How To Become Freelance Makeup Artist

Exercise yous want to acquire how to make money with makeup?

I take both good and bad news for y'all.

On the brilliant side, at that place is substantial demand for makeup artists! People often hire makeup artists for weddings, festivals, and other events. Information technology'south too possible to work with photographers and theatrical productions.

So what's the catch?

In a word: contest.

It's tough to intermission into the makeup industry. There are a lot of talented makeup artists out there! Let me reassure you; it's not impossible either. I recently interviewed Carly Clayton, who became a successful freelance makeup creative person despite blood, sweat, and tears. She will share her journey and hard-earned noesis.

How to learn basic makeup skills? How to find your first clients? How to grow your makeup business?

This guide answers all these questions (and much more)!

Let's jump right in!

Introduction: Carly's makeup journey

How Carly became a freelance makeup artist, and so can you!

First of all, let me tell y'all how Carly became a successful makeup creative person.

She began her career past trying out different looks on herself and her friends.

When it comes to makeup, Carly doesn't miss an opportunity to acquire new techniques! She fifty-fifty follows Youtube channels and blogs to ameliorate her makeup skills (more than on that later). And guess what? Information technology took her half dozen months to main the essential makeup skills.

One time her skills were upward to par, Carly created a Facebook page: Makeup for Weddings and Special Occasions.

Taking reward of Facebook Ads and word-of-mouth, Carly congenital her reputation every bit ane of Nottingham's best makeup artists! She gets hired when someone needs a makeup artist for a wedding ceremony or a festival. She also works for photographers and theatrical productions.

Hither'southward the deal: Carly makes about $20 per hour doing what she loves for a living.

And you? Do you think you accept what it takes to become a freelance makeup artist?

Exist warned: makeup artistry is not for everyone.

To guide your decision, I asked Carly crucial information virtually her job: the pros, the cons, and how much money you can make.

Pros and cons of being a freelance makeup artist

There are some aspects of makeup artistry you need to know.

Let's outset with the vivid side:

Flexibility – you can piece of work your appointments around your personal life.
Sociability – you become the opportunity to come across many different people.
Creativity – assuming liners, striking colors, there's room for creativity (every bit long as you lot please your customers).
Opportunity – makeup artistry is a career with great growth potential!

And let's confront it, making people look attractive while chatting with them is pretty fun!

Cipher'southward perfect; there are likewise some disadvantages to consider:

Work isn't e'er consistent; you have to hustle every day to find makeup jobs.
The competition is tough; information technology is challenging to get high-contour clients.
Information technology takes time to make a name for yourself.
An esthetician or cosmetology license may be required (more on that later).

Finally, let's not forget about the heady part: the salary.

How much do freelance makeup artists make?

According to CareerExplorer, the average salary of makeup artists is about $thirty per hour.

Annotation that there is a pregnant discrepancy between starting-level earnings ($10 per hour) and tiptop-level earnings ($lxxx per 60 minutes).

That'due south why many freelance makeup artists experience minor income at the starting time of their careers! As you proceeds more than and more than experience, you might land some high-end jobs: glory makeup, special FX makeup, theatrical/functioning makeup, etc.

These jobs can pay equally high as $80 per 60 minutes!

The bottom line? Your income more often than not depends on your makeup skills.

Personal qualities of makeup artists

By at present, y'all'll have realized if you are interested in working as a freelance makeup artist.

Just do you lot take what it takes to succeed?

Some personality traits that are essential to becoming a successful makeup artist:

Attending to details and focus – makeup is visual, information technology is piece of cake to spot small errors!
Cleanliness – information technology is your responsibility as professionals to go along it make clean.
Creativity and openness – makeup artists need to learn new ideas and techniques.
Social skills – y'all need to schedule appointments and talk to clients to make time pass faster.

Let's not forget about the nearly crucial trait: motivation.

The more yous master makeup, the ameliorate your chances of success!

So allow's get down to business.

Pace one: Improve your makeup skills

Becoming a freelance makeup artist: step 1: improve your makeup skills.

