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Your Makeup Career

Jul 16
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My Top 3 Tips to Starting Your Own Makeup Business!

By From the Experts, Your Makeup Career No Comments

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

Starting any new business can be a scary step. But even though it won’t be quick (or easy), it’s still more than possible. After being in the beauty industry professionally for ten years, here are my personal top 3 tips on how YOU can start your very own makeup business!

1. Branding

First and foremost, one of the most important things when starting your business is to come up with your brand. Make sure to take time for this part. Don’t rush it! This is vital to creating your business and overall image.

Your business name is something that I strongly believe should be professional. It should also be something that can last after common trends have gone and come. There are many artists who create social media handles that are on-trend or way too common. But this can make it difficult for you to stand out in a sea of similar artists.

For example, try and stray away from a name along the lines of, Makeup by [Insert your Name]. There are a million other MUAs with similar-sounding business names. If you follow suit, what’s going to make you special?

What you want for your brand is a name that will represent you, your style, and your unique vision.

Similarly, there are many times when an artist chooses a name based on a current popular trend. But what happens when that trend fades into memory? They wind up having to change their name! The result is typically that such MUAs wind up “re-branding” their business (and switching up their names) several times over the course of their career.

Although that isn’t necessarily terrible, I think that as a professional, you want to show consistency in both your brand and business. You don’t want to have to constantly re-brand yourself frequently. When you do this, you’re potentially making it difficult for your followers and/or clientele to keep track of your business or social media.

Worst case scenario? It can drive them away, and push them to find another makeup artist.

The bottom line: think carefully about your business’s name and image. You’re going to want it to properly represent you throughout the course of your career.

2. Research and Register

The next step I highly recommend is to research and register your business. When I launched my own makeup business, one of the most important things I learned was: “If you want to be seen as a professional, you have to be a professional.”

By “be a professional”, I mean that it’s imperative for you to research into legitimizing and legally securing your business and its name. If you skip this step, you could be setting yourself up for a LOT of complications down the road!

Yes, it can be a bit confusing at first, even a bit stressful – especially if you have no prior experience as an entrepreneur. But trust me, it’s so worth it in the long run. So, spend the time and money to make your business legal. By doing so, you’ll be putting yourself a step above other social media artists.

Not to mention, you’ll protecting yourself and your hard-earned business!

Using companies such as LegalZoom really helped me to get my business off the ground and running. They provided me with all the tools I needed to become a legal business. Not only are these resources it cost effective; they have agents that are there to assist you with questions, filing, and paperwork.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to follow through in registering your business. When you do this, you are protecting yourself in the event that there’s ever a dispute with a client (such as a lawsuit, for example). Becoming a legal business can save you and your reputation down the line!

3. Networking

Network, network, network!

As a new business, your best friend – and biggest ally – will be to network with other artists, photographers, and creators. Even if you aren’t sure where to start, social media can provide many avenues for you to collaborate with others.

Networking can be such a valuable asset to your business! When you network with other artists and creators, you’re opening yourself up to new clients, job opportunities, and connections. Most importantly, you learn countless new things, too.

I’ve worked with several photographers and makeup artists over the years. Through my collaborations with them, I’ve discovered countless tips for makeup, gaining clientele, expanding my brand, lighting, taking higher-quality photos, and even being a business owner.

Don’t let shyness stop you from branching out and connecting with others. There is so much you can learn from your peers that’ll help you better yourself as a professional!

Did you know that stylized photoshoots are an excellent way to network AND book you more future jobs? Keep reading to find out why!

Jul 08
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Skincare Consultant vs. Dermatologist Part Two: What’s a Skincare Consultant?

By Skincare, Your Makeup Career No Comments

In Part One of this two-part series, we took a look at dermatologists: what they do, the education required, and the qualifications needed to do their job. Today, we’ll now focus on skincare consultants, as well as how to distinguish your role with clients!

What is a Skincare Consultant?

As a skincare consultant, it’ll be your job to meet with clients in order for you to assist with their skincare concerns and inquiries. Common issues you’ll see can include:

You’ll draw from your professional training and expertise to offer guidance, regarding which skincare products are optimal for the client’s needs. These needs may be related to an existing skincare issue or condition. They may also pertain to the right type(s) of makeup to use for the client’s skin type, lifestyle, etc.

What does a Skincare Consultant Do?

Skincare consultants primarily assist clients by helping them put together optimal, personalized regimens for their specific skin type and/or condition(s).

Additionally, clients will often come to you with questions about tying skincare with makeup. For instance, they may need professional guidance to help figure out which skincare products would work best alongside their existing makeup routine. Similarly, some clients may have problems with sensitive skin, allergies, etc.

As such, they may be searching for different kinds of makeup products that would be safest to use on their skin, without causing any negative reactions.

Skincare consultants are NOT responsible for prescribing medical treatments or performing surgical procedures. For more extreme skincare cases requiring medical attention, a skincare consultant will likely advise the client to seek the assistance of a licensed dermatologist.

What Schooling/Qualification Does a Skincare Consultant Need?

Technically, you don’t actually need any formal training or licensing to become a skincare consultant. But without these things, how can you ever hope to be a true professional? The health and overall well-being of a person’s skin is important. It shouldn’t be trifled with by placing it in the hands of an unqualified individual.

Luckily, most reputable makeup schools provide some form of skincare education, whether it’s through individualized skincare programs, or as part of their makeup artistry classes.

How to Distinguish Your Role with Clients

Many of your clients might not know exactly what a skincare consultant does. They may mistakenly believe that what you do is the exact same as what a dermatologist does. It’s your responsibility to make sure they understand what you’re qualified to assist them with, and what you’re not.

After all, clients will be coming to you because they trust your industry knowledge and judgement. As such, it’s important that YOU fully understand your job responsibilities. If a client is unsure what sorts of services you can offer them, have an open discussion and answer whatever questions they may have.

You can also preemptively cover this by the measures you take in your marketing strategies! If you have a professional website (and you should), try to be as transparent as possible about the kinds of services you offer clients. Often, being upfront with this information on your website will help answer a bunch of inquiries potential clients will have – before they’ve even had their consultation with you!

It’s also critical that you recognize and honor all of the things that fall outside of your expertise. Never try to take on something you haven’t been adequately trained for, simply because you don’t want to potentially lose a client. Doing so can pose a great risk to your client.

Remember: the client should always be your #1 priority! So long as you always make that clear above everything else, we know you’ll have a long and successful career ahead of you as a skincare consultant! 😊

Want to learn more? In this fun and informative webinar, watch as QC executive MUA, Nathan Johnson, reveals the 5 secret ingredients to completely transforming your skin!

Jul 03
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Skincare Consultant vs. Dermatologist Part One: What’s a Dermatologist?

By Skincare, Your Makeup Career 2 Comments

So, you’ve decided that you want to add skincare services to your makeup career. This is great! Not only will it add to your overall skill-set as a beauty expert, but it’s also an awesome business move. Now the question is: how do you get started?

Obviously, the smartest path is to get yourself expert training. Most makeup artist schools will provide students with some type of skincare education and certification. For example, QC Makeup Academy offers an internationally-leading online Skincare Course that will prepare you to become a skincare consultant!

But is this enough?

