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Jamaica Sumfest Launch: Makeup done by me

So you have completed that makeup course and now want to know how to get your feet wet in the field. Here are some basic tips to help you do so. Being a practicing makeup artist for nearly 10 years, I find that my career choice is not only rewarding but am proud to say I have a Career and not a Job and you should too ;).

  

Push

• Makeup Artistry is a skill that needs constant improving. Having a certificate along with the theory that you have locked up in your head - will not get you jobs. Drive, Determination and Skill is what will.

• Practice makes perfect! Practicing on different types of people with various - face shapes, eye shapes, skin colors, eye colors, and also ages, will not only allow you to hone your skill but also allow you to do trials and errors.

• When you have finished practicing, ask your subject what they think of your work. Please ensure that you tell them to be HONEST. It's better to be given a genuine criticism than to be fed a false critique. Criticism is how we improve ourselves, whether constructive or otherwise. Listen, being critiqued may hurt BUT it's how you improve!

• Beyond popular belief, having a kit filled with expensive makeup is not where it all lies. There are so many over the counter/drugstore makeup and lower end brands, that can still effectively give you the look you are aiming to achieve. Investing in a variety of brushes is what you should concentrate on, especially as a beginner. Makeup brushes, especially for the eyes, will give you different looks based on how you use them. So try to get different type of brushes. ALWAYS use makeup primers, this will not make your looks flawless but your client is guaranteed durability.

• Become an apprentice. I worked with a modeling agency for free, for one whole year. My payment was my pictures after each test/shoot that was done. Being practical will be your best education and though being an assistant/apprentice may not give you the monetary gains you are looking for, remember your goal ;).

• Always maintain photographic documentation of your work. In doing this, you will see later on where you need to improve or have improved. Makeup in the real looks very different in pictures and you will see how your work also translates to pictures. For example: you just did a face and the makeup is very bright but after the flashing of those lights, you look at the pictures and vibrancy has been lost.

Documentation

• There are two types of portfolio you could have - Print and Online. So many websites allows the opportunity to set up with them for FREE. One example Blog sites (wordpress, blogger etc) or you could purchase a domain. Please, for the love of makeup gods DO NOT direct clients to to your Facebook or MySpace accounts. This will only wreak that you are UNPROFESSIONAL.

• For a printed portfolio, standard sizes of your pictures should be 9×12 or 11×14.  A professional portfolio may be pricey but is worth it. You have to invest in yourself and craft for gain ;). This will be good look when you meet potential clients.

• Hiring a professional photographer can be very expensive. Although you may be cutting cost, please use a professional to take photos of your work. Having someone with minute experience will cost you in the long run. So its best to do it RIGHT the first time around.  Remember you will be  spending time, money and effort to put your looks together so you don't want mediocre/average photography to ruin your looks.  

• When doing test shots, find 2 or 3 models of various types to work with you for a day and do various styles of makeup on them. Make sure that your photographer take various shots of each model - head shots should also be included.Various styles of makeup, needs to be in your portfolio: Clean. Simple and Flawless makeup, Beauty makeup, Editorial makeup and Avant Garde makeup. Bridal makeup should be placed in a separate portfolio - if you plan on going this route for your career.

Networking and Branding

• Your business cards are done, now you need to get yourself out there. Hand your cards to all party planners, event planners, event coordinators, wedding planners, hotels, high schools (prom season), colleges, makeup counters, banks, advertising agencies, gyms and any body who you meet and consider that they should get one. Whenever you have meetings, be dressed not only professionally but have a makeup on. Your face is your selling point!

• Making yourself known to all the aforementioned, is what will open doors for you.

• As for business cards, your cards should be clean and professional. Your name, email address, link to your online portfolio, and possibly phone number should be included.

Other lil tips:

It takes time to build a reputation and clientele, and with this economy you have to be practical and realistic. If you are not getting immediate clients, you may start off by doing makeup as a side job. You could promote yourself to do bridal makeup, as most weddings fall on a weekend. Slowly but surely you will build up into a paying full time job.

Maintain a library, by buying books and also get magazines to keep up with trends.

This is your passion, so you have to be full force in your plans. Whatever you do always do your BEST also remember Rome was not built in one day ;).

Good luck! and feel free to post questions!.   

 

xxo

G