One-Day Beauty Courses in London: Everything You Can Learn in a Single Day at LITC

You Don’t Need Months to Start Your Beauty Career

Most people assume training takes months, costs thousands, or demands a full-time schedule they simply cannot clear. It is one of the most common reasons people put off a career in beauty – not a lack of interest, but a belief that the path is longer than it actually needs to be.

LITC’s one-day short courses were built to challenge that assumption. Seven accredited treatments. One day each. And at the end of it, you walk away with a professionally recognised qualification that lets you get insured and start working with paying clients.

These are not informal workshops or half-day tasters. LITC’s short courses are accredited by the Association of Beauty Therapists (ABT) – the standard that insurance companies and professional bodies in the UK recognise. That distinction separates a qualification that opens doors from one that simply looks good on your camera roll.

Whether you are changing careers, adding to an existing skill set, or looking for the fastest credible route into beauty, this guide covers every one-day course LITC runs. Not sure which direction is right for you? The IAG Hub offers free, impartial guidance before you commit to anything.

What Makes a Good One-Day Beauty Course? What to Look For

Not all short beauty courses are equal. Before you book anything – LITC’s or anyone else’s – here is what actually matters:

• Accreditation. The Association of Beauty Therapists (ABT) is the primary UK standard for short courses. Accreditation means the course meets a recognised quality benchmark and – critically – that you can obtain professional insurance once qualified. Without it, you cannot legally or safely offer treatments to paying clients.
• Blended learning structure. Online theory completed before the practical day means you arrive with the foundations already in place – health and safety, anatomy, contraindications – rather than spending half your day sitting through slides. LITC’s model is blended: roughly one to one and a half hours of online theory at home, followed by the full hands-on practical day.
• Class size. Maximum ten students at LITC. In practical training, this is the difference between getting individual guidance and watching someone else get it. Smaller classes mean more hands-on time and more confidence by the end of the day.
• Equipment provision. All professional products and equipment are supplied by LITC. You should not be expected to source specialist kit as a beginner – and training on professional-grade products from day one matters.
• A certificate your insurer will accept. Ask any short course provider whether their qualification is recognised for insurance purposes by ABT or HABIA. If the answer is vague, that is your answer.

The LITC One-Day Courses – What You Can Learn

LITC runs seven one-day accredited short courses across its academies in Brixton (South London), Barking (East London), and Redditch. Here is what each one covers.

Eyelash Extensions Course:

Eyelash extensions are one of the most consistently in-demand treatments in the UK. Clients book them for events, holidays, and increasingly as a regular part of their routine – which means strong repeat business for anyone who does them well.

The course is a six-hour practical day (10am-4pm), preceded by online theory covering health and safety, client consultation, and contraindications. On the day you will learn eye area preparation, lash isolation and application techniques, methods to thicken and lengthen lashes, lash styling, maintenance and infills, safe removal, and aftercare. Students work on each other.

Age requirement: 18 or over. Accredited e-certificate, four CPD hours, and four CPD points on completion. Approved for insurance. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

Best for: Complete beginners wanting to specialise in lash work, or existing professionals adding an extensions service.

BIAB Gel Course:

Builder In A Bottle – BIAB – is one of the most requested nail treatments in the UK. A gel overlay that strengthens the natural nail rather than covering it, 

BIAB has built a loyal client base among people who want polished nails without the damage associated with acrylics.

The course runs six hours (10am-4pm), with online theory completed before attending. The practical day covers gel application and removal, nail preparation and shaping, product knowledge, client consultation, and aftercare. All equipment is provided.

Age requirement: 18 or over. Accredited e-certificate on completion. Approved for insurance. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

If BIAB sparks a broader interest in nail work, the VTCT Level 3 Nail Technology programme is the full professional qualification – covering acrylic systems, gel nails, nail art, anatomy, and client practice in depth.

Best for: Nail enthusiasts wanting a professional gel qualification, or beauty professionals adding a high-demand nail service to their menu.

Brow Lamination, Lash Lift & Tint Course:

Two of the most booked treatments in UK salons right now, covered in a single day. Brow lamination and lash lifts have replaced HD brows and lash perms as the go-to for clients who want defined, low-maintenance results that last weeks.

The course runs six hours (10am-4pm) and is accredited by both ABT and HABIA. Online theory covers health and safety, product knowledge, anatomy and physiology, and aftercare. The practical day covers professional mapping, lash lift and brow lamination techniques, and three signature brow styles: Classic, Brushed Brow, and Fluffy and Feathery. Students work on each other.

