 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Author | Comment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Margina |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #21 | ||||
|
Posts: 4734 12/17/06 13:27:34
|
tania, you are right on about good agents being able ot open doors...newbies, you have to pay your dues and get it going in order for that to happen...back to our regularly scheduled thread!
Margina Dennis
http://www.marginadennis.com Makeup, Hair, and Airbrush Artist for Print, Video, and Commercials. "beauty simplified" |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
sharnyparny |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #22 | ||||
|
Posts: 310 12/17/06 15:23:06
|
Quote: Aww glad to know I'm not the only one. I think it's because I'm so young (20). Most of my friends seem shocked when I tell them that what I "want to be when I grow up" is a Mommy. :) xo! |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
blushun |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #23 | ||||
|
Posts: 862 12/17/06 16:31:06
|
Quote: I guess that all depends on where you are and who your rep is Margina. I have had the same excellent agency for over 15 years and they continue to help me shape my career to its best advantage.... even when that means we turn down lucrative jobs because the cost to my career would be greater than the fee being offered. Guess I'm just lucky. |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Margina |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #24 | ||||
|
Posts: 4734 12/17/06 17:05:09
|
blushun, you hit the nail on the head, you STARTED with your agency 15 years ago, I am talking about new artists starting now with an agency..it isn't the same as it was 15 years ago is my point....
Margina Dennis
http://www.marginadennis.com Makeup, Hair, and Airbrush Artist for Print, Video, and Commercials. "beauty simplified" |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
blushun |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #25 | ||||
|
Posts: 862 12/17/06 17:28:40
|
Quote: Ok.. I see where you are coming from but here's how I look at it. Too many young artists go agencies expecting them to do all the work when it just does not work that way. An agency works for you, not the other way around so you've got to take interest in your own company. If you do, then they'll take interest as well. You have to prove yourself and stand out from the crowd... prove that you're motivated and prove that you're gonna make 'em money if they invest their time and efforts. After all, agencies are a business. I have always been extremely loyal to my agency. I never take jobs outside of the agency... always direct calls from clients looking to book me privately to them even if it means I'll loose the job. Because of my loyalty to them, they have been loyal to me. Like any relationship, it takes time and effort to make it work. Too many newbies expect an easy ride without putting in the effort as we've seen here on the group many times. However, like any any relationship, sometimes the fit is not good. I always recommend taking your time to selecting an agency that fits and then working with them to achieve the results you desire. Ok..now we've gone way off topic... I realize. |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
tdrmaquillage |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #26 | ||||
|
Posts: 4170 12/17/06 20:55:31
|
further
 I agree that a lot of artists expect the magic wand to come it, BUT as a working artist from a different "makeup generation" (I wasn't agency ready 15 years ago), I know EXACTLY where Margina is coming from, and she speaks a point of definite truth. The game has just changed A LOT. - We wouldn't keep taking this OT if some the newer artists would just answer the thread... lol  - Tania 
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Illustrated0ne |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #27 | ||||
|
Posts: 54 12/17/06 22:00:18
|
Hi All,
My name is Michelle and I have been reading here for at least 6 months and very rarely contributing. I have been waiting for an opportunity to introduce myself and now feels like a good time. I also want to say thank you for all of the information here and for being serious about this entire industry field. -Where did you/ do you start? I am in the very early process of starting. I started by researching all the products I would use, writing out a budget, and working on a business plan. I researched/ am researching business licenses here in Charlotte, NC. I have only ever done one wedding and two proms (all for close friends) and a few special events in college (again, just for close friends). I took a theatrical makeup class in college and I loved it! I was a member of the Rocky Horror club in college and tried to contribute to the makeup. I have a degree in Biology, a 2 year old daughter and a DH who says that he will support me 100% when I decide I want to do this all the way. I have read Crystal Wright's book and am trying to narrow down how I feel about being a MUA and where I want to be in the industry. I started out really wanting to do fashion and editorial because it always excited me. But after reading about pay and the entire process I decided I want to do commercial print. I don't have it pinned down 100% yet but I am feeling drawn to that. I want to start off doing weddings on the weekends to pay for getting started and doing test shoots during the week to build up a portfolio. -How do you go about it? I want to start with some business cards and word of mouth at local salons and hotels (from FAQ but really hotels?) and a website. I don't think I will be wasting money on any of wedding expos around here but we do have a bridal magazine that I will try to contact. I have been advised to check into other local magazines and try to assist some of the artists- I don't know if I can afford ½ day rates right now. I also was looking at ModelMayhem and it showed some promising artist I might be able to contact. I started my product search on MakeUpAlley (yes a consumer site) and it lead me