Haryana BSEH Secondary NSQF Beauty and Wellness cheat sheet

The beauty and wellness sector covers hair care, skin care, nail services, makeup, depilation/threading, spa and massage, and wellness retail.

NSQF levels relevant to this sector run from Level 1 (helper/assistant) upward; the Secondary course maps to entry-level assistant roles.

Common entry roles: salon assistant, hair stylist assistant, beautician assistant, nail technician assistant, spa attendant, retail beauty advisor.

Career progression path: assistant → technician/junior stylist → senior stylist/beautician → salon supervisor → salon manager or owner.

Sector skill council for beauty and wellness in India is B&WSSC, which sets National Occupational Standards used in NSQF qualifications.

Self-employment routes include freelance makeup artist, home-service beautician, mobile nail technician, and boutique salon owner.

Key attributes employers screen for: grooming, punctuality, client confidentiality, hygiene discipline, and communication in Hindi/English/local language.

Formal vs informal sector: unorganised local parlours vs organised chains, spas, and branded salons with structured appraisal and training.

Hands must be washed with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds before and after every client and after waste handling.

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser (minimum 60–70% alcohol) is a substitute only when hands are visibly clean, not soiled.

Daily bathing, clean uniform per shift, and clean closed-toe footwear are baseline professional hygiene requirements.

Nails of the service provider must be short, clean, and unpolished to avoid harbouring dirt and to allow inspection.

Hair must be tied back and covered where required; loose hair is a physical contamination hazard in services.

Oral hygiene and use of deodorant are part of client-facing grooming; strong perfume is avoided as it can trigger client allergies.

Any open cut, wound, or skin infection on the hands must be covered with a waterproof dressing or the service must be declined.

Coughing, sneezing, and touching face or hair during service are prohibited; use elbow or tissue and re-sanitise hands.

Standard salon uniform rule: clean, pressed, well-fitted, name badge visible, and no dangling jewellery or loose sleeves near equipment.

Greeting protocol: acknowledge the client within a short time of arrival, use the surname with honorific, confirm the booked service.

Professional distance: avoid personal comments on weight, skin colour, religion, or appearance unless directly relevant to the service requested.

Mobile phone use in front of the client is restricted to service-related tasks; personal calls are taken away from the workstation.

Punctuality rule: arrive before shift start to set up the station; a client should never wait without being informed of delay.

Confidentiality: client details, contact numbers, and photographs are never shared on social media without written consent.

Body language basics: eye contact, open posture, moderate voice, and listening without interrupting during consultation.

Complaint etiquette: listen fully, apologise for the experience, state the corrective action, and escalate to the supervisor if unresolved.

Sterilisation vs sanitisation vs disinfection: cleaning removes soil; disinfection kills most pathogens on surfaces; sterilisation kills all microorganisms including spores.

Metal implements are cleaned, then disinfected by soaking in an approved disinfectant for the manufacturer's stated contact time, then dried and stored covered.

Single-use items (razors, emery boards, wax spatulas, thread, cotton) are never reused between clients.

Biohazard waste such as blood-stained cotton goes into a closed, labelled container and is handed to authorised waste collection, not general bins.

Wet waste, dry waste, and hazardous waste are segregated at source; colour-coded bins follow local municipal rules.

Wax pots must be kept covered; double-dipping spatulas into a shared pot is prohibited because it cross-contaminates the wax.

Electrical safety: no wet hands on plugs, no frayed cords, equipment unplugged before cleaning, and no water near sockets.

Chemicals are stored in labelled original containers away from heat and out of reach; Safety Data Sheets are kept accessible.

Cutting tools: scissors/shears for wet or dry cutting, thinning shears for reducing bulk, and clippers with guard sizes numbered in 1/8 inch increments.

Blow dryer wattage and heat settings determine drying speed and risk; a diffuser spreads airflow for curly hair.

Brush types: paddle brush for detangling and smoothing, round brush for volume and blow-dry shape, vent brush for faster drying.

Facial tools include steamer, magnifying lamp, extraction tools, spatula, and brushes; each must be cleaned between clients.

Product pH: skin-friendly cleansers sit near pH 4.5–5.5; hair is acidic (about pH 4.5–5.5) so alkaline products raise the cuticle.

