From the Experts Archives

Feb 19

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What NOT to Do in Your Editorial Makeup Portfolio

By Charlotte Ravet From the Experts, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Building your editorial makeup portfolio? Renowned MUA, Charlotte Ravet, reveals 5 mistakes you need to AVOID making!

Charlotte is the proud owner of her very own hair and makeup business, A Date With Charlotte. From bridal, to editorial, to film and television, and everything in-between – Charlotte’s extensive makeup training allows her to provide a wide variety of services that cater to ALL types of clientele!

Her extensive resume includes working for Prada, L’Oreal, and even the cast of the hit show, Glee! A developer of educational programs, Charlotte has even been awarded Best Makeup Educator of the Year by the Australian Industry Makeup Awards.

Building Your Editorial Makeup Portfolio as a Newbie

As an MUA, you will build your makeup portfolio over the years. Now, starting your portfolio from scratch might sound overwhelming at first. But with the right strategies, you’ll quickly build relationships and take part in jobs that’ll provide you with quality photos of your work.

Even as an industry professional, I am constantly building my makeup portfolio. As the standard, I make sure to include important publication work, as well as looks I’m especially proud of. On top of that, I also try to display my most recent work. For me, this means it’s 3 years old or less.

Here’s the problem: if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be all too easy to put together a BAD makeup portfolio. The key to avoiding this is to not make amateur mistakes. It’s natural to have a few hiccups in the beginning (that’s what learning is all about, after all). But you can bypass a lot of these common errors by following the tips I’m about to discuss.

So, here are a few things I have learned throughout my career that can help you today. In fact, these are all things I wish someone has told ME not to do in my makeup portfolio when I first got started!

Photo by Anniss+Barton Photography.

5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Editorial Makeup Portfolio

1. Choosing the Wrong Model

Your best friend might be stunning, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be a great model on camera. One of the most important parts of your makeup portfolio is showcasing the right models. So, you’ll need to choose them wisely!

The quality of editorial work is largely based on the model and how they portray your makeup look. When seeking out models, remember: “photogenic features” does not simply mean the person is pretty. Rather, it also means interesting and unique. Your model should also know how to pose (and have more than one pose in their arsenal).

How to Choose the RIGHT Model

So, how should you go about finding the right models for your makeup portfolio? Start by taking a look at their portfolio of work!

You’ll want to see variety in their photos. Take a close look at their poses and expressions. Keep an eye out for any singularities, too. For example, do they have freckles? Curly hair? A cute gap between their tap? It’s never a bad thing to have a model with discernable features that help them to stand out!

Your model needs to best suit the makeup you will create. If you’re going for something creative, you might be looking for specific features in your model. Good skin is also really important, since blending needs to be flawless (and with a light coverage) for editorial work.

Photo by Anniss+Barton Photography.

2. You Only Showcase ‘Creative’ Looks

Creative makeup is very popular amongst MUAs. After all, it’s one of the best ways we can express ourselves. You might love using bright colors, glitters, and textures. (I do, too!) However, your makeup portfolio shouldn’t only demonstrate creative looks.

If it does, you might put off potential clients. It could also give the wrong impression: that this type of makeup is all you can do. Clients will seek out makeup artists who can bring their visions to life. If you only show one specific style and it doesn’t align with theirs, you’ve just missed out on a booking opportunity.

How to Showcase Variety

Your makeup portfolio should display a variety of different looks and styles. For example, the most requested look tends to be the “no makeup” look. If you do editorial makeup, chances are good that you’ll work for fashion labels and skincare brands. Look at the advertisements to get a proper idea of what’ll be expected from you.

You’ll notice that very often, the model’s makeup is quite natural. Even if it’s not what excites you the most, this is the type of makeup which can give you regular, paid work. This is just one example, of course. But it illustrates the importance of showcasing different sides of your makeup skills in your professional portfolio.

If you want to broaden your range and master many different types of makeup, professional training is the best recommendation I can give you. So, get certified and learn the skills needed to create ANY type of editorial look!

Photo by Anniss+Barton Photography.

3. You Don’t Understand the Story

An editorial series is often created around a story. The story is the actual mood; the link between the looks you’ll create. For example, an editorial series could be ‘80’s makeup with a modern twist’ or ‘colorful summer outwear’. If you don’t understand the story behind the series, your makeup won’t reflect the message your client is trying to get across.

It’s very important to clearly identify the expectation of your client and/or the photographer. Your makeup might not be the focal point of the image. Plus, the makeup will also need to work with the hairstyle, the lighting, the clothes, and the model themselves. If the looks needs to be more natural in order to create a beautiful image, that’s just the way it is!

I’ve often worked for hairdressers, creating a collection for awards. Very often, the hair is creative and colorful. While the makeup can be slightly creative, too, the focus is meant to be the model’s hair. As such, it would be a mistake to create overly avant-garde makeup for this type of shoot.

How to Understand the Story

Communicate with the client and/or the photographer! If the story behind the shoot is unclear to you, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s better to admit you need some guidance than it is to stay silent and produce the wrong results. The latter will just waste everyone’s time and give off a bad impression on your part.

Photo by Anniss+Barton Photography.

4. Your Editorial Makeup Portfolio Lacks Editorial Looks

It’s sometimes hard to explain what editorial makeup is. After all, you can find a lot of different styles which will work well when photographed. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” definition.

Still, the whole purpose of your editorial makeup portfolio is to display, well, editorial makeup. You’ll need to showcase at least some of the standard techniques/elements within your work. And it shouldn’t just be one technique used on a bunch of different models either. There are tons of different techniques you can demonstrate, so take advantage of that!

How to Create an Editorial Makeup Style

Here are a few tips for creating an editorial look in your makeup portfolio that’s suitable for magazines:

Keep the skin natural! Use color correction, skincare, and cream contour for the most natural result. Avoid thick foundation and apply powder very lightly.
Be careful with concealers! It’s easier for a photographer to edit a small breakout with no makeup than trying to correct layers of concealer. If your model has a small breakout, you can leave it with no makeup on.
The foundation color matches both the face and body perfectly! You’ll notice that very often, the skin on the body is slightly more yellow than the face. If you create a pink complexion on the face, but then your model rests her face on her shoulder, the difference WILL be noticeable.
Be careful with the eyebrows! Filling up all of the model’s eyebrows with product is not going to work for editorial makeup. Instead, focus on creating natural eyebrows by using feathering movements with an angle brush. You can also conceal the eyebrows using a bit of concealer and a mascara wand.
Play with texture! Shimmer products are not the only way to create highlights. A lip balm applied on the cheekbones will create a beautiful glass skin effect.

5. You’re Not Prepared

Beautiful images for an editorial makeup portfolio require work and preparation. Before applying makeup on your model, you should have a clear idea of what the lighting is, what the editing will look like, and what the final images should (ideally) look like. I have also learned that reaching out to photographers with some ideas is a great way to build a relationship and begin a collaboration.

How to Go Into a Job Prepared

Instead of simply sending a link to your website and asking for a meeting, share the moodboards you’ve created with the photographers you want to work with! Great photographers are often busy. If you want to get their attention, show them that you’re also a trustworthy professional who has ideas!

