Working At a Counter...

Dec 6, 2011

Pattie D.

I think that may be a good start for me as an aspiring artist to do counter work for a while. Anyone currently work at a cosmetics counter or have in the past? If so, what advice can you give me about getting started and then what to expect?

Dec 6, 2011

Pattie D.

I've read horrible reviews about working for MAC in the US. I don't know how true they are but it certainly wasn't favorable reviews.

Dec 6, 2011

Rio O.

I work for kohls beauty dept and I love it! I get to educate people on the importance of skincare...makeup application and really getting them excited about our products! Working at a counter is great because you get the chance to work on different types of skin and it allows you to learn what products and what tecniques work best for you and your clients. 

Dec 8, 2011

Pattie D.

@ Rio O., that sounds like a lot of fun! How were you able to score that job?

Dec 8, 2011

Maryam F.

Pattie, working at any counter that involves cosmetics will only help you in your career. Just think of it as experience. I am sure some places are a lot better than others, but you have to put yourself out there and try. I am sure Sephora would be a great place ( a little over whelming ) but a great place to work! Or any beauty counter in department stores are great too!

I started at a small beauty counter, and kept applying to MAC, finally got it and loved it! You learn a lot of stuff from other artist around you and it's great to get to work on so many different people everyday.

Good luck! Keep us updated. 

Dec 8, 2011

Rio O.

My mom =) she said they wanted to hire me for a beauty position at kohls..had never stepped foot in the store till I went in for my interview! Lol...I knew nothing about skincare or makeup...I wasn't really into either but now I want everything! Hahaha...the great thing was they sent me out of town for a few days to learn about all their products and all the skincare products...went back into the store and read more info about everything product...you go in and there's different types of moisturizers different foundations powders etc...so I spent a lot of time swatching everything..seeing the and feeling all the differences about each and every product because customers want someone who knows their stuff...makes selling so much easier cuz you gain their trust....its an amazing feeling to have a customer walk in and they're a lil down in spirit or u can tell they are intimidated or a lil hesistant to ask questions but once u start talking to them about products that will benefit their specific needs their faces light up and its cool to see that...and its nice to give them a lil pampering experience and do a lil makeover and they walk out like they can stop traffic with just one look..feels good to know you had a big part in their confidence boost! Plus I can look at someone and know exactly what foundation shade their going to be without having to do a color swatch!

Dec 8, 2011

Rio O.

So working at a counter really helps you learn different techniques and its a great way to gain experience! I would love to work at sephora just because there's sooooo many different types of products so I would recommend working there and really researching every product because not the same product that works for one customer may work for another! And when it comes to the beauty world...the knowledge is never ending! Always something new to learn! Its a great place to work!

Dec 8, 2011

Pattie D.

@Maryam M., Thanks for the info! I'll keep you updated!
@Rio O., Thanks for all your help, it means a lot!

Dec 9, 2011

Angel M.

I'm going to copy and paste an exerpt from a study guide I created and use in my workshops so it will be extremely long as I could not select which portion I wanted to copy and instead had to copy the whole page but I hope it helps.

