national market data. According to industry analysts, the UK beauty sector continues to expand year on year, with a surge in demand for personalised and specialist treatments.
For our students, that means a course of study that blends hands-on skills with an understanding of client care, trends, and business acumen, all of which are essential for success in a competitive marketplace.