Earlier you showtime your business, you need to make certain yous take decent makeup skills. The meliorate your skills, the higher your income!

I'll teach you how to turn those skills into aureate later, now let's focus on what makes a good makeup artist. I gathered in this section: a listing of essential makeup skills and the best courses/websites to master them.

Enjoy!

Basic skills every makeup creative person should chief

Let me be honest with you lot; makeup artistry is non as easy as it seems. It took Carly 6 months to master the fundamentals.

Accept a look at the list of all the skills you demand to main:

Knowledge of common makeup looks.
Agreement of the dissimilar peel types, os structures, centre sizes, and face shapes.
Choosing the right look for your clients' os construction and face shape.
Knowing basic makeup techniques: how to make smoky optics, how to line lips, how to use mascara, foundation, red sticks, etc.
How to handle makeup tools: foundation brushes, eyeliners, lash curlers, you name it!

Now that you lot know which skills you need to improve, it's time to get down to work.

Most makeup artists think they were born with any talent they have, and they're non going to go much amend.

They're incorrect!

When information technology comes to makeup, do makes perfect!

Best courses for aspiring makeup artists

It can be difficult to learn makeup on your own. Post-obit online classes is the best way to stay motivated!

Hither are the best online courses for aspiring makeup artists:

Diploma in Makeup (John University): you lot will acquire how to do base makeup, party makeup, bridal makeup nuts, etc. At the end of the course, you will exist required to sit down for an online test. After passing the course successfully, you volition be able to obtain an Accredited Certificate of Achievement.
Mastering makeup application techniques at home (Udemy): an excellent course for beginners.
Becoming a professional Hollywood makeup artist (Udemy): the best course to learn how to build your makeup business. Upon completing this class, y'all volition empathize how all-time to take your chore as a makeup artist and transform it into a money-earning career.

At present, if yous don't want to spend money on online classes, I recommend the following resources.

Online resources for makeup artists

Watching makeup videos is some other great style to learn makeup artistry.

Hither are some of the best Youtube channels to learn the ins and outs of the task:

Makeup with Ja – Ja is a full-fourth dimension freelance makeup artist, and her Youtube aqueduct is a gold mine if you are looking for makeup tutorials.
Jaclyn Hill – she is a fantastic freelance makeup artist. Her videos cover anything from makeup reviews to celebrity makeup tutorials like the Kardashians and Jenners.
Makeup creative person – this channel is a compilation of excellent makeup tutorials.
NikkieTutorials – some great tutorials for beginners.

If you don't want to miss out on a new trend; here are some heady blogs you lot should follow:

Makeup.com – they take you backside the scenes, introduce you to top experts, and spotter the hottest new palettes earlier they even drop.
Liza Eldridge's blog – she is ane of the nearly experienced and respected makeup artists. Her signature expect is best described as fresh and flawless.

Footstep 2: Build your makeup business

Becoming a freelance makeup artist: step 2: build your makeup business.

Now that yous have some feel, it's time to build your makeup business organisation. Here'south the scary part: starting a makeup business is not that easy. It takes time to build your reputation and get clients.

Simply in that location is no need to worry! I have gathered all the information you need to get started.

What are the popular makeup services?

At that place are a lot of different makeup services!

For example, makeup artists can offer:

Wedding makeup
Tattoo and scare coverage
FX makeup
Photoshoot makeup
Makeup lessons
Hd makeup

To determine which services you want to offering, have a look at the demand in your area (on Facebook groups and job boards).

Don't forget to exist honest with yourself: offer services merely if y'all have the skills to do them properly!

How much should I charge?

Now is a skilful fourth dimension to first thinking about your rate.

To make up one's mind how much you should charge, yous need to know what your peers are charging. Look up other makeup artists and brand a list of all their pricing plans. Usually, the post-obit factors affect the toll of makeup services:

Reputation: reputable makeup artists have higher rates than those just starting out or with less visibility.
Location: it'south easier to charge loftier prices in some cities.
Add together-ons: lashes ($10–$25), highlight and profile ($twenty–$25), and airbrushing ($25-$30).
Hairstyling: makeup artists often offer packages that combine hairstyling and makeup services.

