How To Become A Makeup Artist Part 2

Becoming a Makeup Artist Part II

What you need to open your business and pre-building your portfolio

As a makeup artist, you are in business for yourself. From this day forward, you need to save every receipt for anything purchased having to do with your company. So everything you bought for that kit, you need to save.

Here’s what to do to make this easier.

• Keep an envelope or coupon booklet in your purse. Every receipt goes in there.
• At the end of the week, the receipts go in a file folder in your office area marked with the name of the month.
• At the end of the month, enter them into a spreadsheet with tabs marked per your different types of expense. Ex. Makeup, Supplies, Office Supplies, Equipment, etc.
• At the end of the year, total them, print them out and make them your accountant’s problem.

Mark down your mileage. At the end of the year right down your ending mileage.

Your Business Name

So in order to get all the great write-offs a business owner gets, you need to make sure you set up your business name and bank account. You’re also going to need this for your website and business cards.

You first need to think of some business name ideas. The reason I say “ideas” is because you’re going to need to check their availability. You need a business name right away because you can’t set up a bank account for your business without having a certificate from the government saying you own the business. You also can’t accept payment from clients with your business name until you have an account in that business name.

Once you have some ideas wrote down go to your Secretary of State Website and check to see if those names are available. Also, go online and see if those domains are available. Just type in your browser www.beckysmakeup.com. If nothing comes up, and nothing came up at the Secretary of States website, you’re good.

On your states Secretary of State’s website, there should be a page for filing or renewing a business. You should file your business under “Assumed Name”. This means you’re doing business as “Becky’s Makeup”. It usually costs about $50 and the certificate is emailed to you right away.

Website

You will need a website, even before you apply to jobs. I would suggest Go Daddy. It’s very user friendly and inexpensive. Even my 9 year old could build a website using their Website Builder. Here’s what you’ll need:

A domain $9.99 per month. Just enter your business name and see if it’s free. If not use your business name and make it unique by adding something. For example: Beauty By Violet wasn’t available when I started my business. That’s how it became Beauty By Violett.

This is going to come with unlimited pages, 5 email addresses and a mobile site. Here’s a link to Go Daddy’s domain purchasing link:

http://www.godaddy.com/domains/search-new2.aspx?ci=89255

Website Builder is easy to use and you need no technical skill to use it. It’s $4.99 per month for a business account. They have templates and they have a wizard if you want to use that. Here’s the link:

http://www.godaddy.com/hosting/website-builder-new.aspx?ci=76392

Since you’re just getting started, don’t do any long-term contracts. Just sign up for the monthly option. We want to spend as little as possible and make no risk decisions until you’re making money.

You’re not going to need anything too fancy right now. Here’s what you’ll need as far as pages to start with. Home, About, Portfolio, Services, Contact.

Fill out the home and give them options on that page to go to portfolio, services or contact. They need a call to action once they hit your page. You can look at mine if you need to or look at other mua’s.

Bank Account

Go to your bank and set up a bank account under your business name. You’ll need to have your Certificate of Assumed Name with you. Now you can accept payments from customers.

Facebook

The best way to market your business is on social networks because it’s free. Start a Facebook Page for your new company. Invite people to like it. You can also put it on Twitter if you want.

Business Cards

Now that you have a business name, website and email, you can order business cards. You’re going to need these. You’re going to give them to absolutely everyone when they arrive. I would suggest getting them from Vista Print because they offer free business cards and you just pay shipping. The idea is to spend as little as possible.

www.vistaprint.com

Office Supplies

You’re going to need a few items from your local Office Max. Get:

A ream of paper

File folders

Receipt book

Envelopes

Leather 3 Ring Presentation Binder (This is going to be cheaper than a leather photo album)

Sheet protectors

Date book

High Quality Camera

If you do not already have one, you need to get a good quality camera. You will be taking this with on every job and you will only get a short amount of time to get a decent picture of your work to use on your website and physical portfolio.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wb250f-14-2-megapixel-digital-camera/8162063.p;jsessionid=89A7E926700AC32018CC7EECB20CCBF9.bbolsp-app04-103?id=1218865165965&skuId=8162063&st=samsung%20digital%20camera&cp=1&lp=5

Build Your Documents

Here’s what you’ll need:

A bridal contract

You will need a bridal contract and this is very important. Even though you haven’t even started, you never know when you’ll be requested and you don’t want to be rushing to come up with one. Think hard and long about the terms. You will need to always ask for a deposit from brides. I’d start with 25% because that can be a deciding factor for brides. Once you’re established, I’d ask for 50%. Do not do the trial until you have this deposit.

Also decide when the balance is due. Start out with it being due on the day of the event. Once you’re established, require it 2 weeks before. Brides are busy on their special day and it’s awkward to make them run around and find their checkbook or worse yet, find the bridesmaid that hasn’t paid yet. I'll put a sample at the bottom of this blog.

