How to Find Makeup Models

Your new adventure into the world of makeup artistry can be exciting for the people in your household too! Perhaps your sister will let you practice a smoky eye so she can look extra special for a night out with her friends? Maybe your mom would enjoy a light makeover to boost her confidence before a work presentation, letting you practice a soft, subtle day time look?

The people close to you can be your greatest asset while you learn. You can even practice your highlighting and contouring skills on the back of your dad’s hand while he watches the evening news! If you’re passionate about your work and make your family members feel appreciated when they help you, you might have all of the models you need right there at home.

How great would it be to have a talented makeup artist on hand for a first date or a big party? While you learn, you can be that person for your friends! If they can see that you’re eager to perfect your skills and make people look and feel their best, they’ll be eager to help you reach your goals. Plus, they’ll get to try new looks and maybe even learn a few tricks while you work.

Practicing makeup techniques on your friends is both practical and social. You’ll improve your skills and complete assignments while also getting to spend quality time with any friends who are willing to volunteer their time. You can even use your need for models as an opportunity to reconnect with old pals or bond with new ones.

Sometimes the best way to promote your talents and advertise your skills is to collaborate with other artists and professionals.

Some beginning makeup artists work with local models that are just starting out and are willing to volunteer their time. You might also team up with a photographer or a hair stylist who is looking for practice. In exchange for each person contributing to the shoot, you can all use the resulting photos in your portfolios.

This kind of collaboration is called a “styled shoot”, and it is beneficial to everyone who works on the team. Even if no photographers are available to help you, you can still team up with a local model if you have a good quality camera to take pictures on for yourself to use.

If nobody you know is an aspiring model, try networking in online communities. Facebook groups can be a great way to connect with models and other artists who are looking to expand their portfolios and need a volunteer makeup artist for their project. You can also use networks like modelmayhem.com, which is designed to help professionals with skills that are relevant to the modeling industry connect with each other for collaboration.

Even a simple post by your friends or family members on their social networking profiles can be a helpful form of online networking. The farther positive feedback about your work reaches, the more people might be interested.

You can start networking within the professional industry even when you’re still learning. Perhaps the friends and family members who have been your models before know other people who might be interested in letting you do their makeup?

Once you begin your professional career, you’ll learn the value and importance of referrals for attracting new clients. One positive referral from a model that liked your makeup application and had fun working with you can bring in other models for you to practice with as well. Keep this in mind as you work with different people.

The more professional and personable you are, the more likely your models are to recommend the experience to people around them. You’ll benefit from a variety of features and face shapes to practice your techniques on, and the models will get a unique makeup experience free of charge (for now)!

Remember that taking control of your own career can be a smart move. If models aren’t readily available to you, take action and approach some potential candidates. Not only will you benefit from the networking practice this gives you, but you’ll also be able to practice makeup applications without long waits for new models in between.