38 Beauty Side Hustles To Start In 2026

Ever wondered what beauty job pays the most money? Well, if you did, I am giving you the answer today: This is the ultimate list of beauty side hustles that you can start in 2026.

Just as every two-parent household has a strict mom and a golden retriever energy dad, or vice-versa, the same way in the side hustle world, there are 2 sides that you need to have for the perfect balance: budget and passion.

Some start a side hustle out of passion, while others think about the budget they have to start a side hustle, and some fall into other categories, like wanting to start a beauty side hustle from home or online, with or without a degree. Whatever it might be, the topic is all about beauty and making a living from it, and..

The good news, I am writing this blog post for you, no matter in which category you fall into.

1. Want to dip your toes in the beauty influencer’s world (with or without showing your face)
2. Love makeup, but have no clue about the different beauty side hustles out there
3. Would love to have a full-on business in the future, which started in your basement (type of side hustle)
4. Do this all by yourself without a budget
5. Keep it only online, or at least online until you earn your first dollar from beauty
6. Looking for something for the beauty pros (you are a MUA, an esthetician, or want to get a degree)
7. You are the golden retriever type parent (This is a side hustle from passion for you, and you have no idea about the logistics)
8. The strict parent type (This is a logical side hustle that makes sense for your budget, but needs creative help)
9. You are…well, you. You searched for beauty side hustles, and you want to find what you are looking for.

A little bit about me and why I am writing this blog post. I am working as a beauty specialist on cruise ships. Yes, I live on a ship for 6 months and completely love it. I will join a Cunard ship in 7 days, and as a girl who always asks questions and needs to know how everything works, I was amazed to see the logistics behind cruise ships and shops onboard.

It’s a lot, but also as a girl who describes having a latte in hand, and spending hours at Sephora as her perfect day, this topic is something I would love to start for myself.

That’s why I am writing a side hustles series, because I have always dreamt about:

1. Having a job that offers me stability and community, with occasional travel for work as part of my life
2. Starting my own business, in my head, it’s as clear as my Pinterest board.
   But is it a magazine that I run, a flower shop, a clothing store, a beauty side hustle (maybe as a content creator), or a coffee shop?

If you are confused about my second dream, so am I, which makes this article perfect, because we are so similar in the fact that we want a side hustle, but we don’t know which one or where to start.

So let’s start here, and let’s see how to make money in the beauty industry! – a type-A business “know-it-all”

Beauty Side Hustles You Can Start From Home

1. Beauty Blogger

But wait, isn’t blogging dead in 2025? Not at all.

Actually, to get paid to blog, in 2025, you only need 10,000 monthly sessions (which was 50,000 before)

It probably isn’t the first time you hear about blogging, but maybe you never actually researched how bloggers make money (and how much), so grab your coffee and let’s dive in. (I’m gonna keep it short and sweet)

*A quick note: if you are not into creating content and writing, just skip to the next beauty side hustle here.

How much bloggers make (from their real income reports):

• By Sophia Lee is a home decor blog and earned $12,379.67 in May 2019
• Mommy on Purpose is a parenting blog that earned $18,803.91 before the blog reached its first birthday
• Pinch of Yum is a food blog that made over $100,000 in November 2016
• Melyssa Griffin is a blog about blogging and marketing, and made $283,680 in December 2016
• Chic Pursuit is a fashion & beauty blog that made $3,000 in July 2019

Okay, so how do beauty bloggers (and other blogs) make money?