Then, once you’ve discussed and finalized a moodboard, you can plan your looks ahead of time, in preparation for the shoot. That way, when the time comes, you’ll be fully prepared and ready to do your best work!

My Final Advice for Your Editorial Makeup Portfolio

When working on photoshoots and building up your portfolio, remember to always be yourself! Be unique and love what you do. Exposing yourself artistically is also exposing yourself to criticism – and that’s fine! You can’t please everyone and this is okay. Always reach for the best you can do, be organized and professional, and enjoy every minute of the creative process.

Ultimately, this will be your key to a strong makeup portfolio – and your career’s success!

QC Makeup Academy’s Portfolio Development Workshop will teach you everything you need to know about building your makeup portfolio. Take your career to the next level by enrolling today!

Jan 20

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7 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting a Career in Makeup Artistry

By Charlotte Ravet Career Advice, From the Experts No Comments

Thinking of pursuing a career in makeup artistry? Professional MUA, Charlotte Ravet, is here to reveal 8 critical things she wishes she had known before launching her own career!

Before starting my makeup training, I remember how excited I was. I imagined nothing more than a world of glitters, colors, and travel; doing makeup for TV shows and celebrities. Now that I’m well-established within the industry, I’m here to tell you the truth…

A career in makeup artistry looks a lot like what I just described, yes. But it also takes time, trials, mistakes, and a TON of hard work.

As a makeup artist, I’ve changed in many ways over the years. I have been fortunate enough to meet some amazing MUAs who’ve shared with me their best advice and tips. If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would definitely have some key advice to share.

Since I can’t do that, I figured I could do one better and share this advice with YOU! 💕

Your Career in Makeup Artistry: What Being a “Freelancer” Really Means

To start, working as a freelance makeup artist doesn’t simply mean that you are own boss, can set your own schedule, and do whatever you want. On the contrary, it actually means that you’re operating a very real business. This means that on top of doing your clients’ makeup, you’ll have a bunch of other responsibilities to take care of, too.

Marketing, invoicing, and other admins tasks are just as important as doing the makeup itself. You will need existing and potential clients alike to be able to find your business. So, good organization skills are critical! After all, you’ll need to be able to keep track of your payments and accountability, as well as do your taxes correctly and on time.

Of course, you can delegate and pay other people to do it for you. But in the beginning, your business will likely be a one person operation, so this is a legitimate budget to consider when crunching the numbers!

Software That Can Make Your Life Easier

These days, there are all sorts of free online software (or available for a small subscription fee) at your fingertips. This type of software can really help you keep track of all your administrative tasks. Plus, they can also help your marketing so your business can look more professional.

Zoho: An online software which can be used for free under a certain number of clients. Zoho allows you to keep all your accountability in one convenient place; from invoicing, to record expenses with receipts, to creating reports, etc. I have tried a few business software apps and this was my favorite for invoicing. Plus, it’s one of the cheapest options!
Canva: An amazing resource for creating all of your marketing material. From Instagram posts, to flyers and presentations – Canva has been a life-changer for me! It’s very easy to use, too. Simply upload your images and create professional-looking designs.
Wix: A very popular site builder to help you create your very own business website. Since Wix offers pre-designed templates, it’s extremely user-friendly!

7 Things to Know Before Starting Your Career in Makeup Artistry

Let’s count down my Top 7 things to know before you launch your exciting career! These are all things I personally wish I’d known myself, and have learned through years of experience.

7. Prioritize paying jobs.

Even if makeup is your passion, keep in mind that it’s also what pays the rent! I still do unpaid collaborations and editorials with photographers, but I secure my paid work first.

Admittedly, when first starting your career in makeup artistry, it can sometimes feel hard to prioritize what you ‘should’ be doing. After all, you need visibility and images to build a makeup portfolio and get paid work. In the beginning, paid work might not yet be an option.

In this case, that’s totally okay! Photoshoot collaborations are a great way to build your network, gain hands-on experience, and build your portfolio – even if it’s being done for free. But once paying clients start coming to you, they should take priority.

Exceptions to the Rule

Sometimes, however, you have to trust your gut. You might have a paying client booked, only to be offered a proposal for unpaid work that could actually prove to be more beneficial to your career. In a situation such as this, I would strongly advise that you first look at the work of the people wishing to collaborate with you. See if it fits your needs and artistic direction.

For example, let’s say that a big-name photographer asks you for unpaid editorial work. They want to schedule it on the same day that a client is asking you for one makeup look only. In the long run, the unpaid editorial work might actually get you more paying jobs in the future, thanks to wider exposure this job will most likely give you.

On the other hand, if you have a collaboration project planned with someone you work with regularly, and you’ve been offered a full-paid job on the same day, photographers usually understand that you need to take the paid job. Just be careful, give plenty of notice if you decide to take the job, and always find a replacement. Be professional!

6. Competition is hard.

This is just the honest truth. The makeup industry is extremely competitive, and the only thing that can save you is a strong work ethic. The pressure to find work as a freelancer can be challenging. Sometimes, you’ll have to face some difficult moments and be met with disappointment.

We all have days where we feel a bit flat and want to take a break. But this is proper to any creative industry. Doing work with your heart and soul takes a lot – but when you do something you love, NO day really feels like ‘work’ anymore.

Want some tips so you can stand out from the competition? Keep reading here!

5. Elevate your career in makeup artistry by finding your niche.

When I started my career in makeup artistry, I dreamed of working in fashion. I did wind up doing that for a bit, but it was mainly TV gigs that gave me well-paid work. So after that, I started working on creative projects. Now I specialize in education and creative makeup!

Finding your own niche will take time, and this is okay. You’ll need to explore different opportunities and figure out what you really love to do. It doesn’t mean that you need to do one type of work only. Rather, it means that you will probably prioritize one type of work over another.

Very often, your niche will help you build your clientele. People will naturally contact you more to do one specific type of work if you prove to be really good at it. The fabulous thing about your career in makeup artistry is that you’ll continuously explore diverse opportunities and create different types of looks!

4. Look after your health.

Standing on your feet all day for long hours, carrying your makeup kit, using your hands… This can all take a negative toll on our bodies over time. In turn, this can also bring down our mental health if we’re not careful!

To have a professional career in makeup artistry, you’ll need to be in good physical health. Be careful with manual handling and your body posture. It’s pretty common for makeup artists to have back and hand issues after a few years. So, adopting the right habits from the start is essential.

Just as importantly, don’t forget to take time for yourself! As much as possible, try to leave work at the proverbial door once your day is done. Allot time in your schedule to decompress, relax, and clear your brain of any stressors. This alone will have a BIG impact on your well-being!

3. Look after your network.

Even if you haven’t worked with someone in a while, remind them of you and your business! Send your updated portfolio in a newsletter to your clients and past vendors, using services like Mailchimp. Don’t hesitate to give a follow-up call either.

Do you have a potential new project you’d like to collaborate with someone on? Ask them to have a coffee with you! You can outline your idea and together, you can decide if this is a project you’d both like to take part in.

Simply put, make sure people don’t forget about you. This way, when an opportunity arises, you’ll be fresh in peoples’ minds. This will increase your chances of being the one they contact for the job!

