How to run a Successful Makeup Business

When you decide you want to own a business as a Makeup artist, you have to put a lot into consideration. For instance, who is your target market? Brides? Film/Tv? Models? Photography? Or do you want to indulge in them all and spread your wings? How do you intend to reach your target? What means of publicity and promotion are you ready to take to get your business to a larger market? How much capital are you willing to invest to build your business, how little or how large do you want to start? What is your knowledge of photography and building a portfolio for yourself? This and many more are the things that come to mind. Now let’s go through the basics of what you’d need to start and run yourself as a Makeup artist.

LICENSCING – First, you’d need to get licensed. Register your business and own rights to work freely and run your business. This would curb you of any trouble and show people that you are genuine and professional at what you do. Getting a licensed business name is not a difficult task at all.

MAKEUP KIT - No one will have a makeup kit waiting for you when you walk into a photo shoot. Be prepared. You will need foundations, concealers, eye shadows and blushers in every color. At many photo shoots, you'll need tools to cover up a tattoo or birthmark. You need to have everything with you at all times. Keep it clean and stay organized. Your makeup kit represents you as a makeup artist. If people see you have dirty brushes and missing color palettes, your career could be threatened. Your reputation is what is going to get more work.

MAKEUP ARTIST PORTFOLIO - As a freelance makeup artist, your portfolio will be your resume. You don't need years of experience to develop an impressive makeup artist portfolio; all you need is talent and models. Where will you find your models? You can find your makeup models by volunteering at local fashion shows and photo shoots. Since fashion shows typically employ the services of 12 models, you will have added 12 new makeup looks to your makeup artist portfolio in just one night. If that doesn’t work out right for you for one reason or another, you could make models off your friends! Invite them over to a studio and get creative. Make sure your images are presented professionally. You could spend some money on a website, get a leather-bound portfolio or, if you are on a budget, create a web gallery. Just make sure it looks clean and professional.

DISCOUNTS - Once you start getting clients on a regular basis, you want to give them incentives to keep you as their go-to makeup artist. Give your clients rebates on your services for each client they bring your way. For example, if a client refers you as a makeup artist for her sister's wedding, offer your client a makeup application for 50% off next time. Additionally, you can create a more advanced and aggressive rebate plan. An example of an aggressive rebate plan would be, "refer 10 clients to me and you get 1 free makeup application and a makeup artist goodie bag."