1. Display Ads
   Once you create your blog (a website on WordPress), you start writing blog posts (like the one you are reading right now), and the more you write, the more monthly sessions (visits on your website) you will have. Once you reach 10K, you can apply to an ad management program (like Mediavine Journey), they will start displaying ads on your website, and you will earn every time someone visits your website (they don’t need to click or buy anything, just visit your website)
2. Affiliate Marketing
   You know about influencers who link their favorite makeup removers and creams that magically remove all pores in their Amazon store. They earn a commission every time someone buys that cream or uses their ERASEBOTOX20 for a 20% off code. In the same way, beauty bloggers leave all kinds of affiliate links in their content (where it makes sense), and every time someone clicks on the link and buys, you earn money.
   *It’s important to be honest with your readers and recommend things you truly believe in or use.
3. Sponsored Content
   Brands pay beauty bloggers to promote their products in blog posts, Instagram reels, TikToks, YouTube tutorials, and this can range from $100 to $5,000+ per post (depending on engagement and audience)
4. Creating Products
   Many beauty bloggers eventually launch their own eBook for their skincare guide or makeup tutorials, courses on how to do makeup, skincare essentials, how to grow your hair and keep it shiny, digital products like presets, templates, or their own products like brushes, skincare lines, and merch.
5. Email Marketing
   Once you have your own beauty community, by sharing tips and being there for them with weekly recs and deals, you can also add affiliate links or products in your emails.
6. Earning from Social Media
   Once you have content on your beauty blog, you can (and you should) repurpose it for all social media channels, and in this way, not only do you bring more traffic to your blog, but also earn from the social media platform itself + You can also apply for influencer platforms that will send you PR packages, invite you to events and all the content creator goodies.

The third important question you probably have is how much money you need to start a beauty blog?

*I have the total amount at the end of this section

You can start a blog with $47.88 yearly, or you can pay around $10 each month, but the yearly payment is worth it, and it’s also a bigger commitment, and you will hold yourself accountable since you’re paying for it. (yk like going to the gym)

But what do you pay $47.88 for?

For hosting (where your website lives) and you get a free domain (name for your blog) for your first year of blogging included.

Setting up hosting takes a few minutes, you can set up your whole blog in a day (at least before you customize it)

A link to my step-by-step guide to setting up hosting and a domain for a beauty blog.

Once you have a website that you will turn into a blog, it’s time to have a beauty blog makeover.

Now, if your budget allows you, the next step is getting a theme that you are obsessed with, your literal dream and imagination for your beauty side hustle, colors, fonts, and images on your website.

Take a look at the best WordPress themes for blogging here

I use the theme Magnolia, by 17th Avenue Designs, and I recommend that you read more about the themes from the article above to make sure you choose the right one for a beauty blog, and get inspired by their lookbook.

I recommend a Kadence theme (I have bought 2 so far: Harper and Magnolia), and Harper is a Genesis theme, while Magnolia is a Kadence theme, and both are super pretty and aesthetic themes, but Kadence is much easier for a new blogger.

Just click on the image or the button, and enjoy your own “Pinterest-like feed” of themes you can use for your beauty blog.

The most affordable WordPress theme is $59 and it’s worth every penny!

Even if you can’t afford a theme for $179 as a new beauty blogger, you can always buy another theme and switch later.

My advice is that you save enough money for hosting + a WordPress theme, in my opinion, these 2 are a must.

Or if you choose a Harper theme for $59, it will be $106.88 (you can always just customize by yourself from scratch too, for $0, it’s just taking quite some time)

If you want to learn exactly how I did, this is my guide to blogging with all tools included.

2. Nail Tech

To start a nail tech side hustle or to become a manicurist, you don’t need to rent a space. You can start from the comfort of your own home, as long as you create a cozy, cute place for your customers.

Or become a mobile nail technician and travel to your clients, instead of the other way around.

Things that don’t tell you, but you need to know as a new nail tech:

1. Nail school will teach you about all the basic nail info like sanitation, disinfection, and the fundamentals of doing nails, not necessarily about the latest trendy nail designs you save on Pinterest.
2. You can only offer 1 nail system. In the nail tech world, where acrylic nails, UV gels, and regular nail lacquer exist, you don’t have to offer them all to be successful.
3. You are never done with education. Do you know what’s the reason that makes nails lift or pop, or what makes a gel a good gel, how to know what to choose, and what are the latest trends and inventions in the nail tech industry? Certifications are your best investment in your business, learn as you go, as much as you can.
4. The more you share, the better for you. If I asked old business owners, they would swear about their secret recipes for success and keep them a secret, but sharing your secrets will bring you more trust, and maybe even help you with starting your own nail tech school or nail tech course. (creator + nail tech approach)
5. You wear a lot of hats with a nail tech side hustle. You don’t need to wear them all, so if you don’t want to offer a pedicure or soft potted gel, that’s just fine.

Side Hustles For Beauty Pros

3. Hairstylist

Gloss Genius (previously Haus of Color) is owned by Kayla Valerio, and she managed to turn a creative haidressing side hustle into a 6-figure salon business and even a software.