around the Internet until I stumbled upon these forums. I started doing a lot of reading and checking out KJB's blog and website and then I cracked down on myself to start buying only the best. I still need help with foundations and finding friends to test them out on, but there was a super informative post in which KJB wrote everything he uses. Blushun was talking about CoverFX but they are a bit out of my price range for now. I am saving up as best I can to get the foundations and concealers that I need before I can just head out. I try products and techniques out on myself and then try to take pictures to look over. I have been networking ever so slightly and I know of one photographer who would like to possibly work with me and I have been given the idea of talking to a company near me called Media Com. I was told they need artists but I am having a hard time getting up the nerve to go in and ask if they need anyone right now. So it is slow going right now, but I am practicing and playing and I hope that I will have the courage to quit my day-job and get out there. What went into your decision? We were in desperate need of extra money a year ago and I started reading Work From Home books. I wanted to be a personal chef. While I was reading them and filling out the questionnaires and business plans, I found that I would write down the chef answers but silently answer with reasons why I could be a MUA. I couldn't shake the idea that this was where I was headed. I felt called by God. I asked myself, If I have been given certain talents, wouldn't it be wrong to waste them? I decided on print work instead of TV or film because of the longer hours I associated with film. I had read that although print can take a while, for movies and TV you have many more hours, you usually need to be in the union and you don't really get paid proportionately. I wanted to do fashion and editorial but again I hit the wall that those don't really pay well and they weren't what sustains you. I want to start off small because daycare is very expensive and it will sap a good deal of our savings to just drop all the extra income from my boutique job. We are waiting now to see whether my husband will be getting transferred to a new job in the Baltimore area. I fell as though I cannot start something here just to have to pick it up and start over in a few months. So I wait. -What are you willing to give for it? I am willing to give money and time. I am willing to be humble and know my place in the pecking order and I am willing to give up pride and start at the bottom. I am willing o give up a comfortable job, easy commutes, and a level of security. I am not willing to give up my daughter or my marriage. -What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? Success is at least 35K a year (more than I could make doing retail) and being satisfied with my work. I also define success as being able to pick my jobs because my skill level has improved to the point where I can take fewer jobs for a higher price and still be comfortable. I want to work for campaigns that put out uplifting messages and causes that I really believe in. And lastly, I would like to work with enough celebrities to be invited to a few swanky parties (in my very shallow dreams, right?). ~Michelle |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
maryirwin |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #28 | ||||
|
Posts: 400 12/18/06 00:29:54
|
Hmmmm.
I just realized I've been plugging away at making this a career longer than I thought.  -Where did you/ do you start? I was in ballet and theatre for 13 years, and then took some photography courses at a teenager when I was in 4H (yes, I grew up in the country, I was also the shooting sports champion at the county fair and uh, the 1st runner up rodeo princess.... feel free to laugh about it.) So I always had an interest in makeup because it has such amazing transformational capabilities. I was living on a horse ranch in texas and doing a lot of photography for them so I stole one of my friends and started taking pictures of her and doing makeup for the pictures, which would have been in, oh, 2001 or so. I also had the Kevyn Aucoin books (of course!) and was completely obsessed with them. So that gave me a start to practice with, and eventually turned into me putting makeup and doing hair on anyone who would hold still long enough and chasing after them with a camera. (a 1967 canon, to be exact!) -How do you go about it? Well, the above was a good start. I learned how to do basic makeup and uber-basic hair, and also what was starting to look decent on film. From there I got my first retail job (with Clinique at Dillards!) which taught me that if you can do makeup with cotton balls and q tips, you can do it with anything. I also met a photographer who I shot some of my first test shots with. A brief detour into Mary Kay led me to Neimans for 3 years, where I was able to really build my kit up with some great product and also make connections and get time off to test. I posted on craigslist in August 05' and met a model, who introduced me to several photographers who I tested with. I also found this board, where I lurked for about 6 months before I got the nerve up to post. This place led to me e-stalking Ashley R until I got the cajones up to meet her and she introduced me to Sean Armenta who I shot with a year ago in January. I took those pics to the agency that she was with to get on the assistant list, and the agency has been amazing with helping me meet photographers and test and build my book up. She's been incredibly influential with educating my eye and critiqueing my tests. One of those agencies that actually helps develop you instead of leaving you out there on your own wondering if you're doing alright. I left Neimans in september for another retail position that's less money, but also less hours and less stress. the only downside so far has been that I don't have the freedom to switch my schedule at a moments notice to take a job or a test, but I've been testing as much as possible in my off time. -What went into your decision? When