A career as a makeup artist is creative and dynamic, but makeup artists are still business professionals. And just as professionals need to build up a network of contacts in the industry, it’s important for certified makeup artists to make connections – both to build a client base and land their dream job!
So how do you go about networking and gaining new clients? Read on for a complete guide!
Completing your makeup artist certification was no easy feat, so congratulations! The time you spent studying and practicing techniques will serve you extremely well in your career as a makeup artist. Commitment and self-discipline are seriously valuable skills to have, and your ability to complete a pro makeup course should give you a great boost of confidence!
Now that you’re certified, it’s time to build your network. Turning your training into practical work experience does not happen overnight! You’ll need to exude confidence, be outgoing, and exercise patience. Attitude is everything as you get started, and we cannot stress this enough. We’re sure that one of your reasons for becoming a makeup artist was your love of people and socializing, and this is vital as you begin to network.
In addition to your enthusiasm, a professional makeup portfolio is another key element of a successful career. We recommend choosing your very best makeup work and build an online portfolio. A digital portfolio is easy to share both on your website and tablet as you go out and meet potential clients and will show them what you’re made of.
Armed with confidence and a killer portfolio, you’re ready to start networking!
Start building your network
The word “networking” often calls to mind a room full of professionals in which you hand out business cards and condense your credentials and experience into a short “elevator speech”. While this is somewhat true, there are many other ways to build up a network of contacts and eventually land your dream job!
Become an assistant
We know that you want to land your dream job (and we’re sure you will!), but as a newly certified makeup artist, you still have a lot to learn about the work environment. While makeup artist courses undoubtedly taught you skills and knowledge, you still need to get your feet wet and gain some real-world experience.
Becoming an assistant to an established makeup artist will allow you to gain experience while also building a strong relationship with a mentor. This relationship is key, as the clients that you help this artist work on might even refer you to others if they admire your work!
Join professional organizations
It’s no surprise that many makeup junkies want to become a makeup artist – it’s an extremely exciting and lucrative industry. Because of the huge community of makeup professionals out there, many associations are available to join for a yearly fee. The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is one example of a makeup association that students of QC Makeup Academy can join at a discounted rate, and access amazing networking opportunities from.
Pro tip: When choosing the best makeup school for your career goals, be sure that you can access makeup associations at a lower price – you’ll be able to stay on top of current makeup trends, meet other professionals, and get one step closer to landing your dream job!
Keep up appearances at conferences and events
The beauty industry is a fast-paced, highly energetic world, and you never know who you’ll meet! Depending on where you live, there are different makeup events and conferences taking place throughout the year.
The Makeup Show, for example, is a professionals-only conference that is held at different times throughout the year, in different American cities such as Las Vegas, Dallas, and Orlando. For Australian makeup artists, the Sydney International Spa and Beauty Expo is a must, as it’s the largest beauty industry event in the country! It allows makeup artists to connect with other professionals and experience the latest beauty products and treatments.
Be sure to bring your business cards with you when attending any conference or event, and prepare to make contacts that will lead you to your dream job!
Be friendly
As mentioned earlier, an outgoing, friendly personality is essential to a successful career in makeup. One of the best ways to build your network is simply to meet as many people as possible, no matter what situation you’re in! For example, if you’re working as an assistant on a photoshoot, spend some time getting to know the crew, and making yourself known among the group of professionals.
Get to know each and every client that walks through that makeup artist’s door, and always be your pleasant, outgoing self. Being a kind and genuine person is extremely important, and will stand out to people just as much as your makeup qualifications! You never know when a job opportunity will arise, or who is currently hiring a makeup artist, so always be as professional and pleasant as possible!
Keep looking for work
Of course, the ultimate goal is to find your dream job, but in the meantime, you’ll need to sharpen your skills and get yourself out there.
In your career as a makeup artist, a great deal of time will be spent and searching for makeup jobs. As you build your list of contacts, continue to hand out your resume and portfolio to potential employers! Gaining hands-on experience is essential, and it also looks impressive to clients and employers if you’re experienced with any kind of previous makeup job.
