How Much Do Freelance Makeup Artists Make

Practice you lot want to larn how to make money with makeup?

I accept both good and bad news for you.

On the brilliant side, there is substantial demand for makeup artists! People oftentimes hire makeup artists for weddings, festivals, and other events. It's too possible to work with photographers and theatrical productions.

So what's the catch?

In a give-and-take: contest.

It's tough to suspension into the makeup industry. There are a lot of talented makeup artists out in that location! Let me reassure you; it's not impossible either. I recently interviewed Carly Clayton, who became a successful freelance makeup creative person despite blood, sweat, and tears. She volition share her journey and hard-earned knowledge.

How to learn basic makeup skills? How to observe your first clients? How to grow your makeup business?

This guide answers all these questions (and much more)!

Let'due south jump right in!

Introduction: Carly's makeup journey

How Carly became a freelance makeup artist, and so can you!

First of all, permit me tell y'all how Carly became a successful makeup creative person.

She began her career by trying out unlike looks on herself and her friends.

When it comes to makeup, Carly doesn't miss an opportunity to learn new techniques! She even follows Youtube channels and blogs to improve her makeup skills (more on that later). And guess what? Information technology took her 6 months to master the essential makeup skills.

Once her skills were upwardly to par, Carly created a Facebook page: Makeup for Weddings and Special Occasions.

Taking reward of Facebook Ads and word-of-mouth, Carly built her reputation as one of Nottingham'due south best makeup artists! She gets hired when someone needs a makeup artist for a wedding or a festival. She besides works for photographers and theatrical productions.

Here'southward the deal: Carly makes most $20 per hour doing what she loves for a living.

And you? Do you retrieve you have what it takes to go a freelance makeup artist?

Be warned: makeup artistry is not for anybody.

To guide your decision, I asked Carly crucial information almost her task: the pros, the cons, and how much money you lot can make.

Pros and cons of being a freelance makeup creative person

At that place are some aspects of makeup artistry you need to know.

Let'due south showtime with the bright side:

Flexibility – yous can piece of work your appointments around your personal life.
Sociability – y'all get the opportunity to meet many different people.
Creativity – bold liners, striking colors, in that location's room for creativity (equally long as yous please your customers).
Opportunity – makeup artistry is a career with groovy growth potential!

And allow'south face up information technology, making people expect attractive while chatting with them is pretty fun!

Nothing'south perfect; there are also some disadvantages to consider:

Piece of work isn't e'er consistent; you take to hustle every day to find makeup jobs.
The competition is tough; it is challenging to get high-profile clients.
It takes time to make a name for yourself.
An esthetician or cosmetology license may be required (more than on that later).

Finally, permit'southward not forget about the heady part: the salary.

How much practise freelance makeup artists make?

According to CareerExplorer, the boilerplate salary of makeup artists is about $30 per hour.

Note that there is a significant discrepancy between starting-level earnings ($10 per 60 minutes) and meridian-level earnings ($80 per hour).

That's why many freelance makeup artists experience modest income at the start of their careers! Equally you lot gain more and more feel, you might state some high-end jobs: celebrity makeup, special FX makeup, theatrical/performance makeup, etc.

These jobs can pay every bit high every bit $80 per hour!

The lesser line? Your income mostly depends on your makeup skills.

Personal qualities of makeup artists

Past at present, you'll have realized if yous are interested in working as a freelance makeup artist.

But practise you accept what information technology takes to succeed?

Some personality traits that are essential to becoming a successful makeup artist:

Attention to details and focus – makeup is visual, it is like shooting fish in a barrel to spot small errors!
Cleanliness – information technology is your responsibility as professionals to go along it clean.
Creativity and openness – makeup artists need to larn new ideas and techniques.
Social skills – y'all demand to schedule appointments and talk to clients to make time pass faster.

Let's non forget well-nigh the nearly crucial trait: motivation.

The more you principal makeup, the improve your chances of success!

And then allow'south go down to business.

Step 1: Amend your makeup skills

Becoming a freelance makeup artist: step 1: improve your makeup skills.

