Advice for an aspiring MUA?

May 26, 2012

Desyrae H.

I live in the bay area and I plan on graduating high school early just to go to the MUD school in LA. For now I have my own Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/MakeUpByDesyrae) and I participate in all websites like this. (model mayhem, makeupbee. beautylish, etc.) but I feel like I can do more. I want to save up money to get a kit started but other than that what else can I do?

Jun 3, 2012

Jaimi-lee S.

i would just keep practicing and posting looks on you facebook and not on yourself. Get local girls in your area to come in to play with there makeup for free its gets your name out there if they like what you have done and also allows you to practice on someone other then yourself! :) Also keep up to date with trends to keep ahead of your competitors. Also find a gap in the market i found that in my area every makeup artist done natural or bridal that is it. Ive started more "intense" makeup you could say, and the response has been crazy! I dont have any schooling behind me and youtube has been my best friend! lol Good luck! Hope that helped a little lol 

Jun 7, 2012

Mandy T.

Practise Practise Practise! That is pretty much what a mua should keep doing. Do research and keep up to date with products and trends.

Start off with doing prom/formal makeup and build a small client base.

Networking is very important if you want to be a mua.

Offer to assist another mua on a job.

Not too sure what else I can offer you as advice...

Jun 15, 2012

Desyrae H.

thank you guys so much! All of the advice was very helpful :)

Jun 16, 2012

Amanda Val S.

would you guys recommend working as a mua part time with a stable day job for a while first? 

Jun 20, 2012

Brandy R.

@Desyrae - practice often, network with other industry professionals and educate yourself on everything. I have a ton of makeup books that I still go back to for reference every now and then. I actually recommend practicing more clean, natural beauty because, in the end, that is what will get you the higher end clients. Sure, the super creative avant guard looks will get a lot of feedback and response, but does it really bring you paid work? Also, work on building your portfolio, network with photographers to do trade work. This can be frustrating, but as you progress, so will your portfolio and quality of photographers that you work with.

@Amanda - No professional mua is able to only be a freelance (working for themselves) mua starting out unless you are independently wealthy. What does help is to work a "day job" in the same industry such as at a cosmetic counter, receptionist at a salon/spa, etc.

Jun 25, 2012

Billi L.

I thought you might find my latest blog post interesting http://msbillililli.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/how-to-become-makeup-artist.html :) hope that it helps you