How to Start a Business as a Makeup Artist
Practice your craft
If you are considering becoming a makeup artist, it is almost certain that you love spending time applying makeup. Practising and trying out different techniques to bring different styles of makeup looks can be a great way to hone your craft as an upcoming makeup artist.
Trying out application techniques on your friends and family is a great way to transfer these skills to applying makeup on another person and develop your professional skills. There are a tonne of online resources that you can use to practise and teach yourself new techniques.
Career Outcomes
There are a limitless number of pathways that a career in makeup can take you along . The two main career options we will cover in this article extend along many different pathways are freelance makeup or a special effects makeup
As a freelance makeup artist, you are able to work your own flexible hours and provide styles of makeup that you enjoy. Quite commonly, freelance makeup artists will offer a wide range of event makeup services, applying makeup on clients for events such as birthdays or formal events. Right up to high-end bridal makeup which is a much more high-stress environment but also more profitable to you as a makeup artist.
Special effects makeup training can take you all over the world working on different theatre shows, television and film sets as just a few examples. Even in Adelaide, there are a lot of small projects that are in need of SFX makeup artists to bring the director’s vision to life, from creating grazes and bruises all the way to turning your talent into a brain-eating zombie or an alien from outer space.
Register for Professional Training
The best way to give your future career as a makeup artist a kickstart is to enrol in a professional makeup course that will equip you with all of the specialist skills and knowledge needed to enter the hair and makeup industry with confidence and expertise. All of our courses are held exclusively in-person, meaning that you will get to spend hours in class at our studio learning techniques and practising them under lecturers’ guidance.
Professional Makeup courses are the perfect entry point into the makeup industry, you will study a range of topics including;
- Colour Theory
- Product Knowledge
- Foundation Application
- Eye Makeup Application
- Lipstick Application
- Contouring & Highlighting
- Natural & Dramatic Makeup Looks
Creative and SFX Makeup Courses can open new doors into the film, magazine, theatre and TV industry. If you are already a makeup artist or would like to start a new career in the creative/special effects makeup industry, this course can offer you the techniques, confidence and understanding to allow you to participate in the field as a creative, theatre and SFX makeup artist, throughout your course, you will learn some of the following topics;
- Makeup Through The Ages
- Male Makeup
- Creative & Character Makeup design and application
- Bald cap making and application
- Bruising, Cuts & Grazes Burns, Scars, Blisters
- Diseases, Death
- Makeup Foam Latex Character Applications
Build out your Makeup Kit
Buying affordable makeup is a great way to get started and develop basic techniques, as you gain confidence and start providing your services professionally you will want to invest in a collection of professional makeup products. Although it is cheaper to purchase makeup from drugstore brands that offer great value, we would recommend investing in makeup artist-grade products that will have more vibrant colours and last for hours longer on your client’s skin. When you enrol in a professional makeup course you will usually need to purchase a professional makeup toolkit which will include
Makeup Brushes
You would be surprised at the difference between quality and cheap makeup brushes, immediately you will notice that the makeup application looks better when you’re working with quality brushes. While it may seem more expensive at first spending $150 on brushes instead of buying a cheap brush set off eBay, you will end up saving money in the long run because your makeup brushes will last for years to come.
Quality Foundation
Purchasing a selection of various foundations with different shades and finishes will undoubtedly be the most costly investment in your makeup kit, foundation is also one of the products that will make a difference. In the same way that a client will notice if their foundation doesn’t match their face because you don’t have their shade in your collection, your client will be wowed by the final results when you use a foundation that perfectly matches their face shape and their desired finish (Dewy, Matte etc)
Eyeshadow Palettes
Creating beautiful eyeshadow looks is easily the most fun part of being a makeup artist, purchasing eyeshadow palettes with a lot of different colours is also a tonne of fun. For the best value, start off building your collection by purchasing palettes with a lot of colours instead of smaller palettes, these palettes can be more expensive but you’ll be glad you made the investment when you are recreating new looks and find that you already have the perfect colour you need. Quality eyeshadow can make the difference between creating eye looks that are bold and vibrant and looks
Create your Portfolio
Your makeup artistry portfolio will be the place where you can showcase your talents to the world and where potential clients will be able to evaluate your work on similar face shapes to theirs. Potential clients will also be able to use your portfolio to choose the makeup style that they would like applied to their face.
