Starting out as a make-up artist...need help.

Nov 11, 2013

Wanjiru M.

Am just about to graduate from make-up school and I need advice on starting out a free-lance business. I live in Kenya and the make-up artistry industry is still in its virgin stage, so to say. Most women don't wear make-up or wear make-up on special occassions. I would like to convince women to embrace make-up through my skill. I would also love to gain experience through doing local fashion shows and hopefully one day (one of my dreams) to do makeup for one of the great local magazine covers. I find it difficult to convince potential clients to pay a certain amount as most of them don't value make-up artistry as a precious skill and tend to underprice my work considering my skill and the products I intend to use. Also am struggling to obtain tools and products as most high quality products in Kenya like MAC and Revlon are usually double the price and I have to import brushes (really expensive) if I need another set, I luckily got a good set from school. The brushes available in the country are really low grade quality.`
How do I start out under these circumstances? And has anyone else been in a similar situation? Really need encouragement, beauty is my passion.

Nov 11, 2013

Carolyn H.

I think you should take your potential clientele into consideration.

If you know that crazy makeup or colors aren't really the trend- focus on buying more neutral shades

But also, if you're just starting you can't charge too much. People will pay for what they see, do you have a portfolio?

Iman cosmetics is sold in Africa, they might be a better option then mac.

Nov 11, 2013

Wanjiru M.

Yeah, I think I'll invest in neutral shades. Yeah, have a portfolio. Iman is also as expensive here, I think it's the shipping.

Nov 11, 2013

Wanjiru M.

Thanks Carolyn:)

Nov 12, 2013

Wanjiru M.

Okay, thanks Mairead :)