Before yous start your business organisation, y'all need to make sure you have decent makeup skills. The meliorate your skills, the college your income!

I'll teach you how to turn those skills into gold subsequently, now permit'south focus on what makes a good makeup artist. I gathered in this section: a list of essential makeup skills and the best courses/websites to principal them.

Savor!

Basic skills every makeup creative person should master

Permit me be honest with you; makeup artistry is non every bit piece of cake as information technology seems. It took Carly 6 months to master the fundamentals.

Have a look at the list of all the skills you need to principal:

Cognition of common makeup looks.
Understanding of the unlike skin types, os structures, eye sizes, and face shapes.
Choosing the correct look for your clients' bone structure and face up shape.
Knowing basic makeup techniques: how to make smoky eyes, how to line lips, how to apply mascara, foundation, red sticks, etc.
How to handle makeup tools: foundation brushes, eyeliners, lash curlers, you name it!

Now that you know which skills yous need to improve, information technology's fourth dimension to get downward to work.

Virtually makeup artists think they were born with whatsoever talent they have, and they're not going to get much better.

They're incorrect!

When it comes to makeup, practise makes perfect!

Best courses for aspiring makeup artists

It tin be hard to learn makeup on your own. Post-obit online classes is the all-time way to stay motivated!

Here are the best online courses for aspiring makeup artists:

Diploma in Makeup (John University): you will acquire how to do base makeup, political party makeup, bridal makeup basics, etc. At the cease of the course, you will be required to sit down for an online test. Later on passing the course successfully, you lot will be able to obtain an Accredited Certificate of Achievement.
Mastering makeup awarding techniques at home (Udemy): an first-class course for beginners.
Becoming a professional person Hollywood makeup artist (Udemy): the all-time course to learn how to build your makeup business organisation. Upon completing this course, you lot will understand how best to have your task every bit a makeup artist and transform information technology into a coin-earning career.

Now, if you lot don't want to spend money on online classes, I recommend the post-obit resources.

Online resource for makeup artists

Watching makeup videos is another great way to learn makeup artistry.

Here are some of the best Youtube channels to acquire the ins and outs of the task:

Makeup with Ja – Ja is a full-time freelance makeup artist, and her Youtube aqueduct is a golden mine if you lot are looking for makeup tutorials.
Jaclyn Hill – she is a fantastic freelance makeup artist. Her videos comprehend anything from makeup reviews to celebrity makeup tutorials like the Kardashians and Jenners.
Makeup artist – this channel is a compilation of excellent makeup tutorials.
NikkieTutorials – some bang-up tutorials for beginners.

If you don't want to miss out on a new trend; here are some exciting blogs you should follow:

Makeup.com – they take you backside the scenes, innovate you to top experts, and watch the hottest new palettes before they even drop.
Liza Eldridge's blog – she is one of the most experienced and respected makeup artists. Her signature look is best described as fresh and flawless.

Step 2: Build your makeup business

At present that you have some experience, it's time to build your makeup concern. Here's the scary part: starting a makeup business concern is non that easy. Information technology takes time to build your reputation and become clients.

But there is no need to worry! I have gathered all the information you need to go started.

What are the popular makeup services?

In that location are a lot of different makeup services!

For case, makeup artists tin can offer:

Wedding makeup
Tattoo and scare coverage
FX makeup
Photoshoot makeup
Makeup lessons
HD makeup

To decide which services you want to offer, have a wait at the demand in your expanse (on Facebook groups and job boards).

Don't forget to exist honest with yourself: offer services merely if you have the skills to exercise them properly!

How much should I charge?

Now is a good time to start thinking about your rate.

To determine how much you lot should charge, you need to know what your peers are charging. Look up other makeup artists and make a list of all their pricing plans. Normally, the following factors affect the price of makeup services:

Reputation: reputable makeup artists have college rates than those only starting out or with less visibility.
Location: it'southward easier to charge high prices in some cities.
Add-ons: lashes ($x–$25), highlight and contour ($twenty–$25), and airbrushing ($25-$thirty).
Hairstyling: makeup artists ofttimes offer packages that combine hairstyling and makeup services.

