Tips on how to become a make-up artist
Are you passionate about makeup? Do you want to be a makeup artist and make it your full time career?
First of all, you need to have an artistic flair. Maybe you are good at drawing and have an interest in the Arts?This will help you greatly, as working on faces is like painting on a live canvas.
You must then decide which path you want to take:
Fashion, TV & Film, Theatre, Weddings
This is important as each has different techniques, uses different products etc..
For instance, if you work in the Theatre, the makeup is very heavy and you must be trained in wigs.
For TV & Film, you will be trained to do cuts and bruises, period makeup etc.. You can also specialise in the more advanced special effects.
As you can see, each area of the makeup industry is very different in its approach and you need to decide which one you want to work in.
Once you have decided, check which courses are available and enrol. Courses are all different in length of time and pricing so you must look around and do some research until you find what you want.
Once you have had some training, the best way to get your foot in the door is by assisting an established make-up artist. Again, you must research who are the best artists in Fashion, TV, Film etc..and contact them. Send your CV, call or email them. You will find that this is a very competitive industry and there are a lot of new makeup artist trying to break in the business too but don’t let that put you off, you need to have determination and keep contacting professionals.
In TV and Film, there are hundreds of opportunites to work on short films with film students, which is an excellent way to get experience and make contacts.
If you are trying to make it in Fashion, assisting is again one of the best way to start. You will learn so much just by watching a professional team at work on a photoshoot or a show. You can contact makeup agencies as they will keep your details and will call you when an assistant is needed. Contact them in advance of Fashion Week as this is when they need assistants for the shows.
You must also build a portfolio by teaming with photographers and doing test shoots with models. Your book must show your skills with various styles and makeup. You can contact photographers through photography schools as they will be building their portfolio too. You can also find new graduates and professional photographers who are looking to test on the internet.
I would also highly recommend training in Hair as this will open so many other doors. Often, the makeup artist will be required to do the hairstyling on a shoot, on TV, in films etc.. so this is essential as you will get more work if you do. You can also assist a hairstylist on photoshoots, it is the best way to learn.
I would also recommend that you do a short course in manicures as you will be required to paint nails on most jobs and doing it well is a craft worth knowing.
Most of all, you need practice, practice, practice! Do your friends make up and keep photos of your work. Take a course, contact photographers, agencies, artists and get work experience by assisting on photoshoots, shows etc..
You need passion, enthusiasm and talent.. best of luck to all !
