We all make blunders. I certainly did and still do. In my six years of experience in the makeup industry, I have noticed that we never stop learning new tips and tricks when it comes to makeup. In makeup artistry, we learn, unlearn, relearn for the need to constantly improve our skills. If you aren't growing or improving as an artist then you are doing something wrong. But don't fret, that's why I am here. To tell you the mistakes you are making that is perhaps keeping you in a loop.
I am certain everyone wants to expand at some point in their lives or career. If you are that person, then keep reading. I started my career as a makeup artist in 2014. Before then, I was already into makeup as self-taught. My friends would tell me to always make them up because they saw my passion and creativity was second to none. I didn’t learn makeup from anyone or anywhere, it was just innate. A few years later, I decided to take it up as a professional career. I paid a prominent makeup artist to teach me further. I was ready to unlearn to relearn even though I knew how to makeup. That was how my career began. I have worked with Sleek Makeup, Zaron, and currently, I work with House of Tara.
During those years of service with Sleek and Zaron, I have learnt very important things that have shaped me into who I am today.
Listed below are mistakes I have undergone and seen other artists make that needs to stop. This is for both the professionals and rookies.
1. Be willing to serve - As a makeup artist, serving will not only broaden your experience but will expose you to several opportunities like connections, partnerships, potentials clients and much more. Where I am today is as a result of where I worked six years ago. Quite a number of artists today are not willing to serve or work under someone for a while before starting up their brand. Trust me, that's a huge mistake you don't want to make. You need the experience to build confidence and advancement in the future. Serving is like attending a university for free. Trust me, what you would learn or gain from service cannot be quantified.
2. Not being faithful - As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. It's as simple as that. If you aren't faithful to your employers or your clients, it would backfire on you sooner or later. Always remember that you might have your own brand someday so do unto others what you want to be done to you.
3. Not being professional - Be lenient but also, be professional. You have to represent your brand well. The way you carry yourself is the way you will be treated. Be it in the work environment or with clients. