How to Create a Viable Career in Makeup Artistry: Insights From a Celebrity Makeup Artist. Part 1: Ways to Work as a Special Event Artist in Any Market
Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part series that will finally answer the first question of every aspiring makeup artist: How can I create a viable career in makeup artistry? In Part 1, we’ll explore the ways to work as a special event artist in any market… some ways you’ve heard of, and many that you’ve likely never considered.
This series is brought to you by celebrity makeup artist and Founder of Kensington Makeup Academy, Holli Chris. The insights that you’ll gain in this series are a part of Holli’s mission to elevate and educate the industry.
Okay, let’s get down to the beautiful details!
Endless Opportunities in Makeup Artistry
So you want to become a special event artist. Amazing! Before you gain your beauty education, the best thing you can do for yourself is to become educated on what types of opportunities are out there. When people think of special event artists, two main things come to mind: weddings and photoshoots. While those are two major aspects of the industry, they are far from the only options.
Working as a special event artist in any market can be broken up into two parts: where and how.
Where to Work as a Special Event Artist
For starters, you have the option of working for yourself or for someone else. Some artists choose to work for someone else, and then move into their own venture. Some artists run their own business from the start. There are a variety of paths, all of which give you the opportunity for a long and very successful career. Here is a list of the places you can work as a special event artist:
- Freelance individually (work from anywhere!)
- Artist co-op
- Artist contracting company
- Makeup salon or boutique
- Modeling, artist, and/or talent agency
- Makeup counter
- Brand (as a brand representative)
- Mobile booking app
Our Backend for Beauty modules of our much anticipated online makeup course teaches you how to confidently and professionally grow your clientele without spending all your time on the backend. Sound like something you may be interested in? Be sure to get on the waitlist for early access pricing.
How to Work as a Special Event Artist
Now that you know the where, let’s get into the how. This second prong of the ways to work as a special event artist will probably surprise you the most.
Special events generally fall into two categories: classic special events, and corporate and commercial events.
Classic Special Events
- Weddings
- Engagement photos
- Bachelorette parties
- Charity balls and galas
- Family portraits
- Makeup booths at events (touch-up bars and lash and lip bars)
- Date nights
- Birthdays
- Girls’ nights out
- Senior portraits
- Sorority events
- Prom
- Homecoming
- Cotillion
- Quinceañeras
Corporate and Commercial Events
- Brand/product photoshoots
- Corporate speakers/presenters
- Corporate occasions
- Professional headshots
- TV, video, and other commercial shoots
- Music videos
- Social media
- Indie films
Life’s beautiful occasions come in so many different forms. Of course, opportunities for the various ways to work as a special event artist will vary based on your location. So, do a local search and see what markets are popular in your area.
Give the Beautiful Gift of Education
For skilled and seasoned makeup artists, there is another option: teaching. Teaching can be an incredibly fulfilling and successful career. You can work as an instructor at a makeup or cosmetology school, or offer private lessons. You can even give makeup presentations at parties or other events. Any of these paths are an incredible way to empower yourself as well as the next generation of artists. As an added bonus, teaching allows you to focus on the types of looks you specialize in and enjoy the most.
When it Comes to Your Artistry Career, Think Bigger
The first step in creating a viable career in makeup artistry is to learn what opportunities are available to you. As you can see, artistry opportunities truly span just about every market out there. With so many ways to work as a special event artist in any market, it all comes down to considering which path will be the best fit for you.
