makeup artist career

19lottie82

ohreally wrote: »

I donate my time, not that your owed any explanation.

So that's a no.

Marshmallow82

I too think self employed is the best idea. She could start by doing a wedding for free, put the pictures on her website and try to get business that way

Charityworker

I used to be a freelance make up artist in London and I still 'dabble' in it now and again. I got a diploma in theatrical and media make up. I started by doing things for free like contacting local photographers and theatre groups and offering my services. I also contacted local bands and offered to do make up for their photo shoots or videos. Then from that I was offered a few paid jobs. I took the plunge and moved to London to do it. I stayed there for 2 years doing freelance but found that I had to get a regular part time job as the earnings from occasional make up work were not enough to live in London. In the end I found that I was working all the hours god sends and still not making ends meet so I moved back to where I am now and advertised as a wedding make up artist. I also did a manicure course as theres more people asking for that now than there is make up. Now I work part time as a charity shop manager and do make up and nails as a side line. I'm thinking of expanding it again now though as my part time job is coming to an end soon.

thompson555

thank you for all your contributions

sweetilemon

I have a HND in makeup. The problem with the industry is its very much who you know and everyone wants you to work for free. I did a lot of free jobs to network like photoshoots for bridal companies, BBC etc and worked for an agency on the counters. Counters are good if its bridal type makeup experience. It also helps keep the kit updated for not as much £ (good staff discount shop). MAC only employ MUA's, counters give good training and brides often ask to book wedding makeup (to go self employed). In the end I decided to get a job in another field and go self employed...i never did set up myself, still working in a completely different industry.

It may be wrong but the pretty & slim girls seem to do the best in TV/ film type work. If she likes theatre there are plenty oppertunities to work in the industry. Face painting is alway a moneyspinner but just make sure she pays insurance and registers as self employed. I think it depends where you live. There is just not enough work where I live ( when I started I had big plans to move to a city ).

There was girl in my class who wanted to ummm...cant remember the word for it... paint dead people.

thompson555

thanks, Sweetilemon, she lives in Manchester and can't even get counter work as so many companies are owned by Estee Lauder who only allow you 1 attempt to get a job with any of their brands every 6 mths. Been back into college today for a bit of careers advice which was quite helpful but no guarantees. I think in this business it's a case of who you know and not what you know. She's not giving up yet. Her course cost a lot of money and 3 yrs hard graft. thank you

Faith177

Has she thought about contacting local photography studios offering her services? One of our friends runs his own studio in Wolverhampton and he is constantly looking for last minute MUA's when his regular one is not avaliable for a short notice shoot.

Might be worth a go

sweetilemon

It was a lot of money and very hard work (which is annoying when people say, oh? Makeup? Can you do my tan and nails? Err no! ). It is possible to do, its just more hard work and £ until you get off the ground. What about registering with agencies for experience? Sometimes it's perfume selling but it gets you in the store, chatting to other MUA in the industry. What area does she enjoy most?

canda-panda

I worked on make up counters for a few years. Most of the time for Estee Lauder brands. I did get in the normal way by interviewing with the company, however there is another way to get in. Department stores have what they call 'floaters', they basically cover the counter girls' lunches, holidays etc and float around the make-up department. It's great as they get to know all the brands and when a vacancy does come up on a counter they are more likely to get the job as they have experience on the counter (plus are likely to be friends with counter girls by then who can advise them on the interview). I've seen a lot of girls get onto counters this way. I actually started off wanting to do make-up freelance and had trouble getting established on my own after my course which was why I went to counter work. It is sales and very intense - there are no excuses as to why you haven't sold enough and it's very stressful which is why I left in the end, for me the discount and doing people's make up didn't outweigh the negative things about the job. I also have a completely unrelated degree and have found I'm much happier in a 9-5 Monday to Friday job where I can use that, earn more and make more of my life outside work. Unfortunately counters are not well paid, the most I earned was as a Counter Manager, managing 3 other girls and responsible for all the sales on the counter - I got £15k plus commission of about 2k per year (not worth it!).
If she does want to do it though she can apply to counters that aren't Estee Lauder, there are still plenty to go at - Clarins, Lancome (part of L'oreal), Bare Minerals, Urban Decay, No7 (part of Boots & one of the better paid ones), Chanel, Guerlain to name a few.
Hope that helps.