BEAUTICIANS · PAYMENT LINKS
Payment Links for Beauticians - Complete UK Guide (2026)
The complete guide to how UK beauticians get paid, including cash, bank transfers, card readers and modern payment links. Learn how to reduce no shows, take deposits confidently, chase less, and build a simple payment system that actually works for solo beauty professionals.
You finish a set. The lashes look perfect. The client loves it. Then they say: “I will transfer it when I get home.”
Or worse, they do not show up at all, and you lose a prime appointment slot that you cannot replace at short notice.
Most UK beauticians use a mix of cash, bank transfers, card readers, and now payment links. Some methods keep things smooth. Others quietly create late payments, awkward chasing, and no show stress.
This guide shows you the full picture.
You will see how beauticians get paid today, which methods cause the most problems, and how to use payment links, deposits, and reminders to build a simple, predictable payment system around your beauty business.
It is written for UK solo beauticians and small beauty businesses who want fewer no shows, less admin, and payments arriving when they should.
How UK Beauticians Get Paid Right Now
Beauticians rarely use just one payment method. Most use a blend depending on service type, client type, and whether they work from a salon, home studio, or mobile.
1. Cash in hand
Cash can feel simple when clients pay on the day. It is still common for small services like brows, nails, and quick top ups.
Pros
- Immediate payment if the client has cash
- No apps or logins for the client
- Can suit small, local repeat clients
Cons
- More no show risk if there is no deposit
- Clients often forget cash, then ask to transfer later
- Harder to track, bank, and match to appointments
2. Bank transfer
Bank transfer is common in the beauty industry because it works for clients who forget cash, and it feels normal to share details on WhatsApp or Instagram.
Pros
- No hardware needed
- Clients can pay from their phone
- Works for deposits and balances
Cons
- Easy for clients to delay payment until “later”
- References are inconsistent and hard to match
- You end up checking your bank app all day
3. Card readers (SumUp, Zettle, etc.)
Card readers work well in salons or home studios where clients pay on completion. They can also reduce the “I will transfer later” problem.
Pros
- Fast and familiar for most clients
- Looks professional and modern
- Good for higher value services
Cons
- Client needs to be physically present
- Another device to charge, update, and carry
- Fees add up, especially on frequent small payments
4. Payment apps and invoicing platforms
Some beauticians use PayPal, Revolut, invoice apps, or booking platforms that take payment. These can work, but they often add friction for clients, and some clients drop off when they need to create an account.
In beauty, “easy and fast” wins. Clients want a link they can tap, pay, and move on.
5. Payment links (beautician friendly)
Payment links are secure online payment requests you send directly to clients on the apps they already use:
The client taps the link, pays by card or wallet, and you see the payment in one place. With Simply Link, you can add deposits, automatic reminders, and polite chasing messages around those links, so you are not doing it manually every time.
A quick reality check for beauty payments
Beauty services are appointment based. That means your diary is your income. A missed slot is not just annoying, it is lost revenue. A good payment system protects your diary, reduces uncertainty, and makes boundaries feel normal rather than awkward.
Common Payment Situations Beauticians Face
These are the situations where deposits, payment links, and reminders make the biggest difference for UK beauty professionals.
The classic no show on a prime slot
Friday evening. Saturday morning. Payday week. The client does not turn up. They message later with an excuse, or do not message at all.
If you do not take deposits, you carry all the risk. Deposits shift a small part of that risk back to the client, which is fair in an appointment business.
For deposit wording and timing that feels professional, read How Beauticians Can Request a Deposit Professionally .
“I will transfer it later” after the appointment
The client leaves happy. You do not want to sour the vibe by pushing payment. They promise a transfer later.
Later turns into days. You have to chase. That is not what you got into beauty for.
Payment links make it easier to get paid on the day, even if the client is rushing. For a deeper breakdown of payment methods, see How Beauticians Get Paid in the UK .
Regular clients who always pay late
They are lovely, and you want to keep them. But payment is always late, and you feel awkward bringing it up every time.
Automatic reminders solve this quietly. You set the schedule once, and the follow ups happen consistently without you having to write the messages.
We break down that system in Automatic Payment Reminders for Beauticians .
High value appointments that need a deposit and balance
Think bridal makeup trials, full day wedding bookings, large nail packages, or a block of treatments. These are high value, higher risk, and harder to replace if cancelled.