I realized that I didn't want to be in the horse industry the way I thought I did, I made a list of things I had interests in, and makeup came out on top. I'm also working towards going to school for hair so that I can be booked out for that as well as having it to fall back on if the industry goes crazy wonky. The only reason I haven't just quit retail altogether and found a support "call-in" job is that I've got some "leftover debt" from my life BM (before makeup) and want to get it paid off before I go full time with this. soon, grasshopper, soon.... lol. -What are you willing to give for it? Good god, I don't think there's much more I haven't given for it. Other than maybe losing my house (or, er, apartment) or my car, I've made a lot of sacrifices. My BF wants me to move to minnesota to be with him, but I've yet to see proof that I could make a living there, so I'm staying here for now. I've gone from living by myself, to one roommate, to 2 roommates, so I can save the most amount of $$ possible. I'm looking for a second p/t job to pay the debt off as fast as possible. -What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? I'd like to be able to support myself with no other jobs but makeup. If I can reach that level in the next 2 years, then I will consider that successful. And really, I don't care too much where it ends up location wise as long as I can make a living there. I used to want to be a globe trotting, Pat McGrath-esque major playa! but the older I get I realize I'd rather be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, than a big fish in a Huge pond. Just traveling to Argentina for a week on vacation exhausted me, I can't imagine functioning on jetlag on a regular basis. (but I wouldn't exactly turn down an overseas job!) Commercial, some film, maybe a bit of editorial ( since making a living in editorial isn't gonna happen anyway) and a tiny bit of runway for the creative juices will do just fine for me, thanks. WOW, this totally feels like makeup therapy!!!! Awesome thread! 
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
RebeccaMUA |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #29 | ||||
|
Posts: 722 12/18/06 00:59:17
|
I've loved reading all the newbie stories and how they got started, and now that I have some time to relax, I'm going to tell mine! (WARNING: Long-winded story!)
Where did you/ do you start? Well...I was a major tomboy until I was about 12, and that's when I started playing around with my mom's makeup and started copying some of the looks I saw in her fashion magazines. It was when I was 14, however, when a wonderful girl shared alot of her "makeup knowledge" with me. Every other Saturday for 2 years straight, I would go to this salon with my mom and sister and I would just wait looking at the cosmetics section while they got thier nails done. They had a resident makeup artists there, and she asked me if I wanted my makeup done. I told her no, thinking I would have to pay for a full service ,and she told me that she would do it for free. So, I obliged and the rest is history! For those next two years, every other saturday I got an hour lesson about everything under the sun about makeup application. She went to Joe Blasco, so she taught me alot of the techniques they taught her. I am eternally grateful to Jessica for her kindess and tutilege  How do you go about it? Thanks to Jessica, I knew ALOT about makeup by the time I became a junior in high school. I was the person all my friends went to for makeup whenever a dance came around. I charged $10 a girl, and I made a nice little chunk of change when prom and winter formal time came along! As soon as I started college, I knew I would have to get a job and I wanted to work at either a makeup counter or store so that I could "refine" my skills and learn new things along the way. I began working in a cosmetics store, and I worked with them for 5 years (while working at Sephora for part of that time as well). I learned MANY things there and I got to build my kit with alot of great products for free from there as well as Sephora. I then quit working for large companies and started working for myself! What went into your decision? My desire and love for makeup, and being thrilled at the aspect of making a living doing so. What are you willing to give for it? I've given a lot of time and money building up my craft and my business, but I wouldn't sacrifice a family if I had to. My family and boyfriend have supported me soo much so that I could be happy doing what I love, but if it caused me to always have to travel and be away from my own family when I have one, I wouldn't choose makeup over them. What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? My desired level of success in this industry is pretty much what I have been doing already, perhaps with a little more stability.  I have done (And do) commercial work for a couple of larger clients, I have done a couple of tv projects and I have done and continue to do image makeovers and bridal makeup. All of these jobs have given me the satisfaction of not only doing something I love so much, but getting paid to do so. I have never had to lower my rates to do a job because I make it clear that what I charge is what my time is worth. That fact that my clients are willing to pay whatever I ask without batting an eye is what I've always wanted, and I have that. True success for me would be to eventually start up and run a couple of beauty-related business that I've been wanting for some time, and to be able to help young artists with training and skills to get "out there" just like I was helped years ago. That's being successful in my book. -Rebecca |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
TropicalBlush |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #30 | ||||
|
Posts: 689 12/18/06 02:58:56
|
Quote: Well said Michelle!!! All us newbies would do well to remember that.... 
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
iloveparis888(d) |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #31 | ||||
|
Posts: 23 12/18/06 08:17:00 |
- Where did you/ do you start?