2. Don’t give up.

It might take more time than originally anticipated to get your first well-paid job. But if you keep doing the right things, work will come to you. Things are not always totally within our control – last year proved that better than anything! 2020 was nothing short of a challenging year for many creative industries.

There will be times where you might have less work. Other times, you’ll suddenly feel like you’re swimming in client bookings. The key is to keep pushing forward through both the highs and the lows. Personally, I have seen plenty of people whose career in makeup artistry just couldn’t seem to take off – and now they’re working for high fashion runways!

Just be patient, and be kind to yourself. The best things take time.

1. Take time off.

In my experience, this is the most important piece of advice I can offer you. Should you choose a career in makeup artistry as a freelancer, the fear of not getting work can be stressful. As a result, you might begin to overcompensate without even realizing it. Between marketing, working on your social media channels, taking part in photoshoots, and trying to build your clientele, you can very quickly forget about making time for yourself.

Fall into this trap and you’ll burn out before you know it.

It’s essential to have at least one day off per week. On this given day, you do NOT work at all! Use it to properly take time for yourself. Over-stressing about getting more work is not going to bring you more work if you’re spread too thin. Having a clear state of mind is what will bring you the right answers.

The makeup and beauty industry is evolving every day. When I first started my career in makeup artistry, things were very different. I have learned how to manage my stress and take things one day and a time. Through experience, I’ve also discovered that at the end, everything will be okay.

As artists, we are lucky to be able to choose a career we are truly passionate about. Even if you face some difficult times here and there, you’ll one day look back on your successful career and know that you every moment – good or bad – was all worth it. Personally, I wouldn’t have done anything differently!

Start your career in makeup artistry with a professional certification to add to your resume! Click here to learn all about QC Makeup Academy’s wide variety of online courses!

Dec 16

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5 Special Effects Makeup Products to Ask Santa For!

By Gabrielle Rivera From the Experts, Makeup Reviews, Special Effects Makeup No Comments

Gabrielle Rivera is a QC Makeup Academy graduate, professional MUA, and special effects makeup expert. To see more of her work, visit her Instagram here.

Christmas is the best time of year to ask Santa for the beauty products you absolutely MUST add to your makeup kit! If you’re interested in pursuing a career in special effects makeup, I’ve got 5 products for you to add to your wish list today.

The best part? They can all be used whether you’re a beginner or experienced makeup artist, and I guarantee that they’ll help take your creations to the next level!

5 Special Effects Makeup Products You Need!

1. Fleet Street Tooth Lacquer Palette

Teeth are a subtle detail that MUAs can potentially overlook when creating special effects makeup looks. But the teeth are very important!

Imagine that you’ve just spent hours creating a detailed gore look or a mythical creature. Once you’re finished and your model is ready to have their photo taken, they smile… and show off a mouth of pearly whites! While they may seem inconsequential, teeth play a major role in creating a finished look. They have a huge impact on the final product of your design.

So, ask Santa to bring you a Tooth Lacquer palette! This palette will help you achieve the most realistic special effects makeup for your characters (and their chompers). My favorite brand is the Fleet Street Tooth Lacquer palette because it comes with a variety of grossly-pigmented paints! With this palette, I have brought a Leprechaun to life. Not to mention, these lacquers are the perfect finish to any rotting zombie look.

(Hint hint, for those enrolled in QC Makeup Academy’s Special FX Makeup Course!)

2. Alcohol-Activated Paints

Another great gift to ask for this holiday season are alcohol-activated paints! What I love most about these types of paints is that they’re long-lasting. They’re also exceptional at creating the most life-like special effects makeup.

One of my favorite alcohol-activated paint brands is the Skin Illustrator palettes. There are over 20 unique Skin Illustrator palettes designed to help artists achieve specific looks. However, a staple in every SFX artist’s kit should be the FX palette. This palette has all of the tones needed to create bruising, cuts, veins, and the illusion of decay.

Some of my other favorite Skin Illustrator palettes are the Grunge and Necromania palettes. They both have a wide range of colors that can be used to create a variety of special effects makeup looks. Another brand of alcohol-activated paints that you DEFINITELY need to ask Santa for are the ProAiir liquid paints used for airbrushing!

Both of the above brands are waterproof and ensure long-lasting results for you and your clients.

3. 3rd Degree

Another staple that I always have in my SFX kit are the 3rd Degree silicone modeling compounds. I’ve been using this brand for over three years now and I have never looked back!

The pros of using this compound include:

It’s easier to work with this product when compared to scar wax or other modeling compounds
It has a quick drying time
It allows you to create more realistic SFX textures in the skin

In the past, I’ve done a Freddy Kreuger SFX look. For it, I used 3d Degree in order to create the burn marks, cuts, gashes, and wounds that resemble flaps of skin, holes, and more! Another great advantage of using this product is that you can add liquid paints in order to create custom colors. This is because the compound cures, which helps to create the most realistic results.

4. Pros-Aide Adhesive and Cream

Pros-Aide Adhesive is a professional adhesive similar to liquid latex. For beginners, I highly recommend using regular liquid latex first. This way, you can become familiar with working with latex before moving onto any costlier products (as the Pros-Aide brand can get a bit expensive).

Pros-aide is a richer quality adhesive that can be used on prosthetics, or can be used in conjunction with cotton to build your own. I prefer this adhesive when working with prosthetics, as it allows for a smoother blend to the skin.

In addition to Pros-aide adhesive, a MUST-have to pair alongside it is Pros-Aide Cream. This cream adhesive is a thicker adhesive that’s meant to fill in the gaps or edges of prosthetics. The result is a truly seamless blend. That being said, this product can also be used to create scars or textures on the skin.

5. Airbrush Machine

The BEST gift you can ask Santa for this Christmas is an airbrush machine. Whether you specialize special effects makeup or regular makeup, trust me: an airbrush machine will elevate your game completely!

Not only do airbrush machines help deliver blended looks; they can save you time as well. Airbrush machines are a great way to lay down a base for your looks, on both small and larger-scale areas. With practice, airbrush machines can also be used to detail looks, and they’re phenomenal for painting over top of prosthetics!

The airbrush machine I use is the Master Airbrush Model TC-320. This airbrush machine is portable, compact, and gets the job done every time. With an airbrush machine, you can use water or alcohol-activated paints, as well as liquid foundation to create glamor looks.

If you ask Santa for nothing else this holiday season, I recommend asking for an airbrush machine. It’ll completely change your life!

Want to learn more about airbrush makeup? QC Makeup Academy has an awesome Airbrush Makeup Workshop that will teach you everything you need to know!

The BEST gift Santa can give you this year is the chance to start your dream career as an MUA! Enroll in QC’s Special Effects Makeup Course today and become a certified professional in as little as 3-6 months!

Dec 03

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How I’ve Found Makeup Jobs During a Global Pandemic

By Charlotte Ravet Career Advice, From the Experts No Comments

Charlotte is the proud owner of her very own hair and makeup business, A Date With Charlotte. From bridal to editorial, to film and television, and everything in-between – Charlotte’s extensive makeup training allows her to provide a wide variety of services that cater to ALL types of clientele!

Trying to find alternate ways to books makeup jobs during COVID-19? Professional MUA, Charlotte Ravet, is here to tell you how she’s been finding clients during the pandemic!