The truth is, as a haidresser there are different side hustles you can start to make money beyond the chair.

Just like Kayla turned her salon side hustle into a software and I warmly recommend you visit her website if you want to get inspired and widen your horizons when it comes to hairstyling and all the different directions you can take your business into.

A little extra information based on 2025 data, the average hair stylist in the US earns about $23.97 per hour, with some top earners earning a bit over $55 per hour, depending on location, experience, clientele. (and everything in between)

4. Makeup Artist

Your guide to becoming a makeup artist:

1. Education and Training
   – Complete all certificates in makeup services
   – Take advanced courses in bridal, SFX and editorial makeup
2. Experience
   – Practice on close friends and family
   – Build a photo portfolio
   – Collaborate with photography studios and offer your services for local events
   – Offer free makeup for prom or other celebrations for someone that can’t afford it
3. Licenses and Permits
   – Register for an ABN via the ATO
   – Or if you want to be home-based, check the council regulations
4. Set Up Your Home Beauty Salon
   – A clean professional space with GOOD lighting
   – Invest in quality products and tools for all skin types
   – Hygiene is everything. Make sure you keep it to the highest standards
5. Insurance
   – Get liability insurance for your makeup business
6. Register Your Business
   – Choose a catchy name and register it
   – Open a business bank account and start tracking
   – Create a Google My Business and a professional website with booking (follow my beauty blogger steps)
7. Marketing
   – Use Instagram and TikTok to post your work
   – Reminding you about the website here once again
   – Collaborate with wedding and event planners
8. Stay Trendy
   – Follow beauty trends and keep educating yourself on the latest makeup techniques
   – Don’t be afraid to experiment

5. Bridal Beauty Business

Starting a bridal beauty side hustle is not for the weak or the inexperienced.

We all know at least one bridezilla story, and being the one in charge of how the most important day of someone’s life goes can be scary.

But on the other side of the bridal side hustle, there is a bride known as bridechilla (more than one lol).

So, if you love bridal hair and makeup, the whole wedding fairytale experience, and the chaos it sometimes brings, becoming a bridal beauty specialist might be the perfect side hustle for you.

And of course, there are some ways to increase your bridal beauty profits without adding more services:

1. Bridal Hair Accessories
2. Private Label Makeup (your name on the beauty products)
3. Hair Prep and Styling Products
4. Veil and Extension Rentals
5. Makeup Classes/Courses

I recommend you start with makeup, and along the way to start your own website and add all the products that you swear by, because in the world of celebration, price is irrelevant.

Take my money for the hairspray that will hold my curls while I dance for hours, or the gloss that will last through champagne and cake!

Because girls just wanna have fu-u-n.

6. Hair Extensions

This hair side hustle idea was inspired by watching Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. If you didn’t watch the TV show, I recommend you watch it, and also, you need to check out JZ Styles Hair, which is owned by Jessi (part of the cast)

Hair extensions are a big business in 2025, not just a side hustle, and to build a successful hair extension business, you need to:

1. Focus on hair quality
2. Be online, be seen, be on top of trends
3. Build connections and be your own brand ambassador
4. Education – this is the root of every business, and it never ends

7. Boost Salon Profit With Chair Rental or Salon Suite

If you don’t know what a salon suite rental is, the best way I can explain it is like owning a mini salon within a salon.

You get your own privacy, four walls and a wall, your own space, already built in salon on a lease, ready for renting.

Chair Rental or Salon Booth Rental is when the salon owner is renting an individual chair, and whether this little booth station has supplies or not, depends on the salon.

So, whether you rent a chair, a booth, or a salon suite, you have a contract that makes you an individual contractor.

What this means is you are running your own “little” beauty side hustle in a space that is already established, and you have “beauty roommates” who work on their own as well.

8. Special Effects Makeup

SFX makeup has the power to bring movie and cartoon characters to life with prosthetics, fake blood, and props.

I love the what’s inside my bag trend, so let’s take a look what’s inside a special effects artist’s bag?