Like some of the people here, I didn't really know much about makeup. Never wore them in high school or anything like that. I was in university when I finally got a decent part-time job to start helping pay for school. With the money, I started buying mags and really getting into beauty stuff. Kevyn Aucoin's book Making Faces came out, then Bobbi Brown's Beauty, and I became hooked then. In 1997, I did my sister's wedding makeup, and I felt really happy doing it but never thought I can make a living out of it. Fast forward to a few years....did the desk job I didn't really like, got married to a wonderful guy, had one boy, quit my job and became a stay-at-home mom...I was pregnant with the second child when I started getting into makeup again. One day, hubby and I were just talking about careers and what our dream job really is, and then that was it. Makeup was one thing that really made me happy. My hubby thought it was after our own wedding that I really got into it, but I digress...:) - How do you go about it? I started buying more makeup books, starting with Vincent Kehoe's Technique of the Professional Makeup Artist and Crystal Wright's guide. I started buying high quality makeup and researched my ass off. I decided to go to makeup school, which took about a year of planning. I withdrew my RRSP money to pay for school, and my husband took his vacation time so he can take care of the kids (my second one was five-months old at the time). I was still breastfeeding too, so I basically didn't sleep the whole time I was in school, but I didn't feel tired coz I was totally happy doing it (although it was really hard to leave the kids). I practiced on relatives and friends(and still does). After school, I went crazy just advertising (I was only interested in mostly bridal work so it was hitting the websites catering to brides). I did my website, handed out business cards, blah, blah, blah...Was really scared a lot of the times but after a difficult year (with my father dying, and my oldest son who's just two having his fourth surgery), I realized life is toooooo short. Not much time to procrastinate and make excuses. - What went into your decision? A lot of soul-searching...it helped a lot that my hubby was (and still is) very supportive and was always there to encourage me. - What are you willing to give for it? Time and money, but never ever my family. I am willing to swallow my pride and do whatever it takes to get to where I wanna get, but not at the expense of my hubby and kids. I have turned down jobs (which would have furthered my career) due to family circumstances, but I don't regret it. - What does success mean to you? At first, I thought it would be fame and fortune, but now, all I want is to make enough to help my hubby pay for bills and take care of our kids. I was lucky enough to have a close relation who's a producer in a TV station. She hired me to do a TV commerical for them, which turned out great, so I would also like to do more of that. |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Rhonda M |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #32 | ||||
|
Posts: 443 12/18/06 09:41:03
|
Where did you/ do you start?
I expressed an interest in doing makeup in late 2001. A friend and I were going out one night and she wanted to do my makeup so I let her. I remember she used MAC's rice paper eyeshadow on my eyes and when I looked at myself, I just had this weird feeling come over me, like "I am going to do this, I am going to do makeup." From that point I started to build a kit by researching what were the best products around and learning application techniques. I will say that when I started doing makeup on friends and family, I knew NOTHING about sanitation.  What a confession! Thank God nothing ever happened to anyone. My mother pulled me aside and asked me why don't I clean my brushes? I had no answer so I jumped on the net to find out everything I could about sanitation. I was so disgusted to even think that I could be so stupid to not learn this.  Anywho, once I got that down packed, I felt I was ready...I was still wrong, I had so much more to learn. Because I had been modeling for about a year at that time, I knew alot of the local designers and show producers and they would let me come in and do makeup for their shows. The word started to spread and before I knew it I was doing a lot of runway shows in the city. I started doing makeup for my alma mater's annual fashion show as well as other local schools. Friends and families weddings started to roll in and from there I basically taught myself everything including color theory and all the essentials of makeup artistry through reading and studying. Wow, that felt like   How do you go about it? I guess I kinda answered that in question 1 but to elaborate, I do business cards, e-mail blasts, mass mailings and seasonal promotions (prom, wedding, etc.) I don't have a website yet  but I have a couple of online portfolios. I also have a local agent. What went into your decision? Wow, this is a tough one for me. There were so many factors. At first it was just a love for what makeup could do, then it became a neccesity. I knew that if I was going to be taken seriously, I had to keep my modeling and makeup artistry very seperate. Therefore, I never did makeup or even told anyone I did makeup when I went on modeling jobs and vice versa. However, when I would go on some modeling jobs, the MUA's or lack thereof would say things like "I don't have your foundation color" or "I have never done makeup for a black person before." I would get out of the chair, looking horrible, needless to say. So from that point on, I keep a little kit in my handbag and I would sneak off and do my own face. Because of that, I felt I had to get into this industry to make a difference. What are you willing to give for it? At this time in my life, I am willing to give money, time, effort to better myself as an artist everyday. I am willing to sacrifice my free time to continue to learn more about this industry. I am willing to test with great models and photographers in order to continually build my portfolio. I am willing to respect my fellow artists and not undercut them. What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? True happiness. That means a lot to me so I won't bore you all with my definition of true happiness. Great thread, I am glad I could share.  Rhonda M.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
mome23 |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #33 | ||||
|
Posts: 758 12/18/06 10:57:52
|
-Where did you/ do you start? Well I had several false starts. I sold Mary Kay for years and thougth I was a make-up artist. As a TV producer, I was demoted when my company was bought out. My sexist boss took me out of the control room and had me doing make-up for all the shows. So I really began to think I was a make-up artist. When the same sexist boss finally got rid of me under the pretense of company lay-offs I went back to school and became an esthetician. I also went to a NJ "make-up school". After I finished the esthetics program and "fake-up" training I worked for Elizabeth Arden for about three months. I was hired by an upscale spa. Got fired because I was a fantastic esthetician but I SUCKED at doing make-up!
-How do you go about it? Initially I wanted to do print. I began to study and test and assist. After seriously considering my lifestyle I decided that I need to continue to work full time. I have a really, really good paying, with fantastic benefits full time job and I don't hate it. So I am building my bridal business. This is really not difficult, I use a lot of the training I got in Mary Kay I just offer a better service and much better products now. I have two very good photographers I work with and have relationships with various bridal shops and salons in my area. -What went into your decision? Well at first I was hell bent on doing this because I was not permitted to persue this when I was younger. My parents insisted that I complete college. Once I didi the college thing and the sucky TV job thing I decided to follow my dream. -What are you willing to give for it? When I first started out I was willing to do what ever it took. Now I am no longer that hungry. I have three children and I was beginning to see the more time I spent networking and hustling the worse the behaved in school. Today I will get my hustle on but I won't let it interfere with my family. -What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? Success top me means balance. I have to be able to separate work from family and family from me. I need to have a happy medium. If I can have three happy children and a happy husband, make an extra $30K a year as a bridal artist, and still have time for me without jeopardizing my fulltime gig, I am successful. A lot of kids growing up today aren't told that you can be whatever you want to be. There may be obstacles, but there are no limits.
Mark Dean |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
flametreeplace |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #34 | ||||
|
Posts: 169 12/18/06 11:30:07
|
Hi! I never got the chance to introduce myself properly and this seems like a good place to start. I've been reading most of the posts and it has been truly enriching but at the same time quite intimidating especially for someone who is just starting. Here is my story...
WHERE DID I START? In 1997 I started working as an advertising assistant handling several accounts of ready-to-wear high end imported brands, mainly shoes and garments. It was a fun job because I love fashion but the day the MUFE account was assigned to me, was the day I realized I simply "liked" fashion but totally "loved" make-up. I spent most of my measly income on buying their stuff, and at that time I really knew next to nothing about make-up or how all those colors were used! Since my job entailed a lot of ad campaigns for my brands, I was exposed to different production aspects of these print and tv commercials. After 2 years of merely organizing most of the shoots, I found the guts to ask a friend at one of the ad agencies to allow me to do make-up for any client of his. Within a week he booked me for 2 shoots for a real estate brochure. I didn't sleep the whole night before the shoot and was wondering what i got myself into since I had to do both hair and make-up. With no professional experience (except for watching the real make-up artist during our shoots) to back me and only my self taught methods, I was scared but very excited. I did well with the female model and child but the moment I spilled liquid foundation on the male model's tennis tee ( he gave me a look I will never forget), I knew I had to get experience somewhere. This was in 1997. Fast forward to 2006 - almost 10 years after that liquid foundation incident, I have finally decided to once and for all GO FOR IT! My husband thinks I'm mad but when you've actually tried to start chasing a dream and failed, I reckon there's no harm in trying again even if it means failing again, right? I woke up one day and thought to myself that at 34, if I don't get started, I never will. In between those 10 years that have passed, I've managed climb the corporate ladder, saved some cash then open my own garment/linen business, and learned to do hair styling which I am pretty good at. (I get bookings to do hair at shoots, not make-up that's why I just read this forum) The one thing I didn't attempt to do was make-up coz I got scared. So here I am, at 34, living in a chaotic place like Manila with a husband and 2 y.o son, I am shifting gears and careers once again. What am I willing to give? I am willing to shake what is stable to be able to tell myself that I tried and if this time I fail, it will not be because of liquid foundation! The only great thing about being my age and starting is having some kind of independence financially and the wisdom to know that you only have one life and not wanting to have any more regrets later on. To me, success will come if it comes. When it does, I will be ready for it. |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
makeupnv |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #35 | ||||
|
Posts: 335 12/18/06 13:39:23
|
Ok, let's see...
