15 Tips to Grow Your Makeup Business

Are you looking to take your professional makeup career to the next level? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we’ll provide you with 15 tips to grow your makeup business. These tips will help you reach a wider audience, book more clients, and increase your income.

So, whether you’re just starting out as an MUA or you’ve been in the industry for years, this advice will help you reach new heights.

Let’s get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

First thing’s first: let’s address some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding this topic and give them some answers!

How Do Makeup Artists Grow?

First thing’s first: as a makeup artist, what can you do to better your skill-set and take your expertise to the next level? After all, in order to expand your business, you’re going to need the high-quality services to back it up!

Here are a few things you can do to make sure you’re always on top of your game:

Furthermore, the single best way to grow as a makeup artist is to ensure that you get proper, professional training – such as that offered by QC Makeup Academy! QC’s self-paced, online makeup and beauty programs can be done right from the comfort of home, provide tons of hands-on experience, and give you a full unit devoted entirely to business training.

Plus, once you graduate, you’ll receive an internationally-recognized certification AND designation. Not only can you then add this to your resume; it’ll also be sure to WOW clients and make them more likely to book with you!

How Do Makeup Artists Get Noticed?

Now that we’ve covered ways in which you can improve your skills as an MUA, let’s move on to the topic of getting your name out there. After all, if you’re not busy with work, then it’s time to figure out how to change that!

Here are a few ideas:

1. Start by branding yourself and creating an online presence. This could include setting up a website or blog, building a social media following, etc. Make sure your brand is consistent across all platforms and that your messaging is clear.
2. Network with other professionals in the industry (i.e. other makeup artists, hair stylists, photographers, etc.) and collaborate whenever possible. Not only will this help expose your business to new people; it’ll also allow you to build positive relationships with others in your field.
3. Consider exhibiting at local trade shows or other events related to the beauty industry. This is a great way to reach new potential clients and promote your business in person!
4. Finally, don’t forget the power of word-of-mouth marketing! Encourage happy clients to leave reviews online and tell their friends about your services. Positive customer testimonials can be extremely valuable for attracting new business.

How Do I Do Freelance Makeup?

A freelance makeup artist is someone who is self-employed and works on a contract basis, usually with individual clients. This can be a great option for those who want more freedom and flexibility in their work schedule.

So, how do you become a freelance makeup artist? Here are a few tips:

First, start by building up your portfolio of work. This will give potential clients a better idea of the services you offer and the quality of your work. Next, develop a strong network of contacts within the industry and collaborate whenever possible.

Then, market yourself aggressively! Use all of the resources at your disposal (e.g. social media, online directories, word-of-mouth, etc.) to get your name out there and attract new clients. Finally, be sure to keep your business organized and efficient by staying on top of things like scheduling, invoicing, etc.

Ultimately, the better you are at running your business, the more successful you’ll be as a freelancer!

How Can I Grow My Makeup Business?

Alright, let’s get to the real reason why you’re here… You’ve more than likely been thinking to yourself, “How can I get more makeup clients? What can I do to take my business to the next level?”

Luckily, we’ve got 15 tips that can achieve these very goals! So, let’s take a look at them…

15 Tips to Grow Your Makeup Business

Tip #1: Stay up to date with the latest trends!

In order to be successful, it’s important that you’re always keeping up with the latest makeup trends. This means regularly checking out new products, watching makeup tutorials online, and attending industry events. By staying up-to-date, you’ll be able to offer your clients the latest and greatest services!

Tip #2: Get involved with social media!

Social media is a powerful tool that can help you reach a wider audience and promote your business. Make sure you’re active on all of the major platforms (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.) and that your branding is consistent across all channels.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating your social media accounts:

A strong social media presence will have you attracting new clients and growing your makeup business in no time!

Tip #3: Create a website for your makeup business!

A website is a must-have for any business, and the same holds true for makeup artists. Not only will it give potential clients a better idea of who you are and what services you offer – it’ll also allow you to build positive relationships with others in your field.

When creating your website, be sure to include the following:

Tip #4: Get creative with your marketing!

There are endless possibilities when it comes to marketing your makeup business. So, get creative and think outside the box! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

By getting creative with your marketing, you’ll be able to reach a whole new audience and grow your business like never before.

Tip #5: Don’t forget about online marketing, too!

These days, online marketing will be your best friend. Make sure you’re utilizing all of the available resources, such as directories (e.g. Yelp, Google, etc.), review sites (e.g. MakeupAlley), and social media platforms (again, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

Furthermore, a worthy investment for your makeup business will be in paid advertisements. With paid ads, you can specifically target your ideal clientele via social media, Google ads, etc., and see a great return on the money you’ve invested into this venture.

By taking advantage of online marketing tools, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience and attract more clients!

Tip #6: Keep your prices competitive!

In order for potential clients to choose YOU over your competition, it’s important that your prices are competitive. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be giving away your services for free! Rather, you should take some time to research the going rates in your area. This way, you can make sure you’re pricing yourself accordingly.

Remember, too, that you can always offer discounts and promotions to attract new clients. (We’ll cover this in the next tip.) Just be sure that you’re still making a profit!

Tip #7: Consider offering discounts and incentives!