1. SFX applicators like brushes, sponges, puffs, and swabs
2. Castor seal to add on top of liquid latex, so they can add makeup on top without causing discoloration
3. Stencils to outline patterns like scales, spots and stripes and make them look realistic
4. Airbrush for that perfect body pigment tone in no time
5. Latex skin is sometimes applied as a second skin for wounds or wrinkles
6. Glue and remover that is safe for the skin to attach prosthetics and bald caps
7. Crepe hair to create mustaches, beards, werewolf fur, and all types of hair
8. Lifecasting plaster created from a 3D replica of someone’s head or body part

It’s the perfect bridge between artistry and makeup, but of course, at some point, this passion needs to cross the bridge to income, too.

So, how much exactly are special effects makeup artists earning? Depending on whether it’s an actual special effects artist or a similar side hustle like artist manager, 2D artist, clean up artist, esthetician makeup artist, or freelance production artist, the earnings range from $13 to $127.57 per hour.

9. Wig Maker

Like any side hustle, of course, there are some pros and cons of starting a wig manufacturer, so I am gonna list all the pros and cons of selling wigs online, and you can decide if thiIt cas is the right side hustle for you in 2026.

Pros of selling wigs online:

1. It’s rewarding and helpful
2. There is unlimited income potential
3. It can be a simple business model
4. Physical work can be good for your wellness
5. The demand is huge, always
6. You can sell on different platforms, like Amazon, Etsy, or similar online retailers
7. Can be considered a make money while you sleep side hustle
8. Customers are usually really appreciative and low maintenance

Cons of selling wigs online:

1. The market is crowded since making wigs has been around for a long time
2. It can be challenging to find creative employees that feel motivated for this type of business
3. Requires a bigger investment and the sales process can take longer
4. Demand for a wig manufacturer can be incosistent
5. Often times you can feel isolated as a wig manufacturer that works alone
6. Like any other side hustle, it can be stressful because of client’s expectations
7. Hidden expenses that come from selling physical products
8. You need to be prepared to read about lots of rules and regulations
9. Can be more challenging to start a side hustle from home
10. Usually it’s not the most glamorous sentence: “I am a wig manufacturer” (But it’s so genuine)
11. You will probably need someone to answer phone calls and write emails
12. Manufacturing wigs can be dangerous at times
13. Sometimes it can be challenging to turn making wigs into a passive income

If you are judging just by the pros and cons list of going into the wig business, the cons win, but, if your why for starting a wig maker side hustle is BIG, I am sure it can outnumber 13 cons.

In case you want to start a wig making business, I found Alpha Hair Extensions, which is an extension and wig manufacturer and supplier.

10. Head Spa

To start a scalp treatment side hustle, first, you need to understand the benefits of the head spa treatments and all the challenges and benefits that come with running a head spa business.

When I was working in sales, my manager always said to me, It’s not about the product, it’s about the experience and I hate to admit, but he was right. (about this one thing)

A head spa service is not just a service. It’s a luxurious experience that stimulates circulation, relaxes, and you guessed it, enhances hair and scalp health.

It’s the holistic approach to achieving better scalp health, increasing blood circulation, and reducing stress.

And now about the financial approach, you have to think about essential equipment like scalp steamers, scalp brushes, bowls, capes, towels, hair masks, exfoliators, hair products, and this requires deep knowledge or research about both the business side and service side of the head spa.

There are about 101 more tips to start a head spa side hustle, but I will dedicate a whole article to it soon.

11. Tattoo Makeup/Permanent Makeup

Starting your permanent makeup business includes anything from permanent lip blush to permanent eyeliner.

I mean, waking up every morning without “wasting time” doing your makeup? No wonder permanent makeup exploded as soon as people found out about it.

And if you are scared about the business itself, and how permanent it is, see how many people with tattoos pass by you today.

Jokes aside, you really have to be a professional and passionate to master this side hustle for people to trust you, and that is already HUGE and so rare.

So whether you are a tattoo artist or a make-up artist, this is a good side hustle to grow your business.

12. Skincare Formulation

If you are deep into health and beauty, starting a skincare side hustle might be the business inspiration you need.

Skincare businesses usually start with someone who tries to fix their own pimples and breakouts, because it’s never that simple. Skin is a sensitive subject, and everyone wants to feel comfortable in their own skin.

You can either create your own skincare line from scratch or build an ecommerce store to sell skincare products from other brands, and if you are tight with budget, dropshipping is another option with minimal investment.