Before COVID-19, I could not have imagined a day where I wouldn’t be able to do my actual job. I think we can all agree that the beauty and makeup industry have definitely been impacted. From here on out, whenever we think about the way the beauty industry exists, there will be a “before” and “after” COVID.

I have personally lived this pandemic in two different countries: France and Australia. Both have been impacted at different levels. But all over the world, beauty professionals have all been in the same boat about one very important thing: once we understood the true extent of the pandemic, we very quickly realized that working as a makeup artist would have to be done differently.

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Maximizing Social Media to Find Makeup Jobs

For the first time, even I have created makeup on myself and posted images on my social media. You see, I love doing makeup on models, but I always get a bit annoyed doing my own makeup! So, it was a new move for me. But during the lockdown, it was the only way to keep up with my creativity. I’ve also used this time to create a new website and think about my next projects.

Many makeup artists have created a strong online presence. It’s true that nowadays, it’s considered harder to get noticed as a beginner. Still, many artists have seen their followers increasing during the pandemic, due to an increase in traffic across most online platforms. For some, this has led to an opportunity to collaborate with brands.

Additionally, I’ve also participated in doing live streaming and makeup tutorials for the brand’s social media. We have quickly realized that social media was the most effective way to continue being active and expressing ourselves.

I was working as an international trainer before I quit my job to return to Australia. When the pandemic hit, I continued my services by offering my training online, rather than doing it physically. This adjustment allowed me to work from home and continue earning an income during an uncertain time.

One perk about having so much free time these days is that there are ample ways to use it productively!

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The New Normal for Makeup Jobs: Virtual Services

A new service I’m also now offering for my clients is online consultations. Despite not being able to leave the house, many women are still interested in learning how to do their own makeup. A lot of people are using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet for business and personal video calls. When everyone has to be face-to-face with their own reflection so many times in a day, it’s only natural that they might want to look their best – even if they’re not actually leaving the house.

The amazing thing about online consultations is the fact that I can help clients from literally anywhere. Without any physical limitations, the doors automatically open to a LOT more potential makeup jobs. Throughout 2020, for example, I’ve worked with clients from Europe, the United States, and Australia. I have helped women learn how to create their own makeup.

As part of this virtual service, I simply offer them a way to connect with me for a special hour, using a digital platform. Together, we go through all of the steps involved in creating a day and/or evening makeup look. They follow my guidance, using their own makeup products. On my end, I have my own makeup kit ready, too. This way, I can demonstrate some of the application tips on myself, if needed.

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Assisting the Stars

A friend of mine also taught TV presenters how to create their own makeup through online consultations. Most TV channels still have presenters – the only difference is that now these people are recording the news from home or in the studio, as opposed to together on set.

As a result of the lockdown, television hosts, journalists, and celebrities everywhere have had to create their own makeup… and quickly realized that TV makeup is not the same as an everyday makeup look. It actually requires a lot of professional training, techniques, and skill!

(Can we all take a moment to bask in this a little? While there’s nothing positive about COVID-19, it is kind of nice that more and more people are understanding just how much hard work and effort goes into what we do for a living!)

Becoming a Beauty Writer

Another option for possible makeup jobs is to start your own blog, or even write beauty content for other businesses. This year, I’ve started write training programs for brands and academies, and I have decided to look into writing for magazines as well.

I first create illustrations (another passion of mine). Then I write step-by-step guidelines on how to use and apply the products being discussed. I have created face charts and illustrated makeup looks. I’ve even designed new and upcoming collections for different brands. Turns out, I actually really enjoy this new way of working. It’s a cool way to be able to express myself in the makeup industry!

Another way I’m able to get writing jobs is to do translation for beauty brands, from French to English. When it comes to translating beauty tips, knowing the language is one thing. But it is also important to truly understand the subject. A translation is never literal. Sometimes, words need to be changed or put in a different way in order to have the right meaning.

I can definitely say that, for me, the biggest lesson of 2020 is this: as makeup artists, we can always diversify ourselves to be able to work in the industry – regardless of the circumstances!

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Reshaping the Way We Find Makeup Jobs

Over the years, I have worked in many different industries: bridal, TV, fashion, education, etc. However, this pandemic has given me the opportunity to consider my work from a different angle.

How can we work as makeup artists if we cannot work directly with people? The answer is simple: if everyone goes online, we can go online, too!

I’ll admit, finding work as a makeup artist has never been an issue for me, even during the pandemic. It has been stressful, for sure. But once I thought about ALL of the skills I have, other types of makeup jobs and work opportunities became clearer to me.

For areas where I struggled a bit, I also used my newfound time in order to get better. For example, marketing my services is often the part where I run into difficulties. So, I have devoted the time to better understanding marketing. This has allowed me to take a step back and formulate different, potentially stronger marketing strategies for my career.

I have also enjoyed this time to watch makeup artist masterclasses and learn new tips and tricks. Building on your skills is always a smart idea. To build off of that, my next project is now to learn photography, too. This way, I can build my online presence more and take my own images of my work.

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Final Thoughts

Where I’m based, cases of COVID-19 have decreased dramatically, so work is pretty much going back to normal. We can provide makeup services with high standards of hygiene. All of the weddings and private events that were postponed to 2021 are now being booked, and production work is starting to pick back up again.

2020 has been a year to learn and grow – not just personally, but professionally as well. I have learned that there are many ways to work as a makeup artist, even during a global pandemic. As artists, creativity is second nature to us. So, creating new opportunities for makeup jobs is also a part of what we do.

Personally, I reflect upon this past year and see it as an evolution of my work. Going forward, I think I’ll be able to provide even better services to my clients, thanks to all of the skills I acquired and discovered during the pandemic.

Having a professional certification is a guaranteed way to land more makeup jobs. Enroll with QC Makeup Academy today and get certified in as little as 3-6 months!

Nov 20

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Your Makeup Artist Training: Nathan’s Tuesday Tips (Part 4)

By Sarah Seguin From the Experts, Makeup Tips and Tricks No Comments

If you want to take your makeup artist training to the next level, there are few in this industry better capable of guiding you than Nathan Johnson. While there are many amazing things that set QC Makeup Academy apart from other makeup schools (both online and in-person), Nathan’s expertise and genuine love of the craft definitely rank near the top of the list!

He is an industry professional who not only knows his stuff, but also truly cares about each and every one of QC’s students and graduates!

From the incredible instruction he provides throughout QC’s online makeup classes, to the support he gives in the Virtual Classroom and the amazing monthly webinars he hosts – Nathan is the embodiment of a true beauty expert, whose makeup knowledge is only outmatched by the size of his heart!

Another way he goes above and beyond in his mission to enhance our students’ makeup artist training is through his Tuesday Tips! Each week, Nathan films a short clip, in which he reveals useful tricks to help you better your makeup artistry skills. On Facebook especially, this segment – aptly called “Nathan’s Tuesday Tips” – had grown wildly popular!

In this monthly blog series, we gather these Tuesday Tips so we can share them with you here! Missed our previous installments? No worries! You can find them here:

Today, we’ll take a look at another 6 of Nathan’s most valuable beauty hacks. Want to add to the knowledge gained in your classes and take your makeup artist training to the next level? Then you don’t want to miss out on these gems!

