This is my first post and hopefully im doing this right ...lol but im from chicago and im absolutely and head over heels am in love with makeup and i thought plus with the confirmation of some people around me what if i could make this love into a career that i would enjoy. Where to start and what schools might be good in Chicago for becoming a makeup artist are the part im kind of stuck on some if any fellow makeup artist have any suggestions or information i would sooo greatly appreciate the help. xoxoxoxoxo :-)
It depends entirely on what you want to do: fashion and beauty make up or media? Start researching the different area's and look at what the requirements in terms of union etc where you will be working
. Talk to make up artists working in your chosen field, ask if they take on assistants or can reccomend classes or a college.
Practice, practice, practice. Make up is an interesting field that has alot of potential, good luck.
I'm looking into makeup schools in my city... have an interview set up for Friday morning. Am doing lots of research online into the profession.... I've also decided on a "niche" in the market I'd like to reach and will be asking lots of questions regarding what aspects of their training are going to meet my needs.
I am not near chicago but its a great career frustrating at time but it pays off. When I first started out I called around to local photographers and ask them if I could do some TFP's and most of them were wonderful and allowed to come right in. They still call me today when they need a mua. I also called around to local mua's ask them if I could just set in. I got in contact with a really talented mua who took me under her wing and got my foot in the door. However it took a while to get to her. Most of the mua's around me wont/ dont want to help out the competion. Good luck though I hope this helps some
I say go for it. It's like any other career choice where you'll have your nay-sayers.
But if this is your passion do it for YOU. It is going to take a lot of hard work, perseverance, and patience. Do what it takes to get trained and even more importantly get experience. I would first and foremost find a school where you can get the basics, most states have local beauty schools that offer makeup classes or if you can afford to go away and complete a huge course there is Cinema Makeup School in Burbank CA, MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy in NYC, Tom Savini's in Pennsylvania and many more. You can check out others listed on makeupmag.com. When you have some training under your belt start practicing on anyone who will lend you their face, not only friends and family, but also models! Model Mayhem can be great for this. Most photographers will work with an mua for TFP (Trade/time for print) as Amanda said and that way you can build a portfolio. Offer your assistance to any working mua for tips, "settiquette" experience, and networking. And use social media to get your name out there. Absolute best of luck to you, you can do it!!!
Helpful links: http://makeupmag.com http://www.beautylish.com/a/vcjus/v... (Great article!) http://www.modelmayhem.com/
Christina! I just came by this on Twitter!!
Make Up First is a makeup school located in Chicago and Kevin J Bennett (amazeee) is teaching a class there July 28th and 29th!
:)
sorry im so late responding back but i just wanted to thank everyone for all the advice and information i greatly appreciate it and im researching all the information i possbily can again thank everyone for all the help ...xoxoxoxoxo
Schools really don't teach the artistic part of the field, that is really up to you to develop on your own so don't choose a school based on that. Pick a school that is going to teach you "how to become a makeup artist" pretty much how to get started in this career. Also look for a school that offers a kit because building one of those on your own can run you a few thousand dollars. Hope that helps and good luck!
1. Learn your color wheel- it will go along way
2.Start building your kit
3. Practice on anyone you can ge your hands on
4. Take pictures and save them.
5. Find a mentor.
6. Find a photographer in your area-
7. Find Models
8. Network with the two above to get portfolio pics
9. Buy Make up books- study
10. Learn your products.
11. Recreate looks from Magazines, internet
12.Get creative- avantgard, cosume, period,
13. Offer to work with brides in exchange for pic for portfolio.
14. Get friends and family on board by having them give you gift cards for birthdays and holidays to buy kit items.
15. youtube makeup tutorials
16. find out what items you need for kit...
17. Learn what items to splurge on and what one to skimp on.
18. Nework at IMATS.
19 go to workshops.
20. get business cards.
21. Find local jobs or advertise via craigslist, model mayheim or photographer
22.Build website
23.get business cards
24. Get Pro cards
25. Of course find out what the requiremens are for your state reguarding being a MUA.
Everyone seems to have given you really good advice. I would like to bring up some more points that I don't feel have been mentioned in great length.
Having a passion for makeup does not a makeup artist make. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but rather to keep you from getting disappointed.
It is a thrilling and rewarding experience to see your work published, HOWEVER, this isn't always a glamorous and fun job.
Ultimately, being passionate about makeup is only 50% of the work, and you're going to need that passion to be strong to keep you from wanting to give up.
Firstly, find out if you need to have a cosmetology license to be a makeup artist in your state. Some states don't require cosmetology licenses for people who are only makeup artists, provided they don't do hair or nails. If your state doesn't require a license (for example, my state does not) you're better off going to school for business. That will help equip you with what you need to thrive in the industry. The business part is the other 50% of the job.