Important: Patch testing is mandatory before attending. Instructions are in your online learning unit and must be completed – on yourself or your model – before your practical day.

Age requirement: 18 or over. Accredited e-certificate, six CPD hours, and six CPD points. Approved for insurance by both ABT and HABIA. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

Best for: Anyone wanting to offer two of the highest-demand treatments from a single qualification.

Basic Waxing Course:

The course is a five-hour practical day (10am-3pm), preceded by online theory covering health and safety, salon hygiene, client consultation, and contraindications. The in-person practical covers strip and spatula waxing for full leg, bikini, underarm, brow tidy (not shaping), and upper lip.

Students work on each other. You will need approximately a quarter of an inch of hair growth on the areas being treated (about one to two weeks for most people). If you cannot receive treatment for medical reasons, you can arrange to bring a model.

Age requirement: 18 or over. Accredited e-certificate, four CPD hours, and four CPD points. Approved for insurance. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

Best for: Beauticians adding waxing to their services, salon owners upskilling staff, or anyone building a repeat-booking client base.

One Day Facial Course:

Skin health is one of the fastest-growing areas of beauty, and clients who invest in their skin regularly are among the most loyal. A facial qualification opens the door to a clientele that books consistently and values expertise.

The course combines one and a half hours of online theory with a five-hour in-person practical session (10am-3pm). You will cover skin preparation and analysis, cleansing, toning, moisturising, mask application, and facial massage techniques, alongside anatomy and physiology of the head and neck, client consultation, and recognising contraindications.

Students work on each other – please ensure your skin is suitable for treatment before attending. Age requirement: 18 or over. Accredited e-certificate, four CPD hours, and four CPD points. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

Best for: Anyone wanting to offer face treatments, those interested in skincare as a specialism, or professionals expanding beyond body and nail services.

Advanced Spray Tanning Course:

Spray tanning is a year-round service with low equipment start-up costs – making it one of the most practical treatments for anyone starting out as a mobile or self-employed practitioner.

The course runs five hours (10am-3pm). Online theory covering the science of tanning, contraindications, and aftercare must be completed before the practical session. On the day, you will cover application technique, client consultation, and business advice for starting a spray tanning service. Open to those aged 16 and over.

Important: You must bring your own model for the practical session. Students should also wear loose, dark clothing on the day.

Accredited e-certificate and 13 CPD points on completion. Approved for insurance. If you plan to work with clients under 18, check with your insurer before enrolling. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability. 

Best for: Anyone starting a mobile beauty business, salon owners adding a new revenue stream, or those aged 16 and over who want an accredited qualification quickly.

Nail Art Masterclass:

The Nail Art Masterclass sits at the other end of the spectrum from the beginner courses above. This is not an introduction – it is a career-level upgrade for people who already know what they are doing and want to take it significantly further.

The five-hour session (10am-3pm) covers advanced nail art techniques, trending designs and colour theory, brush control, detailing and symmetry, product knowledge, and speed and precision for client-ready finishes. Delivered across Redditch, Barking, and Brixton academies with hands-on training, live demonstrations, and a certificate of completion.

Important: This course requires existing nail skills and is not suitable for complete beginners. If you are new to nail work, the beginner acrylic nail courses or the VTCT Level 3 Nail Technology qualification is the right starting point. Visit courses.litc.org for current pricing and availability.

How Much Can You Earn After a One-Day Course?

This is the practical question most people are really asking. Here is an honest answer.

The treatments you will be qualified to offer are in consistent demand and command competitive rates in London. Eyelash extension sets, BIAB manicures, lash lifts, spray tans, and waxing appointments all represent realistic, repeatable income from a single qualification. In most cases, the course fee can be recovered in just a few bookings – after that, the income is yours.

Building a client base takes time and consistency, and it is worth being honest about that. The qualification gives you the right to offer the service professionally and get insured. What you build with it depends on the work you put in.

A one-day qualification is also an efficient way to test a treatment specialism before committing to a longer programme. Many LITC short course students go on to the full VTCT Level 3 Nail Technology once they have a clearer sense of where their interest and the demand aligns.

Can a Complete Beginner Book a One-Day Course?

Yes – for all courses except one.

The Eyelash Extensions, BIAB Gel, Brow Lamination and Lash Lift, Basic Waxing, One Day Facial, and Advanced Spray Tanning courses are all open to complete beginners. No prior experience is required.

The Nail Art Masterclass is the exception – it requires existing nail skills and is not a beginner course. If you are new to nails, start with a beginner qualification and return to the masterclass once your foundations are in place.

