Useful Resources

These are links to professional makeup artist YouTube, blogs, and websites.  I hope you find these resources helpful with beautifying your career.

Celebrity Makeup Artist Crystal Wright Advice

http://www.crystalwrightlive.com/resources/makeup-a-hair/become-a-celebrity-makeup-artist-by-crystal-a-wright.html

YouTube Makeup Guru: Makeup Geek TV

http://www.makeupgeek.com/becoming-a-makeup-artist/how-to-become-a-makeup-artist-part-1/

Anna Sui Forum:

http://www.beautylish.com/t/vunwv/becoming-a-mua

Judy's YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/itsjudytime?feature=g-u-u

Samantha and Nicole's YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo?feature=g-u-u

Your Portfolio and Publicizing

A very important facet in the beauty/cosmetology industry is networking and getting your face, name, and work out there.  People need to know what you are capable of doing.  Today, because of the many social networking sites, there are a lot of ways to get out there. 

Portfolio

If you are going to put yourself out there be sure to have everything done professionally.  Presentation is everything, especially in the world of beauty.  There are standards for your makeup portfolio and you should follow them.  

• Your portfolio pictures should be taken by a professional photographer.  You want to be sure that your pictures captivate your work and the photographer should know how to do just that.
• Have at least two portfolios; one should be available online and the other should be a physical copy.
• Make sure that your portfolio shows off different styles of makeup.  It is also a good idea to recreate trends from the past and the present.

Publicizing

Putting your work out there is easy but it is going to take some patience.  Introducing yourself to the right people will help land jobs and opportunities.  Local party, wedding, event planners all over your town are ideal people that you want to know your name.  It is very important to make yourself known if you want to become a successful makeup artist.  There are a couple of things to keep in mind (and in your itinerary).

• Professional business cards are important.  You want to represent yourself in a professional manner every opportunity you get.
•  Dress professionally when you are introducing yourself to the local event and party planners.  
• Social networks and personal blogs are also useful when you want to publicize.  Making a YouTube channel is a way to get yourself known amongst the professional and non-professional makeup artists in the community. 

Important Tools Pt 2

From brushes to skin care products, you will need an assortment of equipment when starting your makeup career.  It would be a wise decision to invest in quality items that have longevity. The Beauty Book provided of list of things you will need.

Makeup Kit:

Makeup:

Skin Care - lip balms, moisturizers, body lotion & oil, eye makeup remover

Body – liquids, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Foundations - creams, liquids, stick

Setting Powder – pressed, loose

Concealers - creams, liquids, tattoo cover

Eyeshadows - powders, creams, loose pigments

Eye Liners - pencils, liquids, gels, brow pencils

Mascara - waterproof & non-waterproof in clear, black & brown

Lashes - individual flares, strips

Blush - creams, powders

Bronzer - creams, powders

Lip Color - lipsticks, glosses, stains

Lip Liners

Tools:

Brushes – natural & synthetic hair in various shapes and sizes

Empty Palettes – fill with eyeshadows, lipsticks, foundations

Pencil Sharpener – dual for slim & jumbo pencils

Lash curler – regular, mini

Mixing palette

Spatulas

Tweezers

Brow Scissors

Brow brush

Lash comb

Disposables:

Non-Latex Sponges

Powder Puffs

Mascara wands

Cotton pads

Makeup Wipes

Q-tips

Important Tools

There is a multitude of things you need to invest in when becoming a makeup artist.  You will need the right tools and proper education to become a makeup artist.  These tools and schooling can get expensive.  It is very important to plan this decision out and not just rush into it.

There are various cosmetology schools that you should look into when pursuing your license.  Again, doing your research is important

Schooling:

When looking for the perfect cosmetology schools there are a few things to keep in mind such as: accreditation, preparation of cosmetology exams, business and professional training, up to date trends in cosmetology.  

All of these are important factors in choosing a school.  You want to make sure that the school aptly prepares you for everything that you can and will face in the field of makeup.  

http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/faq/best-cosmetology-schools.php

Professional makeup artist Kandee goes into more detail about makeup schools.

Also, here is a link that will provide you with beauty schools by state:

http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/beautyschoolsindex.php

What You Need to Know

If your purpose is to become one of the world’s most renowned makeup artists, you should know that it is going to take a lot of patience and work.  This is a field just like any other that requires experience and practice. You should always start off by researching what it is you want to do exactly in this field.
There are three types of professional makeup artists:

· Union Artist- completed all the union requirements and they can join the union and get union jobs on major motion pictures and ad campaigns.

· Agency Artist- work for certain makeup agencies such as: Rex Agency and Art House Management.

· Freelance Artist- represent themselves, negotiate their own contract, and find their own 
jobs.

Each of these makeup artists usually have a certain type of area they work in. 

· Union Artist- large movie production, television ads, special effects makeup

· Agency Artist- runway, music industry

· Freelance Artist- independent work (weddings, parties, etc.), runway

Choosing any one of these paths require education.  The right education can look good on your resume to further push your career in a positive direction.