Do you dream of a fast-paced, fulfilling career in the beauty industry?
Makeup artist jobs await those with the right training and proper motivation. But how can you turn your passion into long-term career success? And if you choose to pursue training, how can you make the most of what you learn?
We called on some beauty industry insiders to find out. Read on for their top tips on making it as a professional makeup artist.
1. Both In & Out of the Beauty School Classroom: Practice, Practice, Practice
“Practice is key,” says Simone Ciardafini, MAKE UP FOR EVER’s VP of Education and Artistry. “Learning from professionals is important to becoming a truly great artist, but making practice part of your everyday routine is also critical.”
Try out creative makeup ideas on your friends. Consider working part-time at a cosmetics counter. Any time you spend working with different product formulations, skin types, ages, styles, colour combinations, face shapes, and makeup in general is experience that contributes to the mastery of your craft.
With practice, you’ll get to know what you’re good at, what needs work, and what aspects of makeup interest you most. Are you better at stage makeup or beauty? Have you mastered the ‘strobing’ trend or are you all about the contour? The more you try, the more you learn about your own makeup skills—and the better they get.
2. Develop Fun, Friendly & Professional People Skills
Wherever you choose to work after graduating from
makeup artist courses, strong people skills will be key to your success.
Katey Denno is a make-up artist whose celebrity clientele includes Vanessa Hudgens, Amanda Seyfried, January Jones, Christy Turlington, and many more. She says that interacting politely and professionally with people from all walks of life is an important part of the service make-up professionals provide.
“Your job is to make sure your client is in the most relaxed state of mind,” she explains. “This often means intuitively knowing when it’s time to talk and when it’s time to stay quiet and let them sit with their thoughts, their phone, or their music.”
Students take turns in the client’s chair in makeup artistry classes at IBI
It’s these considerate people skills that help makeup artists retain clients, earn positive reputations, and do the important work of making clients feel beautiful in their own skin.
“You want your client to feel amazing when they leave your chair,” explains International Beauty Institute (IBI) Make-Up Program instructor Elizabeth Coles. “Not only on the outside, but on the inside too.”
3. Learn How to Market Yourself & Your Skills after Beauty School
According to Elizabeth Coles, a person’s self-promotional skills are also indispensable. “Along with having the makeup skills, you have to be able to sell yourself,” she says. “This is so important! You have to get out there, be active, and tell people about your services and what you have to offer.”
Simone Ciardafini from MAKE UP FOR EVER agrees: “The more you expose your work and are exposed to others, the more you’ll grow.”
In the modern internet-saturated world, this task is made easier for students in
beauty school. Through sites like Instagram and YouTube, makeup artists can show the world what sets them apart from the rest.
“It could be a number of things, from your personality to the way you educate your clients on the products you are using,” says Elizabeth. Today’s makeup artists aren’t camera-shy. Join their ranks by showing the world what you can do!
4. The Pros Agree: Always Be Up for Learning Something New
No matter how successful you get in your makeup artist career, keep an open mind to each and every new learning experience.
“Nothing is ever beneath you,” explains Katey Denno. “No job is ever too small”
IBI students learn how lipstick is made on a field trip to Jordane Cosmetics!
IBI Make-Up Program instructor Melissa Virdo says an open mind can help further any aspiring makeup artist’s career. “Always be willing to learn and take new courses to further your skills,” she advises. “This is an industry where if the learning stops, you get left behind – never turn down opportunities.”
Finding your way to the end of this article shows you already have a real passion for beauty and a willingness to learn. By combining these traits with the tips mentioned above and the right training, nothing can stop you from achieving the creative career of your dreams!
Are you interested in pursuing makeup courses in Mississauga?
Visit IBI to check out what we have to offer.
