Cert III Beauty (SHB30121) cheat sheet

Standard precautions apply to all clients: hand hygiene before and after contact, gloves for blood or body fluid contact, and safe handling of sharps.

Infection transmission requires a chain of six links: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host; breaking any link prevents infection.

Hand hygiene is the single most effective control measure; use soap and water for visible soil and an alcohol-based rub for routine decontamination.

Personal protective equipment must be selected by risk assessment: gloves for body fluid exposure, apron for splashes, eye protection where aerosol or spray risk exists.

A hazard is anything with potential to cause harm; a risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring; controls follow the hierarchy from elimination to PPE.

Any needlestick or sharps injury requires immediate washing, reporting, and documentation, with medical follow-up arranged by the employer.

Emergency procedures must be displayed and staff inducted: fire evacuation routes, first aid kit location, and accident reporting obligations.

Workers must be consulted on WHS matters and have the right to cease unsafe work without disadvantage; hazards are recorded and reviewed after any incident.

A consultation record includes client details, service history, skin or nail condition observations, patch test results, products used, and informed consent.

Contraindications are absolute (service must not proceed) or relative (service may proceed with modification); examples include active infection, open lesions, and known allergy.

Patch testing for tint and lash products is performed 24-48 hours before the service and the result documented in writing.

Questioning follows a logical sequence: open questions to gather history, closed questions to confirm specific facts, and reflective listening to verify understanding.

Informed consent requires the client to understand the service, its risks, alternatives, and cost before agreeing; consent is documented and can be withdrawn at any time.

Consultation notes are confidential personal information governed by privacy law; disclose only with consent or where legally required.

Service plans specify treatment, products, duration, expected outcomes, home-care advice, and review timing, and are agreed with the client before commencement.

Massage strokes include effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), friction, and vibration; direction generally follows venous and lymphatic return toward the heart.

Massage is contraindicated over varicose veins, inflamed or broken skin, recent fractures, suspected thrombosis, and areas of undiagnosed swelling.

Body wrap types include hydrating, detoxifying, and firming formulations; each requires a patch test and a clear explanation of sensation and duration.

Skin analysis classifies skin as normal, dry, oily, combination, or sensitive, and records conditions such as dehydration, pigmentation, and vascularity.

Cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturising form the basic body treatment sequence; exfoliation is avoided on irritated or compromised skin.

Client modesty and comfort are maintained with appropriate draping, and the client is informed before any area is exposed.

Post-treatment advice includes hydration, avoiding heat, and reporting any adverse reaction promptly.

Nail anatomy includes the nail plate, nail bed, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, lunula, and matrix; the matrix produces new nail cells.

Nail shapes include square, squoval, oval, almond, stiletto, and coffin; shape is selected to suit hand proportions and client preference.

Cuticle work removes non-living tissue only; the living eponychium must not be cut because it creates a portal for infection.

Pedicure tools and files are single-use or sterilised between clients; nippers and curettes require cleaning then sterilisation in an autoclave.

Contraindications for nail services include paronychia, onychomycosis, open cuts, and undiagnosed nail discolouration, which requires referral.

Nail art products include gel polish, acrylic, wraps, and hand-painted design; each has specific curing and removal requirements to avoid nail damage.

Client records note product brand, colour, curing method, and any sensitivity to enable consistent future service and traceability.

Cosmetic colour theory: complementary colours neutralise each other, so green corrects redness and peach or orange corrects blue-toned bruising.

Face shapes include oval, round, square, heart, and long; contouring and highlighting placement is chosen to balance perceived proportions.

Lash and brow tinting requires a patch test 24-48 hours prior, and tint must not be applied to lashes or brows with active infection or recent tint reaction.

Eyelash extension adhesives contain cyanoacrylate; sensitivity, fumes, and eye irritation are documented risks requiring ventilation and client screening.

Eyebrow shaping maps the brow using three reference points: inner start at the nostril line, arch at the iris line, and tail at the outer eye corner.

Make-up tools and brushes are cleaned and sanitised between clients, and products are dispensed with a spatula rather than directly from the container.

Eye products are not shared or returned to stock after use on a client due to cross-infection risk.

Booking systems record client details, service, staff member, duration, and deposit; double bookings are prevented by checking resource availability before confirming.

Point-of-sale transactions reconcile against daily takings; discrepancies are investigated and documented at close of business.

Retail stock control uses par levels and stocktake cycles; expiry dates are checked and expired product removed from sale.

GST is calculated at 10% in Australia and included in the displayed price; invoices itemise goods and services separately.

Refunds and cancellations follow the salon policy and consumer law, which requires remedies where a service is not fit for purpose.

Payment methods include cash, card, and gift voucher; each is recorded against the client and reconciled in the till.

Rostering must account for service duration, staff breaks, and award conditions to avoid understaffing or unpaid overtime.

Cleaning removes visible soil; disinfection reduces pathogens on surfaces; sterilisation destroys all microorganisms including spores.

Sterilisation is achieved by autoclave at 121 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes or 134 degrees Celsius for 3 minutes, with each cycle logged.

Critical items penetrate skin or contact blood and require sterilisation; semi-critical items contact intact mucous membrane and require high-level disinfection.

Tools are cleaned before disinfection or sterilisation because organic matter prevents the agent from contacting the surface.

Single-use items such as nail files, orange sticks, and lash applicators are discarded after one client and never reused.

