How to become a professional makeup artist

Before considering a career as a makeup artist, you should do some field research. That is the main way to avoid mistakes. Is there room in your geographical area for another makeup artist? How is the competition? Are you willing to travel, say, to a wedding? How far? Is your car reliable? If you don’t want to travel, is your city big enough that you can get the customer base you need?

Also get the scoop on payment in your area. It will vary, even in a city, depending on your clientele. By working for a wedding planner, you will earn more than working for a photography store in a shopping mall. Find out which are the highest and lowest income opportunities.

Independent or corporate: advantages and pitfalls

If your research gives you the green light, the next step is to decide between freelance life and employee life.

Working for a company, perhaps as a sales representative for your favorite cosmetics brand or as an on-call makeup artist for a film production company, you can count on a regular paycheck and maybe even benefits.

By joining the growing group of freelancers, you will need to dedicate at least 50% of your work day to marketing.

License

In any case, autonomous or corporate, the next step is to obtain accreditation.

Get the information about the legal, health and educational certification required by your state, county or city. Take classes from an accredited beauty school (many have generous scholarship programs).

How to get a job

Now you are ready for the most critical part of becoming a professional makeup artist: promoting yourself.

If you want to work for a company, you can send resumes to specific spas, beauty salons, and cosmetic companies. Once you get a job, you are on your way to a career. You can network, move up the organization, acquire mentors, and get the most magical benefit of all – experience. If you get a job with a specific cosmetics company, you may be asked to take additional classes focused on their products. Usually they will pay for that.

An excellent job with good pay would be one with a special effects makeup company that works in film and television. Getting that job will require additional training, lots of pavement, and living in the right city. Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York are major centers of the film industry. Other cities, like Austin, Texas, attract film professionals, but these people often bring their own makeup artists with them.

Choosing the autonomous route means that self-promotion becomes a way of life. But once you get to a point where you have a bit of paid work, you will find that word of mouth will exponentially increase your customer base.

Self-employment: special considerations

As a freelance makeup artist, you can approach wedding planners, photography studios, film producers, advertising agencies, and theater groups. Also make sure all the talent agencies in your area know about you.

You are creative, that is one of the reasons why you dedicate yourself to the makeup profession. And you can use that creative mind to make a list of marketing ideas. Here are a few to get you started:

• Print business cards and always keep them with you. Leave them with everyone you meet during the day.

• Join a networking group. These groups are extremely effective. You will meet maybe once a month for lunch or happy hour (some soldiers have breakfast meetings!), And there will usually be an agenda, followed by a social time to mingle. Some networking groups are free, others charge a fee. If you’re just starting your networking experience, definitely join the free groups. However, you will have to pay for food and drinks.

• Walk upright and exude success. It always shows. Read books on your own. Study magazines. Try makeup techniques with your friends and read makeup sites on the Internet. Boost your confidence as much as possible!

• Make a list of all your contacts. You have more than you think. Friends, your accountant, your church or social groups, the merchants you see regularly. Don’t worry, you won’t bother these people. But you can send them a nice postcard announcing the opening of your new makeup business.

• Which brings us to the next item. Print some eye-catching postcards (you can do this on your computer) and send them out. Always have extras so you can send them to new people as you get to know them.

• Attend each and every beauty-related event in your area. Whether it’s a trade show, a trunk show, a store opening, or a book signing, be present with your business cards.

• Create a website. It’s easy, even if you’ve never done it before. Today, a website is more important than a business card! Check out the website – do it yourself to get started.

• Design and print a resume-like introduction that you can give to local spa directors and wedding planners. It should be unique, not bland like a business resume, and colorful. Use your imagination. Make it irresistible.

Today’s Freelance Makeup Artist Needs:

The other requirement to be self-employed is that you will have to have your own makeup kit. This is an investment, and if you make money, you can likely deduct your cosmetic costs.

Many women are going “green” these days, so make sure your makeup kit is filled with environmentally friendly, skin-friendly, and non-animal-tested products. If you want to specialize and use only vegan products, you can use that as a compelling marketing tool.

Being “known” for a unique niche is also a great way to win business. You could specialize in makeovers, anti-aging looks, headshots for actors (although many actors prefer to do their own makeup), or runway and catalog makeup for models.

Whether you are applying to work for a company or are self-employed, remember: there is no guarantee that you will immediately earn enough money to live on. Go into the process with enough money saved to keep you blank for at least six to twelve months. And decide in advance how long you are willing to spend without clients. Market your services with an organized plan and be persistent.

Getting into the makeup artist business can be a huge life change, both financially and emotionally. Do it carefully, do it smart, do it with a plan, and you could be living your dream.