How to become a professional makeup artist/ hairdresser…

I know this says “how to”, but I like to refer to this as my 5 year plan. I am hoping that by setting this out now, I can look back on it as something to remind me of where it is that I want to be.

I do not see myself as your normal, cosmetologist. While I plan to work in a salon, I actually want to focus on event makeup and hair. I know, I said and hair, and you are probably freaking out a little right now because everything you have ever read says you need to choose one and focus on it, but I am not buying that.

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Picture this, you are getting married and you have to hire someone to do your nails, hair, and makeup. Also, what about your maid of honor and bridesmaids, are you going to pay for that for all of them too? Psh, just hire my company.

Airbrush starts out at $60 per person, but if you are paying for 3 or more it drops down to $45, and if you are paying for 6 or more it drops down to $35. (and yes, this does include your test run)

Hair needs to be done? Same basic principle, starts out at $60 and goes down…

Nails? Starts out at $20 (for hands) $25 (for feet) and only $40 for both… and the more people the cheaper it gets.

But honestly, that is still crazy expensive right?

Well, we offer packages. Packages start with 5 women in your party at $450, 6-8 women $550, and 8-10 women $650

So what if me, and the other person I am working with spend 6 hours there. For a 5 person party we would both average $37.50 an hour…

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Ok,ok, I am sure you get the point, but how do I plan on getting to that point? Well, get ready for my plan.

1. This is probably the most obvious, I am in school to become a certified cosmetologist.
2. Weekend workshops are your friend! I have already found a 2 day advanced airbrush makeup workshop that I have every intention on attending.
3. Invest in a good camera! What better way than to show your amazing work, than with a camera that can capture all of the little details.
4. PRACTICE! I am already making a list of friends and family in my head that will let me do their hair and makeup, just so I can take pictures of it. Who doesn’t want to get pampered for free?
5. Build a portfolio. You didn’t buy that expensive camera, and spend all of those hours practicing for nothing. I personally recommend purchasing a domain and setting up a website, and number 6 will show you why. Nothing makes people want to hire you more than having a well designed website to show off your talents.
6. NETWORK/PUBLICIZE! Get that portfolio out there. Hand out business cards, get your friends to share on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and etc. I mean, wouldn’t you be curious if I handed you one of these beauties?

      7. Collaborate. One idea that I LOVE, is to pair up with an up and coming photographer. You both need to build your                portfolios, so find some women, dress them up, do their hair and makeup, and take fabulous pictures…duh!

8. Last but not least, be PROFESSIONAL. Be on time, be polite, do what you came there to do, and do it well!