In the world of skincare, the two most popular career paths are to either become a skincare consultant or a dermatologist. The option best suited for you is entirely dependent on what YOU want to do with your career. But make no mistake: they are VERY different professions, requiring different sets of skills and qualifications!

Let’s start by first examining dermatology. In particular, we’ll look at what dermatologists do, and what kind of certification is needed.

What is a dermatologist?

A dermatologist is a medical professional who specializes in treating skin, hair, and nail issues. Their patients can range anywhere from newborn babies to senior citizens, and everything in between. Due to the extensive schooling and training required for this profession, a dermatologist is actually a type of doctor!

What does a dermatologist do?

The responsibilities of a dermatologist are extensive and incredibly varied. Because each client may come with their own unique issue, a dermatologist must be skilled in many different areas of skincare treatment.

Some of their job duties may involve:

  • Conducting an initial consultation with a client
  • Examining the patient’s skin and diagnosing the issue
  • Recognizing various skincare conditions and afflictions
  • Understanding the proper medical treatment(s) that should be prescribed to a given condition
  • Prescribing said treatments to clients
  • Following up with clients and assisting through the treatment
  • Assisting with hair loss
  • Surgically removing acne, cysts, etc. (Think Pimple Popper!)
  • Surgically removing any suspicious and/or potentially dangerous skin conditions, such as melanoma, carcinoma cells, etc.
  • And much more!

What schooling does a dermatologist need?

Any job that gives you the title of “doctor” is going to require lots of schooling and training! Dermatology is of no exception. After all, dermatologists are the leading experts when it comes to skin, hair, and nail knowledge. In order to get to that level of expertise, you’ve got to be willing to put in the time.

To put this into perspective: if you wished to become a dermatologist, you would first need to do 4 years of post-secondary schooling and receive a bachelor’s degree. After that, you’d be required to do 4 more years in medical school, in order to become a licensed doctor.

Once your education is complete, next comes the hands-on experience. Any doctor needs to have in-field training for a certain period of time before they can successfully branch out on their own. When it comes to dermatology, this often means a year-long internship, followed by three years of residency.

The average dermatologist needs to clock in approximately 12,000 to 16,000 hours of working under the wing of experienced doctors, and getting hands-on experience with treating patients. Yes, this is a lot – we’re not going to try and sugar-coat it. Any aspiring dermatologist will earn their stripes (and then some) during the first few years of their career.

But the process is this rigorous so that once you’re ready to fly solo, there’s NO doubt that you’ll know exactly what you’re doing!

What licensing does a dermatologist need?

After completing their residency period, dermatologists then need to do an additional set of exams. Successful completion of these exams will allow them to become board-certified. Board certification provides clients with the promise that their dermatologist has been trained at the highest possible level.

On the other hand, a dermatologist who is not board-certified is often seen as a red flag. More often than not, this means that they didn’t pass their board exams. For obvious reasons, most clients won’t want to put their skin and/or health concerns in the hands of someone who shows signs of incompetence.

Where one needs to obtain board certification depends on where they’re located. For example, in the United States, board certification would either come from the American Board of Dermatology, or the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology. In Canada, board certification is done through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

If you’re interested in becoming a professional dermatologist, we strongly suggest researching into your country if residence to find out what the board of certification is in your area.

Can a Skincare Consultant Course qualify you to be a dermatologist?

No, it cannot. As we’ve seen, a dermatologist needs post-secondary education, followed by medical school. A Skincare Consultant Course can often be done in as little as 3-6 months. You can also frequently find them offered by reputable makeup artist schools.

So, if you have aspirations of being a licensed dermatologist, know that a Skincare Consultant Course won’t be able to provide you with the thorough training and education that’s needed for this profession.

However, a Skincare Consultant Course provides you with a very different set of skills! In fact, you’ll likely find that these skills are far better suited to your career as a professional makeup artist. This is because they can be incorporated much more effortlessly into your business!

How, you may ask? You’ll just need to wait for Part Two! There, we’ll break down exactly what a Skincare Consultant is, the training required, and the qualifications you’ll receive! 😊

How does one go about finding the right dermatologist for their specific needs? Keep reading to learn the 7 key things to consider when searching for the perfect dermatologist!

Jun 18
Love2

Why Other Makeup Artists Are Your Friends, Not Enemies!

By From the Experts, Your Makeup Career One Comment

Australian MUA, Charlotte Ravet, is the proud owner of her very own hair and makeup business. From bridal, to editorial, to film and television, and everything in-between – Charlotte provides 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.

Here, she explores the many reasons why your fellow makeup artists are some of your best allies within this industry!

“It’s a small industry!”

If you’re a beauty lover who’s currently learning makeup, and who has dreams of becoming a pro MUA, be ready to hear this sentence every day!

Yes, it’s a small industry. This much can’t be denied. But as an international makeup artist myself, I can testify that there are no borders. In reality, it’s a WORLDWIDE industry! As makeup artists, the level of passion we have for our craft is ultimately what brings us together, and makes the industry seem small by comparison.

So, why does this matter? After all, isn’t it great to work in an industry where people get to know each other so quickly? Yes, of course it is!

But there is one thing you’ll need to be ready to deal with: competition.

The fact is, there will always be someone you’ll envy within this line of work. Whether it’s because of her resume, her success, her connections, or her skills. The real question is: is it bad to be a bit jealous?

No, it is not. I’m personally not jealous by nature. But I am giving myself career goals, in order to reach the same level as the artists I admire. Once I decided to approach my career with this positive mindset, I quickly discovered the importance of networking and sharing.

Even more importantly, I realized just how supportive the makeup artist community can be towards others! Just because other MUAs are technically your ‘competition’, it doesn’t mean they’re your enemies. The two don’t need to be synonymous!

In fact, one of the most valuable things you can possibly be taught when learning makeup is that your competition are actually your FRIENDS!

Why You Should Make Friends with Your Competition

Honestly, there are too many reasons to name. If I tried, we’d be here all day! But I can definitely come up with a few of the most important ones.

Here are a just some examples of how you can support – and get support from – this wonderful community:

1. Other Artists Can Become Part of Your Network

Ever since the early days of my professional career, I’ve always valued my network. I was lucky to have a successful start in TV makeup, right after I finished learning makeup and earning my certification. When I was booked for other jobs afterwards, I always recommended other artists.

The TV productions appreciated that I didn’t let them down. In the same breath, other artists would recommend me for work whenever they could. A good rule of thumb to abide by is this: always recommend someone you know will be the best for the job.

Don’t be scared that the artist could steal your clients! Remember: self-confidence is key!

My network works in the same way that my private relationships do. Just because you have a close friendship with one person, it doesn’t have to mean that any other friendships mean any less, or will suffer.

The same can be said about your clientele. If you know you’re always doing your best for your client, always make a great impression, and have a secure work relationship with them, why would they try to book someone else?

In this industry, people provide excellent word-of-mouth, and often help each other out. There will always be more potential clients! Plus, professional makeup artists will rarely try to actively seek out and steal your faithful clientele.

If you know someone in your network would be the best fit for a potential job, don’t worry that recommending them will somehow hurt your own career. In reality, this other makeup artist WILL remember your kind recommendation, and they’ll be likely to recommend YOU when a similar opportunity arises on their end.

In the worst-case scenario: if it just so happens that another MUA does steal your contact, well, it was not worth it! All you can do is live and learn. Simply refrain from recommending this makeup artist again in the future.

