Breaking Into the Industry

Let me start by saying that this blog post is going to be as real as possible.  Many that know me know that I don't sugar coat.  I'm not mean about it but I'm not going to make it pretty and wrap it up in a bow for you.  The last thing I want to do is send you on your way thinking that you're going to start makeup today and become an all star tomorrow.  I don't do it to discourage you, in fact I do it to encourage you.  Because when you finally make it to where you want to be, you know that you put all your blood, sweat and tears into it.  That the prize you wanted at the end of the road was every single bit worth it.  And that feeling is glorious! With that said...

Breaking into the industry, no matter where you live, is never easy.  It takes hard work, dedication and patience to become a makeup artist.  Here's a list of things you'll need:

1. Images of your work
Without images of your work you basically don't exist.  Start working on a portfolio ASAP!  People can't hire you if they don't know what they're "buying".  In order to get images of your work you need to test.  Test, test, test!  Get a team together consisting of a hair stylist, photographer & wardrobe (if it's fashion/editorial).  Wardrobe usually isn't needed if you're just shooting beauty (bare shoulders and up).  Know, that you can do the best makeup in the world but if one element is off (hair looks bad, nails not manicured etc), your whole image will fail.  And no, you cannot take images with your smart phone.  That is just unacceptable!  When I had my 9 - 5 job I would test after work and I would test on weekends.  I basically had no life for a while.  But this is what I wanted to do so I worked hard to build my portfolio.  I'd see my boyfriend (now husband) when I could.  I'd test in the morning on weekends then hang out with my friends once my shoot was done at night.  If you're not working, you should be testing.  If you're at home on a Saturday morning watching TV, you're not being productive.

Practice, practice, practice!  I cannot stress enough how important this is!  Just when you think that you can’t practice anymore, practice again!!  Practice on friends, family – aunts, uncles, husband, boyfriend, mom, dad…whatever it takes.  You can’t ever get enough practice and no matter what stage of makeup artistry you’re in, you will always learn something new.

 Leave the feathers and rhinestones home!  Nothing more screams amateur than a portfolio filled with blue eyeshadow, feathers, rhinestones, glitter and crazy colored lashes.  We all need to have those creative days, I know, every now and then I like to smudge a little yellow paint across someone’s face.  But I do it because my book is filled with a ton of clean work.  A client doesn’t want to see how good of a orange smokey eye you can do or how well you apply crazy eyelashes.  A client wants to see how well you make the skin look.  Master the clean look on all skin colors and ethnicities first and then reach for the crazy stuff.  Also, clean work is what pays the big bucks.  Pretty much anything commercial such as Dove, Neutrogena, Colgate, Olay, etc. are the kind of clients you want to have if you want to pay your bills.

2. Website
Once you have a couple of images that you're happy with in your possession, acquire a website and start building your online portfolio.  Even if you just have 6 images, it's a start and something is always better than nothing.  Look at other makeup artist portfolios so you have an idea of layout and what kind of content should be up there.

3. Physical Portfolio
I did a whole entire post on Portfolios a while back.  Check it out here.

4. Business Cards
Business cards are such a great networking tool.  Give them out to clients and if you're into doing weddings, most bridal shops allow you to leave some cards behind so that customers can take them.  Trust me it works!  When I was doing weddings, I'd leave my cards at bridal dress shops, cake shops, flower shops...you name it, my card was there.  I'd get brides or even friends/family of the bride calling and booking me for their wedding.  When I asked them where they found me..."I saw your card at so-and-so bridal shop".  For a "how to" with business cards, check out the full blog post I did here.

5. Assist
I find that there really isn't any better way to learn, than by assisting and watching others.  I know what I know because I assisted a particular makeup artist for 4 years and another for 2 years.  Those artists took me under their wing and made me the artist I am today.  I started out as the runner girl.  I got water, coffee, food, whatever they needed!  Then I was upgraded to brush washer.  I washed brushes endlessly.  I never really touched a face for almost a year!  No pay either!  None whatsoever.  I wasn't there for the pay.  I was there for the experience, to learn, to watch, to see what it was like on a real set with real professionals.  Eventually I was allowed to prep the face which eventually led to touching up on set which led to doing just foundation which led to doing a whole face which ended up with splitting the work!  If there were 8 models, the key did 4 and I did 4.  Eventually I did get pay but it started out small.  Some days I'd get $50, some day's I'd get $350.  I eventually went on my own.  Sometimes I still assist these artist because I appreciate everything that they did for me.  What they taught me and what I learned was something special and something that I will never forget.  For more info on assisting please check out this blog entry.

6. Patience
Be patient!  Being in this business requires a lot of patience.  It will not happen overnight.  Again, I don’t say this to be negative; I say this to be truthful.  The jobs you want will come.  Might not be in 2 years or 5 years or even 7 years.  I’ve known artist that didn't really start seeing constant work come their way until their 7^th – 10^th year.  Very few have been fortunate in their 5^th.  There will be days where you don’t even want to look at your kit and you want to quit.  We’ve all had it, heck even I’ve had it!  But, if this is truly what you want to do, NEVER give up.