When first starting out, it can be tough to attract new clients. One of the best ways to do so is by offering discounts and promotions! This will show potential clients that you’re serious about your work, and that you’re willing to go above and beyond to earn their business.

Some ideas for discounts and promotions include (but aren’t limited to):

There are endless possibilities when it comes to offering discounts and incentives. So, get creative and find what works best for you and your makeup business!

Tip #8: Offer a variety of makeup and beauty services!

Makeup artists often specialize in one area or another – such as weddings, special effects, or everyday makeup looks. However, it’s always a good idea to offer a variety of services in order to appeal to a wider audience. This way, you’ll be able to attract more clients and book more jobs, since your business will be a one-stop-shop for their beauty needs!

Some of the most popular services that MUAs offer include (but again, aren’t limited to):

By diversifying your services, you’ll be able to appeal to more people and grow your business at the same time!

Tip #9: Develop a strong makeup portfolio!

Your portfolio is essentially your resume. It’s what potential clients will use to judge your skills as a makeup artist. So, make sure it’s up-to-date and includes a mix of both personal and professional work. Also, don’t forget to showcase your range by including photos of different makeup styles!

Never put together a professional makeup portfolio before? Then make sure to keep this advice in mind:

If you need help putting together a strong makeup portfolio, QC Makeup Academy has your back! Our 2-unit Portfolio Development Workshop will teach you everything you need to know to create a stunning, jaw-dropping display of your best work!

Tip #10: Offer virtual makeup and beauty services!

Over the course of the pandemic, many people have opted to stay home and avoid public places. As a result of the on-and-off gathering restrictions over the past couple of years, in-person makeup services weren’t always an option. However, the world quickly discovered that this did not mean that beauty professionals can’t still provide clients with the services they need!

Thanks to today’s technology, you can offer virtual makeup and beauty services – such as video tutorials, makeup and/or skincare consultations, and even full makeup applications! All you need is a good internet connection and some basic video-chat software (like Skype or Zoom). This way, you can continue to book jobs and make money, even during these uncertain times.

Furthermore, virtual beauty services will still provide your makeup business with major benefits even long after the pandemic is over. Namely, because they’ll allow you to work with customers from all over the world. This means that your (or your client’s) location will never be an issue.

And who knows? You might even start getting more requests for virtual services than in-person services!

Tip #11: Offer private and/or group makeup lessons!

One of the best ways to grow your makeup business is to offer private and/or group lessons. This way, you can teach people about everything from basic makeup application techniques to more advanced skills, like special effects makeup.

Not only will teaching others help you hone your own skills as a MUA; it’ll also give you a chance to build relationships with potential clients! In addition, if you’re able to create a successful course, you could even start selling it online or through other channels.

Just remember, though, that you should only be training others if you’ve first been trained yourself. Teaching makeup lessons when unqualified can have disastrous results, and lead to your business getting bad reviews (which we know you don’t want)!

Tip #12: Attend beauty conventions and trade shows!

Attending beauty conventions and trade shows is a great way to get your makeup business in front of new potential clients. Plus, you can also use these events as an opportunity to learn about the latest industry trends and products (hello, Tip #1!).

Just be sure to do your research before attending any convention or trade show. This way, you’ll know which ones are worth your time and money – and which ones you should avoid.

If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend checking out some of the smaller regional shows. Not only are they more affordable than larger events, but they also tend to have a more intimate atmosphere that’s conducive to networking.

On that note…

Tip #13: Network, network, network!

Networking is key in any business – but it’s especially important in the beauty industry. After all, word-of-mouth is still one of the best ways to grow your makeup business!

So, how do you network effectively? Start by attending industry events (like the ones we mentioned in the last tip), and get to know as many people as you can. You never know when one of those connections could come in handy.

In addition, social media is also a great tool for networking these days. So, be sure to make use of platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to connect with others in your field. (Just remember to use caution when sharing personal information online.)

Finally, don’t forget about good old fashioned face-to-face networking! You can attend local meetups, join industry associations, or even host your own networking events.

Tip #14: Take part in a stylized photoshoot!

Another way to network face-to-face is to lend your makeup artistry skills to a stylized photoshoot. What’s a styled photoshoot? Well, it’s basically when a team of creatives come together to create a themed shoot. This could be anything from a fashion editorial to a wedding shoot.

By participating in stylized photoshoots, you’ll not only get the chance to work with other creatives; you’ll also have the opportunity to showcase your skills to potential clients! In addition, if the photos are published or go viral, you could see a surge in traffic to your website or social media pages.

Just be sure that you’re selective about which shoots you participate in. You don’t want your name associated with any shoddy productions – it’ll only reflect poorly on your business.

Tip #15: Get involved in your community!

Finally, one of the best ways to grow your makeup business is to get involved in your local community. This could involve anything from volunteering at a women’s shelter to working with a local theater group.

Not only will getting involved in your community help you give back; it’ll also help you build relationships with potential clients. And, as we all know by now, word-of-mouth is still one of the best marketing tools around!

So, there you have it: 15 tips to help you grow your makeup business! We hope that this advice will help you reach a wider audience, book more clients, and increase your income. But most importantly, we hope they’ll help you achieve your dreams!

Which tip did YOU find the most beneficial?

Let us know in the comments below! 💕

Get your makeup business up and running in as little as 2-6 months by starting your professional training with QC Makeup Academy today!