2. Other Artists Can Help You to Continue Learning

I always strive to continue learning. After that, I plan to learn again, and then again! You get the idea. There’s always something new to discover. Importantly, you often can – and should – learn from others.

I’m an educator, and have taught classes to other makeup artists. Some of them even had 30+ years of experience! Still, that doesn’t stop them from coming to me, and seeing what new and exciting things I can teach them.

Similarly, I always jump at the chance to learn from other skilled experts within the industry. As artists, we should ALWAYS continue in our quest for more knowledge!

There’s no shame to ask for advice. Reaching out to others for help is not a sign of weakness. If anything, it signifies your love of the craft and your dedication to always self-improve. One thing I recommend is involving yourself in online communities! Personally, I love being a part of Facebook groups.

I’m always happy to share some tips, and likewise, learn a lot from the community myself.

3. Your Relationship with Other Artists Strengthens Your Reputation

We have one reputation… and ONLY one!

You can be the best in your game, but if you don’t have support from your industry, this often won’t be enough. Being kind and helpful with others doesn’t cost anything, but it absolutely goes a long way! How you treat others will play a major role in how others perceive you and your business.

You’ll quickly learn that makeup artists who speak badly about others are not the most talented ones. Putting other artists down won’t make you shine. Gossiping about other artists – whether it be to your network or your clients – will only make you look extremely unprofessional.

If you want to build a positive reputation, make yourself known for all the RIGHT reasons. Be kind. Be fair. Have a strong work ethic. These are the best strategies to making a strong, pleasant impression!

4. Other Artists Can Provide Encouragement

Working as a makeup artist can be exhausting! We don’t always fully understand this when learning makeup, but we quickly do once we begin working in the field.

Sometimes, the best people to lift you up when you’re feeling down are the ones who actually understand what it is you’re going through. When I’m feeling frustrated or overwhelmed, I need my “makeup family” to remind me why I’m doing this job. Their support can help ground me, and bring me back to my roots.

They can help remind me why I love this industry so much!

We ALL have our rough days. It’s important to know that it’s okay to not always be okay. In regular life, you need your friends. If you’re struggling, you rely on those who understand you best.

In your professional career as an MUA, this is provided to you in the form of your makeup artists friends!

How to Start Making Friends in the Industry

First, create your network while you are learning makeup. Look around and ask yourself:

  • Are there other artists around you who are sharing your passion?
  • Are you coming into contact with fellow MUAs who inspire you?
  • Are there other artists who seem genuinely happy for you when you succeed?

The nature of your friendship with other industry pros can be as similar (or as different) from a regular, everyday friendship as you want it to be. Remember: not everyone in your professional network will be your new BFF. That’s okay!

Many of the relationships you forge in your career will be of a professional nature. They will help build your network and establish your reputation. With this in mind, you want to make sure that you always give your best, most professional image.

Above all else, present yourself as reliable, organized, and committed to your work!

Another option is to join specialized groups! Here are just a few examples of wonderful Facebook groups that welcome all professional makeup artists:

If you’re a QC Makeup Academy student, graduate, or are simply figuring out if you want to be learning makeup from an online school, I also recommend the QC Makeup Academy Virtual Classroom. This is a fantastic place for you to meet other aspiring MUAs!

Online groups and forums give you the chance to learn from other artists, as well as the opportunity to ask questions. I’ve met a few of my current industry friends through these groups, before we met in real life. They’re an excellent, convenient way to stay connected with the industry, and exchange tips and advice.

Another suggestion is to start assisting professional artists. Assisting is an excellent way to build a relationship with an experienced artist, while also refining your own skill-set. You’ll learn a lot, and have the opportunity to observe and connect with the professional industry!

Food for Thought

These past few months have shown us just how vital respect and kindness are towards others. You don’t need to announce when you are helping someone, or passing on work to another artist, or encouraging someone, or sharing a makeup technique…Acts of kindness will always be able to say more than words ever could.

Competition is real in the makeup industry. But the only rule to remember is that your competition should only push you to be YOUR very best! Competition is not about spending energy to put others down.

We shouldn’t be afraid to sometimes ask for help, whether it be to find work or to improve upon our skills. And if someone judges you? Well, that just means that person isn’t worth being a part of your “makeup fam”!

Your success starts today! So, start being the person – and the artist – you want to be!

Want to start learning makeup, so you can get your career started? Enroll today in QC’s leading international Master Makeup Artistry Course!

Jun 11
Love1

How to Become a Freelance Makeup Artist in as Little as 2 Months!

By Education, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Do you have a passion for makeup? Are you interested in taking your skills to a professional level? Is a successful career as a makeup artist your ultimate goal?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, then QC Makeup Academy can help! We, for one, think there’s no better time to get started on the path towards your future than today!

Now, you may be thinking, “But what if I want to get my certification in the next few months, so I can start working in the field right away? Don’t most makeup courses take long time to complete?”

Great questions!

Typically, yes, many standalone makeup courses can take 3-6+ months for you to complete. Most cosmetology schools, in comparison, will typically take anywhere from 8 months to 2 years to finish. Even self-paced courses require plenty of time to complete, when you factor in that you’re completing the course around your existing schedule.

But with the right motivation, dedication, and availability, we can offer you a way to get the most of your makeup training AND graduate with a professional certification in as little as TWO months!

That’s right, you heard us. Two months.

Think about it: this would mean that you could get top-quality training from an industry expert, earn your certification, and be ready to break out into the professional world and start booking clients – by the end of this summer!

If you’re thinking that this sounds like the PERFECT opportunity for you, keep reading! We’ll break down how QC Makeup Academy makes this possible through our Fast-Track Program, and what you need to do to get started!

Please Note: While some makeup businesses are beginning to open back up, or are making plans to do so in the near future, please stay mindful of the rules and regulations in your particular area. If local businesses are still advised to remained closed for the time being, we urge you to follow this order and wait until things are safer before you begin booking clients.

What is the Fast-Track Program?

The Fast-Track Program designed by QC Makeup Academy offers a solution for aspiring MUAs to earn their makeup certification in the least amount of time possible.

The Fast-Track Program is perfect for aspiring MUAs who may:

  • Wish to devote more hours per day to their education, in order to complete the program in a shorter time
  • Want to become a working, freelance makeup artist ASAP
  • Have goals to start their own freelance makeup artist business sooner rather than later

How Does the Fast-Track Program Work?

With our standard, self-paced makeup courses, the average student takes approximately 4-5 months to complete their program and graduate with their certification. This is based on devoting 1-2 hours per week towards the course (which is easily achievable for most lifestyles).

This also takes into account the average turnaround time for your assigned instructor to review each unit, grade each assignment, and provide detailed audio feedback.

QC’s Fast-Track Program condenses this experience into a shorter, 2-month time-frame! On your end, you would be expected to complete your course readings, watch the instructional videos, and complete and submit your makeup assignments more quickly. You’ll also need to pay for your course in full within 2 months. However, if you choose to pay off your tuition within your first 30 days, you’ll be eligible to receive our pay-in-full discount!

In return, we guarantee a 2-day turnaround time (always) for your tutor to review your work, grade it, and provide you with their thorough feedback.