Assisting and Interning

If you want to assist other artists it's always good to send an email.  Let us know that you would be interested in assisting and leave your name, number and a possible link to some work you have done.  I know not everyone is going to have a professional site or professional pictures right when they start out but a link to something (even if its attached pictures) so that we can get an idea of what your work looks like.  Contacting us with no example of your work what so ever will most likely end up in getting your email ignored.

DO NOT get annoying or stalkish.  If we respond saying that we will hold on to your information, then take that as it is.  Don't keep emailing us and calling us.  That will make us (especially me) not want to work with you.  Keeping in touch is different than sending constant "stalky" emails.  We're human and sometimes forget and emails get lost in the jumble of other emails.  After a good amount of time, send a friendly reminder that you're still interested in assisting.

DO NOT ask the senior artist to "recommend" photographers or contacts to you.  We built these relationships throughout the years of hard work and non stop networking.  We aren't going to just simply hand over our contacts to you.  Do your own networking and build your own relationships.

Below are some basic "rules" to follow.  These rules are there because, yes, unfortunately these have all happened to me and other artists I know.

Assisting:
::Artists Belongings::
Many artists don't like their stuff touched and I am one of them.  Do not by any means go into the key artists kit and start looking around and putting your fingers in their stuff.  It's not yours, don't touch it.

::Listen to the Key::
Do what the key tells you to do.  If he/she wants you to clean brushes with soap and water, use soap and water.  If they want you to use a brush cleaner, use a brush cleaner etc.  Don't go ahead and do what you feel like doing.  It will only get you in trouble and make the key frustrated.

::Business Cards::
NEVER EVER give out your business cards when assisting...EVER.  By doing so you are not only insulting the key artist but it looks like you're trying to take the client.  You are there to assist, NOT to network, give your card out or get too chatty with the photographer/other crew members etc.  You are there to LEARN and should consider the fact that assisting is a learning experience.  Not a chance to open your mouth and chit chat.

::Chatting::
An assistant is there to make the key look their best and that means by being invisible (whether you are doing makeup or not).  You do what you are told and if it feels like there is nothing to do, then just sit tight and wait for further instruction from the Key.  This is not the time to chit chat and make friends.  You are not to speak to the talent, and/or production team at any time.

::Do Not Fall Asleep::
Sometimes things get slow or there isn't much to do but the last thing you want to do is fall asleep!  The key might or might not say anything to you but know that they are always watching your performance.  An assistant that falls asleep is a lazy assistant.  That means that you're bored, uninterested and you'd rather be home.  Well guess what?  A bunch of way more dedicated aspiring makeup artist would give their left arm to take your place.  And they will because rest assured, you'll never get called back to assist again.

::Do Not Disappear::
If you need to use the restroom or you get hungry and want to pass by the crafty table, that's totally fine!  You're human, you have needs.  But don't just disappear.  Let the key know that you need a slight break.  If they don't know where you are and they need you, it's not going to look good if you're not around.

::Put the Phone Away::
Nothing makes me more crazy than as assistant constantly on the phone.  Put it on vibrate and put it away.  I understand some have kids and responsibilities which is why I never tell anyone to turn off the phone.  But if it's not an emergency, you should not be on your phone.  No texting, no emailing, no checking your Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Whatever!  If you need to make or take a phone call, please excuse yourself and make it quick.  Being constantly on your phone means you're not paying attention.


::Dress Code/Hygiene::
We are artists and everyone expresses themselves in different ways but, if you're coming to set wearing short shorts, a V Neck super low cut shirt and your boobs look like they're about to spill out of your shirt at any minute or your clothing are dirty...something is terribly wrong.  If you're not sure about the dress code, please DO ASK the key artist.  We rather have you ask, than you guess and then you show up to set not in the proper dress code.  Try to avoid wearing heavy scented perfume.  You never know if it's going to bother the talent, so its best to be safe and wear none.  Deodorant is a MUST.

::Misc.::
If the key artist, for any reason feels that they aren't a good fit for the job and feels that it's better to just not complete or take the job, as an assistant you are to do what the key does.  If they leave, you leave.  In no way, shape or form are you to assume the job of the key for yourself.  You work for the key makeup artist and it is the key that hired you.  This person put their trust in you and brought you along for a close up, first hand experience.  Biting the hand that feeds and letting greed blind you will only result in never working with your mentor again.  Remember, this industry is small and word gets around.  The last thing you want is to be known as the one that stole a client or position.  Stepping on people to climb the ladder is NOT the way to go.


Now, every artist is different and sometimes the rules vary especially when you already know the environment or have worked with that particular artist often.  But this is pretty much the basics.  If you're interested in the more in depth "rules", please feel free to follow the link below:


Rules for Mentoring and Apprenticing by Suzanne Patterson


For another great post about Assisting please visit Deshawn Hatcher's Blog