Deposit and balance links make the workflow clean and clear. For a walkthrough, see Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Beauticians .
Clients who say yes, then go quiet
They ask about availability, you offer a slot, they confirm, and then the deposit never arrives. Meanwhile you are holding the slot and turning away other clients.
A simple rule helps: the appointment is only booked once the deposit is paid. We show message examples and how to phrase it in Reduce Cancellations for Beauticians .
A Simple Payment System For UK Beauticians
The goal is simple. Protect your diary, get paid on time, and stop having the same awkward conversations every week.
Decide your payment rules by service type
Start by splitting your services into a few clear categories. Each category gets a default payment rule.
- • Small services (brows, simple nails): pay on the day
- • Appointment services (lashes, nails, facials): deposit to book, balance on the day
- • High value bookings (bridal, packages): deposit, then staged balance payments
Set sensible deposit amounts that feel normal
Deposits do not need to be huge. They need to be enough to create commitment and reduce no shows.
Typical deposit ranges used by UK beauticians:
- •Standard appointments: £10 to £25 deposit
- •Long sessions (2+ hours): £20 to £50 deposit
- • Bridal and premium bookings: 20 to 50 percent deposit
For deposit scripts that do not feel pushy, see How Beauticians Can Request a Deposit Professionally .
Use payment links for deposits and balances
The smoother the checkout, the faster people pay. A payment link removes the “send me your details” back and forth and makes it easy for clients to pay immediately.
Example message for a deposit:
"Perfect, I have you booked in for Tuesday at 6pm. To secure the slot, here is the £20 deposit link. Once it is paid, your appointment is confirmed."
For where to send links and what to say on different apps, see How Beauticians Send Payment Links to Clients .
Make no show policies short, clear, and consistent
In beauty, policies work best when they are simple and repeated consistently, not when they are long or confrontational.
- •Deposits are non refundable within 24 or 48 hours
- •Reschedules allowed with notice
- •No deposit, no booking confirmation
We cover real world wording and edge cases in Reduce Cancellations for Beauticians .
Turn on reminders so you are not chasing manually
Reminders handle the awkward follow up for you. You can use them for unpaid balances, outstanding deposits, and clients who forget after the appointment.
- •A gentle reminder the next day
- •A firmer follow up after a few days
- •A final message with a clear boundary
We break down practical reminder schedules in Automatic Payment Reminders for Beauticians .
Save templates so you are not rewriting the same messages
Beauty businesses run on repeat conversations. When you save your wording once, you stop spending mental energy rewriting messages every day.
Useful template types:
- •Deposit request to confirm a booking
- •Balance payment link on the day
- •Reschedule policy reminder
- •Late payment reminders
We share copy and paste templates in Payment Reminder Templates for Beauticians .
Beautician Pricing and Deposit Examples
Prices vary by area, experience, and service type. The goal of this section is not to tell you what to charge, but to give realistic UK ranges so you can sense check your own pricing and deposit policy.
- Lash infills: around £25 to £50
- Full lash sets: around £45 to £90
- Gel nails: around £25 to £45
- Acrylics or builder gel: around £35 to £65
- Facials: around £30 to £90 depending on treatment
- Bridal makeup: commonly £80 to £200+, with trials often separate
Suggested deposit sizes by appointment type:
| Appointment type | Suggested deposit | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Short service (under 45 mins) | £10 to £15 | Enough to confirm they will show up |
| Standard appointment (1 to 2 hours) | £15 to £25 | Protects a valuable slot without feeling heavy |
| Long appointment (2+ hours) | £25 to £50 | Reduces cancellations on high commitment bookings |
| Premium booking (bridal, package) | 20 to 50 percent | Matches the risk and planning effort |
For help setting your prices, handling travel costs for mobile work, and increasing rates without losing good clients, see Beautician Pricing and Rates Guide .
The Beauticians Payment Links Guide Series
This page is your overview of the full payment system. Each guide below goes deeper into one part of that system, all written specifically for UK beauticians.
How Beauticians Get Paid in the UK
A deeper breakdown of cash, bank transfers, card readers, and payment links, with pros and cons for each.
How Beauticians Can Request a Deposit Professionally
Exact wording, timing, and examples for asking for deposits without feeling pushy or awkward.
Reduce Cancellations for Beauticians
Practical ways to cut down on no shows and last minute cancellations using deposits and clear booking rules.
