Gabrielle Rivera is a QC Makeup Academy graduate and professional makeup artist. To see more of her work, visit her Instagram here. Today, Gabrielle discusses her Top 6 tips for making the best possible impression while working with others during makeup artist jobs.
Interviews, demos, and working on the job should all be seen as an opportunity to showcase your talents. After all, these experiences will give others the chance to see why you would be an asset to them. A quote that I often think about when going to interviews – and one that should become a positive affirmation for all – is this:
”No one is you and that is your power.
Dave Grohl
With these words in mind, here are my Top 6 recommendations to help you make the best impression during all makeup artist jobs…
Makeup Artist Jobs: 6 Ways to Make the Best Impression
1. Be Yourself
When going on an interview or working on makeup artist jobs, my first piece of advice is to truly be yourself. Something important that I’ve learned is that, yes, your skills and credentials matter. However, what people really want is to see who you are. Interviews and/or working in the field can be nerve-wracking, especially for beginners. Just know that you’ve got this!
Try to stay calm and collected. This way, they can see your personality. It’s important for collaborators, employers, and clients alike to see your natural personality. After all, this can also be the key that helps open doors for future makeup artist jobs! So, show them that you’re focused and independent, while also being a team player.
Remember: even in the world of makeup, you will have to work and collaborate with many others. Understandably, this is something that others will want to know that you can handle seamlessly.
2. Remember Your Training
Look, you’re ready for this moment! You’ve put in the time and training. You have a reputable certification to your name. When in doubt, always remember the basics and foundations of makeup that you were taught in school.
During my first few makeup artist jobs, I was so focused on what I thought would impress others. As a result, I put way too much effort into discussing or only using prestigious-name brands.
Although your clientele might be impressed by your stock of Giorgio Armani or Charlotte Tilbury makeup, the employer mostly wants to know that you have the skills to create any look – regardless of the quality or brand of products.
The absolute BEST thing you can do for yourself is show them that you understand and can easily apply the foundations and basics of makeup. Moreover, you can do this on any client. If you can demonstrate that you have mastered the skills of a true artist, the employer is guaranteed to be impressed!
3. Be Flexible
Another key tip is to show your flexibility! When a potential employer or client is looking to hire a makeup artist, they want to know that you’re capable of thinking on your toes. As such, you’ll need to know how to be flexible with your application, product use, and overall craft.
Makeup products have many uses beyond their traditional function. Don’t be afraid to play around with this! For example, lipstick can also be used as cream blushes or eyeshadows. Being flexible with products helps to demonstrate your versatility and knowledge first-hand.
Moreover, this is especially important to showcase during an interview or makeup artist jobs. The reason? It’ll reassure the employer and/or client that you’re able to be flexible while working on clients – and also with others in the business.
4. Promote Your Versatility
We live in the age of technology. These days, many interviews, makeup demos, and even in-field work is done or showcased virtually. However, you can make yourself stand out of the crowd by having a physical portfolio that demonstrates your finest high-quality work, too!
Don’t let a potential job slip away because you relied solely on your Instagram (or other social media platforms) to promote your best work. Yes, the employer and/or client can view your social media pages. They can browse your website to see the work you’ve done. However, having a tangible portfolio that can be viewed on-hand will leave a lasting impression, right there in the moment.
Your makeup portfolio should contain high-quality photos that demonstrate your versatility as an artist. That being said, they should also show work that’s similar to the job in which you are applying.
5. Talk Through Your Process
When working on models or clients during makeup artist jobs, make sure that you aren’t quiet the entire time. Think of this as your time to show off your sparkling personality! Make the model or client feel comfortable in your hands by engaging in casual, friendly discussion.
Not only will talking with the model help you; it’ll also be a great way for you to show off your knowledge of the field. Instead of simply applying makeup and making generic conversation, why not explain why you are applying the product in certain areas? Enlighten and educate them by breaking down how each product should be properly used. You can even offer recommendations on what would be best for the model, based on their skin type or concerns!
By building this rapport with clients, you’ll leave a lasting impression. Plus, you’ll be opening the door for even more opportunities to work with them again in the future.
6. Get More Makeup Artist Jobs By Networking
My final tip that every makeup artist should always do is: network, network, network! Remember to keep that sparkling personality up and look for ways to connect with other hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and models! Working on the job is a great opportunity to share your business cards or social media with others. This way, you can build a professional working relationship with the people you’re interacting with.
Networking is ALWAYS going to benefit you as a makeup artist! Over time, you’ll build arsenal of colleagues that work in the business, as well as a long list of happy, repeat clients. As a result, the door for continuous collaboration will always remain open!