Reputation and location are the two most of import factors. So make certain yous arrange your rates accordingly!

Do I demand a license to be a freelance makeup artist?

The answer is typically 'no'.

In most jurisdictions, you must not accept a license to piece of work equally an contained makeup artist. However, it is dependent on your location. Sometimes, it is required to own a Cosmetology or Esthetician license. We propose calling your local government and speaking directly with someone nigh makeup regulations in your area.

You tin besides search the post-obit terms to observe the regulations in your expanse:

Cosmetology license + "state"
Esthetician license + "land"

Finally, find out if a cosmetology or esthetician license is required to utilise makeup or eyelashes.

Go your professional makeup kit fix

Yous are nothing without your makeup creative person's kit. Information technology's your supply of makeup, brushes, and all the other beautifying tools you need.

Professional makeup artists don't use subpar makeup that anyone can access and employ. Using exclusive products makes your piece of work more than desirable to clients.

If y'all are an aspiring makeup artist, you don't need to use just high-end products.

This kit by Renelyn Thomas is an splendid example of what a professional makeup kit looks similar:

Hygiene

Before accepting clients, you demand to have certain precautions to keep every involved in the application healthy. I recommend the following articles:

Hygiene tips for makeup artists
10 fundamental makeup hygiene habits

Step 3: Get makeup clients

Becoming a freelance makeup artist: step 3: frind makeup clients.

As you lot probably know, it is challenging to market yourself to new clients.

Of course, at that place are conventional means to attract new customers:

Setting up a makeup counter at your local mall. The counter is the best identify to learn client service and get some easily-on feel.
Asking for referrals from friends and satisfied customers. Offer customers a small discount or gift for providing yous with the names and phone numbers of potential clients.
Offering your services for a fundraiser.

You tin also be more creative, check out these unconventional ways of attracting new clients!

Contact other professionals

It is my favorite mode to concenter new clients.

The idea is to team up with businesses that might need your services. Here is a list of professionals y'all might want to partner with:

Hymeneals planners – brides often demand makeup earlier the nearly important event of their life.
Photographers – makeup is indispensable to raise the production value of a photoshoot.
Model agencies – all models need to be beautiful.

Promote your makeup services on social networks

Buying ads on social networks is an excellent way to concenter clients.

As makeup artistry is very visual, I recommend using either Instagram or Facebook.

The offset footstep is to add your location and a cursory overview of your service in your bio. So, publish some cute pictures that showcase your skills.

Finally, information technology is time to promote your content. Connect your phone to your account; it will permit all your contacts to find your profile. If your contact listing is spare, you can buy targeted ads to promote your makeup services.

Showcase your makeup skills

At that place are a lot of lousy makeup artists out at that place. So it's crucial to stand out enough to brand yourself noticed.

In that location are many different ways to showcase your skills:

Posting your all-time makeups on Instagram and Facebook.
Posting transformations and tutorials on Youtube.
Creating a portfolio of your best makeups on your website.

Once you lot've shown that you lot are a skilled makeup creative person, information technology is easier to country high-cease clients and increment your income.

Build strong relationships in the dazzler manufacture

Networking is essential for success in the beauty industry.

Interact with other professionals at conventions.
Seek out other professionals who might want to partner with you, like wedding photographers, models, and hairstylists.

Teaming up with businesses that offer you the opportunity to take advantage of synergy.

Final thoughts

Here's a short recap of how to start your makeup career:

Learn the most bones skills: communication and makeup artistry.
State your first task.
Build your reputation.
Create a portfolio where yous display your most beautiful makeups.
Attract high-terminate clients and make more than money.

Skillful luck, and let me know if this guide has been helpful.

If you liked this article, you might too like:

How to Start Your Teen Modeling Career – That'south another article I wrote! I explain how to become a teen model.
How to Become a Social Media Manager – A great article if you lot're into social media marketing!

References

OnlineMakeupAcademy: How to Go a Makeup Creative person – Summit practise's and don'ts.
Backstage.com: How to Become a Makeup Creative person.