Jobs in the makeup industry.

Jun 1, 2016

Kerstin R.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a makeup department that would hire 15 year olds because I have been looking for a job forever but I would rather work at something I'm good at.

Jun 1, 2016

Alexis C.

From my knowledge most states don't hire minors (or at least anyone under 17) unless you have proper working documents.

Jun 1, 2016

Hannah K.

I'm in England and from my knowledge you can't get a job (with a proper pay) until your 16. I'd wait until your 16 and enrol onto a internship or training course for makeup with a guaranteed job at the end, as many employers in a specific skills-based industry (such as cosmetology) want some form of training or experience.
Hate to be the burner here but have you practiced makeup on someone else and can you 'sell' a product to people? Having the skill to apply makeup very well on other people and knowing someones skintype, what products will work best, matching products, etc.is a huge part of working in the industry (especially if in department stores such as Sephora or working on a specific brand within a shop (such as Benefit, Clarins, Estee Lauder). I know many brands (and indeed stores) don't hire people in cosmetology unless they have some sort of qualification in it, a bit like in my field (I'm a gymnastics coach).
If you're applying for a specific brand, I'd make sure you're up to speed on your knowledge of the products, their properties (what the product can do), their brand ethics, etc.

Jun 2, 2016

Dorothea S.

Yeah if you're in the states you're legally not allowed to work until 16, and even then you need proper documentation/working papers to ensure that you can. The most you can do is get like volunteer hours, and see if those places will let you volunteer/observe

Jun 2, 2016

Shelby M.

In New York, some pizzerias will hire at 15 if you have your working papers, but you can't get a job much better than that.

Jun 2, 2016

Chelle W.

The only places I know that hire at 15 are Rita's, a couple mom and pop pizza places, and a Chic fil a.

Jun 2, 2016

Alyx T.

I'm in Canada so the rules are different. Here you can work at 14. But honestly most jobs in the makeup industry won't hire you until you are 18, or have at least 5 years experience, which, is after 18. Even sephora here, it's about retail experience. I would just work whatever you can for now and get some experience in there. I have had nearly 5 years of retail but they won't hire me yet, because they want sales people who can sell a product like no other. Plus you will have to have a portfolio if you plan on doing makeup on others. After you get some retail experience, I would start applying at makeup counters in department or drug stores. Like a clinque counter or whatever. They're usually on commission which will be hard unless you can make the sales, but it will test your talent and it will be impressive on an application for a real makeup department or sephora or anything like that, that is focused on sales experience.

Jun 3, 2016

Kerstin R.

Thanks everyone who answered it was very helpful