-Where did you/ do you start? I do and am really interested in how and why women adorn their bodies. Ok, that's also my thesis for college, lol, but that's what motivates me. I thoroughly mortified my mother when I was 5, by doing a full African face mask with facepaint (while wearing a "Sunday school" dress- yikes!) to an art opening of hers. I think that's where it really started. After 6 or 7 years of retail selling (first clothing, then the counters), I decided I had to do a job I actually enjoyed or else I'd start to self-destruct. It was more an issue of emotional/mental/professional maintainence. I didn't finish art school either and that always bothered me. I realized that what I liked about makeup is what I love about art. About the same time I was working at an Elizabeth Arden salon doing makeup, I started taking art classes here and there again. The two definitely feed into each other. -How do you go about it? I think I hit Google and found this forum, really. I read the board's FAQ's, found Mary's makeup artist FAQ'S, and wrote a couple of corny emails to experienced mua's asking questions. I knew/know that the experience I have doing makeup at a counter or freelancing for a company, doesn't really describe the conditions of working on a professional shoot, so I tried/try to test as much as I could. I found MM, which I think is great if you're mostly looking to test. I tested with a bunch photographers, some much better than others. I tried to learn what make a "good photo," not just good makeup. I now do makeup "fulltime," either as a freelancer for a line, or for my own clients. Yes, thank God I'm married, or my life as it is now would not be possible at all. I love that I really get to make my own schedule, but I totally end up doing more work now than when I was scheduled somewhere for 40 hours a week. I use online portfolio's mostly, but they definitely aren't yielding as much paid work as I like. I hope to get a website going in early 2007, though. I think I need to slow down on my testing and re-invest my time into more actual "footwork," with local shops and photographers. I haven't had a lot of luck with approaching salons, so many here in Chicago know now to provide their own makeup services to their clients...but I'll figure something out. I really want to start aggressively advertising for bridal next year, as well. -What went into your decision? I thoroughly enjoy doing makeup. I feel like it articulates so much of what gets my attention in the world in to begin with. I definitely am not good at balancing life and work; who in their right mind would go back to college WHILE starting a completely new career? But, for now, this works for me and I'm very happy with how things are going...but I could always use more paying clients, lol!! -What are you willing to give for it? I'm the type of person who could only climb the corporate ladder, if I repressed every other thought I had, lol. I can't live like that! So I know that I've sacrificed a certain degree of financial security in order to pursue other activities and a career that I will look back on fondly. I don't think I really even think about the things I "give up" to do makeup (choosing between strip lashes or a coffee from Starbuck's, maybe...), but I am very aware of what I've gained and continue to learn by doing makeup. -What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? I really like print makeup overall. My husband and I always joke about moving to NY, but it's a serious idea we're also considering. I'm in Chicago now, so I know that for the most part (and to make a living), I need to focus on commercial and bridal jobs. I'd like to develop myself as a consistent, reliable mua assistant with a local agency, while I keep building my own portfolio. I'd like to be able to support my art and not have to freelance (for a line) to pay the bills. I think that I'd ultimately want to focus on merging my artistic makeup work into my figurative artwork, and be known for that. Wow...that was like therapy, lol!! Great questions! Nika Vaughan, MakeupEnvy
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
lizyu |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #36 | ||||
|
Posts: 1102 12/18/06 23:30:15
|
i wanna play!!
-Where did you/ do you start? i started when i was going through university. i had a double major in math and computing science, and my classrooms were often filled with boys that couldn't care how they look and girls that couldn't care if they had brocolli and carrots between their teeth. since i was 13 because of my acne i had always INSISTED on looking *normal*. so by the time i was in university i had gotten to do my own makeup quite well and always showed up in class looking *normal*. i was always the girl that had very few friends, but when i do, they're friends for life. so when friends get close we spend days and nights together since i lived on campus and word got out that i had horrible skin but yet i always look like i had great skin. eventually we all finish school and many got married, and i naturally became everyone's makeup artist. i learned a lot of valuable lessons before i finally started taking paid jobs doing strangers makeup, it was such a challenge in the beginning! faces i wasn't familiar with and skin tones that i had never worked with before.. i was always very good at pencil sketches but horrible with water color so i went about it just like pencil sketching.. there's light inside dark and dark inside light and that's how i treated the colors and learned to listen to my gut instincts. almost 4 yrs ago i quit the software programming field and started working at aveda in toronto, and eventually got to manage 3 of the stores.. this was an excellent opportunity because aveda insists that every customer (or guest as they call it) gets offered an "experience" and i always try to offer makeup touchups (i really hated giving the massages, especially some downtown bums that don't shower and wash themselves). this gave me hundres and hundreds of faces to play with every month and i often treated challenging faces as they are - a challenge. after a while i quit as i was