Starting Young.

Mar 4, 2012

Dana K.

So I have a passion for makeup, editorial and commercial in particular, and I really want to become a makeup artist. I am 14 now (15 in april) so I'm a little young to start trying to "become" a makeup artist. But teachers are always encouraging you to pursue your dreams. I know I am not going to get hired at this young of an age but by the time I am 17 maybe even 16 I want to try and get my name out there. I want to be hired by fashion photographers, and they could just be starting with their career, too. What would be some good ways to start preparing for that, and when the time comes how can I have a good freelance career?
Thanks. :)

Mar 4, 2012

Quynh A.

you should start by making a good portfolio first (: take pictures of your work and save it in a folder. Since you're 14, freshmen right? you should try to do makeup for those seniors girl @ your school for prom, or homecoming.

Mar 4, 2012

Dana K.

Yup freshmen. Thanks that's really good advice! :)

Mar 5, 2012

Heather C.

What Quynh says, and use this time to practice, and alot. Try different techniques, and looks that are outside your normal makeup. So when you reach that age, you will have a wide range of skills and experience with everything from everyday makeup to avante garde. That will help alot for future clients/employers to know you aren't limited.

And use your friends and family as models to practice on and when you feel confident with your work on them, take photos to add to your portfolio.

Also, you should get face charts to create looks and put them in a binder/folder. That will be perfect if/when you let the girls at your school know you do makeup for future dances and events. They will be able to see your work before hand, and even use them to choose a look. (face charts are good to practice with too.)

Mar 5, 2012

Dana K.

Thanks! I've been thinking about trying face charts, it's just the dimensions are different. but I guess practice makes perfect, right? Thanks. :) 

Mar 5, 2012

Theresa K.

You can also see if you can do the makeup for any plays the school is putting on. Get some experience doing some stage makeup rather than just beauty makeup. Hell, even volunteer at a nursing home doing the ladies makeup, I'm sure they'd LOVE it and it'd make them feel great! 

Mar 5, 2012

Dana K.

Great Idea! I didn't even think of that! And It might be easy to get into plays because I'm really close to the teacher that directs the plays. 

Mar 5, 2012

Cortney S.

Practice practice practice. Are you allowed to wear makeup? The internet is an excellent source of advice as I see you've discovered :) Try out different makeup techniques.. if your mom doesn't let you wear it maybe you can just practice and then wash it off? Take photos whenever you do a job you think is decent and practice on your friends if they'll let you. You can build technique long before you start school for makeup. Good luck!