The REAL, REAL of being a Makeup Artist

The Face Beater
Mar 5, 2018
2 min read

Ok, let's be REAL. Every girl (some boys, included) and their mom wants to be a makeup artist. How many friends do you have that claim to be a makeup artist because they watch Jaclyn Hill or Manny MUA on YouTube every week? How many girls on Instagram call themselves makeup artists? How many girls do you pass by with terrible eyebrow makeup who you just know claim to be makeup artists? Yeah, it's exhausting and frankly devalues REAL makeup artists. Let me define a REAL makeup artist. A REAL makeup artist is someone who took time out of their lives to learn and practice the art, is certified or apprenticed an experienced makeup artist, and who has knowledge of color, brands, products, trends, and skin.

Now, I'd love to not throw shade but when there are people who steal jobs from you because they will do it for less or free, it's hard not to develop some lingering feels. I don't believe in free labor. I would never expect someone to travel to me, use their kit that is worth upwards of $1000, and spend an hour painting my face for free. Maybe that's just me? But, when someone services me, whether it's an electrician or hair stylist, I pay what their rates are. I don't try to heckle them either. Now, I have done free labor when I see it as beneficial for me, but it's not very often. I know my worth and, most importantly, I know what my kit is worth. I've put over $1,000 in my kit over the past few years. I am constantly buying makeup wipes, disposable sponges and mascara wands, Beauty Blenders, eyelash glue, eyelashes, and the list is never ending.

Let's move on from the frauds and talk about what being a MUA really entails. It entails waking up at 4am so you beat traffic to meet that client at 6am. Sitting around, waiting for your client to show up, sometimes up to an hour after the set appointment time. Dealing with woman who are so picky that they end up criticizing your intelligence for even suggesting they wear a red lip. Having clients cancel last minute after they swore they would pay the deposit on the day of. Constantly deep cleaning your brushes. CONSTANTLY. And, my personal favorite, dealing with people with egos as big as this earth who will demean you without batting a lash.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet- don't be a wannabe. If you want to do something, live and breathe it. Constantly strive to improve your skills, never settle for anything less than the best. Don't call yourself something your not. Just be real. Just be the best version of you and find what makes you want to be the best. Ya hear? Being a makeup artist is not all glitz and glam; it’s close to being as unglamorous as it gets.

Please enjoy this gallery of pics I found online that describe the life of makeup artists all too well (Taylor Swift reference there).