When you are creating your portfolio, try to include as many photos as possible of different styles of makeup
- Event
- Formal
- Bridal
- SFX & Character
- And any other styles that interest you
This portfolio is a professional showcase to demonstrate your abilities at applying various styles to different face shapes and ethnicities.
When first creating your portfolio, ask some of your friends to be models in your portfolio. You can create different makeup looks on the same person as a great way to fill up your portfolio before you even begin charging for your services, if possible ask friends with varying face shapes and skin tones so that you can show a range of different models in your portfolio. All of a sudden, with only three models you could easily have nine+ portfolio images.
Posting your portfolio on Instagram is a great way to make your portfolio easy for potential clients to access, you can also upload before images to the same post so that viewers can swipe and see the difference in the transformation.
Pro Tip; Professional lighting and photography can go a long way to make your portfolio stand out and make your photos look professional. If you don’t have access to a professional photographer you can still get great photos by using a well-lit room or getting some cheap box lights off eBay and using a newer model iPhone to take professional quality shots for your portfolio
Freelance vs Employment
Running your own business and being the boss is often considered the dream as you have extremely flexible hours, but it isn’t for everyone. As a makeup artist, you have the option of entering into the industry as a freelance makeup artist but you also have the option of applying for jobs in the industry.
As a freelance makeup artist, you will need to spend a lot of time building your portfolio, talking to potential clients and running simple administrative tasks (We will publish a new article all about running a freelance makeup business soon!). Once you have been working in the industry for a few years and have spent a lot of time marketing your services and bringing in new clients you will find that you will need to spend very little time marketing your services because you will be picking up new clients through recommendations of previous clients. Obviously being a freelance makeup artist can provide lots of opportunities and freedom to set your own working hours and be on the move to take your services anywhere.
Working as an employee can provide great job security for those that do not want the stress of managing their own business, it is important to note that for some of these career options, you may need further training and nationally recognised accreditation. As an employed makeup artist, you will be able to work in the retail industry as a sales consultant for makeup stores such as Mac, Sephora & Mecca or at a makeup section in other retail stores such as David Jones or Myer. Your role will be to provide advice to customers by recommending the best shade foundation for their face and providing advice on the best makeup products to buy. You can also upskill and work as a beauty therapist, in which you will be able to provide a range of services including;
- Cosmetic Injectables
- Spa Treatments
- Hair Removal
- Lash Treatments
- Brow Treatments
Network with other Makeup Artists
Building a network of fellow makeup artists around you within South Australia and across the country can be a great way to build lifelong friendships that you share a passion with and can bounce ideas to and from.
There will be times throughout your career as a makeup artist where you might not be able to take a booking from a client, you can easily refer the potential client to someone in the industry that you know and trust. They will likely also refer work back to you
How Much Does Makeup School Cost?
Enrolling in a professional makeup course will help you gain industry knowledge of the basics and principles. You will master different make-up techniques and develop your skills in new areas by getting to spend dozens of hours in-class practising hand-to-brush under the guidance of master makeup educators.
In addition to building your portfolio, during your course, you will get the chance to network with your fellow peers and teachers to build a network of other makeup artists in the industry
Before you look into your schooling, make sure to do your research. A tip is to find a place that aligns with your main objectives and professional goals. Consider what you want and if the school can aid you in achieving your goals.
Investing in Makeup Kits & Equipment
Your makeup kits are the most important investments to have when it comes to being a makeup artist. You need to do a lot of research and care. Every artist will be working with diverse clients so you will need to create a kit that can serve anyone. This includes having a variety of colour palettes, foundations, concealers, colour correctors and more. You will need to take into factor the different locations, weather, climate and people.
Make sure you invest in quality makeup brushes and products. You should not buy used brushes and beware of counterfeits. F
You will also need to fund specialised cleaning products (like makeup removal pads, brush cleaning supplies and cotton swabs). Your boxes, bags and containers are also a component of expenses for the kit themselves.
Something to consider investing in is portable lighting, this can important when you are applying a client’s makeup and the natural lighting doesn’t work in your favour. Look into a ring light or/and makeup lights (2 square panels and one eye light).