And when it comes to the actual skincare product formulation and manufacturing, you can:

1. Make this happen by hand at home
2. Take a private label or white label approach with a beauty manufacturer
3. Play with ingredients in existing formulas (you can’t stop raving about) and create something new
4. Work with a lab to create your own custom products
5. Be the CEO and hire a cosmetic chemist to create a formula and bring your vision to life

Online Beauty Side Hustles

13. Beauty Content Creator

A myth: “I have to be the next James Charles to become a beauty content creator.”

Whether you binge Vogue and their GRWM series, or you are loyal to your favorite beauty YouTuber (Hey iluvsarahii), as long as you want to be a part of the beauty world, you can earn from it as well.

Okay, but what type of beauty content creator can you be?

1. Your whole thing can be about finding drugstore dupes of high-end makeup
2. The relatable project pan creator that finishes every palette from 2019 until there’s nothing left
3. Organize your drawers and blend beauty with home decor
4. Create tutorials
5. Personal brand with the grwm series that goes heavy into beauty content

These are just 5 out of countless niche beauty content ideas, and 2026 is the best year to become a beauty content creator. (and no, it’s not overcrowded)

14. Social Media Manager

The topic of marketing is my favorite topic, and if you are passionate about beauty and marketing, becoming a social media manager for a beauty brand is the perfect side hustle for you.

To become a niche social media manager for beauty brands, create a portfolio and social media marketing proposal for local beauty brands around you.

15. Beauty Freelance Writer

If you are interested in becoming a beauty writer and writing about all things beauty and retail, whether as a journalist, copywriter, or content writer, this is how you can end up working as a beauty writer:

Start your own beauty blog and be your own creative director.

This will teach you a ton of skills, and it will show you the ins and outs of being a freelance writer, and you can see for yourself if you are passionate about beauty or maybe you want to try writing about different topics.

Blogging is essentially a branch of marketing (multiple branches, depending on where you take your blog) that can also serve you amazingly in finding a really good freelance job.

But essentially, starting your own blog would be my best advice if you want to become a beauty freelance writer.

It’s the best kind of portfolio that can bring you money on its own, and at the same time serve as a cover letter application.

16. Beauty UGC

To become a Beauty UGC Content Creator means you get the benefits of being an influencer without the hustle of growing a following.

If you are curious about UGC and why brands are paying for this type of content, it’s because the content is genuine, and it helps brands connect with customers, build trust, show real-life results, embrace diversity, and, of course, for most of the brands, hiring a UGC content creator can be more affordable than hiring an influencer.

This is not the first time I am writing about the topic of UGC, and if you want to start applying today, I have listed all UGC platforms that will pay for your content here as side hustle number 39.

17. Creating and Selling Beauty Ebooks

Creating and selling an eBook in the beauty niche means turning your passion into words and then into profit.

How to create and sell an ebook in the beauty niche:

1. Choose your topic. Which beauty niche is your ebook going to be about?
2. Do tons of research and planning
3. Actually write your ebook
4. Edit and proofread to make sure everything is perfect
5. This is the creative and fun step, time to design your ebook
6. Set up your sales channels
7. How are you going to market your ebook?
8. Create an excel sheet and monitor your sales and reviews
9. Update your ebook constantly, keep it up to date with the latest beauty trends

Tools to create, sell and promote ebooks:

1. Adobe InDesign for layout and designs for your beauty e-books
2. Kajabi to sell ebooks easily
3. Kit for newsletter service to build list and to promote ebooks (It’s free up to 10,000 subscribers)
4. Envato Elements has e-book templates
5. Beaver Builder for sales page design, or if you are using 17Ave Designs, you already have one done for you
6. Canva for more aesthetic templates

18. Become a Beauty Influencer

To become a beauty influencer, find your niche, join communities, and be a part of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and specific platforms and influencer programs, and just start creating content.

In my opinion, it doesn’t have to be about logistics, a strict posting schedule, and thinking about content pillars, but more about creating what you want to see, and wanting to have a community of like-minded people in your inbox.

Just post something genuine about beauty, experiment, and be real. Being an influencer is not about the numbers in a check, but about the number of decisions influenced in a genuine way.

19. Beauty Podcaster

Starting a beauty podcast means that you probably love reading and consuming beauty content and have a fat bunch of texts in your notes app about the random thoughts you get about what it would look like to share your opinion on beauty online.

