How do I get into the Makeup Artist Profession?

Question

How can i get into the makeup artist profession when I work full time and can't afford to give my job up? I'm always being asked for people to do their makeup and having compliments on mine and I love the results so why not do it professionally?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

As a self-taught, professional makeup artist, I will tell you that if you have natural artistic talent for makeup work you do not need formal training. You can start by assisting a professional makeup artist in your area. Then, you must build a portfolio that demonstrates your talent & variety. Building a portfolio is fun & easy: contact several photographers & offer your services on a TFP/CD basis. Basically, you get to do makeup for free in exchange for professional photos of your work. It's mutually beneficial. You can work part-time for a makeup counter or a studio like Glamour Shots, but remember you will not learn a lot of real-work techniques as these jobs are sales-oriented not creativity-driven. For alot more detailed info you can visit makeup artist or stylist forums on modelling websites such as www.modelmayhem.com. Check out my port at http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=969… for additional details contact me directly through that site.

Once you've got your portfolio complete, you can work freelance or for an agency. It takes years to become a professional, full-time artist but it can be quite fulfilling & financially rewarding.

Much success, Studio 7

Source(s):

Pro MUA

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

This information is great coming from someone in that profession already plus it's so nice to hear someone motivating you with just words. I have definitely been spurred on in to getting off my backside and getting out there. Thank you X

Answer 2

My girlfriend is going to cosmetology school ... However I don't think that I have EVER heard her say anything about doing someones makeup at school so I guess that narrows out the possibility of having to go to cosmetology school.

Answer 3

ask those women at the mall that work at the clinque and estee lauder counters. im sure they can help

Answer 4

i am going to school to be an esthetician try looking that up to see if it interests you

Answer 5

contact [e-mail]

Answer 6

Do you have any free time on the weekends or anything? I would approach a free lance make-up artist at a department store and ask if they ever had any gigs coming up and needed any free assistance. That's one way to get experience. I used to work for a line at Macy's and was asked to work at a video shoot and had so much fun. I worked for free but I got experience and worked with some great product all of it was this the make-up artist. Also you said you work full time but sounds like your heart maybe in Makeup. Why don't you apply at a counter at a departments store for full time? You may also want to think about going the Aesthetician route as well because that's all skin care and make-up. If you have an questions give me a holla I could talk about this stuff for all day long. Make-up is so much fun. HTH

Answer 7

Try looking for evening courses in the subject, depending on what part of the world you live in there just might be some course to get you started on the right track. I also found this link just searching the web: http://www.elitemakeup.com/curso_a_dista…

Good Luck!

Source(s):

http://www.elitemakeup.com/curso_a_dista…

Answer 8

You obviously have some talent in this area if loads of people are suggesting you take it up professionally! My recommendation to you is to follow your heart and place something you really love doing and have a talent for central to your future career choices.

There are several different types of career in this area. I guess the amount of training you need depends what u want to do....

If you want to work in a department store behind the clinique counter, or do more complex beauty treatments in a beauty parlour or health spa, or if u want to work on TV/Theatre/Movies doing make up for the presenters/actors.

Check out this article about theatre/tv makeup - although it is written for the UK student, it is still relevant in other parts of the world. The courses they refer to could be done part time ... check out your local college. There are some people who advertise distance learning courses..... they may be ok, but you have to ask yourself how much u can learn without being alongside an expert and practising the techniques live!

THEATRE/TV MAKEUP http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/jobfamily/performingarts/makeupartist.cfm?id=1464&pid=1478

Theres also a really good book on careers in hair and beauty you can download for free at the same site:
http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?pid=51&page=71

Good luck!

Source(s):

Jobs4u database - at www.connexions-direct.com

Answer 9

hi dont know where you are from but if in australia the napoleon academy may do night courses or part time over weekends www.napoleonperdis.com you could even enquire about correspondence courses. napoleon perdis is the best and worldwide tough but worth it. OR there is MMA&A media makeup academy & agency www.mediamakeup.com.au there is also a career profile on career one website. gooduck