You are not a charity ( the problem with being an mua)

Jan 3, 2014

Holly N.

This is just a little rant here over something that happened recently, I live in quite a small town so its not unusual to bump into people that I went to school with,

one lady that I 'used to know' asked me to do her make-up for a party so of course I did it for her and to my disbelief she didn't pay me, this isn't the first time this kind of thing has happened, I mean this is MY job, its how I earn a living.

of course I do my family/friends make-up all the time or free, because they are my friends and I wouldn't dream of charging them, but people that I barely know or hardly ever talk to expect me to do things for them for free I think its ridiculous, and this isn't me being greedy but I have to make a living!

any other MUA's? how do you feel about this?

Jan 3, 2014

Zenii Z.

Not a makeup artist but yea that's just irritating  😓

Jan 3, 2014

Eloise W.

I think you shouldn't just stand and look while they are stomping over you. Say something. I know it is not easy ( because I am sometimes a victim of that kind of people) but they will keep using you. And I am sure you don't want it.

Jan 3, 2014

Amanda A.

You should definitely have a card ready in these cases and a standby line like, oh ill make sure to give you a deal (10%) and see what they do from there. At least they would not be expecting a favor other than a promise to be there at x time and place so you can help them out.

Jan 3, 2014

Karen B.

I'm a beautician and this happens to me all the time , especially with tinting , my friends will tell their familys and friends about me and they would make an appointment and when I finished they just say thanks and walk out ,... its really annoying because this is my own time and products I'm wasteing on people who don't have the common curtisy to pay me... :/

Jan 3, 2014

Holly N.

Karen, its crazy isn't it? we are wasting our time and money. if we were builders would they expect us to build houses for them for free? I don't think so.

Eloise, I know I should say something but honestly I'm not the kind of person to cause any confrontation or awkwardness I know its stupid and I need to grow a pair!

Jan 3, 2014

Isabel M.

I defiantly would pay, even if it was offered for free, maybe less then the actual price, but still! I hope to become a MUA , or use it as a second occupation, and I agree. It is common curtisy to pay someone, even if they offer services for free, maybe not ful price but still. I think when I'm a MUA, (ifffff) I'll do only my immediate families makeup for free. Or half price. I mean, you have to make a loving right? It's not like it's a side job you do do fun, yes you probably seriously enjoy being a MUA , but you need to make a living off of it! It's not just playing with makeup , it's serious stuff.

Jan 3, 2014

Isabel M.

And @Holly, I love your work!!

Jan 3, 2014

Eloise W.

Than I agree with Amanda. You should have a card, and when they want to use you, you can pull it of and give it to tham. Just do that in laidback way.

Jan 3, 2014

Hannah K.

I've had this problem a few times. Although I'm not an MUA officially, I do friends/family makeup every so often, and they recommend me to their friends. I've done various other peoples makeup and they expect it for free. I once quoted the price and the woman just walked out (after I'd done her makeup). Although it was only 20 quid down the drain, it was still 20 quid I could've used to pay for more makeup.

Jan 3, 2014

Antisar A.

I'm a hairstylist and yes I know :( it sucks. I even get a little offended when I don't get tipped...

Jan 3, 2014

Natalie T.

That's terribly annoying! I think Amanda had some great tips, by offering a discount or giving them a professional business card, it would be harder for them to get away with not paying you. A great way to show that you expect payment through discounts is mentioning referrals like "bring a friend and I'll give YOU 10% (or whatever) off of YOUR makeup application for that event" or "I offer a refferal program to my (paying) clients: for every 10 clients you refer, I'll give you a free makeup application!" If I ran into someone I knew and asked them to offer me a service, I would be extremely generous with payment BECAUSE I knew them! Even if they refused payment, I would still give them the cost of the service, if not more because they were a friend/acquaintance, I want them to succeed, and I would like to keep the (just established, business) relationship. Its just annoying that people don't understand that this is how you make a living!

Jan 3, 2014

Ashley D.

I would make them sign something that says they have to pay and if they refuse to pay after then the price doubles.

Jan 3, 2014

Carolyn H.

Verbal contracts! even if it's not an official event...

the other day my moms friend found out I'm a makeup artist so she goes "oh you should do my makeup for graduation" to which I replied, sure I usually charge about $XX
she didn't continue the conversation after that.
it's ridiculous because it was literally my first time meeting her, and that's the first thing she asks for, a favor.

I always just say it and get it out of the way, that way your "client" can never say they thought it was a freebie..

Jan 3, 2014

Ileene M.

Man that sucks =/, when they ask you, you should right after tell them how much it'll be so they can see it's not free.

Jan 3, 2014

Cat C.

I get my hair done my my dad's cousin who is amazing at his job and we are close, and even the discount he gives makes me feel bad so I tip him generously lol. And when I do makeup/hair for friends/family prom, dances, special occasions, I don't charge because I love it and it's a favor but even they are grateful enough to offer to pay. I don't take it but still, I agree that you should negotiate a price prior to delivering the service and I'm sure this won't happen again :)

Jan 3, 2014

Jennifer S.

Send her a bill in the mail, call her every once in a while like a collections department lol.

Jan 4, 2014

Holly N.

Thanks so much for all the reply's girls :) I'm definitely going to man up a bit in the future and take your advice!