Electrical equipment is checked for damaged cords and tested and tagged as required, and is never used near water.

Chemical products are stored according to safety data sheets, with labels intact, containers closed, and ventilation maintained.

Sustainability practices include waste segregation, recycling, reducing single-use plastics where safe, and choosing refillable or concentrated products.

Water and energy efficiency measures include low-flow taps, full loads in laundry, and switching off equipment when not in use.

Inclusive service means adapting communication, physical access, products, and pricing explanations to clients of varied skin tones, ages, genders, and abilities.

Anti-discrimination law prohibits refusing service or providing lesser service on grounds of race, sex, disability, age, or religion.

Privacy law requires collecting only necessary personal information, storing it securely, and providing access on request.

Professional ethics require working within scope of practice, referring clients with medical conditions to a health professional, and disclosing conflicts of interest.

Advertising must be accurate and not make therapeutic claims for cosmetic products or services that cannot be substantiated.

Infection control standard precautions apply to every client regardless of known status; transmission-based precautions add controls for suspected infection.

Hand hygiene moments include before client contact, before a procedure, after body fluid exposure, after client contact, and after touching surroundings.

Sharps and contaminated waste are placed in designated rigid containers and never in general waste.

Cleaning schedules specify frequency, method, and responsible person for benches, tools, linen, and floors, and are signed off.

Linen is changed between clients and laundered at high temperature; single-use alternatives are used where appropriate.

Immunisation and exclusion policies apply to staff with infectious conditions; return-to-work follows public health guidance.

Accident and incident registers are retained and reviewed to identify recurring hazards and improve controls.

Skin and nail analysis is performed under consistent lighting with clean hands and recorded on the client card before product selection.

Allergy screening includes known sensitivities, prior reactions, pregnancy, medication use, and recent cosmetic procedures such as peels or waxing.

Communication barriers are addressed with interpreters, written information, visual aids, or a support person chosen by the client.

Service planning documents expected outcomes, product choices, cost, and aftercare, and is confirmed by the client before starting.

Referral is required when a condition is outside scope of practice, such as suspected skin cancer, infection, or systemic symptoms.

Records are retained for the period required by law and are accurate, legible, dated, and signed by the practitioner.

Massage pressure is adjusted to client feedback; pain, numbness, or dizziness requires the treatment to stop and be reassessed.

Contraindications include fever, acute inflammation, recent surgery, uncontrolled hypertension, and pregnancy in certain areas and stages.

Body wrap application covers the torso and limbs evenly, avoids tight constriction, and monitors the client for heat or faintness.

Skin types are assessed by observation of pore size, shine, flakiness, and reactivity, not by a single indicator.

Exfoliation removes dead surface cells and improves product absorption but is contraindicated on broken or inflamed skin.

Aftercare advice includes hydration, avoiding heat and sun, and reporting redness or irritation that persists.

Nail plate growth averages about 3 mm per month and slows with age; toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.

Filing is done in one direction with a fine grit to reduce splitting; coarse grits and back-and-forth sawing damage the free edge.

Gel polish removal requires soaking or wrapping with acetone-based remover; picking or scraping removes nail plate layers.

Pedicure requires screening for diabetes and circulatory disorders, which increase infection and healing risk and may require medical clearance.

Nail art design choices consider nail length, shape, occupation, and client lifestyle, and are recorded for consistency.

Sterilisation logs for reusable metal tools record date, cycle, and operator for audit purposes.

Foundation shade matching is tested along the jawline in natural light to match face and neck.

Skin preparation before make-up includes cleansing, toning, and moisturising, with primer selected for skin type.

Lash extensions are applied one extension to one natural lash with a 1-2 mm bond distance from the eyelid to avoid irritation.

Brow and lash services require eye screening for infection, recent surgery, and contact lens use, with lenses removed where required.

Make-up hygiene includes sharpening pencils before use, using disposable applicators, and never double-dipping mascara wands.

Removal advice for extensions avoids oil-based products on the bond and discourages rubbing or pulling.

Appointment scheduling accounts for service time plus consultation, clean-down, and buffer between clients.

Deposits and cancellation fees must be disclosed at booking and applied consistently to be enforceable.

Retail recommendations match the client's assessed needs and home-care routine and are documented in the client record.

Cash handling follows dual control: two staff verify the float and the daily banking reconciliation.

Invoices and receipts record the business name, ABN, date, description, and amount including GST.

Stock rotation follows first-in-first-out to reduce waste and expired product on shelf.

Disinfectants are used at the manufacturer's specified dilution and contact time; incorrect dilution reduces efficacy.

Autoclave pouches are sealed, dated, and loaded so steam penetrates; pouches are inspected for damage before use.

Tools are stored in clean, closed containers after sterilisation and are not handled with bare hands before use.

Safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals are kept accessible, and staff are trained in spill and exposure response.

Electrical equipment near water requires residual current device protection and visual inspection before each use.

Waste is segregated into general, contaminated, and sharps streams according to local requirements.

Scope of practice defines services a qualified practitioner may perform; working outside it creates legal and safety risk.

Informed consent and accurate records are legal defences against complaints and are required by professional standards.

Consumer law guarantees services are delivered with due care and skill and are fit for purpose.

Inclusive language avoids assumptions about gender, skin tone, ability, or cultural practices and offers choices.

Sustainability reporting tracks energy, water, and waste metrics to measure improvement over time.

Pricing and promotional claims must be transparent, with no hidden fees or misleading comparisons.