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/1326909127700731

Tip #1: The secret to getting a more natural blush!

“Want a more natural blush? Try cream! It gives a beautiful glow from within – and it’s also an awesome way to tint the lips.”

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/3713065938721748

Tip #2: The right way to highlight!

“Use highlight only on the bones you want to accent. Putting it everywhere, or in too many places, will take dimension out of the face – not add it.”

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/370708680734365

Tip #3: Achieving crisp, clean foundation!

“Want to keep that foundation crisp and clean? Try applying eye makeup first! No fall-away means perfect, crisp complexion.”

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/342046753912412

Tip #4: What “full coverage makeup” really means!

“Full coverage does NOT mean heavy makeup. It means more pigment in the makeup. Foundation, when perfectly applied, should always be invisible. You should see the results of it – but you shouldn’t see the product! Heavy makeup is nothing more than heavy makeup.”

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/793324308121425

Tip #5: How to transform your lashes!

“Are you dealing with scrawny lashes? Try dusting the lashes with a little translucent powder between the coats of mascara! The mascara will grab the translucent powder, resulting in lush, thick, and beautiful lashes.”

https://www.facebook.com/QCMakeupAcademy/videos/3767907169895357

Tip #6: Creating your own, custom lip gloss!

“Want to try out your own, custom lip gloss? Try mixing your favorite loose pigment with some petroleum jelly! Voila!”

Build even more on your makeup artist training with QC’s Advanced and Specialty Courses!

Nov 11

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special fx makeup woman with skeleton face

Special Effects Makeup: Don’t Commit These 4 Sins!

By Gabrielle Rivera From the Experts, Makeup Tips and Tricks No Comments

Gabrielle Rivera is a QC Makeup Academy graduate and professional makeup artist. To see more of her work, visit her Instagram here. Today, Gabrielle reveals 4 mistakes you should never make with special effects makeup!

Special effects makeup is a great opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone, try new techniques, and tap into your creativity. Although special effects makeup can involve creating a look that isn’t perfectly blended or traditionally “pretty”, there are still some makeup sins you DON’T want to commit!

4 Special Effects Makeup Sins You Shouldn’t Commit

1. Don’t Overuse Special Effects Makeup Looks

Personally, I enjoy creating over-the-top special effects makeup looks as much as the next artist. However, something I learned early on in my career is the importance of researching realistic images, in order to help me bring my vision to life.

While you might think that SFX looks need to be unrealistic or exaggerated, there are still guidelines you should consider when creating these looks. The best thing you can do as an artist is to research photos of real bruises, cuts, scrapes, and any type of wound you wish to create.

Looking at realistic photos will help you to better design and color your special effects looks.

2. Don’t Overuse (and Misuse) Fake Blood

Another sin I frequently see with special effects makeup is the overuse and misuse of fake blood. Although fake blood can tie an SFX look together and bring it to life, it can also take away from the look if not used properly.

Overusing fake blood is one mistake that I find extremely common. Sometimes, even when it comes to gore-inspired looks, less is more. Time and time again, I’ve seen content where an artist spends a lot of effort adding details to their looks – only for it to be covered up with blood.

Remember: adding blood should accent your design, not overpower it!

Likewise, misusing fake blood can also quickly make a realistic design appear overtly fake. When designing a look, consider the optimal color and thickness of any fake blood you intend to use. It should closely resemble the wound or effect you are trying to create.

Pro Tip: To make a special effects makeup look more realistic, consider the direction that blood would flow from a wound, or how the blood would splatter. Don’t simply spray blood in every direction. In real life, this doesn’t happen NEARLY as much as you’d think.

3. Don’t Use Sharp or Dangerous Items

In this modern age of social media, artists do not always take the proper care when creating special effects makeup looks. Sometimes, the desire to create a look that will stand out above the rest overshadows the very real need to put your safety above all else.

This is a major mistake that can prove costly, should anything go wrong. Although creativity is always welcomed, it can be dangerous to improperly use materials when creating an SFX look!

For example, artists should not use real glass, nails, or other sharp objects to bring a design to life. If creating a look that contains normally sharp objects, you should file the tips of down and ensure they are properly covered. Likewise, artists should never use real glass or metal – especially near their eyes, nose, or mouth. Instead, use items made out of plastic or other pliable materials.

This is an important step that’s often overlooked. Yes, it can be more time-consuming to create objects safely, but it’s a critical step of the process. When special effects looks are created with dangerous objects, it can be unsafe for both you and the model. So, please remember that safety always comes first!

4. Don’t Forget to Blend Your Edges

Lastly, a small detail that can take your special effects makeup to the next level and help make it as realistic as possible is to blend your edges! It doesn’t matter if you’re using a premade prosthetic, scar wax, cotton and latex, or other compounds. Unblended edges can quickly diminish the effect of your design.

Blending the edges of your special effects makeup is such an important step in creating a realistic look! It provides a cohesive look from top to bottom. There are a few ways to help blend edges, depending on what product you’re using. Let’s take a look at a few of them…

Cotton and Latex

If you’re creating your own cotton and latex build-up, the easiest way to blend your edges into the rest of your look is to heavily saturate the cotton with latex. Once the cotton is heavily saturated, it changes the consistency. Thus, it’ll be easier to smooth and blend out.

Prosthetics

Pre-made prosthetics will usually have thin edges. These are meant to help artists easily blend the prosthetic into the skin. However, depending on the quality of the prosthetics, this may not always be the case.

To avoid bulging edges, you can apply latex and cotton to the edges. This will help blend the prosthetic. Another option would be to use Pros-Aide cream, which is specifically designed to help fill in gaps or seams.

Scar Wax and Other Modeling Components

When using scar wax and or other modeling components, an easy way to blend the edges properly and seamlessly is to use any of the following products:

Vaseline
Lotion
An oil that helps “melt” the product into the skin

The best way to apply any of the above products would be to rub it onto the tips of your fingers and then carefully rub along the edges of your design.

There is a lot to learn about the art of special effects makeup – particularly if you want to create professional and realistic looks. To learn more, enroll in QC Makeup Academy’s Special FX Makeup Course today!

Nov 05

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5 Mistakes That’ll Decrease Your Makeup Artist Salary

By Charlotte Ravet From the Experts, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Want to know 5 common mistakes that can decrease your makeup artist’s salary? Professional MUA, Charlotte Ravet, is here to tell you!

Do makeup artists make good money?

Understandably, this is one of the first questions that might come to mind when thinking about undertaking makeup training. Without ample research, pinning down the makeup artist’s salary can be a bit tricky. The good news is, it’s absolutely possible to earn a sustainable income with makeup as your primary career!

Admittedly, when I first started studying makeup, I was a bit worried about the money I could earn. Living in capital cities is very expensive, and with the cost of products and education, I was conscious that I needed to make good money quickly.

However, within two years, I was earning more than my friends who had a Master’s degree!

Let’s be realistic: earning proper money exclusively as a freelance MUA can take a bit of time. After all, you’ll need to build your network first and gain hands-on experience. But there are plenty of work opportunities which shouldn’t be ignored!

Doing a part-time job for a brand while building your freelancing business is an excellent option. Weddings and photoshoots are definitely well-paid, too. But to avoid decreasing your makeup artist salary, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

Let’s take a look at 5 of them!

