I really need your advice! MUAs especially... Please read :)

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

So I'm just starting to try and get my name out there as a MUA. I have very little experience so I know it would be really beneficial to do TFP but I earn very little in my 'real job' and seeing as I'm just starting out and haven't really got much of a kit, I really can't afford to go out and just buy everything I need without charging.
Someone has contacted me asking me to do makeup for a shoot on 2 models. I quoted him £50 and he thinks this is high because he can pay a 'professional' who does hair AND makeup for £60 for 4 hrs and a pro mac MUA in London will do a full day for £100-150.
Am I being unreasonable to ask for £50 for a few hours? It's not really about the time tbh. I enjoy makeup as you all know - but I don't enjoy having to spend probably £100 on makeup for one specific event when I probably will get no work for another 6 months and have to throw everything away anyway! I don't know if this has made sense cos I'm kind of rambling but please offer any advice you think might help!

Aug 12, 2013

Bobbie L.

$50 sounds like not enough to me!

Aug 12, 2013

Bobbie L.

He just sounds cheap.

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

Well it's £50 so apparently $77 do you still think that's cheap? I've been looking at local MUAs and they charge £40 just for makeup for a night out and £60 for a bride etc.so I don't think it's unreasonable to say £50 for 2 models! :/

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

Hi Kim, I have run into this same thing before and it is something that I struggle with as well. as a freelance artist you run into this and I definitely don't have all the answers. in fact, I'm interested to see what the other MUAs say.
but one thing is for sure. you have serious talent!...don't ever doubt that!. this is something my colleagues tell me often and I think my main issue was I doubted myself. don't doubt yourself!.. my friend is an actress and she would constantly tell me I'm better than MUAs she met on sets..
you have to make a personal choice about what to do for free pr cheap to add to your book and what not to. if you end up more broke in he end it doesn't work... but definitely don't get hung up on that lack of experience stuff. you'll get low balled every time. know your worth. pleasssssse darlin'!. cause I'm sure ure prob better than that mac Mua in London.. ;-)

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

$77 is not bad in my opinion. he's tryna take advantage of the fact you don't have "experience"..

Aug 12, 2013

Shauna S.

That's not too expensive. He's just trying to get a deal. One thing I have always learned in school is that just because you don't have much experience doesn't make you worse compared to a professional. And even when you're just starting out never give people a huge deal. You work hard for what you can do and it's worth every penny.

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

Thank you. You know, I literally was sat here thinking fuck him. I'm not putting myself out of pocket for it when HE's the one who's come to ME. It's not like I've begged him to do a shoot with me and then tried to charge him. I can't afford to pay out all that for the makeup I will need, it's that simple. I'm not going to make myself short for my rent and food just to buy makeup specifically for his shoot. And you're right actually. It doesn't really matter that much about experience. I've seen some 'experienced' MUAs who I wouldn't let near my face in a million years. Just have to stick to my guns I suppose

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

Stick to em!!. your guns that is.. =)

Aug 12, 2013

Amanda Nicole G.

Kim... That's the right attitude to have!! So keep that and hold your head up high! Because you're very talented and he obv knows that! My advice would be play hard to get if he says he's going to someone else say okay good luck with your shoot then, bc 9 times outta 10 he won't go or he woulda already done it, instead of just say he was going to... You know? It's a business technique! Tell him you're booked so you don't have time to haggle on a price and it is what it is and if he doesn't like it then I'm sorry but explain to him where the money is even being spent and make him see you probably won't even make much of a profit off of it.. He'll see things differently I'm sure. Nothing is free in this world and do not let some sleezball try to be cheap with you & weasel you out of your money! Besides... That seems very very low of a price to me.. ESP for doing two people... But that's just me! Good luck! Xoxo.

Aug 12, 2013

Bobbie L.

Absolutely stand your ground. I'd say if that's what you're charging for two people then he's sure as shit getting a deal.

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

Yup. I explained to him that I'm going to need to buy a few colours of concealer and foundation etc.and that I definitely would be making no profit from £50. I need to get my name out there and I'm not bothered about making a profit just yet, but I would really prefer not to be making a loss!

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

And I know it's not like I'm going to completely use up the products, but with hardly any experience or reputation, chances are by the time I got offered more work, I'd have to throw it away and buy new stuff anyway. So really I would be buying this stuff JUST for him

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

Don't even do the no profit stuff Kim, seriously. jump out there full force , this is my price. period!.. the product sells itself..

think about it this way. when you shop somewhere and they give you a coupon.you get what you want with that coupon. next time you see something you like. you prob don't buy it right away, you wait for the next sale or coupone. don't b the MUA that's on sale.. start with a firm price. the only ppl you should do deals for are friends, family, and charities.

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

Yes ms Jackie. as always, it makes sense to me...
I like the term kit fee. I've done that but didn't call it that.. I'm term jacking that.. lol.

Aug 12, 2013

Madame G.

No that's not too much you are very talented you should charge more.

Aug 12, 2013

Kim S.

Thanks everyone for backing me up, I didn't know if I was just being a diva haha. But anyway, even if I was charging too much, if I can't afford to do it for less then I can't. It's that simple lol. I can't just decide not to eat all month just to do a photoshoot

Aug 12, 2013

Naomi S.

Thanks ms Jackie.. I like to let ppl know when I'm taking clever verbage from them. lol.

good luck Kim!..

Aug 12, 2013

Sara S.

NO! You are right! I am am full time MUA at Sephora, and we charge 50$ ( worth of product in the store) for a full CMA. I charge 50 and up on the side for any freelance work I do. he is being cheap. FORGET HIM if he is like that.

Aug 13, 2013

Katriena c.

That isnt a lot its reasonable for your work especially I've love your work and its amazing

Aug 13, 2013

Mary C.

I have an idea...for the foundation and concealer you have to buy you can get samples at a makeup counter so you don't have to buy it. Just a thought...Mac counters Will mix you up free samples- just saying. May help so you're not losing $$$

Aug 13, 2013

Rachel M.

Maybe he things you mean $77 for each model?

Aug 13, 2013

Rachel M.

Thinks*

Aug 13, 2013

Anastacia A.

I agree I am a MUA professionally and I think that that is a very reasonable price for two people. He is more than welcome to go to those other people if he so chooses to do so. However, the best way to build a good portfolio (which will come in handy) is by doing some non paying work. There are a lot of photographers who will trade photos for your services. You can showcase your work better that way when people ask for quotes they have something to compare the quote too visually. People will see that your work is worth it ya know?
Also you don't have to spend a whole lot to start a kit. Find inexpensive palettes like the ones on Coastal Scents. Just invest in a good quality foundation in a handful of core colors.

Aug 13, 2013

Kim C.

I had the same problem a few months ago. I was contacted by a local photographer ( does it as a second job/ hobby) saying he would love to work with me to build his portfolio and that being that I only moved to the area in April would I be interested in working with him to build my portfolio. I said I would be interested then he said he would plan 6 photo shoots with numerous models in each and he would take pics for free which would mean I did the makeup for free. I felt the same as you, is this the norm, am I being taken advantage of. Talked to my husband and a few friends and they agreed that maybe one or two shoots would be ok but the rest would have to be paid. I think of it as my kit costs money, sanitising it all, getting to each location costs money. If I need to replace or buy anything specifically for the shoot it costs money. I love being a makeup artist but I still need to make money from it to make it a viable business option for me. He sought you out regardless of the experience you have, if you're good, you're good. And honestly you are amazing. Don't sell yourself short xx