How To Get Started As A Professional Makeup Artist

There are millions of people working as professional makeup artists. Naturally, some have reached the heights of fame and fortune, such as McGrath, considered to be the most influential makeup artist in the world.

How To Get Started As A Professional Makeup Artist
[image: pexels by chalo garcia]

But, you don’t need to reach such heights to have a rewarding and satisfying career as a makeup artist. All you need is a passion for makeup and a desire to keep up with the latest trends. You’ll also need to know how to get started.

Start A Course

It is possible to start at the very bottom and learn everything as an apprentice to a makeup artist. However, this is a long process as you’ll need to gain a lot of knowledge. It’s much better to select a reputable beauty course and complete it.

This will give you the knowledge you need to specialize as a makeup artist. It will also ensure you have the experience you need. It’s easy to get work experience while completing an appropriate course.

Alongside this, there is no better way to start making connections. You could meet your next boss, a client, or even a business partner while training. 

Create A Portfolio

Makeup is a serious business and, for people to trust your abilities, they need to see what you can do. Obviously, when you’re first starting out your work isn’t going to be well known.

That’s why you need to build a portfolio. Take pictures of every makeup job you do. You will need to get permission from your subjects first.

The images must be created in the best possible light, ensuring you showcase your talents properly. The better the pictures the more likely it is you’ll win new clients.

Create A Social Media Account

Upload your portfolio to business networks, such as LinkedIn, and add them to your own social media accounts. This is one of the best ways to obtain publicity, especially if your images are liked by a lot of people.

It can help people come to you instead of you chasing clients. It’s important to connect your social media accounts with as many professionals as possible. This will allow you to piggyback off their success and get your own work noticed.

Go Places

Social networking also includes meeting people in person. This is still one of the best ways to get noticed. Do your own makeup and be bold, take a friend and do their makeup as well. Visit as many professional events as possible and talk to everyone. There is no better way of letting people know you exist and showcasing what you can do.

Regardless of whether you want a job or to be freelance, it’s likely to lead to some interesting opportunities.

Keep Up To Date

You need to stay up to date with all the latest fashion trends and know how to incorporate them into your makeup styles. If you’re not relevant then people won’t use you, no matter how good you are. 

This should actually be the easiest part as you should enjoy staying up to date with all the latest trends.