How Much Should I Get Paid?

Feb 25, 2012

Kassie K.

I am getting my first gig doing makeup for a girl for prom and I am not sure how much money I should I ask for. Do makeup artists usually get payed by the hour or by how many products or type of look? How much should I ask for? Thank you for any help!

Feb 26, 2012

Erika D.

it depends on how much experience you have and if your a student or not. If its your first paid job i would ask for about 45 dollars for a look, it should take an hour to do. If you have a lot of experience you can ask for more

Feb 27, 2012

Bec L.

If you have no experience and you don't have a qualification I would say around $40. If you are qualified $60-70 per person plus.

Feb 27, 2012

Bec L.

But it depends on your country I guess.

Feb 27, 2012

Lauren C.

I agree with Bec. This is your first job. I'd ask for $40. Once you are more experienced, you may charge around $75 or so. It depends on the area you live in

Feb 27, 2012

Kassie K.

Wow $40 seems a little steep. I have only done a handful of other girls makeup before, so I was thinking around $25. Is $40 really the average for a girl just starting out?

Feb 27, 2012

Grace M.

I ask for less with more experience. Depending on your products, and qualifications, who you have worked on, portfolio, I would price myself $25.0 to $30.00. The humble approach in the beginning will drive ppl in. Once you qualify for more, I would go from there..

Feb 28, 2012

Myshel D.

I had the same question... thanks for this post :)

Feb 28, 2012

Courtney A.

I don't think 40 is to much to ask for. But then again, I think that also depends on where you are located.
I totally understand not wanting to ask for to much, but don't undersell yourself either. Not only is it your time, but it is the use of your products that you have spend money on. 

Feb 28, 2012

Courtney H.

I'm in australia and a standard price is around $80 for a qualified artist.
I agree with the $40 suggestion if youre not qualified and dont have much experience. I am qualified and charge my friends (mates rates) $50 for a full face including lashes I'd say around $55-$60

Feb 28, 2012

Jessica S.

I wondered this myself. I'm in Australia as well Courtney H & I charge the same as you :p

Feb 29, 2012

Soma S.

I agree with Mandy! If you start too low, it'll be harder to convince people you are worth more if word of mouth is where you're hoping to start acquiring clients. I understand high schoolers are limited in funds, but you can always cut them a better deal if they bring you additional friends to charge them a base price of $40, and you can hook the girl up that refers her friends with a better deal depending on how much business she brings you. It's up to you, but make sure she knows you're extending her a courtesy price and to keep that info between the two of you.

We all have to start somewhere! Oh, and congrats on your first paying gig!

Mar 1, 2012

Keshonta B.

^^

Mar 2, 2012

Angel M.

You should ask for what you're worth. Depends on what people are charging in your area and you gauge from there. its whatever you're willing to leave the house for. usually, unless a mua is doing multiple faces they tend not to charge by the hour because 1 face application shouldn't even take an hour to complete. hope that gives you some insight in deciding a price.

Mar 19, 2012

Nicol D.

I agree with Mandy, don't sell yourself too short.

And you don't know what a person can pay or is willing to pay so never sell yourself short on your price. Remember, you are starting a business. 

Mar 25, 2012

Megan-Rose Core MUA C.

Ok one thing id like to point out one face should not take more then an half an hour unless highly technical or difficult. Spending an hour on one person face is way too long.

Price is calculated on many things its not just the price that pops into your head

1 Cost of materials- Work out how much product you use on a persons face so how much it leaves u out of pocket i.e 30ml foundation is x amount you use 1ml of it for one application work out how much that costs you

2 Prices by other makeup artists around you, call them up, pretand to be a bride or prom girl ask prices and take note. You want to try better them by 5% dont just ring one ring them all

3 Price your time! dnt charge yourself by the hour but for every face you do 20% of the price should just be for you been there

4 Remember you need to make a profit at the end of the day! this is your way of life do not undersell yourself

5 Travel outside of a 15-20mile radius is extra if i travel outside this radius its 50cent extra per mile

I see some of the girls are sayin dnt start off too low as it will be hard to push up prices when you get more experience, this is true I suggest do offers at the start offer money off but state in the offer what the regular price will be. this way you will have no backlash when you do put your price up

Mar 26, 2012

Dela Belle K.

Great information on this post!!!! I love this site :)

Mar 26, 2012

Nicol D.

I so agree with everything Megan-Rose posted!! Yes!! 

Mar 26, 2012

Jj S.

I Agree with one thing in particular. Setting a price you are happy with (and isn't under-cutting other MUA's in you area by more than 5%) then offering your friends a discount is a very good model.
It means they are prepared for the price rise, when they tell their friends they should tell them your full price.

Mar 27, 2012

Imani L.

She is a high school student (right?) and if this is your first job I would definately charge around $30. Something like prom makeup (depending on how quickly you work) doesn't typically take longer than 30 minutes so hourly wouldn't necessarily work for something like this. And again she is a high school student, cut her some slack (: GOOD LUCK! 

Apr 3, 2012

Mandy T.

i think makeup for prom/formal/wedding should be charged by the look and usually is only an hour to do.

You only charge by the hour if you're doing commercial work.
I live in Australia too and people here pay $80 for a makeup look done for them. $40 is cheap in my opinion. Then again not sure if that is the average price where you live. Researching on local prices of other muas would also help. If you have the skills but not a formal qualification I think you're still entitled to charge a decent price. However like a lot of the girls had mentioned it also depends on your experience as well. Don't under sell yourself. don't forget your using your time and products to make her over. discounts for friends/repeat customers are ok in my opinion.

Jun 2, 2013

Leigh A.

Hi how should you tell the person that she is your first paying client?