It is a super niche beauty side hustle to start, and here are some of the world’s favorite beauty and wellness podcasts to binge and get inspired for your own:

1. Breaking Beauty Podcast
2. The Baron of Botox
3. Fat Mascara
4. Glowing Up
5. Smell Ya Later
6. Gloss Angeles

20. Beauty App Developer

Okay, so creating a beauty app sounds way more tech-heavy than it actually is, just hear me out!

A beauty app developer creates those cool apps where you try on lipstick shades virtually, track your skincare routine, or try on blonde hair before you commit to that hair appointment.

And you don’t have to be a programmer and a coding genius, because there are actually platforms like Adalo, Bubble, and Glide that will help you build apps without writing a single line of code.

And the moment you have been waiting for, how to earn money as a beauty app developer?

1. You can charge for premium features
2. Run ads (earns $5-10 per 1,000 views)
3. Earn commission when users buy products from your app

The best part is, it’s a side hustle that works while you sleep. Once it’s built, of course, you have to update it and actually get people to download it, but it’s not like trading hours for bucks anymore.

21. Beauty Affiliate Marketing

After I found out about Benable, I added a reminder in my notes to write more about it, because sharing affiliate links is one of the easiest ways to make money in beauty, without any cost or creating anything yourself.

Okay, so what is Benable? It’s like if Pinterest and shopping had a baby, a social commerce platform where you share products you love, people pay from your links, and you earn money.

But what I love about this platform is that it already partners with Sephora, Ulta, Skims, and other brands whose products you actually want to recommend and use. (Usually, you have to have a certain following to be able to get an affiliate link.)

On Benable, I’ve created my own collections like “My Makeup Routine as a Marketing Intern” or “Skincare under $50” and the platform handles everything.

If you want to try something else, sign up for LTK or the Amazon Affiliate Program.

22. Wholesale Beauty Products

This is basically buying beauty products in bulk at lower wholesale prices and reselling them for profit.

Faire is a wholesale supplier you can look into to better understand the wholesale beauty business.

This is a side hustle you can run from your garage, create your online store, or open an actual store, but of course, you do need some upfront cash for inventory and to go deep into research about what you buy.

23. Reselling Beauty Products

Reselling beauty products is one of the more popular ways to make extra money, and it’s simple, too.

You can buy discounted makeup and skincare from places like Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and clearance sections at Ulta, flip them, and earn profit from platforms like Poshmark or Mercari.

24. Brand Ambassador

One of the most fun side hustles I’ve stumbled into, and you don’t need a massive following like you’d think.

Companies pay you (or send you free products and discount codes) to promote their brand on social media, at events, or even in your inner circle.

The key is to find brands you actually love and use (sounds easy, next?) because people can tell when you are being fake about it.

To start, sign up on platforms like TRIBE or Aspire, or reach out to smaller brands directly through Instagram DMs.

Best Side Hustles For Estheticians

25. Waxing

In the world of side hustles, you decided to start your own waxing business, congrats! Now, after deciding if you will wax from home, rent a room in a salon, or open your own waxing studio, this is what’s next:

1. Choose wax
2. Create your business plan
3. Get your business online
4. Focus on client experience
5. Stay updated and learn the latest waxing methods

26. Facialist

The question behind starting this side hustle is how to earn money as a facialist, but the question that comes before that is whether there is a difference between a facialist and an esthetician.

Facialists and estheticians are both skin care specialists, but the difference is that an esthetician usually works in a medical environment, like a clinic, and a facialist does more than just facials, like blackhead removal.

To start this side hustle, you need to enroll in a training program or beauty school and get a facialist certification (usually it takes between six months to one year to get it), and after getting your certification, depending on where you live, you need to obtain an official esthetician license as well.

A facialist’s salary ranges from $25,000 to $55,000, but as a side hustle of your own, of course, you can set up your own rates and maybe charge $75 to $150+ per facial by renting a room at a salon or setting up a space at home.

27. Microblading

This probably isn’t the first time you have heard about the term “brow tattoo,” and therefore, microblading is another beauty side hustle idea that connects cosmetic tattoo, brow artistry, and dermatology.

Microblading is a semi-permanent form of cosmetic tattoo that creates the illusion of fuller brows.