Shampoo types: clarifying (deep cleansing), moisturising, anti-dandruff (actives such as zinc pyrithione), and sulphate-free for colour-treated hair.

Hair colour terminology: developer volumes 10, 20, 30, 40 correspond to roughly 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% peroxide and increasing lift.

Nail tools: cuticle nipper, nail clipper, file grit (coarse ~80–100, medium ~180, fine ~240+), buffer, and cuticle pusher.

Skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive; assessment uses observation of pores, shine, flakiness, and reactivity.

Basic routine order: cleanser → toner (optional) → treatment serum → moisturiser → sunscreen (day).

Sunscreen SPF protects mainly against UVB; PA rating (PA+ to PA++++) indicates UVA protection.

Skin analysis should be done under good light with a magnifying lamp, noting hydration, texture, pigmentation, and lesions.

Contraindications for facial services include active infection, open wounds, recent chemical peel, sunburn, and uncontrolled skin disease; refer to a doctor.

Patch test rule: any new product, especially colour, bleach, or wax, is tested on a small area 24–48 hours before full application.

Cleansing should be gentle; over-cleansing strips lipids and can increase oiliness through rebound sebum production.

Exfoliation removes dead corneocytes; mechanical (scrub) and chemical (AHA/BHA) methods differ in mechanism and risk.

Standard facial sequence: consultation and patch test → cleansing → exfoliation → steam (about 5–10 minutes) → extraction if needed → massage → mask → moisturiser and sunscreen.

Steam is held at a safe distance (roughly 30–40 cm) and eyes are protected with cotton pads; steam is avoided for very sensitive or reactive skin.

Massage movements follow upward and outward direction, avoid the eye area pressure, and last roughly 10–15 minutes in a basic facial.

Mask choice: clay for oily skin, hydrating gel or cream for dry skin, soothing formula for sensitive skin; remove before it fully dries if it tightens.

Makeup base steps: cleanse and moisturise → primer → foundation matched to jawline → concealer → powder → colour cosmetics.

Foundation shade matching is done in natural light on the jawline, not the hand, and tested in a thin layer.

Colour theory for makeup: complementary colours neutralise; green cancels redness, peach/orange cancels blue-dark circles, yellow corrects purple.

Brush hygiene: makeup brushes are washed with mild soap, reshaped, and dried flat; sponges are replaced or cleaned after each use.

Hair structure: cuticle (outer protective scales), cortex (bulk, melanin, bonds), and medulla (central core, often absent in fine hair).

Hair growth cycle phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), telogen (rest and shedding); normal shedding is roughly 50–100 hairs a day.

Shampooing technique: wet hair, apply diluted shampoo to scalp, massage with fingertips not nails, rinse thoroughly, then condition mid-lengths to ends.

Conditioner works on the cuticle; it is applied away from the scalp and rinsed, while a deep mask is left longer for damaged hair.

Hair types by curl pattern range from straight (Type 1) to tightly coiled (Type 4); porosity and density guide product choice.

Dandruff is commonly linked to Malassezia; anti-dandruff actives include zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, and selenium sulphide.

Scalp conditions that require referral: ringworm, severe dermatitis, open sores, and sudden patchy hair loss.

Oiling and hot-oil treatments are pre-shampoo steps; oil does not moisturise hair directly but reduces friction and water loss.

Sectioning for cutting uses clean, even partings; hair is detangled and combed through before any cut, and the head is divided into four main sections.

Cutting angles: 0° creates a blunt line, 45° creates graduation or stacked layers, 90° creates uniform layers, and 180° creates long layers.

Blunt cutting is done on a straight comb line; point cutting softens ends, and slide cutting thins and blends.

Blow-dry direction controls finish: blow-drying against the natural fall adds volume, with the fall gives a smooth finish.

Heat styling safety: keep the dryer at least 15 cm from the scalp, keep irons moving, and use a heat protectant before irons or dryers.

Curl patterns set on wet hair with rollers or tongs; the curl is released only after hair is fully cool and dry to set the shape.

Clipper guard numbers correspond to length: lower numbers cut closer to the scalp; guards are used for uniform fades and tapering.

Cross-checking the cut means re-combing the hair in the opposite direction and confirming even length and balance.