sick of always having to do my district manager's job and decided to try out the dept stores. i went to holt renfrew and they put me on sisley. well ok that was definitely not a bundle of joy, but i had a lot of opportunity to network with people who opened my eyes and i realized a whole new realm of makeup world. i started working with photographers to build my book and also made a lot of contacts with film makers. so now i am finally in the position of having a little say in what jobs i want to take and what jobs i can allow myself to say no to. i can truely say that this career *fell in my lap* and i found a true gem of a job! -How do you go about it? oops i think i answered everything together.. -What went into your decision? i was great at sales but i also hated to be a selling machine. no matter what company is out there i'm sure there's something within the line of products that i don't agree with and will not support. i will always tell customers the truth about the products and only suggest that they buy what they *need*. so i decided that i wasn't going to work in the department stores except for when my good friend is in a bind and really needs me to help them out for the day. i still go in about once every 3 months or so.. in my mind i wanted work to be a pleasure and be excited to goto work so i dove into freelancing full time!! i have been loving it and i'm sure will continue to love it for a very very long time!! -What are you willing to give for it? i will give it everything i've got and nothing will make me give up! i have always been a creative person.. i love making things that i want to own so i kinda have this thing with making things so i don't have to wait for someone to invent it. this is what inspired me to create the makeup line and making new faces everyday on the job! this is an incredibly fulfilling career eventhough i'm far FAR from *making it* i'm enjoying the process and every effort i put towards it. -What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you? i don't desire fame and i was never the sort to desire popularity.. i grew up a loner and have always been very uncool .. haha.. but there have always been someone special to me in different part of my life, i always try to make a difference in their life. i'm chinese and i have a strong connection to my roots and desire to improve the lives of chinese people who ever had the chance to give life a go. those who didn't choose to be born in barron villages and not be able to afford to attend school. while i don't want fame and fortune for myself, i realize that the only way i can achieve even a small bit of influence and contribution on something at this scale is to have some influence in at least my own circle. so to cut to the chase, to be successful will be when i can have such an influence in the makeup / fashion field such that i can at least help raise awareness to the vicious circle these remove villages are facing. to be able to help them make the first steps of at least providing children the opportunity to get educated, and adults the ability to learn skilled trade and knowledge to support their family so that children don't have to stay home to help scourge for food and water but goto school like many other children have the opportunity to. oh man.. am i ever long winded!! this is such a great thread  -- www.lizyu.com www.yabydesigns.com |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Veronica |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #37 | ||||
|
Posts: 10 12/25/06 16:35:06
|
Quote: I'm already an esthetician but never took makeup in school. I never was interested in it, but somehow I stumbled across Mary's website last March and ended up reading all her info about how to become a makeup artist and how to pick schools, etc. Just reading all the info really excited me and got me interested in it! So last september I took a basic esthetic makeup course (which was useless but at least it enables me to write the cidesco exam in august), and in october I began a 10-week intensive media makeup course which was great. Quote: I wouldnt call myself a makeup artist now, I still have a LOT of practicing to do. Now that I'm out of school and without my teacher's professional makeup kit to use, I have to start saving for a kit. Quote: I wanted to take the makeup course because after reading Mary's site, it was something that really stirred excitement in me, and I could never stop thinking about it. Every day I would read the msg boards and read as much info as I could. I ordered Making Faces and read that to hold me over until my course started. I had never even applied makeup on anyone before. Quote: Well, I did have to move to another city and become a literally starving student to take the course, and now I have to stop spending my future-earned money on the little things and really start saving so that I can go makeup shopping! Quote: I'm not that sure yet, I'm not great yet and I know I still have a lot of practice to do. I'm an esthetician and I want to be a Naturopath as well, so right now my aim isnt to be a full-time makeup artist, but maybe for it to be my creative hobby (which works because I still have to work on my portfolio before I can expect to make money at it). I know it's a lot of hard work and I love that sense of satisfaction after seeing the finished product when I know how much work went into it. It's an art and I'd really like to contribute to making beautiful pictures. At this moment, I'd be happy to have a few awsome artsy pictures good enough to frame and put on my wall. Maybe when I'm better at it I will want to do it full-time. I'm the kind of person that wants to do everything. I like that I have different career options because you're never stuck doing just one thing for the rest of your life, and I dont want my jobs to feel like jobs.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
jaylen956 |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #38 | ||||
|
Posts: 26 04/05/07 04:22:13
|
I enjoyed reading every single thread here about how each of you started and felt about your career. Thank you for the wonderful threads!!! Very informative and beneficial to one that wants to be a MUA.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