Is microblading a tattoo, actually? Yes, it’s a type of tattoo, but the type of pigment that is being used and how it’s applied to the skin make it softer compared to traditional tattoos.

It costs anywhere from 500 to 2,000 dollars to get a brow tattoo or microblading done.

Overall, it’s a long-lasting service that is high-in demand, and quality is everything.

28. Spraytanning

Starting a mobile spray tan business as a side hustle is one of those ideas that is actually doable (if you’re willing to get certified).

So yes, you need to complete a spray tan certification program (which takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the course) and invest in quality equipment.

Spray tan salons usually charge from $35 to $75+ per appointment (which usually lasts 10-15 minutes).

The beauty of this side hustle is that it can be completely mobile, you go to your client’s homes, and you don’t need to think about renting a place and dealing with additional costs (except for fuel and equipment).

Plus, clients usually come back every few weeks to maintain their tan, so it’s an always in demand business,

29. Lash Artist/Lash Tech

Making lashes your side hustle is one of the many ways to earn extra money from home.

Just like any side hustle, the career path to becoming a lash tech isn’t for everyone. You have to enjoy the two-ish hour appointments, forget about the world for a while, and completely dedicate yourself to your clients.

Salary.com says that the annual salary for an Eyelash Specialist is $59,994 in the US (as of October 2025)

But is there a difference between these two? Yes.

Lash Tech vs. Lash Artist

A Lash Tech is a professional trained to apply eyelash extensions, and to become one, you have to go through specific training and certification, and know the right type of lashes, volume, and length to match every client’s unique features.

If you decide to go for a lash tech side hustle, keep in mind that some states require lash techs to have an esthetician or cosmetology license.

A Lash Artist is a technician who goes the extra mile, a visionary who not only knows the fundamentals and safety of applying lash extensions, they mixes creativity and artistry and creates custom designs.

So a lash artist has the skill and technique + creativity.

To become a lash tech you need:

1. Cosmetology or Esthetician License
2. Eyelash Extensions Certification

Whatever lash side hustle you decide to follow, lash artist or lash technician, your journey starts with learning.

30. Beauty Consultant

A beauty consultant, skincare consultant, or beauty advisor is a professional who specializes in beauty products, sales, and services, and can work behind a makeup counter or as a freelancer.

If you decide to get into this side hustle, you can specialize in different areas of beauty, such as cosmetics, hair, skincare, treatments, nails, and all other aesthetics.

31. Aromatherapy/Holistic Facials

Getting into aromatherapy and holistic skincare facials as a side hustle is the perfect business to start if you are into wellness and natural ingredients, and of course, if you are certified in aromatherapy or holistic skincare.

It is good as a side hustle because it can start from your home, and as soon as you can afford it, you can rent a room at a wellness center or go mobile if you prefer, and usually it pays $60 – $150+ per session.

Feminine Side Hustle Ideas

32.  Pamper Parties

Host beauty-themed parties as a side hustle with mini makeovers, manicures, skincare advice and other creative services.

If you aren’t familiar, pamper parties are popular for events like birthdays, bridal showers, and girls’ nights, and are just a fun way to spend time with your favorite friends.

You can build a niche like kid’s princess parties or all bridal events, and develop a menu of services to offer, supplies and tools and just have fun and network with event planners and party hosts.

33. Henna Artist

Henna is more than art, and starting a henna tattoo business means you have turned the love of creating henna designs into income.

As a henna artist, you can work events, do custom designs, and even sell services online and starting a henna side hustle is “easy” (as easy as it can be) because you don’t need fancy equipment to get started.

Steps to start a henna tattoo business:

1. Perfect your craft
2. Create your own henna tattoo supply kit
3. Learn about sanitation, hygiene and aftercare
4. Research the legal side of starting a henna side hustle
5. Create your portfolio
6. Start with events in your area or pop-up shops
7. Be on social media, get to know your #hennatattooartist hashtags
8. Create a Pinterest account and post your designs for inspiration
9. Create a website to take it to the next level (sell products, courses, write about your business)

34. Perfume Crafting

When I was working in a perfumery on a cruise ship and I met so many people around the world that told me they have their own perfume making business at home, or that they craft their own perfumes.

