Top 18 beauty business ideas in 2025

Quick Take: Why Beauty Businesses Are Booming in 2025

18 Profitable Beauty Business Ideas to Start This Year

Reflexology Services

Reflexology services is a wellness service that applies pressure to specific points on the feet and hands to help alleviate health conditions. With pressure serving as the stimulus, reflex areas on the extremities correspond to internal organs and systems (ex. heart, lungs) that may build up stress or tension over time. By boosting circulation and energy flow across nerve endings, clients receive non-invasive therapeutic relief supporting whole-body harmony.

From those suffering chronic ailments like migraines or arthritis to those simply enhancing general well-being, certified reflexologists bridge an evolving appetite for holistic care beyond pharmaceutical dependency alone. Practical to provide from home clinics or visiting corporate offices lunch breaks, reflexology meets rising consumer desire for convenient self-care migrating into the mainstream. As a complementary option welcoming integration with standard medicine, certified practitioners ethically assist more patients seeking multidimensional symptom relief without overwhelming side effects.

How much you can make: $30,000 – $80,000 annually
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 – $10,000
How long does it take to build: 2-4 months

Barbershop

Operating a barbershop presents a promising small business venture since it necessitates limited investment in costly equipment. For marketing, social media accounts coupled with partnerships with men’s grooming companies can effectively spread word of your shop’s offerings beyond relying solely on location and foot traffic.

How much you can make: $50k-$100k per year
How much does it cost to start: $20k-$100k to start
How long does it take to build: 6 months to 1 year to establish

Tanning salon

Tanning salons present a lucrative business prospect given rising demand. However, before leasing space, purchasing equipment, or staffing, extensively research and ensure compliance with relevant laws and safety standards governing sunlamps and tanning devices. Thorough understanding and adherence to regulations must take priority when opening this skin care venture.

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $50k-$100k to start
How long does it take to build: 6 months to 1 year to establis

Body waxing

Launching a body waxing salon necessitates obtaining an array of waxing supplies like wax, strips, and post-treatment products plus hiring trained waxing specialists to deliver excellent services. Building a customer base requires providing dedicated offerings, therefore staffing your venture with skilled experts adept in techniques for diverse waxing needs is key when equipping this beauty business.

How much you can make: $50k-$100k per year
How much does it cost to start: $10k-$50k to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to establish

Nail polish salon

A nail polish salon presents a beauty business idea launchable on a modest budget. However, stocking quality merchandise and focusing on cleanliness and organization helps attract clientele. Investing in diverse, top-shelf nail care items coupled with exceptional service, promotions for regulars, and remembering that customer experience drives repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals will help drive success for this affordable venture idea.

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $10k-$50k to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to establish

Brow bar

Opening a brow bar necessitates awareness of key considerations like required supplies, locating customers, adhering to state licensing and regulations before starting. Most states mandate completing a training program and obtaining a tattoo license to legally practice as a brow artist. Therefore, research both state-specific requirements and general industry regulations to ensure full compliance in this beauty business.

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$20k to start
How long does it take to build: 1-3 months to establish

Body piercing shop

Body piercing creates openings in the body using sterilized needles to allow beautiful jewelry to be worn. Opening your own studio requires proper training, licenses, and adherence to health codes regarding safe equipment and procedures. Success depends on an aesthetic vision and commitment to client care through this intimate service.

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $10k-$50k to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to establish

Hair products

A hair product line can offer items like shampoos, conditioners, masks, serums and dyes. An online sales approach using digital markets, social media and websites provides low-cost entry. Starting with one main set of core offerings rather than a vast selection allows focusing efforts around targeted products. Gradually expand both merchandise and sales channels once establishing a customer base and initial success.

How much you can make: $100k-$500k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$20k to start
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Skincare products

A skin care product line permits beauty enthusiasts to transform passion into business. However, the market’s competitiveness demands quality ingredients, eye-catching packaging, and strategic branding for success. Initially concentrate efforts on crafting one or two exceptional flagship products. Allow these focused offerings to serve as the foundation for future expansion into a more extensive skin care assortment once established.

“The clean beauty trend isn’t slowing down, 82% of shoppers now look for natural ingredients and transparency,” according to Statista, highlighting the rising demand for ethical, ingredient-conscious skincare.

How much you can make: $100k-$1M per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$50k to start
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Lash studio

A lashes venture offers a spectrum of high-quality lashes from subtle extensions to dramatic volumized styles, helping customers enhance their eyes. Achieving success requires partnering with trustworthy suppliers, dedicating efforts towards digital marketing, and collaborating with popular influencers. Concentrate on providing excellent lash application services and a wide yet selective merchandise assortment to attract and retain style-conscious clientele looking to boost their beauty profile.

