17 Lead Esthetician Interview Questions and Answers

An esthetician is a skin care specialist who offers professional treatments and services to the public. Services can include facials, waxing, and makeup application. A lead esthetician is a skin care specialist who is also responsible for managing a team of estheticians.

If you’re interested in becoming a lead esthetician, you’ll need to have several years of experience working as an esthetician. You’ll also need to be able to answer lead esthetician interview questions about your experience, your management style, and your ability to motivate a team.

In this guide, you’ll find lead esthetician interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable training new employees?

Employers may ask this question to see if you’re willing to train new employees. They want someone who can help their team members learn the job and feel comfortable in their role. In your answer, explain that you enjoy training others because it’s a great way to share your knowledge with others. You can also mention that you are confident in your skills and abilities as an esthetician so you know you can teach others effectively.

Example: “I love helping others learn about their roles and how to do their jobs well. I find that when I’m able to teach others, they often remember what I’ve taught them for years after. It makes me happy to be able to give back to my team by sharing my knowledge and experience with them.”

What are some of your favorite beauty treatments to perform?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience with the treatments they offer at their salon. This can help them determine whether or not you would be a good fit for their business and how much training you might need before starting your new job. In your answer, try to include some of the most popular services offered by the salon and explain why you enjoy performing them.

Example: “I love doing facials because I find it so rewarding to see my clients’ skin improve over time. Another treatment that I really enjoy is eyebrow shaping. Eyebrows are such an important part of our face, and I feel like I’ve developed quite a talent for making sure eyebrows look just right.”

How would you handle a client who is unhappy with their results?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take responsibility for any mistakes you make and that you’re confident in your abilities as an esthetician.

Example: “I would first apologize to the client and explain what I could do to fix their results. If they were unhappy with the entire experience, I would offer them a complimentary service at my discretion. If they were only unhappy with one aspect of their treatment, I would discuss ways we could improve their results.”

What is your process for maintaining quality control in your department?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you ensure the quality of work in your department. Your answer should include a specific example of how you monitored the quality of work in your previous position, as well as how you communicated with your team members.

Example: “In my last role, I had two estheticians working under me who were new to the salon. To monitor their progress, I scheduled weekly meetings with them where we discussed any challenges they faced during their shifts. This allowed me to provide guidance when needed and also gave me an opportunity to give positive feedback for their hard work.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Employers ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional in a challenging situation. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my previous role as lead esthetician, I had a customer who was unhappy with her results after one of our facials. She demanded a refund, but I explained that we don’t offer refunds for services rendered. Instead, I offered to give her another facial at no charge. She agreed, and I scheduled her for a complimentary treatment two weeks later. After the second facial, she left happy and gave us five-star reviews online.”

If a client has sensitive skin, how would you perform a facial?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging client. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate with clients and develop trust.

Example: “I have worked with many clients who have sensitive skin, so I am very familiar with the precautions that need to be taken when performing certain procedures. For example, if a client has sensitive skin, I will always make sure to use products that are free of fragrances or dyes. I also perform my treatments in a private room where only the client and myself are present. This helps me ensure that I’m not exposing them to any harmful chemicals.”

What would you do if you noticed a co-worker performing a treatment incorrectly?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to work with others and help them improve their skills. In your answer, explain that you would approach the employee in a positive way and offer tips or advice on how they can perform the treatment correctly.

Example: “If I noticed a co-worker performing a treatment incorrectly, I would first try to give them feedback during our break time so we could talk about it privately. If they were receptive to my feedback, I would share some of the ways I learned to do the treatment properly. If they weren’t open to receiving feedback, I would speak to my manager about the situation.”

How well do you handle stress while working?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the pressure of working in a salon. They want employees who are able to work well under stress and still deliver excellent customer service. In your answer, explain how you manage stress while on the job. Share some techniques that have helped you in the past.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I take breaks throughout my day. For example, if I’m doing a client’s makeup, I’ll set an alarm for every 30 minutes so I can step away from them for a few moments. This helps me recharge and get back into the zone. Another thing I do is talk with other estheticians about what they’re doing. It’s nice to hear about their experiences and learn new things.”

Do you have any questions for us about the lead esthetician position?

Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and position. Before your interview, make a list of questions that show you are interested in the job and want to learn more about it. Some good questions include:

What is the typical day like for someone in this role? You mentioned some challenges the lead esthetician might face. What would you do in those situations? Example: “I noticed that there can be a lot of pressure to meet client expectations. If I ever felt overwhelmed by this pressure, I would take a step back and evaluate my current processes. Then, I would implement new strategies to help me improve my performance.”

When performing a wax, what is your process for making sure the client is comfortable?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you interact with clients and ensure their comfort during a service. Your answer should include steps for making sure your client is comfortable, as well as the importance of doing so.

Example: “I always make sure my client is comfortable throughout the entire waxing process. I start by asking them if they have any areas that are more sensitive than others. Then, I explain what I’m going to do before each step of the waxing process. For example, I might tell them that I am about to apply the wax or remove it from the warmer. This helps them know what to expect and feel more at ease.”

We want to improve our customer service. Tell us about a strategy you would use to improve customer satisfaction.

Customer service is an important part of any salon or spa. Employers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would improve their business’s customer satisfaction. In your answer, explain a strategy you used in the past that helped increase customer satisfaction.

Example: “I once worked at a salon where we had a lot of customers who were unhappy with our services. I started by listening to what they had to say and asking them questions to understand why they felt dissatisfied. After hearing their concerns, I created a new training program for my team members so everyone could learn how to provide better customer service. This led to a decrease in complaints and an increase in customer satisfaction.”

Describe your experience with performing skin treatments.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with performing specific treatments. Use your answer to highlight the types of services you’ve performed and the level of expertise you have in each one.

Example: “I’ve worked as a lead esthetician for five years, so I’ve had plenty of experience performing all kinds of skin care services. In my current role, I perform facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, waxing, eyebrow threading and lash extensions. I also regularly perform exfoliation, extractions, massage and other basic procedures. My extensive experience has given me the confidence to try new techniques and develop unique approaches to performing these services.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their salon. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on highlighting your most impressive credentials while also being honest.

Example: “I am passionate about customer service and providing quality results. I have been working as an esthetician for five years now, and in that time I’ve learned what it takes to provide excellent care to my clients. My experience has taught me how to manage a team of employees and create a positive work environment. I’m confident that these skills will help me succeed in this position.”

Which skin care brands are you familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with different brands. It can also show them which brands you prefer to work with and how familiar you are with their products. When answering this question, list any brands that you have worked with in the past or would be excited to use if hired for the position.

Example: “I am very familiar with Derma-e’s line of natural skin care products. I’ve used many of their products on my clients before and find them to be effective and affordable. I’m also a big fan of Kiehl’s brand because of its quality ingredients and luxurious feel. I love working with luxury brands like these because it makes my job more enjoyable.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a lead esthetician to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine what skills you value most in your work and how they relate to the position. When answering, it can be helpful to identify a skill that is directly related to the job description or one that you feel would benefit the team if you were hired.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a lead esthetician is communication. As an esthetician, we are working with clients who may be nervous about their treatments. It’s important to have the ability to explain procedures clearly so our clients understand what we’re doing and why. I also think it’s important to listen to our clients’ concerns and answer any questions they have.”

How often do you perform skin treatments on yourself?

This question can help interviewers understand your level of commitment to your own skin care. They may want to know that you’re willing to treat yourself with the same quality products and services as you would a client, so they might ask this question to see if you have any experience doing so. If you don’t have personal experience with esthetician treatments, consider sharing an example of how you’ve taken care of your skin in the past.

Example: “I’m fortunate enough to not need many professional skin care treatments because I take very good care of my skin on my own. I use high-quality skincare products every day, including serums, moisturizers and exfoliators. I also make sure to get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water, which helps me maintain healthy skin.”

There is a problem with a treatment you prepared for a client. How do you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you respond to challenges and solve problems. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you handled a problem well and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a client who booked an appointment for a facial but was unsure of what she wanted. I offered her several options, including a basic facial, a more intensive treatment or a combination of both. She decided on the combination treatment, so I prepared everything as usual. However, when I went to apply the second part of the treatment, I realized that I didn’t have enough products left to complete the entire session. I apologized to my client and told her I would give her a discount on her next visit. Then, I called my manager to let them know about the issue. They were able to send someone else to pick up the remaining supplies and finish the treatment.”