Very begining of becoming a Makeup Artist

Nov 1, 2012

Mandy T.

I was in cosmetology school for a while but couldn't finish for medical reasons and I am not sure I want to do hair. I think I just want to do makeup. When I was in school I had gone through some basic classes and acquired a small kit. I just don't know where to begin. Some pages say, start at a makeup counter, others say practice on friend, or take classes, or buy a starter kit and go from there. I don't know if I want to buy a whole kit upfront or take 6 week long classes if I don't know if I am any good at this or if its not my calling. I want to know the best way to start, without spending a ton of money at the start, and what the essentials are to have in a kit. Any other information you have on becoming a makeup artist in any direction(film, theater, bridal, ext.) would be great too. Thank you!

Nov 1, 2012

Natise M.

I definitely would say to find out first if make-up is really what you want to do. Like you said you don't want to invest into something that your uncertain about. Then the answer should become more clear what's the next best step for you to make. Only you know what's right for you. If make-up is truly your passion & you go after that then everything will fall into place. Go after whatever it is your passionate about! Good Luck :)

Nov 1, 2012

Jessica W.

Agreed ^

In terms of not thinking your good enough it literally takes years and even after years of experience you will forever be learning new tips and tricks.
I was in the same position as you about 2 years ago, I applied at a job in a pharmacy which allowed me to become familiar with all different cosmetic brands. I then practiced on myself as eventually on friends. I used to watch plenty of tutorials online and then incorporated my own technique also and then later did a proper certificate course and I now have my own buisness.
Play around and have fun with it you can never be over creative, whatever you decide it will take time and you will find out along the way. If you do find your serious I highly recommend looking into the Napoleon Perdis express course :)
Goodluck ! X

Nov 1, 2012

mallory w.

I personally always knew that I wanted to be a makeup artist. I always practiced on friends family whoever would let me use their face :) I started building my kit slowly little at atime. I then started getting requests from friends, friends of friends, family etc to do wedding makeup special event etc. I then took some classes to learn about different aspects of makeup skin colors tones etc. When I felt confident enough with my skills I started applying for work on independant movies and more editorial makeup work because thats the field I wanted to be in. But I learn more and more every day and its not always a quick process, its taken me years but I'm very happy where I am now and always continue to grow. Bottom line if its what you love you will stick it out and make it pass some of the rough spots that you may encounter. Good Luck! 

Nov 1, 2012

Ashley G.

I started with prom makeup- those clients are pretty easy to please and you're almost guaranteed to do better than someone at a cosmetic counter if you have any talent for it at all -I've heard way to many bad stories lol. I started building my kit a little at a time and networked on Facebook with local photographers, hair stylists, wardrobe stylists, and designers...that's when I landed a local fashion show. I was thrown into the mix as the other MUA didn't show and I had about 12 girls to do- it was chaotic to say the least. I didn't charge anything as I did it for the exposure which you definitely need when starting out! It was a great thing to do even though it was stressful and scary since I hadn't been in the situation before but now I'm glad I did that right outta the box- it made me confident that if I can do that then I can do anything :) Now I've worked with several local models and worked on 3 published shoots so far. Good luck!

Nov 2, 2012

Kyle G.

When you have a passion for makeup then you will know if its for you or not. Don't work at a counter where you are limited to 1 brand, work somewhere that you can experience multiple brands and get training to see where you stand in the industry (Ulta or Sephora), if you decided you want to do freelance after that you absolutely will feel confident enough working with strangers and gaining trust that you know what's best for them. <3 :) hope this helps, good luck!! :)

Nov 2, 2012

Virna A.

Its always been a passion. There were times that I felt confined to the fact that if you ate freelance, it's becomes a hustle. Always remember to be on time, dress neatly and smile. Stay up to date with trends and strive to perfect your art; what I mean by this is don't count on photoshop to bring your works to life: give life to your art and the magic will come through. I started first with independent films, then music videos and now I work with photographers. I didn't want to pigeonhole myself so I am constantly exploring! But more importantly be
Wise with spending, learn to save and believe in yourself!

Nov 2, 2012

Dania M.

