So You Want To Be A Makeup Artist….

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Hope you have a comfy chair for this topic! I could write all day about anything makeup related because I love it, it is my passion. I get this question alot on Twitter and YouTube people want to know how to become a makeup artist. If you are new to my blog you maybe wondering what makes me qualified to give advice, for this reason let me begin by telling my story. I have been a Makeup Artist for over 11 years. I first became interested in makeup when I was 13 years old, I was visiting an aunt when I discovered her makeup bag, I was amazed at all the different colors. My favorite thing was her green Cover Girl eyeliner, I put the color on my eyes and loved how one little bit of color made a difference. I had no idea how to use makeup in a way that actually enhanced my features, I just knew I loved color and so I wore makeup often. In high school my favorite thing to wear was red lipstick, a color I wouldn’t be caught dead in these days.

Fast forward a couple years later, I graduated high school and had been asked by a hair stylist to participate in a photo shoot. As I sat waiting for makeup I watched the two artists that had been hired. I didn’t know it then but on this day I would meet my mentor Delisa Lee, it really turned out to be a funny thing because originally there was another makeup artist assigned to me but I watched Delisa’s work and wiggled my way into her chair. While Delisa did my makeup, I took the time to ask questions about how she got started, she shared with me her story and gave me great advice. One of the first things she mentioned was Crystal Wright’s book “The Hair Makeup & Styling Career Guide“ I bought the book and it helped me to see, my love for makeup really could turn into a career. I continued to do my research and came across Sam Fine’s book “The Basics Of Beauty” and Kevyn Aucoin’s “Face Forward” these are all books every Makeup Artist should have. Sam Fine now has a DVD that shows you tips and tricks!

All of these tools really helped me to study the craft. Delisa also helped me to get started in the modeling world, I started asking photographers if they would “test” with me, testing is when you or the photographer provides a model and you test different looks to build a portfolio. I used my agency connections to get great models to shoot with. After I had been testing a while, I now had a portfolio to showcase my work, I was really excited! I also started working for several cosmetic companies including MAC, Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown. This is an experience I think every artist should have because you get to work on many different faces. After I put in my fair share of testing and working for free I was ready to start getting paid. I had to decide which area of makeup I wanted to specialize in, there are so many different areas media, bridal, print, fashion, celebrities etc. Working with celebrities is great but you have to be willing to travel a lot and you also have to have the right connections. During my time working in retail I was fortunate to meet Tia Dantzler, Tia and I both worked for MAC cosmetics. Tia is an inspiration because when I first met her no one knew who she was, she worked at the makeup counter just like me! Now Tia is Jennifer Hudson’s Makeup Artist and has done countless celebrities.

After I had been working for a while, I decided I wanted more options for my career and decided to go to school for aesthetics. Aesthetics is the study of the health and beauty of skin. With an aesthetics license you can work in a spa as facialist, you can work for a cosmetic company as brow waxing specialist and you can enhance your Makeup Artist career. People ask me do I think you need an aesthetics license to work in this field, no it is not necessary but it does give you more options and really great education and training. It has been one of the best decisions I have made for my career. I love it! Makeup in the retail world is really all about sales, sometimes you don’t even have to be a talented artist to get a job. I prefer working in the spa environment. If you have faith the sky is the limit! Follow these tips and you will be making moves in no time!

Sam Fine & Me