Becomming a makeup artist.

Jun 16, 2016

Hanne W.

Hey I just finished Highschool and it has always been my dream to become a makeup artist but I was wondering if you earn enough for living?

Jun 17, 2016

Alicia C.

Hey Hanne, I think it really depends on your location, the demand for makeup artists in the area, and how many clients you're booking on average that will determine if you are able to earn a comfortable living with this profession. Of course, some people who have been in the field for awhile and have gained an adequate amount of experience, also have a larger chance at getting higher paid gigs, such as those for movie casts or celebrities. I believe that Alma M. and Jacqueline H. are both professional makeup artists, so they should be able to tell you a lot more about this subject than I can :)

Jun 17, 2016

Jadore M.

Honestly, with makeup being so popular now everyone wants to be a makeup artist so it's very competitive. I started doing makeup a few months ago and I'm booked every weekend. I do makeup and eyelashes. I have been living off doing makeup for 2 months so it's possible if you put your all into makeup and invest in yourself. With providing any service you have to know your worth and stick to your prices. Lots of people will try to get a discount or say that you charge too much because they're cheap lol. But research prices in your area. Join a makeup/ cosmetology group on Facebook for your local area and put a post up asking who can do your makeup and tell them to list prices so you can get a feel of the average cost. Most people where I live only charge $45 some even charge lower smh.

Jun 17, 2016

Jadore M.

But to answer your question yes you can earn a living off of doing makeup but keep a regular job until you have enough clientele coming in regularly.

Jun 17, 2016

Jadore M.

One more thing, Facebook has been the way that I get the most clients besides word of mouth and if you can get a job at Ulta or Sephora you can get clients that way. I used to work at Ulta and would pass out business cards.

Jun 17, 2016

Jacqueline H.

Can you make a living? Yes, but it takes time, dedication and a whole lot of patience, and I strongly suggest that you consider going to an industry recognized school. With the proliferation of makeup schools and certificate mills these days, some basic level of professional training is expected for new muas looking to work professionally. Some people looking to become muas choose to bypass a formal artistry education. Just because your family and friends love it when you do their makeup, that in no way gives you the fundamental understanding of lighting, media, continuity, history, and more specialized areas of makeup artistry. The key to consistent work in this business is versatility; it's all about competency on every platform.

I'll be very honest with you... the chances are, you will fail in this career, and it's not because of lack of skill, you’ll fail because you need to pay your bills and unfortunately, there are very few good paying gigs and tons of competition. Just be open to start looking at makeup artistry as hobby at first, and always keep your options open.

Like I said above, In the beginning, don't quit your day job... No matter how talented you think you are, you are going to work for free. If your are interested in getting into film and television, your first few gigs will most likely be amateur student films with ZERO budget. You’ll will work long hours, and be asked/expected to do hair, lighting, and all sorts of other things that have absolutely nothing to do with makeup. It can take well over a year before you find a production that is willing to pay you for your work. Most of them will give you a “kit allowance,” to cover the cost of your actual makeup; however, that has to be negotiated up front, and in some cases it's like pulling teeth.

How much we make depends... As with any profession, location in can and does also effect how much we make. A makeup artist in Hollywood will make far more than a makeup artist living in a some tiny tiny Midwestern town. This has to do with a variety of factors, mostly cost of living and 'perceived value.' The largest concentration of makeup artists is in California, specifically LA County, where we make some of the highest wages. New York and Nevada are also two other higher paying cities for a makeup artist. I live in Nevada, and if you like doing wedding work, there's a ton of it to be had out here.

I primarily work in Film and Television. For the most part, Independent films often don't require union membership; however, major Hollywood feature films do. If this area interests you, you'll want to consider meeting the requirements for union membership. I have been a working professional makeup artist for well over a decade, and I make a very good living. I don't charge per face or per look, I am booked for either a full 8 hour day or a 4 hour half day. With solid training behind you, and a strong portfolio paired with hard work, you can make a good living.  :)

Jun 17, 2016

Kathryn R.

Jacqueline is absolutely correct. She gave you a full picture of the possibilities. I was working as a MUA in my hometown of Baton Rouge, and I did pretty good. When I moved to a smaller town, my business flopped. First, I'm new, no one knows me, breaking in wasn't easy. Second, it's a small town. That means I'm limited mostly to weddings or photo shoots as my money makers. Being a small town PLUS the fact that EVERY SINGLE FEMALE advertises themselves as a MUA makes or exceedingly difficult to get the few jobs that are out there. For a while I thought my business was picking up but then it flopped again.
I'm fortunate that my husband is a dentist, he's the breadwinner so I can do this because I love it, not because I have to support a family.
However if I were on my own or if we needed a second income, mine would never cut it.
I'm not giving up and I think that's key in this industry. If I hustle and put my head down I can come up with business and find ways to book jobs out of town even. I'm even looking at hiring an agent.
It takes a lot of money and time and money and money to get started. Your return on investment doesn't typically happen until year two or three. So like Jaqueline said, don't quit your day job until you're established.
If this is your passion, attack it with everything you've got. If you're even a little unsure, take more time to evaluate what direction you'll go in. I advise going to estitician school first and then taking academies as continuing education.
Or, even better, go to an industry recognized school if possible.
Hope we all helped you! It's a fabulous, rewarding industry to be in and there's little to not love about it!