I personally think half the makeup schools around are redundant and a WASTE OF MONEY. Make sure to do your research thouroughly. I would say, look for a MUA school much like Joe Blasco (CA, FL) or Blanche McDonald (Canada) if you are going to be shelling out the big bucks... That I call quality education. If it is not that calibre of art schools I say take up the self taught approach. I see no need to waste a whole lot of money to learn things you could have learnt online or through books.

There are so MANY resources at your fingertip to teach yourself to do makeup.

Youtube: I have a channel dedicated to makeup videos. I have about 50 gurus that I watch rewatch almost daily. Some for techniques, some for dark skin, some for eyeshadow work, some for creative/inspiratory art, some for pro-insight, some for intro to new products. You should already know who you like to watch on youtube.

I recommend - GossMakeupArtist, InMyProOpinion, LetzMakeup, QueenOfBlending, NikkiTutorials, WetPaintCosmetics, PetriLude, EnkoreMakeup... just to name a FEW off the top of my head.


BOOKS: If you want to invest in your education.. get BOOKS and Magazine and try to duplicate the looks. Be inspired by them etc.

I recommend:
Inbeauty Magazine (online), MakepArtistMagazine (AWESOME RESOURCE - also gives links to books and dvds etc)
Books - Makeup is Art!!!, Kevin Aucoin books, Nars books, Bobbi brown books, Robert Jones, Joe blasco text book.

SHOWS: You can go to annual shoes for work shops, networking, sales and huge discounts and intro to new professional products. The MAKEUP SHOW, IMATS... Just awesome. I would rather you self train and then spend some money on a work shop to learn extra tips/tricks/insight from the Pro's.


Kit Recommendation... Sigh. I really dont know where to start here since you didnt mention a price point. All I can say is AVOID BRAND WHORES... brand whore will have you broke in no time. Invest in Quality professional products... dont rally behind a name. You dont HAVE to have MAC. Mac isnt even the best quality out there but with so much PR and so many brain washed Youtubers and bloggers, people quickly and automatically attach MAC with "the BEST" label. Not true.

MAC has some GOOOD products, I am not hating here. But for the price, you could get the same and better for less elsewhere. I vouch for Mac Full coverage foundation, mineralize skin finish naturals (though some dont like them), face&body foundations based on their value.

If you dont already know about brands such as RCMA, BEN NYE, MEHRON, GRAFTOBIAN, FACE ATELIER, MAKEUP ATELIER PARIS, LA FEMME KEROMASK and OCC... research about it. Be wise, smart and economical when you stock your kit. Do you gram per $, pigmentation, long wear, side effect and colour range research. Make sure your products are flexible, economical and the best quality you can afford.

If you dunno about Real Techniques - check out their Face brushes. I think an assortment of eye brushes is sufficient since you will probably want many. Stock up on Sigma E40's, and check out Sonia kashuk, elf and coastal scents for more brushes.

[Edit] And of course I forget to add... volunteer your service to everyone you can find with every skin type... try wrinkles, ance scars, patchy skin, dry skin, oily skin, black skin, olive skin pale skin. Get your hand into a little of everything. Start with your immediate family and neighbours and friends. Do everyone's face at least twice. Experiment.

Work on foundation matching!!! research than with all you might until you can mix anything you want. Mix MIX MIX.. mix foundations, this is why you should invest in a brand like graftobian over mac. I recommend something like the RCMA or Graftobian pallete (sample sized) it may seem expensive but it should pay off if you are volunteering on many different faces.

For eye work... you can work on yourself for practice to get the key strokes. When you are confident with blending etc, work on different eye shapes. Deep set eyes, Big eyes, Monolids and hooded eyes etc. Learn the classic eyes shadow looks wedding looks, pin up, smokey etc. Try them in all different colour combinations.

Set up a curriculum for yourself. After you master natural/clean makeup with flawless foundation matching, contouring, setting etc, move more into the colours and such.

All the best with your career.
~ In Lakesh

Nov 4, 2012

San L.

Dania that was a perfect comment I needed that for myself! Thanks! And good luck Mandy! If its in your heart you will make an investment in it

Nov 10, 2012

Taneesha B.

Thanx for all the advice Dania!

Nov 11, 2012

Derricka C.

#dania m. VERY GOOD AND THOROUGH ADVICE!! i agree 100%