Nail anatomy: nail plate, nail bed, matrix (growth area), cuticle, eponychium, lunula, and free edge; the matrix determines nail shape and thickness.

Nail filing rule: file in one direction from side to centre to reduce splitting; coarse grits are not used on natural nails.

Cuticle care: cuticle is softened with cuticle cream or warm soak; nipping is limited to dead hangnails, never live tissue.

Manicure sequence: sanitise hands → remove old polish → file and shape → soak → cuticle care → massage → base coat → polish → top coat.

Pedicure adds foot soak, callus reduction with a foot file or pumice, and extra care for diabetic clients, who should not receive aggressive callus cutting.

Polish application: thin base coat, two thin colour coats, and a top coat; each layer is allowed to dry to avoid bubbling.

Contraindications for nail services: paronychia, fungal infection, open cuts, and inflamed skin around the nail; refer these clients.

Implements such as nippers and pushers are disinfected between clients; files and buffers are single-use or client-specific.

Depilation removes hair at or near the skin surface (shaving, chemical depilatory, threading); epilation removes hair from the root (waxing, tweezers, epilator).

Wax temperature is tested on the inner wrist or on the technician's own skin before application; overheated wax causes burns.

Wax direction rule: apply wax in the direction of hair growth and remove against the direction of growth, holding skin taut.

Threading uses a twisted cotton thread; the twist traps hair and pulls it out at the root along the line of growth.

Patch test is mandatory for chemical depilatories and hot wax, especially for first-time clients, with 24–48 hours before full service.

Contraindications for waxing and threading: isotretinoin use, recent chemical peel or laser, sunburn, active skin infection, and thin or fragile skin.

Aftercare: soothe with a cold compress or aloe gel, avoid hot showers, sunbeds, and perfumed products for about 24 hours.

Hygiene: a fresh wax strip and spatula per client, gloves for the technician, and no double-dipping into the wax pot.

Consultation sequence: greet → ask about the desired outcome → check history, allergies, and medications → assess hair or skin → explain options and price → confirm consent.

Open questions gather information; closed questions confirm details; reflective listening repeats the client's words to verify understanding.

Contraindication screening must be documented; a signed record protects both client and salon and guides safe service.

Price and duration are stated before the service begins; any change in plan requires fresh client agreement.

Service recovery steps: acknowledge, apologise, act to fix, and follow up; unresolved issues go to the supervisor or manager.

Non-verbal communication matters: tone, facial expression, and posture carry more weight than words in a complaint situation.

Client records include contact details, service history, product used, patch test results, and preferences, kept confidential.

Upselling is ethical only when the recommended product or service genuinely suits the client's assessed need.

Business plan components: concept, target client, location, service menu and pricing, cost estimate, marketing plan, and break-even calculation.

Break-even point in units equals fixed costs divided by (price per service minus variable cost per service).

Startup costs for a salon include rent deposit, furniture, tools, products, licences, insurance, signage, and staff wages.

Legal basics in India: GST registration above the turnover threshold, Shops and Establishments registration, and municipal trade licence.

Pricing methods: cost-plus (cost plus margin), competitive (market rate), and value-based (what the client perceives the service is worth).

Marketing channels for a small salon: local listings, word of mouth, referral offers, social media before-and-after content with client consent, and festival packages.

Cash flow management means tracking daily receipts, supplier payments, and staff wages; profit is not the same as cash in hand.

Record keeping includes appointment book, sales register, stock register, and staff attendance; these support tax filing and loan applications.

Employability skills include communication, teamwork, problem solving, time management, self-management, and digital skills.

A CV for a salon role lists qualifications, practical skills, any NSQF certification, and references; it is kept to one or two pages.

Interview preparation: research the salon, prepare examples of client handling, dress in professional grooming, and carry certificates.

Digital literacy basics: email etiquette, file naming, password safety, and recognising phishing messages and fake payment links.

Social media for business: post with client consent, avoid before-and-after images that reveal identity without permission, and respond to reviews politely.

Digital payment handling: confirm the amount received on the salon's own device, issue a receipt, and reconcile daily with the sales register.

Appointment software and spreadsheets help track bookings, stock, and client history; regular backups prevent data loss.

Workplace rights and duties: timely wages, safe working conditions, and adherence to the salon's attendance and hygiene policy.