Editorial Standards

How guides are researched

Every guide on BeautyKiln starts with primary legislation — the actual Acts of Parliament, statutory instruments and regulations that govern the topic. We cross-reference against gov.uk guidance, HMRC manuals, HSE documentation, ACAS publications, NHBF guidance and industry body standards (Habia, BABTAC, ABT).

We use Perplexity AI as a research tool to surface relevant sources, identify recent developments and cross-check facts. Every AI-surfaced claim is verified against the original source before publication. We never publish AI-generated text as-is — it's a research assistant, not a writer.

How guides are reviewed

Guides are researched against primary sources and reviewed internally before publication. We are not solicitors, accountants or financial advisers — and we say so on every page.

Where a guide covers a topic with significant regional differences (e.g. aesthetics licensing in Scotland vs England), we note the differences clearly.

Update policy

Guides are reviewed when the underlying legislation changes. Rate-based content — such as National Minimum Wage rates, NI thresholds, tax bands and VAT thresholds — is updated annually, typically in April when new tax year rates take effect.

Every guide displays a "Last updated" date so you can see how recently it was reviewed. If you spot something that's out of date, please tell us.

Our editorial principles

1. Plain English first. If a sentence could appear in a government leaflet, we rewrite it. If it could appear in a legal textbook, we rewrite it harder. Our voice test: would you say this to a friend explaining it over a cup of tea?
2. No recommendations. We never say "we recommend [product/service/provider]." We present options, explain trade-offs, and let you decide. Sponsors support our content but do not influence what we write. We will never recommend a sponsor over a competitor.
3. No affiliate links. We do not use affiliate links. Our revenue comes from sponsorship, not commission. When we mention products, software or services, it is because they are relevant, not because we earn a fee.
4. Sources cited. Every guide includes a Sources section listing the legislation, HMRC manuals, trade body reports and other references used. If you want to verify what we have written, you can go to the source.
5. Mental health content is never sponsored. Our wellbeing and crisis guides are permanently commercial-free. We signpost to free support services only. We never give clinical advice.

What BeautyKiln is not

BeautyKiln is not legal advice. It is not financial advice. It is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional consultation about your specific situation.

What we do is explain, in plain English, what the law says, what your options are and who to contact next. We include phone numbers, websites and whether the service is free or paid on every relevant guide.

If your situation is complex, urgent or involves significant money — get proper advice. We'll tell you who to call.

How to flag an error

If you think something is wrong, outdated or misleading, email us at hello@kilnguides.co.uk with the guide URL and what you think is incorrect. We take accuracy seriously and will review and correct verified errors within 48 hours.

Operated by FTJ Designs (trading as BeautyKiln).