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.

The Skinny on Portfolios

With everything being digital these days most of us either don't have a book or hasn't updated it in a long time.  I have to say that at this point in my career I hardly show my book nor does it get requested.  Plus, I always get away with just sending people to my website.  But one thing is for sure, I always keep my book updated.  Yes, I admit that sometimes I go on a bit too long w/o putting new things in there but for the most part, if I ever have to meet with a last minute client that wants to see a physical book, I know that my portfolio isn't super backed up.

I also understand that when first getting a book, you don't really know where to start building.  It can be a stressful and daunting task.  You're not sure if your pictures are good enough or if you even have enough images to put into the book.  Heck, sometimes you don't even know what kind of book to get!  All these questions burning in your brain and you have no idea of the answers.

Hopefully the following can serve as some guidance:

THE BOOK ITSELF

• Standard industry size is 11 x 14.  Sometimes when starting out 9 x 12 is acceptable but here's how I see it...why buy a 9 x 12 if you're going to eventually upgrade to an 11 x 14?  Save yourself some money and just go with the 11 x 14.
• Books should be black.  I've seen them in different colors but personally I like dark colors.  I feel it looks more professional.
• Always go with either Leather or Waxskin.  Most of the time you can't even tell the difference...but your pocket sure will!  Leather can run you about $250.  Waxskin, $150.  Mine is waxskin.
• Pages should never be scratched or fingerprinted.  Always make sure your pages are crisp and clean.  That means no dents or bends on the pages.  Replace any pages that don't look neat ASAP.  The same goes for the page insert (which should be black).
• Get a book that you can take apart so you can add/subtract any pages from it.  It also makes it easy when putting new work into your book.  
• Your book should ALWAYS have your name imprinted / embossed on the front cover.  Keep the font readable and don't go with crazy cursive fonts.  

WHAT'S IN THE BOOK

• Most books come with a standard of 20 pages (holds 40 images).  Does this mean that you have to have 40 images in your book for it to be complete?  Absolutely NOT!  Remember it's about Quality, not quantity.  Always make sure that everything in the image is top notch.  Everything (makeup, hair, photography, model, styling and retouching) has to be in tip top shape.  If even ONE thing is off, it will ruin the image as a whole.  If you only have 10 amazing images, simply just take out the pages you're currently not using and store them in a place where you know they wont be ruined and bent out of shape.
• Some books also come with an inner pocket on the back flap.  I always suggest to get a book that comes with it.  Why?  Because it's a great place to store your resumes, comp cards, reference list and some extra pictures (in the case that 40 isn't enough).  By extra pictures I mean a few, 3 - 6 images.  Don't stuff that flap with a million pictures.  It makes the book look cluttered and unprofessional.
• Put a sticker / label with your information on it (name, profession, phone number, website and email address).  Get one done at staples / kinkos or buy a label maker and stick that sucker on the inside front flap of your book--preferably at the bottom.
• Tear Sheets!  If you have any tear sheets they should always be neat and placed right in the middle of the page.  Just because they're called tear sheets doesn't mean that you tear them out and slap them in your book.  Gently take them out of the magazine and carefully cut the edges to perfection.  You can do this with a paper cutter or a ruler and an x-acto knife.  Put a tiny piece of folded up tape behind the tear sheet (one on top and one on bottom) so it sticks to the page insert and wont move around all over the place.
  
  *Note:  Buy more than one copy of the magazine you were published in.  Some agencies are known for losing your book and if that's the only copy you had, then you're in some deep doodoo.  OR, go to a copy place and make copies of the original and put the copies (in full awesome color) in your book.

SWITCHING UP & HAVING IT READY
Your book should always be set up to meet the requirements of the client.  Every client is different so if you're going in for a skin care job, don't take any of the high fashion stuff and creative--yellow lipstick--beauty story with you.  Take it out and keep only the clean work in your book.

PUT IT IN A BAG
And not just any bag.  Buy a portfolio carry bag.  Don't carry your portfolio in a plastic bag, your backpack or purse.  Not only does it look good in there but it keeps your portfolio from getting dirty and dusty.  The carry bag should have your information on it (name and address) so in the case that you send your book to an agent, they know who to send it back to.

FINAL COSTS
So how much is this going to cost me?  Well, depending on the book type, how many letters in your name, the printing of pictures, the carry bag...I'd say anywhere from $250 - $350.  But it's worth every penny.  Your portfolio is your resume and without a resume, you can't book jobs.

Good Luck!