You need to be good at promoting, networking, and managing your business, which, pardon my French, is a pain in the arse.
It upsets me to see so many aspiring makeup artists give up the trade because they don't realize the amount of business that goes into it, and they're less than passionate about maintaining their small business.
Another thing, you're not always going to work with people that you like, and you're not always going to get to exhibit your own creativity. There will be times where you're hired by someone with a strict vision or set of guidelines that you have to adhere by that really limits your ability to express yourself artistically. There will be times you work with people that you want to choke and smack because they have bad taste and don't know what they're talking about, but they're still unwilling to listen to you.
There will be times where you're overwhelmed and only have a short period of time to work on several people who are uncooperative, and you may not have anyone to help you. You will encounter bridezillas, and mother-of-the-bridezillas. You will encounter very vocal models who wrongly believe they have a say in how things are run.
If you feel like you can work through these circumstances, absolutely go for it. I just hate to see people lose their passion and waste so much money because the trade turns out to be something that they didn't think it was, and their dreams get crushed. It's just important to go into it with a level head and fully accept what everything is going to be like. It's not as glamorous as you may think.
That having been said, I really hope you can see through the bad and experience the rewarding feeling of the times when other professionals trust your creativity and vision. It's amazing when you get back photos from a shoot and you see all the effort that you put into it displayed beautifully in front of you, and you can sit back and say "I helped make this possible. This is my art, and I'm proud."
But it takes a lot to get there.
I really do thank everyone for the advice danie d. those are awesome tips that really can be put to use and airi m. thank you sooo much for that insight you made alot of awesome and very helpful points and u explained alot and gave me alot of things to consider and be informed about and i thank you for the good advice and again i thank everyone for all the advice, information, tips, links and just everything im glad that i decided to post this topic because i recieved alot of feedback
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Jul 08, 2012
Christina W.
This is my first post and hopefully im doing this right ...lol but im from chicago and im absolutely and head over heels am in love with makeup and i thought plus with the confirmation of some people around me what if i could make this love into a career that i would enjoy. Where to start and what schools might be good in Chicago for becoming a makeup artist are the part im kind of stuck on some if any fellow makeup artist have any suggestions or information i would sooo greatly appreciate the help. xoxoxoxoxo :-)
Jul 09, 2012
Andii J.
all i can say is go for it and dont look back xx
Jul 09, 2012
James C.
It depends entirely on what you want to do: fashion and beauty make up or media? Start researching the different area's and look at what the requirements in terms of union etc where you will be working
. Talk to make up artists working in your chosen field, ask if they take on assistants or can reccomend classes or a college.
Practice, practice, practice. Make up is an interesting field that has alot of potential, good luck.
Jul 09, 2012
Christina W.
Well thank u both for the advice and support and James C. i definately appreciate the advice and i will start my research as we speak thanks :-)
Jul 10, 2012
Kerry C.
I'm looking into makeup schools in my city... have an interview set up for Friday morning. Am doing lots of research online into the profession.... I've also decided on a "niche" in the market I'd like to reach and will be asking lots of questions regarding what aspects of their training are going to meet my needs.
Jul 10, 2012
Kimberly C.
Hi Kerry,
If you have not already done so, you may want to check out Makeup First School in Chicago. I heard great things about them.
Kim Carothers
Jul 10, 2012
Amanda B.
I am not near chicago but its a great career frustrating at time but it pays off. When I first started out I called around to local photographers and ask them if I could do some TFP's and most of them were wonderful and allowed to come right in. They still call me today when they need a mua. I also called around to local mua's ask them if I could just set in. I got in contact with a really talented mua who took me under her wing and got my foot in the door. However it took a while to get to her. Most of the mua's around me wont/ dont want to help out the competion. Good luck though I hope this helps some
Jul 10, 2012
Hillary H.
Hi Christina!
I say go for it. It's like any other career choice where you'll have your nay-sayers.
But if this is your passion do it for YOU. It is going to take a lot of hard work, perseverance, and patience. Do what it takes to get trained and even more importantly get experience. I would first and foremost find a school where you can get the basics, most states have local beauty schools that offer makeup classes or if you can afford to go away and complete a huge course there is Cinema Makeup School in Burbank CA, MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy in NYC, Tom Savini's in Pennsylvania and many more. You can check out others listed on makeupmag.com. When you have some training under your belt start practicing on anyone who will lend you their face, not only friends and family, but also models! Model Mayhem can be great for this. Most photographers will work with an mua for TFP (Trade/time for print) as Amanda said and that way you can build a portfolio. Offer your assistance to any working mua for tips, "settiquette" experience, and networking. And use social media to get your name out there. Absolute best of luck to you, you can do it!!!