Resume

When you apply for a job, they will ask for typically 3 things. They will want to see your resume, portfolio and want to know what you’re rates are.

At this point, you may have not done any jobs but I want you to make what’s called a “fluff” resume. Anything that you might have done that might be somewhat related, put it on there. Put your previous jobs, any groups, organizations or anything that could be related. Theatre, dance, prom 2012 anything you might have worn makeup for. Put it on there like this, “Theater – applied makeup”. You did, it might have been on yourself, but you did.

Also put on there any makeup you’ve applied on friend’s example 2009 Becky Davis Prom Makeup. It really doesn’t matter at this point what it was for. If it was before you and your friend went out, 2009 Becky Davis Event.

Your resume will start out like this but eventually you can start adding to it and taking out the fluff. I'll put a sample at the bottom of this blog.

Makeup Consultation Form

With everything you do with brides you’ll need to fill one of these out. It’s going to tell you everything you need to know about your client. The event information, their skin tone, skin type, eye and hair color, skin care routine, allergies and the people you’re going to working on the day of the event. Also, in many cases, you will not have a contract signed before you do a trial.

At the bottom put a disclaimer saying that “Any sensitivities and allergies must be made known to you prior to the consult form being signed. It is the responsibility of the client and any additional members involved to notify the makeup artist of any skin sensitivities or allergies to any skin care products or cosmetics. The makeup artist cannot guarantee the outcome of the makeup and will not be liable for an adverse reaction due to skin sensitivities or allergic reactions if not acknowledged on this form.” This will cover you from liability if something were to happen before contract signing. I'll put a sample at the bottom of the blog.

Face Chart

You will need these right away also. The face chart is a record of everything you did during a trial. This will help you recreate the look at the event. I'll put a sample at bottom of the blog.

Pre-Building of Portfolio

Before you get really creative and put yourself out there to build your portfolio, I’d recommend pre-building it first. By pre-building, I mean get your date book out and call up everyone you know and ask them to be a model for you. Call your friends, your family, you neighbors, and everyone you can think of. Building a portfolio isn’t just about your portfolio; it’s about your resume, your experience and learning. Tell them that you need models but also practice on everything including a phone consultation, booking, skin consultation, face charting, the actual application and you will also need their truthful opinion when they’re done. Tell them you want them to make up an event and also think of a look that they want for the appointment.

For each of these people, I want you to act like they’re an actual client. I want you to put them in your appointment book. I want you to do a consultation over the phone. I want you to tell them pricing and have them talk to you about their mock event and their desired look.

At the appointment, do a skin consultation. Then, do the makeup application and do it as you think they desire and track each step on your face chart. After each step, give them a mirror and ask them if that was what they had in mind. Example: After the foundation, “is this enough coverage or would you like more?” After the brows, “I’m going to have you look at your brows. What do you think of that?” Repeat these steps with eye shadow, eyeliner, bronzer, blush, etc. While you’re doing these 3 things at the same time, make small talk. You need to make a connection with your clients at the trial. Doing all of these things at the same time, is not easy when you first get started but you’ll have to do them with real clients so learning on friends is easier and less intimidating.

When you’re done with the application, ask them what they think. Is this look what they were thinking? Tell them that you want to learn as much as you can from every practice application you do and that you’d like them to tell you what you can improve on. You’re hopefully going to get some ideas on where you can improve. This is perfect because your clients are not going to tell you. They’re just going not answer your phone calls in the future.

When you’re totally done, you need to take photos for your portfolio. These first images will be priceless when 5 years from now you look back and can actually see how you’ve grown as an artist.

You will need to put these photos on your website and resume ASAP. Also add them to your physical portfolio.

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**Examples Below**

Sample Bridal Contract

Bridal Contract Agreement

Today’s Date:___________________

Information

Name of Bride:_______________________________________ Phone Number:_________________

Address:_______________________ City:______________________ State:________ Zip:_________

Email Address:_____________________________________ Cell Number:_____________________

Wedding Date:____________________________ Start Time:_________________________________

Location of Wedding:_________________________________________________________________

Reception Location:___________________________________________________________________

Photographer:________________________________________ Phone Number:_________________

Brides Makeup Style:______________________________ Intensity:___________________________

Eye shadow Style:________________________ Colors:__________________ Lips:______________

Names of Party Members Involved:

Name: Title: Makeup Style:

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

________________________________ _________________________ __________________________

Bridal Services/Package

Package Chosen:_________________________________ $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Makeup Trial Session/Consultation: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Additional Trial Session: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Hair Stylist: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Additional Artist: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Touch ups During Photo Shoot: # of Hours______ $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Touch up Kit: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ Travel Fees: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Total Cost of Event $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

_____ 50% Deposit Paid at Consultation/1st appointment $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date:_______ Check #________

Balance Due: $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date:_______ Check # _______

Becky's Makeup requires that after the event that you submit a professional wedding photo taken by

your photographer during the wedding. Becky's Makeup will be in contact with your photographer

to notify them of this agreement. Becky's Makeup only asks to receive one photo to add to Becky's Bridal Portfolio.