I saved this idea for a blog post like this one, and the thought of creating a completely unique scent that only I can wear makes me excited.

So if you have a good nose, love experimenting with scents (and have coffee beans nearby), you can start a profitable perfume business today, since there are so many online perfumery courses and workshops about it.

Here are some of the perfumery courses I stumbled upon:

1. Experimental Perfume Club
2. Herbal Academy’s Natural Perfumery Course
3. PerfumersWorld

35. Homemade Beauty Products

You can make your own natural cosmetic products at home and sell them as a side hustle.

If you are the type of person who does research and makes your own natural sugar scrub, this might be the side hustle to explore further.

You can create lip balms, body butters, sugar scrubs, face masks, bath salts, natural deodorants, serums, face and body oils, powdered face cleaners, face toners, and hair styling wax using ingredients like shea butter, essential oils, clays, and other clean or natural ingredients.

36. Natural Soap Maker

Starting a soap business is one of those side hustles that is surprisingly easy to start and actually becomes really profitable when you get the hang of it.

And researching about the topic of soap-making, I realized I am thinking too small, because it doesn’t have to stop at different shapes and ingredients for artisanal soaps and bath products, but it can be a soap workshop, like think about Italians making pasta at the spot, but for soaps that people can make and take home.

It’s just an idea, and this is just the tip of starting a soap making side hustle, but it starts with an idea, and in my opinion, the best side hustle to start is the one that connects passion with income and eventually leads to your dream lifestyle.

So if you think that starting a soap making side hustle from home is missing the part of community and social life, then maybe open your mind to creating events or workshops, or whatever direction you think is good.

37. Sell Eyebrow Tint Kits

Okay, this one is super niche, I know, but it comes from the lack of options and big demand. (I can’t find one)

Selling eyebrow tint kits is a smart side hustle idea because there is a huge demand, and you don’t need certifications or a physical location to tap into this brow industry.

It’s minimal effort and it won’t earn you a fortune, but once you do research and see that there aren’t good brow tinting kits near you, I think people would appreciate having this option when they can’t afford spending money or time at the salon every month.

So yeah, bringing salon-quality results at home sounds like a good side hustle to take further look into.

38. Blend Your Own Makeup Bar

My last beauty side hustle idea is to start a blend your custom makeup and skincare business.

This is really popular on cruise ships, and I have seen it in NYC, and people have talked about seeing it all around the world, but still we don’t have it around as much as we should, because it’s really fun, and you don’t need any certificate to actually do the blending and create a custom beauty product.

But of course, all the ingredients have to be FDA approved, and you have to be open about everything to your customers, and do research to keep everything safe and provide a fun experience on the spot.

A list of suppliers to start a DIY makeup blending bar:

1. Wholesale Supplies Plus
2. Monave
3. Glitter Company

Because all of us have a favorite lipstick that we love, but you know, if only it could have been a shade lighter and more “creamy”, or to have the perfect shade of blush that we can’t see at the drugstore.

How To Pick The Right Side Hustle

Choosing the right beauty side hustle means that what you do to earn extra money aligns with your lifestyle, schedule, passions, and strengths. If being on your laptop is something you don’t enjoy, then skip the online beauty side hustles like starting a beauty blog and focus on jobs that are a better match for you, like brow lamination or soap making.

And overall, if you are looking for a side hustle in the beauty industry, you probably already have some experience either working in this field or you enjoy consuming content about it, so whatever you have already, my advice is to look for ways to leverage what you already have and keep it simple.

The End Of Beauty Side Hustles

A side hustle is like dipping your toes in the water to see if you want to take a swim and or a dive, meaning it is not meant to be a second job, or at least not yet. It should be something you do on the side & your lifestyle doesn’t depend on it, because you don’t necessarily do it for the money (only). A big part plays your “want” to have a side hustle, or to earn from your passion.

Whatever the reason for starting a side hustle is, there is a perfect side hustle for everyone.

Thank you for reading my blog post about 38 beauty side hustles that are current and pay the most money. I hope you found the one. If you did, I would love to read everything about it in the comments.

If you didn’t find your side hustle in this list, take a look at the list of 185 Side Hustles To Make Extra Money in 2025 where I cover all side hustles online from all social media platforms (yes, I read and researched every single comment on TikTok) because I believe TikTok has the most updated information on some topics.