5 Mistakes That Can Decrease Your Makeup Artist Salary

Time is Money!

This definitely applies when it comes to makeup. If you are charging your client per face, imagine the difference you could earn by doing makeup on three clients instead of just one!

It’s okay to take your time when you just start. In fact, it’s recommended that you never rush. This way, you can provide the best service possible. But after a few years, you should be able to work faster and deliver the same high-quality results in a shorter timeframe.

The best way to achieve this? Remember to stay focused! Put a routine in place that will help you strengthen your time-management skills. Before you know it, you’ll increase your number of clients – which means a better makeup artist salary overall!

Over-Pricing or Under-Pricing

Establishing your rates can be a challenge at first. If you charge too much, you might lose some bookings. But if you don’t charge enough, you won’t get the money back on your investment (i.e. your products and time).

So, how should you set your prices? The answer is to charge what you are worth!

Doing a bit of research in your area is probably a good idea. Depending on your location and experience, the prices might vary. Don’t be afraid to ask others with more experience for the advice! There are plenty of Facebook groups where you can ask for advice on how to set up your pricing. (QC Makeup Academy’s Virtual Classroom is an excellent example!)

In the long run, it’s better to be a bit patient and get the bookings you deserve. Starting on the lower end and working your way up can prove to be a great strategy. However, setting your prices on the higher side is also not a bad thing – so long as your work is worth the price!

Personally, I’ve noticed that my regular and most easygoing clients are often the ones who are not discussing prices. The right clients will understand the cost and value of a professional makeup service.

Neglecting the Importance of Proper Training

Before you go investing money into marketing your makeup services, you should first make sure you’re providing a service that lives up to the standards you are promoting.

But they’ll only benefit your makeup artist’s salary in the grand scheme of things!

If you’re just starting out in this industry, the best advice I can give would be to keep training and practicing your craft, obtain a professional certification, and then invest in marketing and business education on top of that. Yes, you’ll need to put money into these endeavors.

So, invest in makeup training to boost your skill-set to the highest level. The right courses will ensure to provide you with ample business training as well. For example, QC Makeup Academy’s courses come with an optional Business Unit that I strongly recommend taking advantage of.

Remember: while word-of-mouth is an excellent way to get booked (at no cost to you), you’ll need to be great at what you do in order for others to start recommending you. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the single most effective way to become a true expert is by getting professional training!

Not Investing in Your Makeup Kit

Your makeup kit and the products you use are the first things your clients will be looking at. You could be absolutely brilliant as a makeup artist – but providing services with only drugstore makeup products will drastically decrease your makeup artist salary.

While there are definitely budget-friendly items you can afford to save money on, there are also products you should be willing to invest a little more into. Makeup can be expensive, but there are reasons behind the costs!

The quality of the pigments, the ingredients, and their longevity are all things you should take into consideration when building your makeup kit. If you want to charge more for your services and boost your makeup artist’s salary, you will need to justify your prices to your clients.

Providing great service is definitely one way to do this – but this includes investing in your kit and working with professional, high-end cosmetics brands.

Only Working In Your Business, and Not On Your Business

All of this will help you better determine your service fee to clients, and add to your makeup artist salary in the long run!

Focusing one to two days per week towards this behind-the-scenes stuff is realistic. As much as we love providing makeup services, you can’t have a successful career based on this alone. Building your profile, creating a newsletter, maintaining a social media presence, and keeping records of your accounts and taxes are also things you need to factor into your business.

If your goal is to have your own business, then you’ll be required to spend time doing some administrative work. After all, it takes strategy and hard work to get noticed. From there, business smarts and marketing knowledge are also needed to keep you in contact with current clients, while also introducing your services to potential future clients.

What does that mean? Well, as all makeup artists will tell you, applying makeup is only part of the job. You’ll also need to market yourself to current and future clients, stay on top of invoicing, and constantly prepare and maintain your products.

Food for Thought: Increase Your Makeup Artist Salary By Diversifying Yourself!

With the skills you possess as a makeup artist, there are a thousand jobs you can do. Even if you dream about a career in editorial makeup, don’t ignore the opportunity to earn some money at the start of your career in other areas as well. For instance, weddings are a very lucrative industry that will give you the possibility to choose when you want to work or not.

Weddings can also be very creative. You will quickly realize that you can expand your network significantly with the clients you meet on the job. One happy bride can spread the word and share your details with lots of her friends! The need for bridal MUAs is huge, and always will be!

I have been extremely lucky in my career. In the 15 years that I’ve been doing makeup professionally, I’ve never found myself out of work. I have always made good money. I’ve worked for various industries – from fashion and TV, to education.

What’s fantastic about doing makeup is the fact that when one job is over, another opportunity always comes along! Every day is different. I remember when I chose this career, some of my friends and family were worried that I might not earn a good makeup artist salary. But they soon realized that I was actually making a decent income doing my dream job.

With the right attitude and work ethic, know that you can, too!

Boost your makeup artist salary by becoming professionally trained and certified! Click here to discover the wide variety of courses offered at QC Makeup Academy!

Oct 29

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makeup training for deeper skin tones - beautiful black model

Makeup Training: Contouring and Color Correction for Darker Skin Tones

By Charlotte Ravet From the Experts, Makeup Tips and Tricks, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Australian MUA, Charlotte Ravet, is the proud owner of her very own hair and makeup business, A Date With Charlotte. From bridal, to editorial, to film and television, and everything in-between – Charlotte’s extensive makeup training allows her to provide a wide variety of services that cater to ALL types of clientele!

Today, she reveals her top tips and tricks for contouring and color correcting darker skin tones!

The most important skill all makeup artists should master is the ability to create the perfect complexion for ALL skin tones. When it comes to color matching and/or correcting, proper makeup is crucial. This is the single greatest way to understand color theory. Knowing color theory will help you to create colors and custom foundations for all of your clients.

Let’s start with a quick recap on color theory and color correction…

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One of my favourite from @morganrichards__ @toniandguymcmahonspt collection. 📸 @annissbarton Makeup by me:)

A post shared by Charlotte Ravet (@charlotteravetmakeup) on Jul 24, 2018 at 7:11pm PDT

Makeup Training: The Basics of Color Theory

The primary colors are blue, yellow, and red. When you mix these colors together in different combinations, you can create all of the other colors on the color wheel!

Here’s an excellent exercise to train your eye to identify colors and undertones: swatch a bit of foundation on a piece of paper and then use proper paint to recreate that exact same color. For example: start by mixing red and yellow together. Afterwards, add a bit of blue and white for the lightness. Adjust your color until you obtain the perfect shade.

When I did my makeup training, we created makeup for two whole months using nothing but primary colors and white mixed together. This has definitely opened my eyes to the potential of all colors and their diversity!

Makeup Training: Cool vs. Warm Undertones

The undertone of your client’s skin will play a major role in how you should apply makeup on them – and which products to employ!

For those new to their makeup training, here are the basics:

Cool undertones can be identified as pink undertones;
Skin with warm undertones, on the other hand, will tend to look more yellow;
Skin with an olive undertone might look a bit more green;
A neutral skin tone is when the skin doesn’t have any predominant color (neither pink nor yellow).