At Becky's Makeup we will only guarantee the work of the makeup artists if a Makeup Trial Session

is purchased. The trial session allows the Makeup Artist to do a skin analysis and a proper

foundation match prior to the event. If a trial makeup session is not purchase we will not

guarantee the outcome of the makeup and will not be liable for an adverse reactions due to skin

sensitivities or allergic reactions. Any sensitivities and allergies must be made know to the Makeup Artist prior to any application. It is the responsibility of the bride and any

additional members involved to notify the Makeup Artist of any skin sensitivities and or

allergies to any skin care products and cosmetics.

The bride will be the responsible party for the total fee of the purchased package and/or additional

services (for herself and her party) on the day of the event. Returned checks are charged a $45

insufficient fund fee as well as any other charges assessed under the Becky's Makeup Bank Account.

All rates are based on the information stated in the contract (date of event, number of party,

traveling, location, time of event, makeup style). If you need to change any information already

stated above or spoken, you must consult with a Becky's Makeup Makeup Artist prior to making

changes. Changes on your agreement may result in an increase of the rate and a new contract

will be written up including the changes made.

If for any reason you must cancel your reservation 6 months prior to the event you will not be

refunded the 50% deposit. If for any reason you must cancel your reservation less than 6

months prior to the event you will be responsible for the total balance due. At Becky's Makeup we

take are business with our brides very seriously. We put a lot of time and attention toward the

bride and her big day. If there is a cancellation, it is very difficult to rebook that date which will

result in a loss of wages for the Becky's Makeup Makeup Artists. If you need to change your

reservation date within 6 months prior to the event there will be a $25 reservation change fee. If

you change your reservation date less than 6 months from the event there will be a $50

reservation change fee.

I have notified my Becky's Makeup Makeup Artist of any skin sensitivities and or allergies that I

have or any members of my wedding party have.______(initial).

I understand that an allergic reaction to the skin care and cosmetics being used by Becky's Makeup

is very rare; however not impossible and that there is no way of knowing how each individual

person will respond to the products being used. Therefore, I will not hold Becky's Makeup or my

Becky's Makeup Makeup Artist responsible for any adverse reactions that I or any members of my

party have due to the use of the skin care or the cosmetics being used._____(initial)

I understand that I (the bride) _____________________ am the responsible party when signing

this contract. I have read and understand the contract and agreement made between myself,

_________________________ and Becky's Makeup as well as my Becky's Makeup Professional

Makeup Artist, _______________________________________.

Bride’s Full Name:______________________________________________________________

Bride’s Signature:_______________________________________ Date:___________________

Upon completion of the event and receiving payment of the final balance due, you shall receive a

copy of this contract for your records.

Sample Resume

Becky Thomas 612-555-5555 becky@beckysmakeup.com

Career Objective: To bring amazing customer service to any job or service I provide; along with the knowledge and experience of a skilled makeup artist and skin specialist.

Skills/Qualifications:

Traditional Makeup	TV/Film	Skin Analysis
Airbrush Makeup	Photoshoots	Full Body Waxing
Bridal Makeup	Product Knowledge	Skin Care Specialist
Runway Makeup SFX Makeup Management Skills Marketing	Special Events Makeup Body Art Air Tanning European Facial	Eyebrow/Lash Tinting Instructing Product Retail TV Network Consulting

Employment:

• Becky's Makeup (2006 to Present)

Position/ Duties: Lead Makeup Artist/Owner

• Over 80 photo shoots(Various Companies and Photographers)
• Commercials(Busy Boy Productions, NFL Network)
• Music Videos(Various Metro Artists and Production Companies)
• TV(WRFL and NFL Network)
• Fashion Shows(Various Minneapolis Shows)
• Featured Artist for Afton Bridal Expo
• Bridal Makeup(Airbrush and Traditional)
• Certified Instructor(Traditional Makeup and Airbrush Makeup)
• Award For Best Makeup 2014 Makeup Artist Commission Meeting

• Past Job (1999 to 2006)

Position/Duties: Put Title Here

• Put job duties here

Education:

College (2014)

High School (1999)

Activities/interests: Reading, Scrapbooking and Couponing.

References: #1 (555) 555-5555

#2 (555) 555-5555

#3 (555) 555-5555

Consultation Form Sample

Face Chart Sample