10 Things You Need to Know Before Becoming a Makeup Artist

YouTube beauty gurus seem to have taken over all social media platforms, inspiring their millions of followers to become makeup artist themselves. But, what they don't tell you is the struggles of a true freelance makeup artist, trying to make their mark in the industry WITHOUT YouTube. Here are some things I wish I knew before becoming a professional makeup artist.

1. You don't need special schooling.

I went to a makeup academy to become certified in makeup artistry, but here's the catch: there is no license needed to be a makeup artist. School is a waste of money. Yes, I did learn new tips and tricks on how to apply makeup on other types of skin, other than my own, BUT I have several makeup books I have bought that tell me the same things. And guess what? I am still paying off my loan I took out for my school. I am certified, so it does look better on my portfolio, but I work with makeup artists who never went to school who have a bigger clientele than I do. So, my point is, if you can't spare the money, grab a couple friends and start practicing on them because, with makeup, practice truly makes perfect.

2. Don't expect success right away.

I graduated from my makeup academy back in November of 2017 and have only had one wedding party and a couple dozen clients. It certainly does not pay the bills.

3. Build a website.

I used Wix.com to build my website for my makeup business. I also paid for it to be put on Google, so when customers search for makeup artists in my area, my name, business, and website pop up first. A makeup artist in my area actually reached out to me from Google. She needed help with a wedding party and I ended up making $300 dollars for 4 hours of work. Make business cards, too. Hand them out whenever you can. When I tip my waitresses, I put my card with the tip. Little things like that can help you land customers because they have you in the back of their mind.

4. Don't move to a huge city right away.

I know a lot of people think if you move to LA or New York your career will take off. A good example would be the Beauty Gurus on YouTube. Most YouTubers start off in their small hometown, making videos, before taking the leap and moving to LA. You have to build your career first. Build up portfolio and experience. Travel to the larger cities in your state for small photoshoots, or fashion shows. For example, I live in Arizona, so I have been invited to do test shoots for experience in the Phoenix area.

5. Test shoots are your best friend.

I know it seems like a waste to do makeup with no money included, but hear me out. Test shoots are designed to make art. Team up with a photographer, a hairstylist, and a wardrobe specialist and have a fun photoshoot. Most pictures you see in Vogue come from editorial test shoots. After a test shoot, the photographer can send you the final prints for you to use in your portfolio. Plus, you gain experience of what a photo shoot is really like. Websites to find test shoots would be ModelMayhem.com and Craigslist (but be careful).

6. Purchase quality makeup.

I know it gets tempting to save that extra cash for something else, but you need to have quality products in your kit. Makeup For Ever, MAC, and RCMA are my go-to foundations for my kit. Makeup For Ever has such a wide range of foundation shades and formulas. Although these brands are pricey, the end result of any makeup look comes out far better than a makeup look used with drugstore products. Get a magnetic eyeshadow palette and mix-and-match with high-end eyeshadows that you actually USE, rather than buying a whole palette and only using one or two colors in a $50 palette. You don't want dead money in your kit.

7. People will try to ruin your dreams.

I cannot tell you how many people have told me that this career will never work out, or that I need to have back-up plans. Never get de-railed from your dreams because of negative comments. Even if it is coming from your own family. The best revenge is proving them wrong. You have to hustle; this is your livelihood. It is your business, your brand. I like that my brand, or "business name" is my own name. It reminds me that I work for myself and that I am the only one who can make or break this business. Chase your dreams.

8. You will have rude clients.

It is a given. Everyone has rude clients. Some are difficult to please, but some are just plain mean. But you must not take it to heart. I work at a salon part-time in a very up-scale residential area. The ladies that come in are very entitled. They know what they want and how they want it done. I am guilty of losing confidence in my work because of so many clients who seemed unsatisfied. You have to learn, like, "Okay, what did I do during that appointment that I can do better in my next one?" You have to remember not everyone is going to like your work. It is not the end of the world. IT'S JUST MAKEUP. It will wash off.

9. Be confident.

I know this is easier said than done, but going into this career I had no confidence whatsoever. That lost me clients because if I did not seem confident, then they did not feel confident in me. They didn't trust me. Even if you have to fake it, BE CONFIDENT. Smile, start conversations, stand up straight. Posture is important. You can own a room with great posture.

10. Never give up.

There have been countless times where I just wanted to throw in the towel. I have gone months without wearing makeup myself because I was so tired of even looking at makeup, let alone wearing it. You will go through rough patches, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel. You have to stay positive no matter what. You will be rejection, but you will also get life-changing opportunities. You just have to wait until it's your time. Until then, keep hustling.