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My favourite image of 2019 and which has been shared the most. Thanks for the love! Happy new year! @flavialazarus_ @annissbarton . . . . #editorialphotography #editorialmakeup #print #magazine #makeupartist #illustration #blackgirlmagic #model #create #love #creativity #work #lovemyjob

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When it comes to deeper skin tones, the same rules apply. For instance, Middle Eastern and Indian skin tones will often have an olive undertone.

Warm and neutral skin tones can be easily observed in deeper skin tones: for example, Beyoncé has a warm skin tone. As such, she will perfectly suit all golden and bronze tones. On the other hand, Halle Berry has a skin tone that’s more neutral. Their skin intensity is pretty similar.

African skin tones can present red and blue undertones, which are identified as ‘cool’ undertones.

The Colors I Recommend for Deeper Skin Tones

Middle Eastern and/or Indian Skin Tones

Here’s one of my best-kept secrets: for these types of skin tones, I tend to mix a pure orange to my existing foundation.

I often find that foundations containing too much pink wind up turning gray on these skin tones. Alternately, too much yellow increases the olive tone and can make the client look sallow. By mixing a bright pure orange to the foundation, I manage to adjust the shade and brighten complexion. I also recommend using tones of warm bronze or gold to create highlights, as well as an ashy shade for the contour.

Warm or Neutral Skin Tones

These skin tones are rather easy to work with, but I often observe that the chest of my model can be slightly lighter than the face. Remember to always check the chest of your client in order to perfectly color match!

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A few years ago... shot by the talented @jarredstedman Love the colours of this image. . . . . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . . . . . #art #fashionshoot #photo #portrait #vintage #streetstyle #editorial #fashioneditor #fashionblogger #editorialstyle #editorialstyling #picoftheday #editorialphoto #photooftheday #beauty #makeup #editorialphotoshoot #editorialmagazine #photography #creative fashion #model #instagood #photographer

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Depending on the undertone, I highlight using gold for warm undertones, or with a deep champagne/peachy shade for neutral skin tones. Contour can be done with a middle brown shade that has a blue undertone. A peach will help to remove pigmentation and dark circles.

Red/Blue Skin Undertones

As I mentioned earlier, red and blue are considered to be cool undertones. As part of your makeup training, this is really important when it comes to color combinations, correction, and contour! You will notice that deep blue, purple, and bright pink hues look wonderful on these skin tones.

There’s a common misconception that deeper skin tones are ‘warm’. As such, many will mistakenly use gold highlights. Yes, a gold highlight is going to catch and reflect the light – but it’s not going to best enhance the features of skin tones with blue and/or red undertones.

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My favorite from this editorial:) ・・・ VELVET NOIR - featured on the latest issue of @ellementsmagazine - #makeup @CharlotteRavetMakeUp #Style Eloise - designer @dontdopretty #Model @rjdradi @duval.agency #photo @annissbarton #retouch @cristalprod / #finishing @annissbarton #makeupartistsworldwide #fiercesociety, #wakeupandmakeup #liptrends #makeupaholic #beautyinspiration #butteryskin #blendwithtrend #temptu #nothingisordinary #postitforaesthetic #amazingmakeupart #thebabeface #lunarimakeup #muastars #muaawsome #bestmua #sigmabeauty #topthatpose #sigmapro #parismakeupartist #makeupinsider #instamakeup #instamua

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I would recommend a cool bronze. You can also play around with the complementary pigments mentioned above for a creative effect. I sometimes use pure yellow to create stronger highlights. For the contouring, I recommend a deep, blue-based brown, as this will create a natural shadow on the skin.

These skin tones often have pigmentation around the eyes and lips. I use a pure orange to conceal these unwanted undertones. You will also notice that the middle of the cheeks and the forehead are often slightly lighter. Use these areas as natural highlights – and do NOT use thick coverage if your model has good skin!

Last But Not Least: Powders

In theory, a loose translucent powder should be suitable to set makeup on every skin tone. But in reality, you would have to select one with a very thin texture, and apply with an incredibly light hand, in order to avoid creating ashy tones on deep skin tones.

Applying powder is always the moment we fear that our makeup will change color. If you aren’t using the correct product, it can ruin all your hard work. For a light application, I sometimes use a bright, loose pink powder. This helps to soften a blue undertone – although most of the time, I like to enhance it.

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@flavialazarus_ model @annissbarton photographer For @dreamingless mag #fashionphotography #photoshoot #style #photographer #beauty #makeup #highfashion #models #photography #fashionblogger #fashioneditorial #instafashion #makeupartist #vogue #newyork #love #mua #byterrybyme

A post shared by Charlotte Ravet (@charlotteravetmakeup) on Dec 14, 2019 at 9:58am PST

When I started my makeup training 15 years ago, we barely learned about global skin tones. I had to do a lot of research and teach myself how all skin tones actually work. I was working for one of the most important African TV channels in Paris, and I discovered a lot during those few months. The TV host shared with me their favorite makeup tips, and it was definitely a great experience!

It’s important to regularly update your makeup training. As professional artists, it’s our duty to be able to work in all skin tones, all ages, and all genders. Mastering the art of making the most of everyone’s natural beauty is our everyday challenge!

Did you know that QC Makeup Academy offers a Global Beauty Workshop? Enhance your makeup training and enroll today!

Oct 22

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makeup jobs - haunted house makeup - demon girl covered in blood

Makeup Jobs: Working for a Haunted House

By Gabrielle Rivera From the Experts No Comments

Gabrielle Rivera is a QC Makeup Academy graduate and professional makeup artist. To see more of her work, visit her Instagram here. Today, Gabrielle gives us a behind-the-scenes look at one of her most recent makeup jobs!

The most important advice I can give to both novice and experienced makeup artists alike is to be open to new opportunities throughout their career. Sometimes, stepping outside of your comfort zone is the best way to find makeup jobs and book new clients.

If you’re like me – an MUA whose clientele mostly consists of bridal, special occasion, and/or photography makeup – and you’re looking to gain some experience, then this article is for you!

This Halloween season, I was hired as a makeup artist for a haunted house in my hometown. If you’re interested in delving into the world of special effects makeup, or simply wish to branch out and challenge yourself, then I strongly recommend this kind of opportunity.

If you’re now playing with the idea of providing makeup services for haunted houses in your own area, you’re in luck! I’ve got 4 tips to help you get started, so let’s dive right in!

1 – Research Haunted Houses Close to You

Firstly, you’ll want to research into the haunted houses in your hometown and surrounding areas. This is a crucial step, especially for new makeup artists coming into the field of special effects makeup for the first time!

Sometimes, artists can feel intimidated by the idea of applying for makeup jobs that are different from what they’re used to. However, you might just be exactly what your local haunted houses are looking for! Many places like these are on the hunt for fresh eyes and new talent. If you’re someone who’s willing to learn and likes to collaborate with others, you’ve already got one foot in the door.

Applying to a haunted house that is close to you can be a great learning opportunity. It’ll give you a chance to network with other professionals in this field and gain hands-on experience. Also, remember that even as a newcomer in special effects makeup, you can still very easily apply the foundational knowledge you’ve learned from your professional training!

