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Cosmetics Sales Representatives


Overview

Cosmetics Sales Representatives

Introduction

Cosmetics sales representatives, also known as makeup sales representatives and beauty advisers, demonstrate and sell beauty-care products. Representatives work from their homes as independent contractors, or they work in retail establishments where they are employees of the store as well as employees of a cosmetics company.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$25,442

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma


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Experience

Previous retail sales experience preferred


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Skills

Business Management
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Personality Traits

Artistic
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Earnings

The U.S. Department of Labor reports the median hourly wage was $11.33 for all retail sales workers in May 2018. A sales rep working full time at this pay rate would earn approximately $23,566 per year. The top 10 percent made $41,530, while the lowest 10 percent earned $18,400 that same year. 

Cosmetics sales representatives who work in stores earned average salaries of $25,442 in 2019,...

Work Environment

Cosmetics representatives in retail stores usually work in attractive, climate-controlled settings. But the hours are long and they must be on their feet. There is a lot of bending and heavy boxes of stock to unload and display. They may not leave the sales floor except at specified times. Many stores have evening and Sunday hours, and breaks and lunch may go by the board in a crush of customer...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for all retail sales reps will decline by 2 percent from 2018 to 2028. Despite this prediction, retail selling is such a huge industry that there are always openings to replace those leaving the field, but the hours are long and the wages start out very low.

While it is easy to get started in cosmetics sales, most who cho...