Akua Auset is a Celebrity Makeup Artist who I am honored to have interviewed for MBRO. Her passion and sincerity to help others is evident in all that she does. I always enjoy speaking with other beauty industry entrepreneurs. I hope that you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Read on….
When did you become a professional MUA?
That’s an interesting question. Hmmmmm. Do you mean when someone pays you or when you have some mastery? I would say that I became a professional MUA in 1996 when I worked on my first film “Hoodlum” (starring Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Williams and a laundry list of celebrities) working with a team of Hollywood makeup artists.
What did it take to make beauty your full time career?
I’ve been chasing beauty ever since I was an awkward feeling teenager. I studied Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar for beauty and health information because I was determined to figure out how to be the most beautiful. Beauty’s been my full-time career for twenty-three years. I started working at the department stores doing makeup and then signed-up for BeautiControl cosmetics a direct-selling company. With a background as an artist and painter the makeup came very easy for me with a little training. My clients really liked the results.
Who was your first celebrity client?
My first celebrity client was Michael Jordan. I was brought in to work his Space Jam press junket and I’ve been their preferred ever since. After fifteen years I still get called. I have the mindset that each time could be the last. I don’t take anything for granted.
Tell us about your current business vision/mission?
Based on my personal journey I’ve transitioned into another form of beauty by focusing more on wellness as a route to beauty above “painting masks.” I’m currently in school to become a naturopathic doctor with a focus on beauty. I am in the process of introducing a line of holistic beauty products and assembling the first ever global holistic makeup team. I began an organization that educates the public on the harmful effects of unsafe ingredients in our beauty products. Over time, makeup artist will be HBAC (Healing Beauty Arts Council) approved for people who prefer toxin-free cosmetics. http://www.thehbac.org
What advice do you have for those hoping become a professional MUA?
I’m so happy to give my two cents. The first thing is that it seems every decade there is a hot industry. In the 90’s everyone wanted to be a fashion designer, in the first part of this century it seems that every one wants to be a model, ballplayer, rapper, makeup artist or massage therapist. What I’ve learned from my PRO MakeUP Artist Apprentice Training Program is that although people have the desire to be a makeup artist, not everyone has a gift for it. My first piece of advice is to listen to your heart, your intuition to see if you really are “called” to be a makeup artist. When you have a calling and gift everything falls into place. I could have never planned or strategized to get the career I’ve been blessed to have. I’ve never marketed or advertised ever. My entire career has been based on referral and word of mouth. It’s made me a bit lazy and spoiled but I believe when you have a gift people will find you. The key is to be ready when they call.
Do you have any training or formal education/license?
I am an artist with a natural gift. My training has come through doing thousands of faces for over 23 years. Every department store makeup company or cosmetic company that I’ve worked for gives you the basics but I’ve pretty much applied my background as an artist to the face. In my PRO MakeUP Artist Apprentice Training Program I teach my makeup artists from an artist perspective because painters make the best makeup artists.
What suggestions do you have for a MUA looking to earn a consistent income in the beauty field?
When you’re first starting out I’d be willing to do a lot of makeup for free. Think in terms of how you can share your “gift” as opposed to selling yourself or earning income. That’s not the language of love and passion. It’s love and passion that will build a beautifully successful career and following. If it’s really a passion you’re happy to just be doing what you love. You’d pay them really. The most important thing you can do is always get a before and after of your work. Beautiful tear sheets and images are great but the real magic is in seeing the transformation. Begin to create a dossier of your work and things will unfold beautifully. There will come a time to get paid a reasonable rate (for me it becomes a symbol of respect). Find out what the least experienced/talented artists are charging. Find out what the most experienced/talented artists are charging and figure out where you are in the mix. Another consideration is what city and region you’re working in and what people are accustomed and have the ability to pay.
What does your work schedule consist of?
My work has become my play really. It’s become difficult to separate my work from my play. I focus on my self-care and education. I have a daily regimen doing all of the things that are important to my well-being, growth and success. Now that I’m in my forties, it’s about working smart and not hard. I’m very good at manifesting my desires. I don’t grind and hustle. I have fun and while I’m having fun I run into new clients. I’ll be traveling more to speak and educate on holistic beauty while building our holistic makeup team. I’m heading to Holland next month and Bali in October and moving back to Southern California this fall so my commitment is to live well while prospering.
What do you most enjoy about being a MUA, what do you find most challenging?
I looooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvve the freedom and flexibility. I think this is one of the best careers for single parents. In a short amount of time, less than the average worker, you can make a good amount of money and be home more. It’s a great feeling to do a face which was thoroughly enjoyable and then someone hands me cash. That’s really cool too! The most challenging is the lack of predictability being an entrepreneur or free-lancer. I’ve lived in some of the wealthiest communities in the country and I’ve also lived out of my truck. Working on your own can be very unstable BUT I think the missing ingredient in my personal experience has been the lack of money management. If you are a good money manager, you can budget your way through the feast and famine.
What are some fall makeup trends?
Honestly, I don’t follow the trends from season-to-season. To be an artist is to create your own trend. However, if you are working in the fashion industry it would make sense to stay up on what’s going on. Fashion trends are just not my thing. Have you seen how I dress? 🙂 My inspiration comes from within as well as sometimes remixing really cool looks that I’m inspired by when others are being inspired from within.
Please share 3 SisterPreneur success tips…
1. It’s all about how you can serve another. The makeup artist is one of the most powerful people on set or in an equation because it is the interaction with us that sets the tone or the mood of the talent/client. You can make or break the end result. Make sure that your energy and mood is positive and loving so that you will transmit that goodness to your subject.
2. Choose what part of the industry suits your personality and expression best. As a young makeup artist it was more about expressing my artistic side as opposed to being a part of a team. When you’re working on a Hanes TV spot the director just wants his/her talent quickly and camera-ready. A twenty-minute makeup job assaulted my artistic sensibility. I later realized I was probably working in the wrong part of the industry.
3. Create a system of documentation. How do I know I’ve worked with 100+ celebrities and personalities, 70+ corporations & companies, 50+ film, 3 major motion pictures, numerous video and TV directors, magazines, photographers, TV shows and music videos? I have every call sheet from every commercial, film, video I’ve ever done. That becomes a precious resource of documentation and your credit list – which gives you the credibility to get more work. Also, I really wish I would’ve documented EVERY face with a before and after. It would be awesome to have that library of transformation. Document your work because you are building your history and legacy.
Learn More About Akua Here