Oh, and did we mention that as part of the Fast-Track Program, you’re guaranteed to be paired with our leading instructor and executive makeup artist, Nathan Johnson?

This is definitely a worthwhile perk! Simply put, Nathan is the BEST! ❤️️

The Fast-Track Program’s 4-Step Process

The easiest way to understand the Fast-Track learning  experience is to break it down into 4 easy steps:

Step 1: Enroll and Receive Your QC Course Materials

The enrollment process is easy, and can be done either directly online or by contacting our awesome Student Support Specialist Team. Within 24 hours of enrolling, you’ll receive an email containing your login information for the Online Student Center.

Here, you’ll find electronic copies of all of your course texts, instructional videos, and assignments. You can begin your first Unit immediately!

Within 3 business days, we’ll mail you a physical copy of your course materials. If your makeup course comes with its own makeup kit, that’ll be shipped out to you as well. This shipment will take roughly 7-10 business days to reach you. While you’re waiting for your kit, you can still get started on your course using the online textbooks and videos!

You won’t require makeup until you get to your practical assignments – by which time, your package from us will have already arrived!

Step 2: Submit Your Assignments

Each unit of your course will require you to put the makeup theory you’ve been learning to the test! This will be done in the form of practical assignments. Here, you’ll get hands-on experience applying makeup on your friends and family!

We recommend practicing your skills and doing your assignments on as many different people as you can. This is the single best way for you to gain exposure to different skin types, tones, conditions, ages, etc.

Note: In light of COVID-19, we urge you to continue practicing social distancing. If social distancing rules have not yet been lifted in your area, please do NOT put yourself or others at risk for the sake of your assignments. It’s 100% okay under these circumstances to do your practical assignments on yourself, or anyone who’s been residing within your immediate living environment (so long as they’re willing to be a model).

Practice makes perfect, so take as much time as you need to work on your assignments until you’re completely satisfied with the end result! Once you are, you can then take photographs of your work and submit them through the Online Student Center.

Step 3: Review Your Feedback

As we mentioned above, one perk of using our Fast-Track Program is that celebrity makeup artist, Nathan Johnson, will go over your assignments with a fine-toothed comb, and provide you with his expert feedback, in as little as 2 days.

This feedback will be in the form of an audio file. Like with your course materials, you can keep this valuable feedback forever, and refer to it as often as needed!

Nathan’s feedback will be incredibly detailed, so we urge you to pay close attention while listening to it. He’s going to cover a LOT of ground with you, such as where your strengths are and where you need to improve. Growing as a freelance makeup artist (and even just a makeup artist in general) means being open to positive, constructive criticism.

The aim will only ever be to help you grow, improve your techniques, and encourage you to fine-tune  your craft!

Step 4: Become a Certified Makeup Artist

Once you’ve completed and submitted all the Units within your program, and have received passing grades, you’ll officially be a certified MUA! We will mail out a physical copy of your certification in the mail, and from there, you can then begin your journey as a professional makeup artist!

Don’t forget, our courses also offer optional business training as the final Unit in your program. If you wish to be a freelance makeup artist and launch your very own business, we strongly urge you to take advantage of this training!

For instance, QC Makeup Academy graduate and pro MUA, Devyn Gregorio, recently shared a video on her YouTube channel, discussing the benefits of QC’s business training and how it’s helped her gain even more success in her career.

How to Get Started

If you’re interested in using our Fast-Track Program to earn your makeup certification, simply contact our Student Support Specialist Team and we can help get everything up and running!

So, what are you waiting for? Your future is waiting for you – grab a hold of it and make it come to life!

Keep reading for 5 helpful tips to help you book clients for your freelance makeup artist business after COVID-19!

Jun 05
Love0

80 Fun, Fresh Topic Ideas for Your Makeup Business Beauty Blog!

By Your Makeup Career 4 Comments

These days, it’s not uncommon to see MUAs starting up beauty blogs (or vlogs) as part of their makeup career. It’s an easy and extremely effective way to build upon your professional website, expand your clientele, and bring your makeup business even more visibility! Not to mention, you’re provided with another platform to share your industry expertise with the world!

If you’re running your own beauty blog, or you’re thinking of starting one, it’s probably safe to say that you’re always on the lookout for content ideas. After all, one of the challenges of running a blog/vlog is to publish fresh content on a frequent basis.

You don’t want to always be posting the exact same topics as every other beauty blog out there. Otherwise, how can you expect your makeup business’s blog to stand out?

At first, coming up with content may be effortless. The longer you run your blog, though, and the more content you’ve already released, the trickier it can sometimes feel to come up with new, unique topics. This is where we come in.

Below are 80 fun ideas that we welcome you to use for your own beauty blog! ❤️️

Makeup

  1. Your favorite summer makeup looks.
  2. Show your audience what’s currently in your professional makeup kit!
  3. Spring cleaning your makeup kit – tips and tricks.
  4. The best budget-friendly cosmetic products.
  5. Purchase a higher-end product and its drugstore dupe with the same ingredients, and compare the two in a review!
  6. A breakdown of your daily makeup routine.
  7. Create makeup tutorials for specific looks, seasons, holidays, and/or other special occasions.
  8. DIY tips and tricks for properly storing your makeup.
  9. Advice/motivation for anyone looking to start up their own makeup business.
  10. Makeup for beginners: everything the newbie MUA needs to know!
  11. Your Holy Grail products that you will always
  12. Try out a current makeup product and give it a thorough review.
  13. How to apply the perfect set of false eyelashes.
  14. Make a list of high-end products that were worth the price. Feel free to do this with your favorite budget-friendly drugstore products, too!
  15. The best makeup items to bring with you when travelling.
  16. Innovative ways to fix and/or repurpose broken makeup.
  17. Put together an entire look using ONLY $1.00 makeup products!
  18. Tips and tricks for properly cleaning + sanitizing your brushes and other tools.
  19. Makeup business tips for finding jobs and new clients.
  20. Share your MUA story (or host an Ask Me Anything webinar)!

Skincare

  1. Breaking down the different skin types.
  2. Share your morning (and/or nighttime) skincare routine!
  3. How COVID-19 has affected your skincare routine.
  4. Make a DIY face mask and share the results (plus the recipe).
  5. The minimalist’s skincare routine: create a solid skincare routine in 5 steps or less!
  6. Your current skincare wish-list.
  7. A list of your favorite DIY skincare hacks.
  8. Your top picks for all-natural, organic skincare products.
  9. The best budget-friendly products that give great results!
  10. Skincare advice for mature skin.
  11. Why it’s important to add skincare training to your makeup business.
  12. An honest look at skincare products: what you DON’T need!
  13. The best products for healthy, summer skin.
  14. Go through your current skincare empties, review, and determine whether you plan to repurchase.
  15. Organize a list of trendy skincare products that are totally worth all the hype (and maybe the ones that aren’t).
  16. A list of your favorite, best-smelling skincare items.
  17. Tips and tricks for acne, redness, dryness, oiliness, and/or any other problematic skin conditions.
  18. The ultimate Holy Grail skincare product list.
  19. Business advice for aspiring skincare consultants.
  20. Share your skincare story (or host an Ask Me Anything Webinar)!