Early in my career while trying to build my portfolio I worked as a business manager for a skin care and cosmetics line. I hired many young artist who were so happy to be on board it was like they wanted to pitch a tent in the middle of the boutique and live there forever.
Working in a retail store offers many benefits to an aspiring makeup artist. For starters, it’s a guaranteed paycheck every week or so, with a set base pay and sometimes commission. This can be very important to a person who needs to know where and when their next buck is coming.
Another huge benefit is that working in a retail store can be very educational. You will more than likely receive brand training – which can be a bit bias and more geared towards sales pitches than truth - but it’s still good training to a person who still has a lot to learn. You’ll also be able to practice makeup applications on the everyday clientele. You’ll be able to work with a different array of people with different skin tone, different skin concerns, and very different personalities. And, not only will you gain knowledge from the hands on experience but you’ll also gain knowledge and techniques from the rest of the staff.
Another HUGE benefit that I always loved was Gratis. Most cosmetic and skin care brands offer their associates free products that they call gratis along with an employee discount simply for working for the company. This might come in the form of free products that have just recently launched, products that the company is trying to promote, or a quarterly, bi-yearly, and yearly spending allowance that can sometimes be as much as $1600 or more. Their thought process is that they want you to be able to sell the product, and they feel you can sell the product better if you use it, love it and stand behind it. How cool is that? Now if I can only get a job in a shoe store that gives away free shoes.
While retail stores are great stepping stones for makeup artist who are starting out – in my opinion – it isn’t where you want to retire. Most anyone can get a job working at some makeup counters and retail stores. Some retailers aren’t necessarily looking for artist but more so interested in hiring sales associates. Department stores, for example, can care less how well you can paint a face or promote a tube of lip gloss. They are more interested in your willingness and participation in opening credit cards. If your interest is to become a makeup artist I urge you not to limit your overall aspirations to a cosmetic counter or retailer.
I’ve said this so many times before, but makeup artistry is a creative expression and when working with brands they have a particular image they want you to express – their image. It can be stifling to say the very least. If you need to see this for yourself the next time you’re in a department store take a stroll through the makeup department. You will notice that every counter is different with a different look, a different vibe, and a different atmosphere. In my opinion, a true artist can not conform to any one image, a true artist cannot be bias, and a true artist will never be happy working with just one brand of makeup.
Furthermore, there are so many opportunities for you as a makeup artist, so much more money available to be made in this field, why settle for a small base and/or commission salary. As a makeup artist the same money you make in a week working at a counter or in a retail store, you can make in a day being your own boss and dictating your own schedule. Keep that in mind before putting limitations on your dreams.  

Dec 9, 2011

Rio O.

Angel...so true about working in retail....that's the most frustrating part of my job....they don't care about the beauty dept....they're more concerned about credit credit credit and every other dept except beauty cuz they think all I do is play with makeup when its so much more than that! So now I work alongside my friend..her dad has a catering business so she books me appointments on the side for makeup...which I love cuz I get to do what I love doing...makeup!

Dec 9, 2011

Pattie D.

@ Angel M., thank you so much for posting that. Great article! Certainly, I would never want to retire from working at a counter. I want to learn and grow into this business and artistry and not just be a sales slave; however I know at a counter, it does come with the territory. I would just be looking to do it for a year or so to get some experience and the opportunity to receieve a discount/gratis in order to build my kit up more. Anyone have suggestions on being successful as a freelance artist? That's where I would really want to be as an artist or possibly working for an agency. Tips?  Advice?

Dec 9, 2011

Angel M.

I didn't think your plan was to retire at a counter, that was a main part that I didn't want to copy because I didn't want to imply that that was your intention. Here are the facts: freelancing is very rewarding. I think it's perfect and I love my decision to be a freelance artist. Downside, I know a lot of starving freelance artist. It takes a full time hustle to be a successful freelancer. You also have to have good organizational skills and self motivation. You are essentially a business owner and the business you have to market is you. I think I work around the clock, but I love what I do so I never mind...it feels like play time to me. I freelance for some companies, agencies, and I do my own thing on the side. You have to be on the grind looking for work every day. You need to have your calendar booked in advance at all times so you always know when your money is coming in. There is a whole lot of freedom in freelance and some people don't know how to deal with this. They expect for jobs to fall in their laps and it doesn't happen like that. 75% of your free time has to be securing work time. You have to be prepared for last minute on-call gigs. I can't stress it enough, you have to be on your grid. Agency work? Contact a agency and let them know you want to offer your services doing makeup for test shoots. Not only will this help to build your portfolio but if the agency likes you they'll bring you on as what??? A freelancer. But again, remember organization. I currently freelance for something like 20+ different agency's and you got to give them all love if you want them to show you some.  

Dec 14, 2011

Pattie D.

@Angel M.; Well said! Thank you so much for all the great advice and suggestions! You clearly know your make-up business techniques!