There is no way around it, being a makeup artist can be very stressful. Whether you’re working with a megastar or preparing a bride for one of the most important days of her life, your nerves are bound to get the best of you at some point.
Below are a few tips to keep your anxiety at bay.
The day before a job, I recommend laying out everything in your kit. This will give you an opportunity to sanitize and review all of your products. It is not uncommon to forget that your mascara was empty, or that you need to refill your cotton swaps, if you just take your kit from job to job without ever checking on it.
Lay out your products in the order they will be used. As you clean the items, make sure they are all replenished and ready for your client the following day. This is also the perfect moment to be sure that any specialty products you might require are in your kit and ready. If you plan, prep and pack your kit, you will never have to be nervous about being prepared!
Take deep calming breaths as you begin and all through your application process. This regulated breathing keeps your nervous system steady and also has powerfully calming effects on your client. Breathing is contagious. If you are calm and taking soothing breaths, they are likely to do the same.
Sleep
One of the fastest ways to guarantee that you will lose composure, or succumb to anxiety, is lack of sleep. The night before any makeup job, you should always get a solid 8 hours of sleep. When you are tired, situations that normally wouldn’t bother you can quickly become ones that make you anxious! Getting a good night’s sleep is a great step toward keeping yourself calm and level headed.Visualize
Visualization deserves far more credit than it is given. Athletes, businessmen, and people in many other professions have long attested to the powerful benefits of visualizing success before an important event. Lay back, see your client in your mind’s eye, and go through each and every step of your application in your head. As you work, visualize how happy your client is with every aspect of the process. If you envision a positive experience with your client, you’re far more likely to delight her in person!Plan, Prep, and Pack
The day before a job, I recommend laying out everything in your kit. This will give you an opportunity to sanitize and review all of your products. It is not uncommon to forget that your mascara was empty, or that you need to refill your cotton swaps, if you just take your kit from job to job without ever checking on it.
Lay out your products in the order they will be used. As you clean the items, make sure they are all replenished and ready for your client the following day. This is also the perfect moment to be sure that any specialty products you might require are in your kit and ready. If you plan, prep and pack your kit, you will never have to be nervous about being prepared!
Arrive Early and Relax
When you arrive early for a job, you have several advantages. Not only will you be able to get the lay of the land by familiarizing yourself with your environment, you will also be fully set up before the client arrives. Unless I am working in a client’s home (where you should never arrive early without having arranged it), I always arrive at least 30 minutes early. In that time, I prep my area and then relax in it. A few minutes of relaxation in your well prepped room will do a lot to keep you calm.Take Your Time
The fastest way to increase your anxiety is to rush. Unless you have been given a 5 minute warning, you should take your time and do the best job you are capable of doing. And, if you have been given a 5 minute warning, still don’t rush! Simply review the work you’ve done and decide how to best enhance it with the time remaining.Breathe
Take deep calming breaths as you begin and all through your application process. This regulated breathing keeps your nervous system steady and also has powerfully calming effects on your client. Breathing is contagious. If you are calm and taking soothing breaths, they are likely to do the same.