Helpful links:
http://makeupmag.com
http://www.beautylish.com/a/vcjus/v... (Great article!)
http://www.modelmayhem.com/
Jul 11, 2012
Hillary H.
Christina! I just came by this on Twitter!!
Make Up First is a makeup school located in Chicago and Kevin J Bennett (amazeee) is teaching a class there July 28th and 29th!
:)
https://twitter.com/MakeUpFirst
Jul 18, 2012
Christina W.
sorry im so late responding back but i just wanted to thank everyone for all the advice and information i greatly appreciate it and im researching all the information i possbily can again thank everyone for all the help ...xoxoxoxoxo
Jul 19, 2012
Angel M.
Schools really don't teach the artistic part of the field, that is really up to you to develop on your own so don't choose a school based on that. Pick a school that is going to teach you "how to become a makeup artist" pretty much how to get started in this career. Also look for a school that offers a kit because building one of those on your own can run you a few thousand dollars. Hope that helps and good luck!
Jul 24, 2012
Rachel R.
There is a great online program that Robert Jones has to offer. The memberships vary. Here is his website. Check it out.
http://www.robertjonesbeautyacademy...
Jul 26, 2012
Editorial P.
Remember this career choice is not always "glitter and glam" it tons of hard work!
Jul 27, 2012
Danie D.
1. Learn your color wheel- it will go along way
2.Start building your kit
3. Practice on anyone you can ge your hands on
4. Take pictures and save them.
5. Find a mentor.
6. Find a photographer in your area-
7. Find Models
8. Network with the two above to get portfolio pics
9. Buy Make up books- study
10. Learn your products.
11. Recreate looks from Magazines, internet
12.Get creative- avantgard, cosume, period,
13. Offer to work with brides in exchange for pic for portfolio.
14. Get friends and family on board by having them give you gift cards for birthdays and holidays to buy kit items.
15. youtube makeup tutorials
16. find out what items you need for kit...
17. Learn what items to splurge on and what one to skimp on.
18. Nework at IMATS.
19 go to workshops.
20. get business cards.
21. Find local jobs or advertise via craigslist, model mayheim or photographer
22.Build website
23.get business cards
24. Get Pro cards
25. Of course find out what the requiremens are for your state reguarding being a MUA.
Jul 31, 2012
Airi M.
Everyone seems to have given you really good advice. I would like to bring up some more points that I don't feel have been mentioned in great length.
Having a passion for makeup does not a makeup artist make. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but rather to keep you from getting disappointed.
It is a thrilling and rewarding experience to see your work published, HOWEVER, this isn't always a glamorous and fun job.
Ultimately, being passionate about makeup is only 50% of the work, and you're going to need that passion to be strong to keep you from wanting to give up.
Firstly, find out if you need to have a cosmetology license to be a makeup artist in your state. Some states don't require cosmetology licenses for people who are only makeup artists, provided they don't do hair or nails. If your state doesn't require a license (for example, my state does not) you're better off going to school for business. That will help equip you with what you need to thrive in the industry. The business part is the other 50% of the job.
You need to be good at promoting, networking, and managing your business, which, pardon my French, is a pain in the arse.
It upsets me to see so many aspiring makeup artists give up the trade because they don't realize the amount of business that goes into it, and they're less than passionate about maintaining their small business.
Another thing, you're not always going to work with people that you like, and you're not always going to get to exhibit your own creativity. There will be times where you're hired by someone with a strict vision or set of guidelines that you have to adhere by that really limits your ability to express yourself artistically. There will be times you work with people that you want to choke and smack because they have bad taste and don't know what they're talking about, but they're still unwilling to listen to you.
There will be times where you're overwhelmed and only have a short period of time to work on several people who are uncooperative, and you may not have anyone to help you. You will encounter bridezillas, and mother-of-the-bridezillas. You will encounter very vocal models who wrongly believe they have a say in how things are run.
If you feel like you can work through these circumstances, absolutely go for it. I just hate to see people lose their passion and waste so much money because the trade turns out to be something that they didn't think it was, and their dreams get crushed. It's just important to go into it with a level head and fully accept what everything is going to be like. It's not as glamorous as you may think.
That having been said, I really hope you can see through the bad and experience the rewarding feeling of the times when other professionals trust your creativity and vision. It's amazing when you get back photos from a shoot and you see all the effort that you put into it displayed beautifully in front of you, and you can sit back and say "I helped make this possible. This is my art, and I'm proud."
But it takes a lot to get there.
Jul 31, 2012
Christina W.
I really do thank everyone for the advice danie d. those are awesome tips that really can be put to use and airi m. thank you sooo much for that insight you made alot of awesome and very helpful points and u explained alot and gave me alot of things to consider and be informed about and i thank you for the good advice and again i thank everyone for all the advice, information, tips, links and just everything im glad that i decided to post this topic because i recieved alot of feedback