Advanced and/or Specialty Makeup (only if applicable to your qualifications)

  1. Airbrush makeup vs. traditional makeup: create the same look and compare the results.
  2. Break down your airbrush makeup equipment and products.
  3. Make tutorials for different airbrush looks (bridal, editorial, SFX, etc.).
  4. Water-based, silicone-based, and alcohol-based: which is the best kind of airbrush makeup?
  5. Make tutorials for various SFX makeup looks.
  6. Share what’s in your SFX makeup kit!
  7. Review a trending SFX makeup product.
  8. Explore the different areas of SFX makeup (film, television, editorial, live stage, etc.).
  9. Discuss what draws you to SFX makeup, and why you’re passionate about it.
  10. Burns, cuts, and other wounds: how to create realistic gore.
  11. Why global beauty training is an asset to your makeup career.
  12. How to create the perfect Henna tattoo.
  13. Tips and tricks for adjusting your makeup products to ANY skin tone!
  14. How to work cultural and/or religious beliefs into your client’s makeup style.
  15. Do a walk-through of your professional website and/or portfolio.
  16. Why makeup business knowledge is critical if you want to start a freelance career.
  17. The do’s and don’ts for your professional makeup portfolio.
  18. Your experience working as a makeup artist in a stylized photoshoot.
  19. How to handle negative criticism for your makeup business.
  20. The top list of industry “secrets” that makeup artists want their clients to know!

Hair Styling + Fashion Styling

  1. The sexiest (but most practical) hair styles for summer.
  2. Your go-to hair styling tools and equipment.
  3. Review a popular, trending hair styling tool.
  4. Hair styling hacks for any skill level!
  5. Your favorite up-dos of all time.
  6. Why hair styling training makes you an even stronger makeup artist.
  7. Tutorials of specific hair styles, up-dos, down-dos, etc.
  8. Framing the face: how to pick the best hair style for your client’s bone structure.
  9. How to clean your hair styling tools.
  10. A guide on properly operating/using all of your hair styling tools.
  11. Determining your client’s ideal style: which questions to ask during your fashion styling consultation.
  12. 2020’s best (and worst) fashion trends.
  13. How to effectively spring clean your closet.
  14. A minimalist’s guide to fashion styling: how to narrow down your wardrobe to the essentials.
  15. Tips and tricks for matching your client’s clothing to their personality.
  16. How to build your wardrobe on a budget!
  17. Why fashion styling services can take your makeup business to the next level!
  18. Challenge yourself to put together the ultimate wardrobe for under $25.00, and share the results.
  19. Tips and tricks for dressing for the job you want.
  20. Order an outfit off a popular shopping website (such as Wish) and review its quality.

Of course, all of these ideas are only just scratching the surface. There are thousands upon thousands of awesome, inventive beauty blog topics out there. It’s just a matter of brainstorming and thinking outside the box.

There will ALWAYS be something to talk about, rest assured. So, go forth and let yourself get creative! 😊

Keep reading for 4 Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to running your very own beauty vlog!

Jun 04
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The Top 7 Must-Have Hair Styling Tools for Your Business

By Hair Styling, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Thinking of adding hair styling services to your makeup business? Online beauty school can help teach you everything you need to know, so you can take your hair skills all the way to an expert level. Not to mention, a hair styling course will arm you with a professional certification that’ll look mighty fine on your resume and definitely impress clients!

Of course, there’s more to being a hair stylist than just knowing the theory. You’ll also be taught how to execute various techniques and applications, so you can thrive in real-world situations. In order to do this, you’re going to need to purchase a few things first.

After all, every trade needs its tools. Being an MUA, you already know that! So, what are the holy grail essential items to stock up on in order to be a successful hair stylist?

Let’s take a look!

7 Must-Have Hair Styling Tools

These are the physical instruments you’ll use in your work to either manipulate the hair (using some degree of heat), or hold it in place. If you want to be a hair stylist, it won’t be enough to simply have a few clips and some hair ties. There’s a lot more to styling than that!

The following are the most common, must-have tools to invest in…

1. Hair Brushes

You can’t style hair if it’s full of tangles. The first step will almost always be to brush out your client’s hair, so it’s smooth and knot-fee! Different brushes come with different bristles, which can impact the hair’s volume and drying time. It’s important that you know what each brush does, so you know when is the best time to use it.

Some of the different types of bristles include:

  • Natural bristles – usually made of boar or hog hair. They are gentle on hair, and best used for daily brushing.
  • Nylon bristles – usually made of plastic, nylon, or rubber. Requires some stiffness, while still being flexible. These bristles are great for styling hair.
  • Porcupine bristles – made of small, evenly-spaced tufts of bristles. Each tuft is made up of a combination of natural and nylon fibers. These bristles are great for styling, while remaining gentle on hair.
  • Metal bristles – made of metal, and often very stiff. For this reason, do NOT use on your client’s hair! These bristles are best used only one synthetic wigs and/or hair pieces.

The way the brush is shaped can also affect its use and purpose. Here are some examples of staple brush types to have in your hair styling kit:

  • Paddle brushes – these are wide and typically shaped as a rectangle. In addition to smoothing hair and reducing static, they’re great for long hair and straight styles.
  • Roller, curling, and/or round brushes – these are most often shaped like cylinders. When used with heat, these brushes can add volume to your client’s roots, as well as add loose curls.
  • Volumizing brushes – these brushes have less bristles than round brushes, as well as holes to allow warm air flow. Also known as “vent brushes”, they are fantastic for styling hair.
  • Smoothing brushes – these are your average, day-to-day brushes. Thanks to their natural and/or nylon bristles and rubber cushion, they’re excellent at smoothing, detangling, and reducing static in hair.

2. Combs

Due to their smaller size, combs don’t allow for the same surface area coverage as brushes. They require a gentler hand, and should not be hastily yanked through the hair. While typically less damaging to the hair when brushing, they’re not quite as effective for styling. However, they make up for this with their ability to comb out tangles and “tease” hair at the roots.

Online beauty school will help teach you about which combs are best used as part of your job as a hair stylist, such as:

  • Tail combs – designed with a pointed tip, to help you divide your client’s hair into sections and parts.
  • Pick combs – these have evenly-spaced “teeth” to help separate curls, add volume, and create a softer look.
  • Fine and medium combs – fine combs have thin, closely-spaced teeth, whereas medium combs have thicker teeth which are more widely spaced. Both combs are great for back combing and detangling your client’s hair.
  • Wide tooth combs – with their slightly thick, evenly-spaced teeth, these combs are best at working conditioner through wet hair and detangling knots.

3. Blow Dryers

Whether you’re starting off your client’s appointment by washing her hair, or you need to dampen it for any reason, it’s going to need to be dried before you proceed with styling it. Remember: other heating tools – such as straighteners and curling wands – can NEVER be used on damp or wet hair!

To dry hair safely, the only tool you can use is a hair dryer.

That being said, there’s more than one kind of hair dryer. For instance, do you know the difference between the functionality of an ionic dryer, versus a ceramic dryer? Do you know the similarities that tourmaline dryers have in common with both ionic and ceramic dryers? What are the different types of rollers, wraps, and hoods?

Your online beauty school’s hair styling course will answer all of these questions, and more!

4. Curling Irons, Curling Wands, and Marcel Irons

The main things these 3 heat-manipulating tools have in common is that they help to create curls in your client’s hair. Beyond that, they have distinct differences that affect the way you make those curls, as well as what the final product will look like.

