posted on: August 13, 2025
Talking about finances isn’t always easy, especially in an industry driven by passion, creativity, and connection. Finances can feel like the least exciting part of the job, but if you want to build a lasting career in esthetics, understanding your money is just as important as mastering your technique.
Failure to understand the business side of things can lead to money stress, inconsistent income, and burnout. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
According to Salon Today, 60 percent of beauty professionals feel anxious about money. That’s a big number – and it’s a sign that we need more education and support!1
Whether you’re working as a solo entrepreneur or as an employee in a spa, knowing how to budget, save, and price your services helps you:
- Stay consistent with income
- Feel confident in your pricing
- Plan for taxes, emergencies, and retirement
- Grow your business on your terms
Recently, e.l.f. Beauty teamed up with Chime Financial to launch a financial literacy game on Roblox called “Fortune Island: Earn. Learn. Flex.”2 It’s geared towards Gen Z –age professionals and teaches saving, budgeting, and investing in a fun, interactive way.
Financial education is becoming a bigger part of the beauty industry. While this partnership highlights Chime and e.l.f. Beauty, it also reinforces the need for this education, and it’s something we should all take seriously.
Some of the basics every esty should know include:
- How to price services based on time, product cost, and value
- How to track income and expenses (even just with an app or notebook)
- How to save for taxes, slow months, and future goals
These are the skills that help you go from just getting by to building a business that supports you.
If finances feel overwhelming, don’t stress. Here are five easy ways to get started:
- Open a separate business bank account
- Track every dollar you make and spend for one month
- Review your pricing—are you charging enough?
- Start a “slow month” savings fund
- Follow someone who teaches financial tips for beauty pros
Notes
1. Stacey Soble, Salon Today, “Making the Case for Financial Literacy,” published December, 30, 2021, https://www.salontoday.com/1079245/making-the-case-for-financial-literac...
2. BusinessWire, “e.l.f. is the First Beauty Brand to Launch a Financial Literacy Game on Roblox,” published April 24, 2025, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250424888255/en/e.l.f.-is-the-F...
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