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:
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:
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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:
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
Position/Duties:
Put Title 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