Public Liability Insurance & Registering Your Business
If you’re planning on becoming a freelance makeup artist or opening your own makeup business, that means you need to learn about the legal rules and their expenses. You should take into consideration insurances, permits, rentals, etc.
As a freelance makeup artist you will need to register an ABN with the Australian Business Registry, this is completely free to do.
Whether you’re skilled or experienced, having business insurance protects you and your company from financial losses in case any accident happens (life is unexpected). Take into account the factors- who you work for, where you live and whether you feel secure in your career.
Having insurance means you don’t have to take money out of your pockets when bad situations happen. For example, what if one of your clients had an allergic reaction to one of your makeup products?
Insurances can range from $65 to $100 per month depending on who you’re insured with (for example, BizCover or Smart Business Insurance). You will need to do more research on what insurance you want to work with. For example, if you’re planning on working with BizCover and you select “Portable equipment insurance”, your tools can be protected in case they’re lost, damaged, or stolen.
Promoting your Business
We have already discussed the importance of networking with fellow makeup artists as a way to promote your business. There are several ways that you can bring in work for your make
When you are first starting out and wanting to bring in your first few clients, you might want to also provide free or heavily discounted makeup services to your friends and family as a way to practice and build up your portfolio, providing a discounted service means that you will still be able to cover the cost of your products. Remember that as you build up your experience and expertise as a makeup artist, that you need to charge around industry rates. Meaning, that you do not want to be undercutting your competition by a significant amount, undercutting prices waters down the value of the services that makeup artists provide.
One great way to promote your new business providing makeup services is through Facebook & Instagram. As a makeup artist, social media platforms will act as a portfolio to showcase your skills in applying makeup in different styles on different people. Keeping your social media platforms up to date on a regular basis shows potential clients that you are committed to your craft as a makeup artist
Marketing
You need ways to get your makeup business out there. So what are some ways you can market yourself?
A great free way to get started advertising your makeup services is through word of mouth. This is where you do makeup for friends, family or relatives and if they’re happy with the look, ask them to spread the word. There are two ways to do this if you’re a beginner, giving them a discount or doing it for free. It’s better to give them a discount as you’ll be getting paid for your work and this should cover the cost of the products that you use.
Using Facebook and Instagram is a must for up-and-coming makeup artists to showcase their work
Branding
Brand identity is so important when it comes to starting your makeup business. Having a strong brand influence helps you bring awareness and differentiate yourself from your competitors. It’s how the public perceives your business.
There are a few ways you can do this such as having your logo, crafting a brand identity board or plan, your website design and your social media content. You do these yourself or better yet, invest in a freelancer to do these things for you at a one-time fee.
You can also purchase pre-made templates online (such as business cards, price lists, social media content, website themes, etc.) specialised for beauty businesses. Use sites like Etsy, Creative Market or Fiverr.
When first starting out, only pay what you can afford. In the future, once you have more money coming in from your business, you can invest more money into a professional re-brand.
Website
After you have your brand up and running, it’s time to own your own self-hosted website. Having your own site is worth it in the long run and provides a great way for potential customers searching for makeup artists on Google.
Having your own website for your makeup startup is a great way to showcase your portfolio, bring in passive clients through Google search engines, bring brand awareness and collect interested viewers in an email list (another great way to have potential clients). It’s like a digital business card because you can add all your social media and contact info in one place.
Self-hosting your own website should cost around $200 – $400 AUD depending on who you are with and what bundle you choose (basic or premium). It is recommended to use WordPress as you’re able to customise the site however you like. But if you’re looking for something user-friendly and just wanted to make a portfolio, you can use Squarespace.
You will need to pay for your own domain name (which is separate from your hosting cost). It cost as little as $20 per month or less. So make sure you research your available business name.\
Overall, how much does it actually cost as a makeup artist?
The answer is: it really depends.
You could invest as little as under $500 – $5,000. Or you can invest more than $8,000. That all depends on your finances and location.
If you’re doing makeup for clients by travelling to their place or inviting them into your own home, the overhead cost will be lower. But if you’re planning on opening your own makeup studio or boutique, then you will need to look into the cost of utilities, rents, leases and more (which will cost more).