I Am Not Your Personal Makeup Artist!

May 28, 2014

Antonia S.

Ladies, I need your help. I've been feeling very taken advantage of by my friends lately.
Sunday night was girls night out. We planned to leave at 9. One friend showed up at my house incredibly late (8:45, when she said she would come at 7 to do her hair and get dressed.) She showed up without a drop of makeup and insisted on me doing her makeup. I rushed through it since she was late. She took tons of pictures and posted them crediting me, which makes me upset because I feel as though it was not my best work.
The two other girls showed up while I was doing her makeup, and one also insisted I do her eyeshadow.
I've had these situations happen multiple times and I need help on how to take control. Not only am I rushing through the application, but I also feel as though I am "working for free." Yes these are my friends, but I am essentially wasting my expensive product for absolutely no pay. Am I being over dramatic? Our graduation is coming up and I want to know how to approach this situation because it WILL happen again.

May 28, 2014

Meghan B.

I don't think you're being dramatic at all. This is your trade, it's your job. It'd be like getting a friend who works in a store to give you free clothes. You need to tell your friends that you're not happy. Maybe just explain to them that you can't do your best work in 15 minutes and that you shouldn't have to feel like you are working when you're going on a night out.

May 28, 2014

Dereanna D.

I don't think you're being over dramatic, if I were in your position I would be a bit angry myself. Makeup is too expensive too be applying it on people all the time for free. I'm not really sure how to approach it. Why don't you just be honest with them and tell them how you feel about it?

May 28, 2014

Brooke R.

Tell them that if they want you to so their makeup then they must bring their own products to use and also just be honest about how you feel, if they're your friends they'll understand

May 28, 2014

Olivia A.

For graduation (if you want to do this) post on facebook or somewhere where people can see it that you will do makeup but for a flat price because then its fair for everybody and you arent being dramatic :) hope its resolved soon

May 28, 2014

Kaylee D.

I think it's nice that your friends all come to you because they think your good at it but I do see how you feel, I think you should tell them that if they want you to do their makeup they should bring their own makeup.

May 28, 2014

Brianna M.

I've done a friends makeup for a football game and one she didn't pay me anything and two she took pictures of it and stuff and never even credited me she took the credit until I posted this makeup was done by me and she seemed not that happy that I stepped in... Let's just say we are not friends anymore.

May 28, 2014

Roz X.

I have this happen with graphic design. They know product is expensive and that's why they don't have the level of cosmetics that you do. So they certainly aren't innocent in this. I'd wait until you make plans next time and tell them straight up beforehand "Come made up. I'm not doing anyone's make up tonight." If they show up without it..sucks to be them. Unless you stand your ground, they'll repeat this pattern. You can keep a light heart about it saying, "Gurl, you'd better come made up because my salon is closed." or however you feel you can best get your point across. I use humor often in these situations followed by sticking to my word and they get the idea soon enough.

May 28, 2014

Kyraa D.

Honestly, I would either say no or charge them. don't give away your talent for free, especially if they're wanting you to do their grad makeup & use your own products.
or, tell them no. say exactly what you said in the title, "I'm not your personal makeup artist". kindly explain to them how it upset you this time & why you don't want to do it next time. if they're truly your friends, they'll understand. I don't think you're being dramatic at all & I'd honestly be upset too. especially with them showing up so late. I hope it all works out well between you guys!! <3

May 28, 2014

Erica K.

I agree with Rozberry! This happens to me all the time with painting. Try saying no to hours of work and personal materials when your boss is requesting favors :-( You are not being dramatic at all, its a creative person's plight unless you stand up for yourself.

May 28, 2014

Lara C.

I'd be pissed... especially if I'm using my expensive products. I'd be honest and tell them because if you don't put your foot down itll become a bigger problem and its not worth ruining a friendship and if they don't understand show them how much your makeup costs then they might get it.

May 28, 2014

Valerie C.

I don't think your overreacting either girl, makeup is expensive as hell.
If they want you to do there eyeshadow and what not, tell them to bring their own makeup so you can use theirs instead of yours!

May 28, 2014

Antonia S.

Thank you all ladies. It's good to know I'm not overreacting.
It's almost like they think they are doing me a favor by letting me practice on them, and the makeup that I use is not my own personal makeup but makeup I purchased especially for my kit- so I think that they think it's "for them." I don't think they really understand the idea that this is basically my "job."
Rozberry, I really like your line of "My salon is closed." and I will definitely be using that one for future situations.
Brianna, I'm sorry you had to experience that. I think I'd be even more pissed if they took credit for my work. That's just plain disrespectful.

May 28, 2014

Lizzy W.

I think the other girls have already given you great advice on how to handle the situation. Recently I've been in a similar situation, and it made me realize that I have to stand by my convictions, even if other people don't agree with me or completely understand it. There's this saying, "You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce." Your friends might not have any idea what being a makeup artist involves, and what a sacrifice it is for you to do their makeup. They can't read your mind, so tell them how you feel and why it's so important to you. Good luck!

May 28, 2014

Antonia S.

A millions times yes to everything you said Miss Jacqueline! Thank you. And Lizzy, your words hit the nail right on the head. I don't think they know just how much I put into this, and I guess in a way I have been expecting them to read my mind. Thanks for the advice!

May 28, 2014

Roz X.

Please keep us posted and best of luck, hun.

May 28, 2014

Kendra H.

You're not dramatic at all! I would be mad and upset and feel taken advantage of. I would do what @Olivia A suggested. Announce on a social media that you will so makeup but for a price. Also say that it is by appointment and that if they miss their time then their makeup isn't getting done. But if you don't want to do it at all then before you make plans for things (such as graduation) tell the girls that you aren't going to be doing any makeup that night so they need to come made up. Then if they don't come made up they are just going to have to go out without makeup! You have to stand your ground or they will never stop...

May 28, 2014

Alina L.

Sometimes I feel the same way about my friends, but on the other hand I really like doing their make up it's very funny everytime. But they usually bring their own make up. One of my friends comes very late everytime also, but I'm okay with this because I have done my best in the short time. If you have problems with this things just talk to them and explain how you feel about it. If they are real friends they will understand it :)

May 28, 2014

Ciciii C.

If your friend's want someone to do their makeup that bad , they need a makeup stylist. You should tell them how you feel. Don't sit there and let them use all your products on them. You buying all that stuff not them , so I think you should have told them in the beginning. Because now they look at it as "Oh! We have a friend to do our makeup for free! " Yes you did their makeup a couple good times , I'd say 3 to 5 times. But after that? PAY UP. Don't sit there and let them waste your cosmetics on them.

May 28, 2014

Kaylee D.

I would use humor in what ever you tell them because if you still want to keep them as your friends you don't want to come on too strong

May 28, 2014

Lizzy W.

Thanks Jacqueline! They definitely are.

I'm glad I could help, Antonia. I hope it works out for you!

May 29, 2014

Sandra R.

Don't be afraid to tell them, if they're your real friends they will understand

May 29, 2014

shaddai o.

Whenever someone wants me to do their makeup ( friends or not) I charge them... I won't ever work for free.. But that's just me, do what you think is right.