Because of how strongly these tools rely on heat, it’s critical that you learn the proper techniques and safety measures needed when operating them. We’re sure you’ve seen at least one of those YouTube videos of someone holding their curler too close to the scalp, or holding it in place way too long.

The result? Burns, hair loss, and one outraged client. Always remember that you’re dealing with your client’s hair, and damaging it in any way can directly impact her overall appearance. Improper use of these kinds of tools can be the quickest way to accidentally hurting your client – and your professional reputation!

5. Hair Straighteners and Flat Irons

Continuing on the topic of heat-using styling tools, another must-have, staple piece of equipment is a straightener and/or flat iron. As the name suggests, these tools are used to smooth out hair and give it a pin-straight appearance.

There are also additional ways you can use straighteners and flat irons to manipulate the style of your client’s hair. A recent trend, for example, has been to use straighteners to achieve a curling effect; used in the place of a traditional curling iron. Crimpers are another example of a tool within the same family, which can be used to create natural-looking, wavy hair.

Pro Tip: As we previously mentioned (but it’s definitely worth mentioning again), NEVER use any straighteners, flat irons, crimpers, or curling tools on anything other than dry hair. Doing otherwise can fry your client’s hair to a crisp, and seriously damage it!

6. Clamps, Clips, and Bobby Pins

Brushes and heat tools are great for styling hair to a certain extent. However, if your client wishes for specific styles or up-dos, you may require some additional help! This is where clips, clamps, and bobby pins come into play.

Depending on the type you use, there will be a different shape. This is because it’s designed for specific hair styling uses. A bobby pin, for example, won’t be able to do the same thing as a spin pin. In addition, certain clamps and clips (such as yoyettes alligator clips) are meant to assist you during the styling process, rather than being used in the actual finished product.

Online beauty school will ensure to break down everything you need to know about the various different kinds of clips, clamps, and bobby pins. This way, you’ll know exactly which types to purchase for your hair styling kit!

7. Hair Ties/Elastics

Last but not least, it goes without saying that for every hair stylist, elastics are a MUST! How else can you be expected to secure your client’s hair in an up-do, a braid, etc.? Clips and bobby pins can only do so much.

It kind of sounds like a given to include elastics on this list (I mean, duh), but it feels like it’d be even sillier not to throw that in there!

Can you think of any other hair styling tools that are essential to have as a stylist? Let us know in the comments below!

Ready to earn your hair styling certification through online beauty school? Enroll today in QC’s leading Hair Styling Essentials Course!

May 29
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Boost Your Makeup Artist Salary with These 5 Online Services!

By From the Experts, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Throughout many parts of the world, businesses are slowly beginning to re-open. However, for just as many of us, social distancing is still the primary way of life for the foreseeable future. This doesn’t mean that your MUA business (or makeup artist salary) needs to suffer, though!

Over the past few months, we’ve looked at various opportunities for you to maximize your time at home in a way that benefits your career goals. For instance, we’ve examined:

QC’s executive tutor and celebrity MUA, Nathan Johnson, has shared tons of invaluable advice as well! Particularly, he’s offered tips for optimizing your makeup practice/education while at home, and even expanded on this topic in an eye-opening webinar!

Today, Nathan wishes to build on this momentum, and continue motivating you to follow your dreams! Yes, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic. But no, that does NOT mean you should allow it to discourage you! You, your career, and your dreams still all have room to thrive!

So, if stay-at-home orders are still prevalent where you live, fear not: Nathan’s got 5 ways that you can still work virtually, so you can continue to bring in an income for your MUA business.

Keep reading to discover how you can boost your makeup artist salary – even from home!

Online Makeup Consultations

This is a practice that more and more makeup artists are adding to their business as a standard practice. By offering virtual consultations, you’re not only providing clients a way to work with you, despite a pandemic… but you’re also no longer limiting yourself to strictly local clients!

Online consultations mean that you can now also work with long-distance clients, who reside practically anywhere in the world. Many makeup artists find this service to be incredibly beneficial for their business and provide it on a permanent basis. Definitely something worth considering, as it will absolutely help boost your makeup artist salary!

There’s also tons of wiggle room here, in terms of the types of remote consultations you can provide. Some popular examples could include:

  • One-on-one lessons for a new look. This can be look-specific or general technique lessons.
  • Seasonal makeup lessons. The purpose of this can be to help teach clients some new trends that are not only appropriate for the current season but are perfect for their specific features.
  • Makeup kit makeovers. There are many beauty lovers out there who can probably benefit from Spring cleaning their kits and cosmetic bags! Through a virtual consultation, you can walk them through all of their products and advise as to:

Group Party Lessons

Have the gals gather, and give them all a virtual makeup lesson! There’s a pretty big market for online group makeup classes, so why not capitalize on it during a time when it would benefit everyone the most?

Now that everyone is working from home and relying on virtual meetings, they’ll want to know how to look their best. This is an amazing opportunity to teach women and men how to create dimension and maximize their features on video!

Plus, this is another service that you can incorporate into your everyday business, even once social distancing rules eventually lift. It’s a convenient and fun way to boost your makeup artist salary while keeping things fresh!

The content of these lessons could vary week-to-week, or even month to month, depending on how often your clients want to gather in their online forum. Here are just a few ideas of topics you could cover with your audience:

  • How to master a red lip and find the red that’s right for YOU
  • Eyeliner 101: breaking down each variation, and what they all do
  • How to effortlessly eradicate dark circles
  • Maximizing the dimensions of the face through natural applications of blush, highlighter, and contour
  • Quite literally ANYTHING related to a classic technique or makeup trend
  • And tons more!

Because many of these topics are so broad, and you aren’t confined to the limiting space of a physical classroom, there would be no limit to the number of people permitted to sign up for your virtual classes!

Start Working with Your Favorite MLM

In general, online events are very easy and lucrative. Once provided with your favorite company’s products, you can then use them on yourself and rely on your makeup education and skincare training when marketing the products to others. The best part is that it can all be done from the comfort of your own couch!

When done right, this strategy can result in major sales, and positively affect your makeup artist salary. You can learn how to combine direct selling with your makeup training in this webinar hosted by Nathan Johnson!

Familiarize yourself with popular, trending videos currently online (via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc. and see if you can utilize any of these platforms in a similar way to help market the products. When it comes to being a seller for an MLM, it’s all about personality. You need to sell yourself, as much as you’re selling the product.

If you’re charming, funny, knowledgeable, and learn the art of social media marketing, you’ll not only make sales—you’ll open yourself up to a global audience!

Pro Tip: Should you wish to get involved with an MLM, make sure to do proper and thorough research! Unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers out there, so you need to protect yourself. This article is a great read, and provides a very honest and objective breakdown of everything you need to know before getting started!

Social Media Presence

Here’s a fun fact: great YouTube videos can earn you cash. So can a powerful Instagram feed!

Nowadays, a very popular avenue for artists is to become an online influencer. Don’t get us wrong – such an endeavor will require lots of time, patience, and hard work. Unless you’re lucky enough to have something go viral, most people don’t become famous overnight.