How much you can make: $60k-$250k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$20k to start
How long does it take to build: 1-3 months to establish

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Perfume shop

A perfume business can involve reselling existing luxury fragrances or becoming a distributor for an admired brand. This allows concentrating efforts on marketing and distribution without product formulation demands. However, providing additional customer conveniences like gift wrapping or a loyalty program helps further sales. Building brand recognition, choosing the right retail channels, and focusing on exceptional service helps drive repeat purchases.

How much you can make: $100k-$500k per year
How much does it cost to start: $20k-$100k to start
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Jewelry-making business

Handmade jewelry business allows creators to transform designs into wearable art using diverse materials like beads, gemstones, metals and more. Achieving sustainable success requires awareness of market trends to inform design, dedication towards branding, and showcasing products online and locally. Combining artistic vision, market knowledge and savvy marketing provides aspiring jewelers an avenue to build a business around their unique talents and perspectives.

How much you can make: $50k-$500k per year
How much does it cost to start: $2k-$5k to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to establish

Handmade soap

Launching a handmade soap business involves initial research on competitors, the target market, and intended clientele to distinguish your specialty. Additional key startup steps involve selecting a brand name, structuring short and long-term goals into a business plan, and creating marketing campaigns that resonate with your niche. Allow your unique vision to inform each decision, from product development to branding and promotion.

How much you can make: $50k-$250k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$10k to start
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Cosmetic store

For beauty aficionados, retailing cosmetics through reselling or distributing coveted brands sidesteps costs of developing proprietary products. However, careful selection is vital – research various companies, evaluating fame, price points and profit margins to align with business goals. A customizable merchandising mix, catering specifically to local clientele rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach further helps build a loyal customer base, driving sustainable revenues.

“Gen Z and Millennials are driving demand for authenticity, sustainability, and customization in beauty,” as noted in the McKinsey Beauty Report 2023.

How much you can make: $100k-$1M per year
How much does it cost to start: $50k-$250k to start
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish

Makeup artist

Freelance makeup artistry builds on exceptional application talents and benefits from an influential social media presence. Updating trends and showcasing skills through captivating content on platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram is pivotal for client outreach. Additionally, continuously improving techniques and specializing in niche offerings attracts bookings while regular social updates foster brand familiarity and loyalty amongst established clientele. The combination drives growth for independent artists.

How much you can make: $50k-$250k per year
How much does it cost to start: $2k-$5k to start
How long does it take to build: 1-3 months to establish

Weight loss consultant

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $2k-$5k to start
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to establish

Popup beauty bars in unique locations

Offer on-the-go beauty services from eye-catching and unexpected spots like parks, beaches, outdoor markets, or rooftop venues. These compact salons could provide fast services such as blow dry styling, makeup touch-ups, mini facials, or quick manicures. Popping up in high foot traffic areas allows exposure to new clients while the novelty of the location draws interest.

For inspiration and coverage of innovative trends like mobile beauty services, consider sources like Allure’s Beauty Industry News or Harper’s Bazaar Beauty, which regularly highlight forward-thinking beauty businesses.

How much you can make: $50k-$250k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$20k per event
How long does it take to build: 1-3 months per popup

Beauty product vending machines

Place vending machines selling convenient beauty items in high-traffic spots like airports, malls, or gyms. Offerings could include travel-sized products, emergency touch-up kits, or even luxury items for last minute beauty needs before a big night out. Dispensing essentials, these automated shops provide a quick beauty pick-me-up for busy people out and about.

How much you can make: $50k-$150k per year
How much does it cost to start: $5k-$20k to start
How long does it take to build: 1-3 months to establish

Grow Your Beauty Business with Enterprise League

If you’re launching a beauty brand or already running one, Enterprise League can help you scale smarter. The platform connects beauty entrepreneurs with manufacturers, packaging suppliers, marketing experts, and potential partners, all in one place.
Whether you’re looking to showcase your products, get discovered by retailers, or collaborate with fellow business owners, Enterprise League empowers small businesses to grow globally without the hefty agency fees. Create your free business profile today and tap into new opportunities.

Conclusion

The beauty industry is performing extremely – offering a solid platform for both personal passion and professional growth. So, if you’ve been contemplating making your mark in the beauty world with your beauty business idea, now is the perfect time to start. Before you leave, we suggest checking out these beauty startups, who knows maybe they will give you an extra boost and motivation.