Professional makeup artist, Veronika Kelle, is a Student Ambassador and multi-graduate of QC Makeup Academy. Connect with her on Instagram, as well as in the Virtual Classroom on Facebook!
Hello, my name is Veronika! I’ve graduated from QC’s Master Makeup Artistry Course and Pro Makeup Workshop. I also chose to complete the Special FX Makeup Course at the end of last year.
Before I became a makeup artist, I ran my own modeling agency for 15 years. I operated as an organizer, as well as a manager, for beauty contests and fashion shows. As a result, I worked alongside models, photographers, and makeup artists. It was during that time that I fell in love with makeup artistry and decided to learn it professionally.
Experiencing Anxiety as a Makeup Artist
Have you ever felt anxiety when booking a job, working with a client, or participating in a job interview? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who experiences this!
In fact, it’s a very common issue. It’s completely normal if you feel afraid or nervous – especially when you’re first starting a career as a makeup artist. If anything, this feeling just reiterates how much you care about your craft.
Still, anxiety can sometimes feel debilitating. As such, in this article, I would like to share my tips for overcoming this anxiety. It might reassure you to know that all of these tips are actually based on my own personal experience!
My Top 3 Tips for Handling Anxiety Before Consultations and/or Interviews
Tip #1: Reassure yourself by breathing.
During my modeling agency work, I noticed that many of the models experienced stage fright. As such, I often had to reassure them before a beauty pageant or fashion show. Due to their nervousness, they sometimes weren’t able to concentrate. They couldn’t focus on the choreography, which negatively affected their performance on the stage. To help them feel calmer, I’d often used the following breathing technique…
First, start with an inhale. As you inhale, count to 4 in your mind. Fully saturate your lungs with air and dilate your chest. Let your shoulders rise towards your ears. Your stomach should also rise, too.
Next, you’ll need to do the same thing when exhaling. Mentally count to 4 while blowing the air out slowly. Then it’s just a matter of repeating this process. You should find that within just a couple of minutes, you’ll start to feel calmer.
A calm mind will allow you to think clearly and focus on your job.
Tip #2: Accept your nervousness by looking at it in a positive way.
During an interview or client consultation, you’ll need ALL of your intellectual capacity to answer the questions properly. But the pressure generated by anxiety can inhibit your ability to perform at your very best. The thing is, everyone gets nervous in situations like this. So, don’t try to fight it!
You must accept the fact that you will get excited, anxious, or nervous. The key is to not see this as a negative factor. It doesn’t have to be something that completely blocks your mental abilities – unless you let it. If you spin the situation by embracing your emotions in a positive way, it can make all the difference.
Just think: this is a sign that your brain is prepared for the challenge… and this is an ADVANTAGE for you!
Tip #3: Make a plan in advance.
1-2 days before the interview or consultation, map out where you need to go exactly. If you are planning to arrive to the location by car, look in advance for a parking space nearby.
On the big day, give yourself enough time to travel there and get ready. Arrive on time – but not too early. Prepare yourself for the interview or consultation by finding out as much information as possible about the company, employer, or client. Another big suggestion is to think through the possible questions they might ask and have some answers in mind!
My Tops 3 Tips for Handling Anxiety as a Makeup Artist While Working with a Client
Now that we’ve covered ways to reduce anxiety during interviews and/or consultations, let’s take a look at what you can do to lower stress while working on an actual client!
Tip #1: Calm your mind before work.
As a makeup artist, it’s very important that you calm your mind! If you’re nervous and anxious, you won’t be able to focus on your job. For example, your hands might shake, which means you won’t be able apply the makeup properly.
Remind yourself constantly that YOU CAN DO IT! You are a trained, prepared, and professional makeup artist. You know what you’re doing and can apply the makeup, as well as execute the job. Say to yourself, “I’m a properly trained, prepared professional. I can do it!”
If need be, repeat this sentence more than once to yourself. Repeat it as many times as you need. Don’t forget the breathing technique I mentioned earlier! It’ll also help you to calm your mind.
Tip #2: Be prepared.
Back when I attended University, I tended to be much more nervous if I knew I’d read the books superficially, rather than learn all the materials thoroughly. Prior to any makeup artist job, you can reduce unnecessary stress and agitation by thoroughly preparing yourself.
Know the purpose of the job and what your client’s vision is. Think 3 steps ahead and have backup plans in place for any unexpected event that may occur. Go through your makeup products and tools and decide exactly which ones you intend to use on the big day. Go one step further by organizing them accordingly the day before.
Pro Tip: It’s always a good idea to pack your makeup kit in advance. This way, you won’t have to rush before leaving for the appointment!
Tip #3: Get professionally trained as a makeup artist.
Getting professionally trained and owning a reputable makeup certification will only make your business more competitive in the market. Moreover, having this certification training under your belt will also boost your self-confidence. This, in turn, will definitely help you overcome stress and anxiety.
After all, improving your professional knowledge and learning new skills will make you an even stronger makeup artist – and you’ll know it! The right training will make you more confident, successful, and recognized. It’ll take no time at all before your past anxiety is long forgotten!
Bonus Tips for Makeup Artists
This may or may not be your thing, but I’ve found that regular meditation also helps prevent anxiety. If you’re open to it, try meditating frequently at home or outdoors. You can also do a meditation walk outside.
Other options to help reduce stress and anxiety include (but are not limited to):
- Making time for YOU each day;
- Getting together (safely) with friends and family;
- Enrolling in a dance or yoga class;
- Relaxing to a good book or movie;
- Making sure you get enough sleep each night so you can be fully rested every morning;
- Taking part in sports (about 3 times a week). (Sports release endorphins, which helps to reduce stress.)
Why Professional Makeup Training Will Help Curb Anxiety
As a makeup artist, here are some of the biggest reasons why getting professionally trained will benefit you and reduce anxiety:
- If you have the proper training and foundations, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing and how to do it perfectly. As a result, you’ll feel calmer and more confident when approaching any makeup artist job.
- Professional makeup training – such as that found in QC Makeup Academy’s online courses – includes invaluable business and marketing sections. You’ll be given useful and practical exercises, as well as marketing and promotion tips. All of this will help you learn how to manage yourself and your business. You’ll know how to successfully launch your own makeup business and develop a strong portfolio. Importantly, you’ll learn how to conduct yourself in a cool, calm, and professional manner – even when under pressure.
- Your professional makeup portfolio and qualifications will impress your clients. As a result, your reputation and self-confidence will only get better and better!
Food for Thought
QC Makeup Academy provides a wide selection of makeup course in a unique, online learning system. You’ll graduate with the skills and confidence needed to have a successful professional career as a makeup artist. This WILL help you to overcome your anxiety!
I would like to encourage everyone who is considering becoming a makeup artist to start their dream career in 2021 by enrolling with QC Makeup Academy!
Now, I want to know: do YOU have a different practice? If so, please leave your own tips for dealing with anxiety as a makeup artist in the comments section below. I would love to know your thoughts!
Thank you for reading! 💕
These tips is what I will add into my daily life. Thank you so much. Amazing blog!
That’s so great to hear, Luzaan! We definitely plan to implement a lot of these tips into our own daily lives as well. Veronika did an excellent job with this article. Thanks so much for reading! <3
All the best,
The QC Team
Thank you so much Sarah & QC Team!🙏❤️
Thank you Luzaan!🙏 I’m so glad you liked it!💕
These are all great tips to assist with anxiety! Also don’t forget mental health is important and sometimes medication is necessary. I’ve dealt with anxiety for the last 13 years along with depression. Grounded is another great technique.
Thank you Erica for your comment!❤️