How to Start Your Career as a Professional Makeup Artist: Step-by-Step Guide

Makeup alludes to various significance for different people. For some it may be about self-expression, for some, it may be about fighting insecurities (often induced by societal taboos and stigma) and for some it may be an occasional and casual concept. Though applying makeup may visibly seem easy, it as a matter of fact is a task that requires meticulous skills.

Maquillage can make or break one’s look and it is mostly best to access professional makeup services from people who know the real deal. Being a makeup artist is no easy feat. and it takes more than just knowing products to execute a good look. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at how you can become a professional makeup artist and the best practices to follow. If you aspire to become an MUA, keep reading further.

1. Mastering Your Makeup Artistry Skills

If you are into Makeup and all things glam, you have probably read up about makeup techniques, watched a bunch of YouTube videos, tried a few makeup styles, and must have also played around with colors; All that is great! And you’re, in fact, on the right track. The idea is to up your game with guided navigation. This can be through:

• Opting for programs offered by makeup schools and enrolling in certification or diploma courses that teach you all the fundamentals.
• Watching online tutorials and videos (as aforementioned) where instructors or popular MUAs do step-by-step makeup methods.
• Trying the makeup techniques you have learned on your friends and family, you can also intern at a makeup studio or shadow an artist, assisting them in their work
• Be a part of makeup workshops, conferences that help my cosmetic companies, seminars,s, and other gatherings that may benefit your upskilling journey.

These are also opportunities for you to learn about newer trends and advancements in the industry which is a cool bonus for thriving in the field. A quick tip: Clients love it when their artists know what they’re doing and what the new ‘hot’ makeup look is. You’ll always need to be one step ahead.

2. Forming Networks and Building a Portfolio

Growing in any field of work requires patience, practice, and people skills. Building a portfolio and forming networks go hand-in-hand. For your clients to believe that you have the skills and knowledge to execute the best, it is imperative to have gained experience in various niches within the industry, and knowing the right people can get you the access you want. Today, people use social media and other digital platforms to showcase the work they’ve done which conveys for itself the kind of work you do and how you do it.

• This helps prospective clients get an idea of what to choose from the services you offer.
• Use one of your works as a reference for what they ideally would want.

To build an exemplary portfolio:

• Try working on different projects such as weddings, photoshoots, commercial video shoots, makeup for movies, fashion shoots and styling, and other events.
• Take photos, with your client’s permission, of the work you’ve done and post them on your professional page or digital workboard. Make sure these images are of high quality.
• Record behind-the-scenes videos or the process of doing the makeup look.
• Create a digital and a print album of all the work you have done and the clients you have worked with.

To land good work deals, and projects and build connections:

• Keep updating your skills and learn new ones to stay relevant professionally.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and workshops.
• Approach photographers, and event planners, collaborate with other makeup artists and stylists to build a community, and get more work referrals.

3. Pick a Niche to Specialize in

As a makeup artist or working towards becoming one, there are quite a few avenues you can explore. Starting off, most artists tend to try all areas to gain experience, and with time they choose what their true calling is and stick to one particular niche. Focusing on a single niche can help you hone specific skills and it also caters to not having your career being all over the place, and not being able to decide what to do. It also makes scheduling dates and keeping track of projects a little easier. You can decide what to go for after assessing what you are more inclined towards and what gives you a sense of purpose. Some of the niches you can explore are:

• Bridal Makeup: Work for weddings and other events associated with it.
• Fashion Makeup: Be a part of photoshoot sets, and work on makeup that goes with the theme and the kind of outfits.
• Movies, Series, and TV Commercials: Work for video productions, you also get the chance to work on realistic makeup looks.
• Special Effects Makeup: This kind of makeup is mostly for movies of thriller, murder mystery, sci-fi, and action genres and even for certain character roles.
• Editorial Makeup: This niche is all things magazines and tabloids.

To be able to find what’s best, the only way is to try various projects. Now, this might not be possible in one try but it can take multiple attempts and can also seem confusing. Though all niches can be taxing and difficult, go for what you find the most satisfaction in, and with time, you’ll know what you desire the most.

4. How to Start Your Own MUA Business?

Research. Research and more Research. Oh and patient as well. Setting up a business is not going to be a ‘quick overnight success’ concept. To set up your very own makeup artistry business, you’ll need to:

• Read up about what it is like to start your own business, take a look at how your peers have been doing it, and look up other resources online.
• Come up with a solid business plan and try finding what is unique to your brand. This includes setting up a marketing strategy, budgeting, targeting a clientele, and establishing your objectives.
• Find out the licensing and permits you might need. Government portals online provide detailed listicles and checklists.
• Going on the lookout for a space to rent or buy,  this has to be within your initial budget plans.
• Setting up an online presence for your brand and letting people know that something amazing is about to launch.
• Spreading the word about how and when your services are open and posting images and videos of what you have to offer.

Although everything sounds exciting and promising, it is always important to think practically and know that things may take time, breakeven may not be at the reach of your hand, challenges may arise and ideas may go wrong. However, that is okay and it is all part of the game. As preachy as this may sound: Slowly, you’ll be a common MUA name in the industry and you’ll wonder how all the good things came by.

In conclusion,

The makeup and beauty industry has been growing rapidly and progressively. From sticking to regressive notions catering to societal stigma, picking on people’s insecurity to sell products and colorism to embracing what normal human skin is like, not trying to “fix” anything and telling people they are fine just the way they are – the industry has come a really long way. The very flourishing industry of makeup offers satisfying and lucrative career options for all passionate MUA’s to come.