Getting to the ‘influencer’ level and actually making a profit off of it will require you and your channel to acquire an extremely high number of subscribers. In order to do this, you’re going to need:

  • A social media channel
  • A strong brand
  • A charismatic personality, or likable niche
  • A regular posting schedule
  • Decent (to high-quality) filming and editing equipment
  • At least some understanding of marketing strategies, SEO, etc.
  • Something to say – that is, you need to have solid, relevant, and original content

It’s also just as important to learn what NOT to do when marketing yourself (and your makeup business) across social media. This article looks at some helpful do’s and don’ts to keep in the back of your mind!

Want some additional tools to help you find SEO Keywords for your website and stay on top of your backlinks? Here are 3 resources courtesy of SPopli that might help get the job done!

Writing Articles for Beauty Blogs and Publications

Not to mention, it’s an extremely convenient way for you to boost your makeup artist salary. All you need is a laptop, somewhere cozy to sit for a couple of hours, and a WiFi connection… What could be simpler?

In reality, there are a huge number of freelancers, brands, and even accredited makeup schools that will pay you to write high-quality content articles for their beauty blogs! As an industry pro with proper training, education, and experience, you’re a fountain of knowledge. There are PLENTY of people out there who can benefit from your expertise.

Of course, another way you can work remotely, maintain your online visibility, and potentially attract new clients is by starting a beauty blog for your makeup business. That being said, you have more options than simply writing for your own blog.

That way, once life inevitably goes back to normal, you’ll be ready to offer ALL of your clients – near and far – these awesome, flexible services! At the end of the day, there are many lucrative ways to earn money and increase your makeup artist salary. Don’t limit yourself to believing they always have to be in person.

The best part about all of these suggestions is that they transcend the current pandemic. Yes, they’re extremely useful for you to utilize NOW – but they’re also just as beneficial on a regular day, too. By introducing these services to your makeup business presently, you’ll have the proper time to work out all the kinks.

Stylized photoshoots are another excellent way to boost your makeup artist salary! Keep reading to discover why!

May 27
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Airbrush Makeup: Safety and Etiquette 101

By Makeup Tips and Tricks, Your Makeup Career No Comments

Over the years, airbrush makeup has established itself as a popular makeup practice within the beauty industry. Used for SFX makeup, editorial shoots, and bridal looks, it’s an art that takes ample amounts of patience and time to properly master. But once you do, it can skyrocket your professional career to a whole new level!

While it can be tempting to simply purchase an airbrush machine and get going right away, don’t be too quick to jump the gun! (Like what we just did there?) The fact is, if you’re unfamiliar with airbrush makeup, there are things you NEED to learn first.

Proper training is a must! Before you begin offering airbrush makeup services to your clients, you must first ensure that you fully understand:

  • The safety precautions required, and
  • The professional etiquette expected of you

So, let’s break these down and look at the basic rules of airbrush makeup safety and etiquette!

Airbrush Makeup: Safety & Etiquette Tips

Different types of makeup call for different best practices when it comes to hygiene. Airbrush makeup is of no exception. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s room for a lot to go wrong. It can put your client at risk and potentially damage your reputation in the industry.

Your best bet is to put in the time, acquire proper training, and adequately prepare yourself. Here are some of the best ways to do that…

1. Take an airbrush makeup class

The single most effective way to learn ANY aspect of makeup is to get reputable training from an accredited school. Do thorough research, and find an esteemed makeup school that offers a class or workshop specifically for airbrush makeup.

In most cases, you’ll not only be provided with high-quality equipment (as part of your tuition fee); you’ll be trained by actual, working MUAs who know exactly what they’re doing. Any makeup school worth its salt will also ensure that in addition to basic theory, technique, and application, you’re taught safety, etiquette, and even business components.

Plus, once you graduate from the program, you’ll have an extra certificate to add to your resume!

2. Be public about your personal hygiene

I’m not saying you need to divulge to your clients whether you had a shower that day or not. (I mean, you could. Might be weird, though.)

What I mean is, your clients want to know that they’re dealing with a professional. If they have ANY suspicion that you’re unsanitary, they’re not going to want you touching their face. Full stop.

This is especially the case in light of everything that’s been going on in the world these past few months. Once you and your client are able to safely work in close proximity to each other again, you’ll need to go above and beyond to reassure your customers that you’re always making their health a priority.

It can be something as simple as washing or sanitizing your hands in front of them, before the appointment begins. That, combined with only using clean makeup products/tools, and your clients will never second-guess that they can trust you to take proper care of them.

3. Avoid contaminating your tools/products

As you already know, it’s only too easy for bacteria to fester on your makeup products if you’re not careful. Similarly, strict measures need to be taken when handling your airbrush makeup and machine. Straying from these practices can result in your products and tools becoming tainted.

No, your airbrush machine won’t ever actually touch your client’s face. But it will be touching your hands. As such, cleaning the outside of your machine after every use is mandatory.

Another major area where MUAs unknowingly contaminate their airbrush makeup is by re-using the makeup itself. If you have leftover product in the jar or tray of your airbrush gun, it might seem harmless to simply pour it back into its original bottle with the rest of the product.

However, the moment you squeeze product out of the bottle, you’re exposing it to airborne germs and other unwanted bacteria. By putting it back into the bottle afterwards, you’re tainting all of that precious makeup still within that bottle by introducing to so many potential contaminants.

Worst case scenario, it spoils the makeup beyond repair. Best case scenario, it severely reduces its overall shelf-life. Given that airbrush makeup isn’t always cheap, there’s no real outcome to this that doesn’t suck for you.

4. Facilitate proper ventilation

You know that dizzying smell that lingers in the air after you use nail polish or hairspray? These same types of fumes can occur when using an airbrush makeup machine for an extended period of time. While you may grow “nose blind” to them over time, it can be a jarring, unpleasant experience for your clients.

Without proper airflow in your work space, prolonged exposure to airbrush makeup can put your client at risk of developing a headache, an allergic reaction, respiratory problems, etc.

Combat this risk by making sure the room is properly ventilated. If there are windows and the weather outside is permitting, open them up. Bring a fan with you to the appointment, and keep it running throughout the duration of the application.

Most importantly, if your client needs a break for any reason, give it to them!

5. Do a patch test

A patch test helps to ensure that your client won’t develop any sort of negative and/or allergic reaction when coming into contact with the airbrush makeup product. As a rule of thumb, water-based airbrush makeup is typically the safest type of product for you to use, since its ingredients are most often mineral-based. It has the smallest likelihood of resulting in a rash, breakout, or allergic reaction.

That being said, many makeup artists prefer to work with alcohol or silicone-based airbrush products. Since there’s a slightly higher risk of an allergic reaction, it’s extremely important to always perform a patch test. Ideally, you will do this during the initial consultation.

In a nutshell, this is how you will do a patch test:

  1. Pick the chosen airbrush makeup product, and apply a small amount on either the inside of her forearm or the side of her wrist.
  2. Let it sit for a few minutes.
  3. Remove the product, and check for any signs of redness, swelling, irritation, etc.

If everything looks clear, you’re safe to use that product on your client’s face. If not, you’ll need to switch to a gentler product and try another patch test. Remember: if your client begins to experience any pain or discomfort at any point, remove the makeup immediately!

6. Provide skincare advice

Airbrush makeup can do a pretty good job of sucking all the moisture out of your skin – especially if you already have dry skin, or don’t have a solid skincare routine in place. Before applying any makeup, always ensure to prep the skin first.