How Beauticians Send Payment Links
Where to send links, what to say, and how to make it feel natural for you and your clients.
Automatic Payment Reminders for Beauticians
How to set up gentle, automatic reminders so late payments chase themselves instead of chasing you.
Payment Reminder Templates for Beauticians
Copy and paste message templates for deposits, reminders, and final notices, written in clear UK English.
Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Beauticians
How to take an upfront deposit, then collect the final balance with a separate payment link.
How Beauticians Can Chase Late Payments
A step by step approach to chasing late payments politely, with clear boundaries and next steps.
Beautician Pricing and Rates Guide
How to set, review, and update your rates with confidence, including examples and talking points for clients.
Case Study: Beautician 1
A real world style example of a solo beautician moving from transfers to deposits and payment links.
Case Study: Beautician 2
A second case study focusing on deposits for high value bookings and reducing diary gaps.
The Big Wins For UK Beauticians
A simple payment system built around deposits, payment links, and reminders gives beauticians:
- Fewer no shows and diary gaps
Deposits create commitment and make unreliable clients think twice before booking a prime slot.
- More predictable income
Your diary becomes more stable because payments land closer to appointment dates rather than drifting for days.
- Less admin and chasing
Payment links and automatic reminders cut down on messy bank references, follow ups, and constant checking.
- A more premium client experience
Simple checkout and clear policies feel like a professional business, which attracts better clients over time.
- Fewer awkward money conversations
When your process is structured, payment becomes part of the routine rather than a personal confrontation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to use payment links as a beautician?
No. You can create a payment link and send it through WhatsApp, text, or Instagram DM. Your client pays on a secure checkout page and you see the payment in one place.
Should beauticians take deposits in the UK?
In most appointment based beauty businesses, deposits are normal and expected. They reduce no shows and protect your diary, especially for longer treatments and peak time slots.
How much deposit should I take for beauty appointments?
Many UK beauticians use £10 to £25 for standard appointments, £25 to £50 for long sessions, and a percentage deposit for bridal or high value bookings. The goal is commitment, not overcharging.
What if a client refuses to pay a deposit?
That is usually a sign they are not fully committed. You can choose to make exceptions for trusted regulars, but for new clients it is often safer to stick to your booking rule.
Can payment links reduce late payments?
Yes. A clear link sent at the right moment removes friction and gets people paying faster. If someone does not pay, reminders help you follow up consistently without having to chase manually.
How do I handle cancellations fairly as a beautician?
Keep it simple. Many beauticians allow rescheduling with notice, and treat deposits as non refundable within a set window like 24 or 48 hours. Clear wording and consistency are what makes it feel fair.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
How Beauticians Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK beauticians accept payments for appointments, treatments and packages.
Read guideHow Beauticians Can Request a Deposit Professionally
A professional UK guide for beauticians on requesting deposits using payment links.
Read guideHow Beauticians Can Reduce Cancellations
A practical guide to reducing cancellations and no-shows for UK beauticians using clear policies and deposits.
Read guideHow to Send Payment Links as a Beautician
A simple guide for UK beauticians on how to send payment links by text, WhatsApp and email.
Read guideAutomatic Payment Reminders for Beauticians
Learn how to automate payment chasing for beauty appointments and treatment packages.
Read guidePayment Reminder Templates for Beauticians
Professional payment reminder templates for UK beauticians.
Read guideDeposit and Balance Payments for Beauticians
How to take deposits upfront and collect balances professionally as a beautician.
Read guideHow Beauticians Can Chase Late Payments
A practical guide for chasing late payments without awkward conversations.
Read guideBeautician Pricing and Rates Guide
A practical pricing and rates guide for UK beauticians.
Read guideBeautician Case Study — Client A
A realistic case study showing how a UK beautician improved payment reliability.
Read guideBeautician Case Study — Client B
A second case study showing payment improvements for beauticians.
Read guideCreate a Payment Link in Seconds
Learn how to create payment links manually and with Simply Link.
Read guideHow to Chase Late Payments Automatically
Automate payment reminders and reduce late payments.
Read guideStart Getting Paid Faster - Without Awkward Chasing
If you are a UK beautician who is tired of no shows, late payments, and messy back and forth, Simply Link helps you build a simple payment system in one place. Send payment links in seconds, take deposits upfront, automate reminders, and stop chasing clients manually. Create your free account and send your first payment link in under 2 minutes.
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