Make-up artistry covers a wide range of skills and it is important to become proficient in the broader area of make-up before choosing a specialism. Professional make-up artists are mostly freelance, so being happy with the idea of self employment is also important.
Many people are confident playing around with make-up but when embarking on this as a career it helps to get some training by way of a make-up course. For anyone without much funding or the time to spend on years of education, there are other ways to compliment basic training. This will supply the skills to build practical experience on the first jobs.
Make-up Courses
Courses range from one day to several years and can cost wildly differing amounts.
- A degree is the best possible foundation in make-up but is not essential and is often only an option for those with private funding.
- Before making a decision, look at every possible course and start by choosing one which teaches the very basics of make-up along with health and safety.
Borrowing too much money for a pricey beginners course is not recommended because earning big money in make-up takes most people a long time. Save money for doing specialist study later, or at least start the career without heavy debt; this will make getting used to being freelance easier.
Beauty therapy courses are not necessary for make-up artists and in most cases they do not teach many professional make-up skills. Only do these courses if running a private make-up and beauty business is the desired outcome.
Be wary of too specialized a course in the beginning. Make-up skills in all areas are often interchangeable and in some cases may give work an edge. For example, anyone well versed in the optical illusions of the theater could design excellent make-up for the catwalk, and an editorial make-up artist would have the fine finish and polish for film. Getting a feel for the working in the industries is impossible on a college course so this is best left for the learning period after studying. Cutting down on options when studying will mean cutting out work options when qualified and it may mean never discovering an unexpected passion.
If considering a pricey big brand name course then look into the college facilities carefully rather than just relying on marketing. Nothing is a substitute for practice so courses that allow plenty of time for practical sessions are often the most useful.
Hair Styling Courses
Confidence with basic hair styling will improve chances of future employment so look for a course which covers these.
- Many television companies require a hairdressing certificate to secure work so even if this is not a passion.
- Obtaining a pass in rudimentary techniques will help in gaining paid work after qualifying.
Other Experience
There are many additional skills which may be learned in a non-make-up college environment. Having experience from outside the immediate industry can be useful in producing unique work.
- Foundation or other art courses teach many techniques useful to make-up departments. Skills such as color mixing, photography or mold making and casting are especially relevant. For example, sculpture skills are ideal in the special effects department and knowing how the camera works would compliment photographic and film make-up application.
- A long term career in retail make-up artistry is only for those who like make-up and retail. It takes extreme hard work to rise to the top in this industry but part time employment for a reputable company is an excellent way to gain a simple education in make-up. It can offer health and safety training plus the chance to start building up a kit, contacts and valuable practice. Try Laura Mercier, Space NK or Mac.
Gaining Skills to Get Paid Make-up Work
Assisting established make-up artists carries on education as well as offering the chance to build contacts who may offer future employment.
Photo studios and beauty salons sometimes offer work to new make-up artists. This is not as lucrative or prestigious as advertising, film or editorial work. Nevertheless, fast paced environments such as these are ideal for gaining quick, precise application skills taking a beginner from student to professional standard in little time.
Having gained a professional standard in all the essentials through practical experience, developing a specialist interest can be the next step in building a unique portfolio.
- Explore different fields of specialism as many areas get overlooked. Making stunning eyelashes and brows, working with silicone or having a passion for horror could help to get one make-up artist noticed in a sea of eager entrants to the industry.
Make-up artistry as a career is not only fun and creative but can be more varied and specialized than most people realize. Fully investigating all areas of the make-up industry can help to build a sustained, successful and truly satisfying career.
 |