Reputation and location are the two virtually important factors. So brand sure you lot suit your rates appropriately!

Practise I need a license to exist a freelance makeup artist?

The answer is typically 'no'.

In nigh jurisdictions, you lot must not take a license to piece of work as an independent makeup artist. However, it is dependent on your location. Sometimes, it is required to own a Cosmetology or Esthetician license. Nosotros propose calling your local government and speaking direct with someone nigh makeup regulations in your expanse.

You tin can also search the following terms to find the regulations in your surface area:

Cosmetology license + "state"
Esthetician license + "state"

Finally, find out if a cosmetology or esthetician license is required to utilise makeup or eyelashes.

Get your professional makeup kit gear up

You are nada without your makeup artist's kit. Information technology's your supply of makeup, brushes, and all the other beautifying tools yous need.

Professional makeup artists don't utilize subpar makeup that anyone tin can access and apply. Using exclusive products makes your work more desirable to clients.

If you are an aspiring makeup creative person, you lot don't need to use only loftier-end products.

This kit by Renelyn Thomas is an fantabulous instance of what a professional makeup kit looks like:

Hygiene

Before accepting clients, you need to take sure precautions to keep every involved in the application salubrious. I recommend the following articles:

Hygiene tips for makeup artists
10 primal makeup hygiene habits

Pace three: Get makeup clients

Becoming a freelance makeup artist: step 3: frind makeup clients.

As you probably know, it is challenging to market place yourself to new clients.

Of form, there are conventional means to attract new customers:

Setting upward a makeup counter at your local mall. The counter is the best identify to acquire customer service and go some hands-on feel.
Asking for referrals from friends and satisfied customers. Offering customers a small disbelieve or gift for providing you with the names and phone numbers of potential clients.
Offering your services for a fundraiser.

You tin also be more than artistic, bank check out these unconventional ways of alluring new clients!

Contact other professionals

It is my favorite way to attract new clients.

The idea is to team up with businesses that might demand your services. Hither is a list of professionals you might desire to partner with:

Wedding planners – brides often need makeup before the most important effect of their life.
Photographers – makeup is indispensable to heighten the production value of a photoshoot.
Model agencies – all models demand to be beautiful.

Promote your makeup services on social networks

Ownership ads on social networks is an fantabulous way to concenter clients.

As makeup artistry is very visual, I recommend using either Instagram or Facebook.

The first stride is to add your location and a brief overview of your service in your bio. Then, publish some beautiful pictures that showcase your skills.

Finally, it is fourth dimension to promote your content. Connect your phone to your account; information technology will allow all your contacts to detect your profile. If your contact list is spare, y'all tin purchase targeted ads to promote your makeup services.

Showcase your makeup skills

There are a lot of lousy makeup artists out there. So information technology's crucial to stand out enough to make yourself noticed.

There are many different ways to showcase your skills:

Posting your all-time makeups on Instagram and Facebook.
Posting transformations and tutorials on Youtube.
Creating a portfolio of your best makeups on your website.

In one case you've shown that you are a skilled makeup artist, it is easier to land high-stop clients and increase your income.

Build strong relationships in the beauty manufacture

Networking is essential for success in the dazzler industry.

Interact with other professionals at conventions.
Seek out other professionals who might want to partner with you, like wedding photographers, models, and hairstylists.

Teaming up with businesses that offer you lot the opportunity to have reward of synergy.

Concluding thoughts

Here's a brusque recap of how to start your makeup career:

Larn the most bones skills: communication and makeup artistry.
Land your first job.
Build your reputation.
Create a portfolio where you display your well-nigh cute makeups.
Attract high-end clients and make more coin.

Good luck, and allow me know if this guide has been helpful.

If you lot liked this article, you might also like:

How to Start Your Teen Modeling Career – That'southward another article I wrote! I explicate how to become a teen model.
How to Become a Social Media Manager – A great article if yous're into social media marketing!

References

OnlineMakeupAcademy: How to Become a Makeup Artist – Top do'due south and don'ts.
Backstage.com: How to Go a Makeup Artist.