/ 1
- We're here to help! Call us at 1-877-992-5474.
- Ship To: | EN
-
Contact Us
Our customer service team in the US is ready to assist you.
1-877-992-5474 Available Now
Monday - Friday
7 AM – 4 PM PTSaturday
7 AM – 4 PM PT
- Login
- Join
- Your Bag 0
Jan 15, 2012
Gina M.
I am a cosmetologist and work in a salon doing nails and makeup. I really want to get myself out there and am wondering what I should do that's best to branch out and start my own makeup business. I would love to work for a makeup company and do so much in the makeup industry but just don't know where to start!
Jan 15, 2012
Shelley W.
Being an intern at a company is a start. Its a great way to gain valuable contacts in the business. I would start by going to all the lines that you're interested in and sending out a well written cover letter and resume discussing, in short, your goals and desire to learn about the industry. Personalizing each letter to fit the company and the person that you're needing to address it to. What city/state do you reside in?
Jan 15, 2012
Jeanine H.
Gina, I would start out by creating a cover letter and resume like Shelley suggested. Give it out to every company you're interested in. Also, get some business cards made. I make an effort to do my makeup nicely every day and I carry my cards in my purse. When someone compliments me, I take out a business card and tell them if they're ever in need of a makeup artist, I'm available. I also put together a website. It's not the best, but it was free and helps me a lot since everything is organized and out in the open for potential clients. There's no guesswork with prices, etc..
I have been freelancing for a little over a year now but it's not enough income right now. I'd really like to find a job at a makeup counter, so that's what I'm working on doing right now. :)
Jan 15, 2012
Carmella P.
I agree with Shelly and Jeanine. Remember though that working at a counter or for a cosmetics company is still a sales position. Most of these companies look for retail background, as they do really good training and can easily develop the skills of anyone interested. I am not trying to discourage you as working for these companies is a great step to jumpstart your career. At the end of the day you get free training but you still have a sales goal. I think this is what you want to take a look at when selecting which field of makeup you want to get in to. You will definitely be your own advertising/billboard. When people compliment me on my makeup I tell them I am a makeup artist. You will definitely need a business card, a business e-mail and your own dot com. You can pay 10 a year at blogspot until you can afford to get your own professional domain, which is not expensive either. Start gathering good quality photos of your work. Continue to take seminars and workshops. Offer to do a friends makeup and take some great photos to include on your website. You can also walk around your neighborhood and hand out cards and talk to people. Business owners and neighbors make good clients. The important thing is to network. Beauty/bridal makeup (doing makeup for your everyday person during their special events) is one of the quickest ways to earn money for your service, however you will not have as much artistic control as the whole purpose is to make someone beautiful and not to make them another person. If you like transforming people into different characters then you would probably want to get into tv/film. You should contact some agencies that represent media makeup artists and see what it takes to get your foot in. To get started, you can visit or make calls to your local tv stations and studios and try to get an assistant or intern position. If you like being totally artistic, love color and love to put something on 'just because' then you might be into more fashion/editorial stuff in which i would contact your local magazines and see what your options would be as well. If you have strong examples of your work in each of these fields then keep them accessible to these people (a practical way is to have an online gallery but flyers and postcards are cool too). I hope this helps.
Jan 15, 2012
Gina M.
Thank you so much for your wonderful tips. I am going to try my hardest at getting a good resume and cover letter out and work on my portfolio. I thought about working at a counter and I don't know that I would do that well. I think I will try Sephora again for a job to get into the field. Plus get some business cards made!
Jan 15, 2012
Gina M.
Shelley W. I live in Buffalo,NY
Jan 15, 2012
Gina M.
Carmella P. Thanks for your great ideas! Do you know where I can find out about seminars or workshops? We don't get offered much at the salon I work at and would love to find some on my own
Jan 16, 2012
Carmella P.
Hi Gina, I would definitely go to your MAC store or MAC counter. Seeing that you are in NY, look for flagship stores like Nars, Inglot, MAC etc. they usually offer seminars. MAC counters offer consumer seminars and the pro stores offer pro seminars for continuing education. Also, be sure to enlist in pro programs as much as you can. MAC, MUFE, Inglot, Stila etc. have pro programs. This will give you pro discounts and pro events which are most likely classes and pre-release parties, etc. Find a place in NY that supplies makeup to makeup artists like Nigels and Naimes here in California. They have all pro and high-end brands under one roof and offer seminars as well.
Jan 16, 2012
Lauren C.
Gina, out of curiosity -- why wouldnt you rather work for yourself doing makeup? I'm not talking about selling makeup, I'm talking about doing makeup for all types of clients, but not needing to report to another company.
It's surprisingly easy to get started in doing that. feel free to email me if you are ever interested in going that route.
me@lauren-clark.com