Full time makeup artist.

Oct 14, 2013

Quia K.

I am currently a medical assistant doing freelance makeup but I want to do makeup full time.
I'm just looking for thoughts and advice on if working at a makeup counter is a good move. I just want to know how to move forward in the industry to gain more experience and become a better make up artist.

Oct 15, 2013

Raquel R.

Well there are definitely pros and cons. At a counter you get set hours, commission, and a set store. There's stability. As a freelance though, I was paid almost ten dollars more, but the hours were so unpredictable (of course this changes with brands), and I had to work weekends. I was also driving so much more than I wanted to (sometimes up to an hour and a half away). At a counter I got either saturday or friday off, which was nice. It also depends on what kind of counter you work at. At a department store you may also be asked to sign up people for credit cards, where as at MAC or a boutique you won't. If you work at a place like Sephora or Ulta, you won't have the pressure for a credit card, or a personal goal. You'll get paid about the same as working as a counter but you won't get commission (although sephora gives bonuses depending on if budget is met, and by how much). Over all I preferred working for a counter because I also had a set team, which meant amazing friends I got to work with everyday. I was also able to clientele, and people could rely on seeing me at that counter weekly.

Oct 27, 2013

Ashlee C.

You can be a fulltime makeup artist at a beauty counter OR as freelance. It is really finding what you prefer.!I persinally am trying to get inti freelancing. To try and advance, maybe see if there are otuer mua in your area with a lot of experience and see if they are willing to let you follow them around for a day or ask them questions.