2 – Practice the Basics

When you’re first hired as a makeup artist for a haunted house, you may do what I did and run to Instagram or YouTube for inspiration and preparation. However, what you’ll quickly learn from working at a haunted house is that the looks you create need to be speedy, yet detailed.

As such, your best friend is going to be proper training from an industry expert. This is the single greatest way to master the basics, such as…

Good Old Cotton and Latex

You might already have experience using scar wax, third degree, or other compounds to create special effects makeup looks. However, most haunted houses actually use cotton and latex to create their effects. This is because this particular combination can be the most long-wearing. One of the best things you can do is practice creating different wounds, slashes, and zombie-like effects using these 2 simple items.

Basic Effects

Alongside cotton and latex, practice creating 3-D cuts, scrapes, veins, and bruises with regular cream and grease paints. As much as larger wounds and prosthetics can create a look, it’s the small details that make a look complete.

The basics are what will make your work stand out amongst the others. Use the actor’s natural creases, wrinkles, scars, and physical features (such as their bone structure) to accentuate the look you are creating!

3 – Creating Your Looks

Likewise, most haunted houses use airbrushing, as well as cream or grease paints. These will hold up the longest under all of the environmental conditions. For example, you need the actor’s makeup to last throughout the night and not smudge or run due to heat, sweat, and possible rain.

As a makeup artist, you also now need to practice creating looks on top of a mask. After all, you and your clients will be expected to follow health protocols for COVID-19 safety. (This is the case for all makeup jobs you take on for the time being.) So, think about how you can incorporate a mask into your haunted house looks.

When creating looks for your haunt, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that the looks should have high contrast. This way, they can be seen clearly in the dark and against the fog. Instead of worrying about each detail being perfectly blended like you would in beauty makeup, some of your looks should have harsh lines. That way, they’ll be most prominent in the dark.

Your base colors are generally going to be white, yellow, red, and black. You can use these colors to build depth on the skin. If your character is to appear frozen, for example, your base colors would be white, purple, and blue, with hints of red. Practicing how to apply these base colors will be key in creating quick yet realistic looks.

4 – Time Yourself

Lastly, keep in mind is that when working for a haunted house, you’ll be working alongside other makeup artists, too. A big team is required in order to transform over 30 actors in just a few hours. With that being said, you’ll have to create a completed look in 20 minutes – max!

Something that I found helpful was to use friends and family to practice this on. I’d give myself 20 minutes to see what I was able to create in that timeframe. This also gave me the opportunity to ask myself, “How can I create this same effect – but faster?”

These kinds of makeup jobs also teach you how to prioritize and better plan out your steps when applying makeup. For example, I’d first begin by using latex and cotton on my actor, so I could create a slash or open wound. While the actor is using a blow dryer (always on the cool setting to protect their skin) to dry the latex and cotton mixture, I would then begin applying makeup to their arms, neck, or other exposed areas. Thus, allowing me to create one uniform look without wasting any time!

Practice creating simple cuts, bruises, and small latex and cotton mixtures on your own time. This prep work will help make your looks more realistic! The end result will be that even the tiniest details stand out just as much as the bigger wounds or prosthetics you apply.

More certifications means a higher potential for more makeup jobs! Until October 30th, get THREE QC Makeup Academy courses for the price of ONE!

Oct 06

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QC makeup classes instructor, Nathan Johnson, doing makeup on female model

Enhance Your Makeup Classes with Nathan’s Tuesday Tips: Part 3

By Sarah Seguin From the Experts, Makeup Tips and Tricks No Comments

If you want to learn how to do makeup, there are few in this industry better capable of tutoring your makeup classes than Nathan Johnson. While there are many incredible things that set QC Makeup Academy apart from other makeup schools (both online and in-person), Nathan’s expertise and genuine love of the craft definitely rank near the top of the list!

He is an industry professional who not only knows his stuff, but also truly cares about each and every one of QC’s students and graduates.

Another way he goes above and beyond in his mission to enhance our students’ makeup classes and overall training is through his Tuesday Tips! Each week, Nathan films a short clip, in which he reveals useful tricks to help you better your makeup artistry skills. On Facebook especially, this segment – aptly called “Nathan’s Tuesday Tips” – had grown wildly popular!

In this monthly blog series, we gather these Tuesday Tips so we can share them with you here! Missed our past installments? No worries! Check out Part 1 here, and Part 2 here.

Today, we’ll take a look at another 7 of Nathan’s most valuable beauty hacks. Want to add to the knowledge gained in your makeup classes and improve your game? Then you don’t want to miss out on these gems!

Nathan's Tuesday Tips
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: why classic makeup techniques are the basis of EVERY look! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Tip #1: The importance of classic makeup techniques!

“Classic makeup techniques are the bases for everything in makeup. If you truly master them, you’ll see that they can be shaped, shifted, [and] transformed to create anything in makeup – from the simplest, cleanest look, to the most dramatic and unseen look!

It’s all in the precision of those classic techniques, and when you know them, you can do anything.”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips!
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: Why practice makes perfect! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Tip #2: Why practice makes perfect!

“Not everybody gets everything in makeup on the first try. Sometimes, you’ve got to practice things again, and again, and again, and again. So, if something’s a little stubborn for you, DO it – again, and again, and again, and again!

Because once you get it, guess what? [It] never leaves you.”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: How to lift your client's eyes! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Tip #3: How to lift your client’s eyes!

“Want to keep a client’s eye lifted? Imagine an invisible line, going from the corner of the eye to the end of the eyebrow. Be very careful about when you let any product go below that line. This will always lift!”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips!
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: the importance of practicing makeup on paper! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Tip #4: The importance of practicing makeup on paper!

“Remember: not all practice needs to be on a person! If you can master perfect symmetry and precision – with all the variations of eyeliners and lip liner – on paper, you will easily [and] drastically improve what you can do on a face.”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips!
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: Why an eyelash curler is so important! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Monday, August 3, 2020

Tip #5: Why you should use an eyelash curler!

“Open, lifted lashes are a secret that keep your client looking awake and alert. So, don’t skip that eyelash curler.”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips!
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: How to get slick, even liner on loose eyelid skin! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Tip #6: The secret to perfecting even eyeliner on loose eyelid skin!

“Is loose eyelid skin causing you to have bumpy, uneven eyeliner? Here’s a trick: tilt the head back, look down (eyes open to a little crack), and that will keep the eyelid skin super tight – allowing for a crisp, even application.

Want to keep it even easier? Use a soft pencil or a liquid, because it won’t grab the skin!”

Nathan's Tuesday Tips
Looking for quick and useful makeup tips that REALLY work? 💄 Welcome to our weekly segment: "Tuesday Tips"!These effective life hacks by QC executive tutor and professional celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, are not to be missed!Today's Tuesday Tip by Nathan: The quickest, easiest way to refesh your look! 💋❤️
Posted by QC Makeup Academy on Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Tip #7: The quickest, easiest way to refresh your look!

“Want a super fast way to refresh your look? Try changing the lip color! It changes everything in an instant.”

The single best way to become a makeup professional is by taking proper makeup classes! Until October 16th, 2020, enroll in QC Makeup Academy’s Master Makeup Artistry Course and get our new Virtual Makeup Training absolutely FREE!