Angrenee |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #39 | ||||
|
Posts: 199 04/05/07 13:42:15
|
Hey
Here goes:[b] -Where did you/ do you start?[/b] I started on my Barbie dolls and any other plastic doll I had, then my brother (he has a twin sister, my sister, but his face was more angular and lips fuller so I chose him, my fams very comfortable with this stuff, so no it never scared anyone), then myself, then the women around me. I LOVE photography, art and design, and I think thats just an innate appreciation, because I cant remember NOT liking it. I wanted to be a photographer, but that was before I turned 16 and was allowed to buy makeup. Then I only wanted to do makeup but in relation to photography (not bridal, runway, theater, etc.), but I didnt know how they got paid or what they did. I just knew I loved it. I started really pursuing the career by realizing that my happiness needed to come first, and that I can do whatever I want so long as I keep at it, stay focused and be fearless. Maybe it started with my Buddhist practice, which ultimately led to a deeper spirituality and finally, self-realization. I suppressed a lot of my desires to conform to my parents ideals, but now Im happy with who I am. The more open and connected with myself, the better my art gets (I paint, draw, and do makeup)... [b]-How do you go about it?[/b] HONESTY! There it is honesty with myself. Itll be hard, may not pay well, may hurt my ego, I will fail, etc I never lose sight of that. As a result, my determination NEVER waivers. I say to myself, Damn, I shoulda known that. Oh well, theres gonna be stuff I learn the hard way or with time. What else am I missing now that I know this? When I question myself, I honestly answer myself .honesty and connectedness with myself. Focus. Constant creative evaluation and attention. Learning. Educating myself. Practicing. Pushing. and remaining humble. My best work is when I scrutinize and doubt my skill cockiness hinders me. When I think I got this. is when I do bad I have attended master classes, and I am taking a color theory course in college, but after I pass the prerequisite course in a few weeks here. I listen and read every thread on this site (EmElle youre an angel, a real angel, I could go on and on), sometimes twice (till 12 am every night, I swear!) I take notes. I practice on my fiancée and my friends. I do not go out (Just turned 25, and at 21 I was out 4 nights a week!), unless its an important event (b-days, engagement, etc.) I ask my fiancée for help with stuff that I cant be bothered with. I utilize my resources. Which is hard for an independent bull-headed anal and perfectionist like me. I feel weak asking for help sometimes, or like it cant be done right without me, but thats my partner. So, I got over it. And I never get told no I pursue my dream, period.[b]-What went into your decision? [/b] Determining what I was giving up or postponing. Being true to my needs as well as my partners, and taking into consideration other goals (college ed, children, etc.) I took on a part-time job (I work full-time for the State of California in Human Resources) with a makeup company for the discount and ability to have my hand on makeup and free models, and to get product knowledge then I started my college design/art course so I can eventually take my color theory course. The design course has already made a HUGE difference! I attend makeup classes through the company I work for, when possible .I test with photographers (up until recently, even with bogus ones to make a buck until a thread on here corrected that whole mess) right now, learning, evaluating, fitting time into to learn and practice I need a 72 hour day really [b]-What are you willing to give for it? [/b] Does one ever give to something or someone he/she lovea and think twice? Ive given a lot by others standards, but whats the alternative? To not be doing what brings me happiness and makes me feel good about myself? I did a shoot a few days ago 5 models 3 hours STRAIGHT, an hour break to drive to another locale and then redid their looks for another 3 hours by the end, I wanted another model so I could keep going there were 3 photogs and they were all (along with the models) impressed with my constant working (and the work, but in all honesty theyre amateurs like me, so their artistic evaluation wasnt like yours!) I didnt stop once, I had Charlie-horses in BOTH legs in the middle of the night that brought tears to my eyes it was an outdoor shoot so I had to do makeup out of the back of my Prius (great setup when the seats were put down and the hatchback door more than cleared the models heads they loved it, and we had music going and a wool blanket from home as it was in San Francisco my knees were pushing against the bumper all day and they hurt for 4 days after and caused the Charlie-horses, Im sure but no problem!!! I liked what I did, never felt better
[b]-What is your level of desired success in this industry, and I guess, what does success mean to you?[/b] I want to travel and experience different styles of print, LAs different from NY and NY from rio de janeiro or beijing, I want to be respected by my peers and I want to create amazing works with amazing photographers (I looooove David Lachapelle, and not for his celeb works, actually theyre my least favorites; I love his composition, his concepts, his vision) but success is when I can quit my day job really (part-time will go here soon so I can free my weekends up for more testing) and still live the way I do now without giving up medical insurance, life insurance, contribution to investments, savings, and my charities, etc everything after that is icing on the cake and when I can quit my day job and do makeup fulltime, then I can focus on my other hobby(s) painting and drawing Viva la vida Frida Kahlo |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
jaylen956 |
Re: ...SO you wanna be a makeup artist... | #40 | ||||
|
Posts: 26 04/05/07 23:14:52
|
Loving the stories =)
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