For everyone else, the blended learning model is designed with beginners in mind. The online theory module – typically one to one and a half hours, completed at home before the practical day – means you arrive knowing the foundations. The practical day is then exactly that: practical.

Still weighing up which direction to go? The nail technician vs beauty therapist guide is a useful place to think it through before you book.

With a maximum of ten students per session, there is enough individual attention for beginners to get proper guidance rather than being left to figure it out in a crowd.

Where Are the Courses Held?

All seven courses run across three LITC academy locations:

• Brixton, South London (SW9). Close to Brixton tube and rail station, well connected from across South London and Central London via the Victoria line.
• Barking, East London. Close to Barking station (District, Hammersmith and City, and Overground lines). A practical option for students based east of the city and in Essex.
• Redditch, Worcestershire. LITC’s Midlands academy, serving students in Worcestershire and surrounding areas who want accredited training without travelling to London.

Check courses.litc.org for the current schedule, dates, and availability at each location.

What Do You Get When You Complete the Course?

Completing an LITC short course gives you:

• An accredited e-certificate. Issued on successful completion of most courses (the Nail Art Masterclass issues a certificate of completion). Delivered digitally and valid for insurance applications.
• CPD hours and points. Varies by course – from four CPD hours (Waxing, Eyelash Extensions, Facial) to thirteen CPD points (Advanced Spray Tanning) and six CPD hours (Brow Lamination, Lash Lift and Tint).
• Eligibility for professional insurance. Your certificate is recognised by insurance providers, meaning you can take out professional cover and start offering treatments commercially from the day after your course.
• The ability to start working immediately. Once insured, there is no waiting period. You can begin seeing clients, building your portfolio, and generating income.

The Brow Lamination, Lash Lift and Tint qualification is also recognised by HABIA – the Hair and Beauty Industry Authority – giving graduates broader insurance eligibility across providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to book a short beauty course?

No prior experience is required for the Eyelash Extensions, BIAB Gel, Brow Lamination and Lash Lift, Basic Waxing, One Day Facial, and Advanced Spray Tanning courses. The Nail Art Masterclass is the exception – it requires existing nail skills and is not suitable for beginners.

How quickly can I start earning after a one-day course?

Once you have your certificate and professional insurance in place, there is no mandatory waiting period. Many people start seeing clients the week after their course.

Are LITC’s short courses accredited?

Yes. Most LITC short courses are accredited by ABT (Association of Beauty Therapists). The Brow Lamination, Lash Lift and Tint course is also recognised by HABIA. Both accreditations are accepted by professional insurance providers.

Do I need to bring my own equipment?

No. All products and equipment are supplied by LITC. The only exceptions are the Advanced Spray Tanning course – where you must bring your own model – and the Basic Waxing course – where you need sufficient hair growth on the areas being treated, or you can bring a model if you are unable to receive the treatment yourself.

Can I get insurance after a one-day course?

Yes. LITC’s short courses are accredited for insurance purposes. Upon receiving your certificate, you can apply for professional cover with providers that recognise ABT qualifications. Check with your chosen insurer if you have specific questions about coverage.

Do I have to complete the online theory before the practical day?

Yes – this is a firm requirement. If you have not completed the online theory before attending, you may be turned away and asked to rebook. The theory takes approximately one to one and a half hours and can be completed at any time beforehand.

What is the minimum age for LITC’s courses?

Most LITC short courses require students to be 18 or over. The Advanced Spray Tanning course is open to those aged 16 and over. If you are under 18 and plan to work with clients after qualifying, check with your insurance provider about coverage before enrolling.

How do I book a short beauty course at LITC?

Visit courses.litc.org to view current dates, locations, pricing, and availability. You can also get in touch with the LITC team directly, or visit the IAG Hub for free, impartial advice on which course suits your goals.

Your Next Step

A career in beauty does not have to start with a year-long commitment or a large upfront cost. One day, one accredited qualification, and you can start building clients and income. That is not a pitch – it is simply what these courses are designed to do.

LITC’s short courses were built for beginners who are ready to start, career changers who cannot afford to wait, and working professionals who want to add a skill without rebuilding everything from scratch. Small class sizes, blended learning, and professional accreditation mean you leave with something you can actually use.

If you know which treatment you want to train in, check available dates and secure your place at courses.litc.org. If you are still deciding, the full beauty course range at LITC gives you a broader view of where a short course can lead.

And if you want to talk it through first, get in touch with the LITC team. There is no pressure – just an honest conversation about what makes sense for you.