Any freelance makeup artist will tell you that our working lives can be somewhat lonely at times.
It’s not like being in an office or on a counter where you have colleagues around you every day of your working life.
We freelancers work for ourselves, on our own and by ourselves.
Who do you bounce ideas off?
When you have a little ‘wobble’ as you embark on a new career, who in the industry, can you talk to, who’s been there too?
What about researching the best products to have in your kit? Would you want to make costly mistakes, or get an experienced opinion?
Our Private PrePro area in the forum is mentored by Amanda Roberts, London based hair and makeup artist with experience in theatre, TV, film as well as bridal and photographic, Rochelle O’Brien, Leicestershire makeup artist with hundreds of weddings under her belt, Lauren Sally, a photographic and bridal makeup artist, plus Sam Donald pops in with her experience too!
There are a happy mix of regulars in the PrePro area, from recently qualified artists who have other ‘day’ jobs, artists in training and one or two who are considering Makeup Artistry as a career for them but who have a few questions they want to ask in private.
Some makeup schools and courses are fantastic, offering everything from basic training and good hygiene practices, right through to specialist areas in SFX, bridal, photographic, media etc etc.
But do they offer advice on where to advertise?
Do they tell you how to get professional discounts on makeup brands?
Or even how to manage your accounts, you’re self employed after all…
Who offers the best insurance cover?
How much should you insure your kit for? How much should you budget for kit building?
The forum itself is a wealth of information, and the PrePro area is a stepping stone to becoming a fully fledged advising MAF artist, if that’s where you want to go to, or even just a helping hand when you haven’t got anyone else to talk to.
It’s totally free to join the forum, and free to join the PrePro area too. Pop along and send a ‘pm’ to SamMakeup (MAF) for access.
July 21st, 2009 at 6:44 am
Hi, Im getting into freelance and have been building up my kit. I really want to join the prepro area, it just sounds so perfect and what I need. How can I join?
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Hi Hana,
if you join the forum and become a member, then drop me an email, I’ll add you to the prepro area so you can meet some of the others in there.
Sam
October 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Hi, I have nearly completed my bridal and all occasions hair and Makeup course and need to start putting together a kit. Where would be best for me to purchase all the items i will need including the makeup case?
October 15th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Hi Nim
Goodness, there are so many different products to buy and so many different places! The best cases are on Beauty-Boxes.com but remember to check the dimensions and depth, you don’t necessarily want huge spaces, small items like eyeshadows and lipsticks will get lost in there!
If you join the forum, you can get access to the PrePro area, and we’ll help you more in there!
Sam
December 14th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Hi!! i’m in a make up school in france. I wanted a know which cities are the best to find a job. Cities which are as good in fashion, cinema and shows… I really need to have your advices ’cause I need a make a choice for next year and I have to say I’m a little bit stressed out!
thanks!
marie
January 11th, 2010 at 4:10 am
Hi! I will be starting make up school in Los Angeles next month but will be keeping my “day” job. I’m wondering from someone with similar experience, how long did you keep your “day” job before you were able to make ends meet financially being a make up artist either free lance or on a show, TV, or movie? Thanks for the help!
January 15th, 2010 at 11:44 am
hello! i want to do a make-up course and your website sounds great i was just wondering if you did make-up lessons.
January 16th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Hi Lucy,
I do one on one lessons, but not on how to be a makeup artist. You might be better off doing a short course near home to see how you get on, then specialising it with someone like Sam Chapman from FashionFace.tv, or someone like that. Get a feel for makeup first, then decide which avenue you want to go down and specialise there, you may well find that you pick up contacts and jobs better that way too.
Sam
January 16th, 2010 at 9:43 am
Hi Gavriella,
I was fortunate that I had given up work to get married when I decided to fully throw myself into makeup artistry, so from personal experience, I can’t say. It may be worth asking on the forum though, as we do have artists who’ve ‘given up the day job’ to do makeup full time.
sam
February 13th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Hi guys,
Im Currently doing a make up artistry and nail technician’s course.
I am only realy interested in the make up part but im sure the nails will come in handy some day.
I Have a kit it cost £500 it does have alot of stuff but i still find that i would need more.im am topping up my kit my self but find it very expensive as im a student living on a grant and cant get a job anywhere.
Would you recommend doing work experience on a make up counter 1 day a week?
do you think this will give me more experience in the make up industry?Will i no what im letting myself in for or is this a compleatly different experience from being a freelance make up artist?
How else could i top up my kitin a cheeper way, and how do i join your prepro area?
paige
February 13th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Hi there.. just wondered how you join the forum as I am very interested in becoming a make up artist and wanted to find out more about it. Thanks
February 13th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Hi Kelly and Paige,
the best way is to join the forum. Just click on ‘forum’ at the top of the page, then it will ask you to register or login. when you register, you’ll then have your account activated, and away you go!
Sam x
March 1st, 2010 at 2:13 pm
Hi,
I’ve just completed my NVQ level 2 in Beauty and Make-up, but would now like to continue my studies in make-up and go freelance, or work along side someone else to perhaps have my own business.
I’m interested in doing weddings, special occasions, and in the future TV and some films.
I would like some advice, tips or anything that will help me with my career aspirations and move forwards, as I am a bit confused and feel as though I’m stuck not knowing how to find my dream job in make-up.
Please help me!
Miranda
March 12th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Hi Miranda!
I’ve seen that you’ve joined the forum. that’s the best place to chat to other makeup artists, they’ll tell you about the courses that they’ve been on, plus the pros and cons to each of them. We’ve got artists who work in all disciplines, so they’ll all help you out.
April 24th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
how can i join the pre pro area ?