Since many editorial clients are already used to working with this makeup medium, they’re more likely to know the drill. Chances are, they understand what skincare practices they need to utilize before and after the airbrush application.

Other clients, such as bridal clients, may not be quite as knowledgeable, though. As the expert, it’s your job to tell them. Explain to her why airbrush makeup is so drying to the skin, and advise her to moisturize prior to the appointment, as well as after the makeup has been completely removed.

Pro Tip: Want to build on this and become an actual Skincare Consultant? Check out QC Makeup Academy’s Skincare Course, and add to your professional certifications in as little as 3-6 months!

7. As always, be friendly

In terms of etiquette, it’s not really any different than the etiquette you’d display during a traditional makeup session with a client. Above all else, always remember to be friendly and professional!

Other standard protocols to keep in mind are:

  • Let your client set the conversational tone
  • Cater to what your clients needs and what will make her feel the most comfortable
  • Go over the look they want one more time, in case there’s anything they wish to change last-minute
  • Keep your touch light
  • Make sure you’ve brushed your teeth that morning, and have some mints or gum on you (just in case). You’re going to be getting a bit up-close and personal, after all!

So long as you keep all of this in mind as you develop your airbrush makeup training and skills, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true pro! Before you know it, airbrush makeup will quickly become a successful cornerstone of your business!

Do YOU have any other tips for proper airbrush makeup safety and etiquette? Tell us in the comments below!

Ready to add airbrush makeup training to your professional qualifications? Enroll today in QC’s leading online Airbrush Makeup Workshop!

May 15
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5 Tips for Booking Freelance Makeup Artist Jobs After COVID-19

By Your Makeup Career One Comment

With everything that’s been going on in the world these past few months, it can sometimes be easy to forget that eventually, things will go back to normal. Work will pack back up, and the economy will begin to recover. In certain areas around the globe, we’re already beginning to see the first stages of this!

So, what does this mean for your makeup career?

Well, for starters: if you’re a freelance makeup artist, don’t worry – there will still be plenty of opportunities to book clients! You just may need to take a few extra precautions and adjust some of your strategies, that’s all.

What exactly do we mean by this? Let’s take a look…

Target the bridal community

One of the downsides of COVID-19 is that a lot of engaged couples have needed to postpone their wedding day, due to social distancing rules. But once those rules are lifted, they’ll only be all to quick to get right back on track!

As a makeup artist, this can mean a lot of potential clients for your business. If you’re already skilled in bridal makeup, you can make this a shining focus of both your social media content and your professional portfolio.

Research popular wedding-related hashtags in your area, and incorporate them into your posts. This could easily help draw the attention of brides who have resumed researching into vendors and suppliers for their big day!

Don’t know much about bridal makeup? Then now’s the perfect time to start learning! Begin your research, take an accredited makeup course that teaches bridal makeup, and practice on yourself as much as possible. Better yet, practice on any of your friends or family members who are willing to be your model!

(Just make sure social distancing has been lifted first, or that you already live with this person in an immediate environment. Otherwise, it still won’t be safe enough yet to put your hands all over someone else’s face!)

By mastering your bridal makeup skills now, you can be ready to start booking clients as soon as life returns to normal!

Amplify your online presence

Once businesses start opening back up, people are going to be flocking to the internet to see what’s available to them and what isn’t. When they do, you want YOUR name to come up on their radar!

If you don’t already have an online presence for your freelance makeup artist business, start there ASAP. Build a website, create social media pages, research into marketing analytics and strategies, etc. These days, you can’t afford to NOT to market your business online!

If you already have these things established, then it’s time to now build on them. Ask yourself:

  • How can I improve my social media channels?
  • How can I increase my visibility?
  • Can I strengthen my website in any way?
  • Can I put out ads to target potential clients in my area?

Right now, you want your online presence, and the content you put out there, to be relevant to people’s current wants and needs. If someone is hopping online to search for a local makeup artist who can properly (and SAFELY) do their makeup immediately after social distancing has been lifted, you want them to not only find your freelance business – you want them to think to themselves, this is the MUA for me!

ALWAYS keep things clean

Logically, the best place to start is to always ensure that you’re keeping your makeup products and tools proper sterilized. This is a given, and definitely something you already should have been doing anyways. However, recent events have made it only too clear that it’s more important now than ever!

Clients will be far less likely to work with you if they see ANY sign of you being unsanitary, your work station being in total disarray, or your tools not being clean. All you need is one client to spread the word about uncleanly habits, and your reputation as a freelance makeup artist could quickly take a dive.

We know you don’t want this!

Pro tip: Since it’s that time of year, why not utilize your time at home right now to Spring clean your professional makeup kit? This will help make it much easier to maintain your kit going forward!

Have safety protocols ready

Let’s move onto the clients themselves. In the beginning, you may encounter some people who want to get their makeup done, but are still hesitant about coming into such close contact with strangers. One great way to combat this is to extend your sanitation practices to your appointment etiquette!

For example: for the first little while after social distancing rules have been revoked, maybe you can take extra care to always ensure that only you and your client are allowed to be in such close proximity to each other. Your business can have a maximum occupancy rules in effect, wherein only the client is allowed to attend their appointment.

Alternately, if you’re working in an environment where you can’t escape there being more people around, you can set up some type of perimeter around your work space, so that others know not to come within 6 feet of you and your client while you do her makeup.

These are just suggestions, of course. If you’d like to read more about keeping yourself and your clients safe (during and after COVID-19), keep reading here.

Ultimately, whatever measures you choose to take are entirely up to you. All we’re saying is, if you can reassure your client from the very beginning that you have a safety plan in place to continue to keep her safe while working with you, she’ll be much more willing to book!

Reach out to current and past clients

No, you don’t need to touch base with each one of them individually. (Though, hey, if you want to, by all means!) Rather, you can rely the email campaigns you’ve already set up for your freelance business, and utilize those.

There may be customers you’ve worked with before who would like to work with you again… and soon! Problem is, when the time comes that you re-open, they might not necessarily know. Even if you announce it on social media, they may not see it.

A better bet would be to send out a mass email to everyone within your client database. Chances are much better that this won’t go unnoticed! In it, you can let them know that you will be resuming your services (either by a given date, or at the present time).

You can also take this opportunity to lay out those safety protocols we discussed above, and include them within the email itself. If there is any other pertinent info you feel they should have, feel free to include that as well. Just don’t make the email too lengthy, or your audience may gloss over the more critical information.

You may be surprised at how many past clients wind up reaching out to you to book appointments! And even if they don’t, they may know someone who is in need of your wonderful services. Next thing you know, you’re being contacted by a brand-new client, thanks to word-of-mouth!

Remember:

There’s been a LOT of negativity getting thrown around ever since COVID-19 started. Even though much of it has been justifiably warranted, don’t let it fool you into thinking that this pandemic means the end of your makeup career.

It’s not.

Yes, it may require a bit more time and even more dedication than usual. You may need to be patient at first. But hard work does pay off! While things may feel a bit shaky at first, eventually, things will go back to how they used to be.

Before you know it, you’ll be booking more jobs for your freelance makeup artist business than you know what to do with! So, go forth and shine. We believe in you!

Another guaranteed way to book more clients is by having your professional makeup certification. Enroll in QC’s leading online Master Makeup Artistry Course today, and get certified in as little as 3-6 months!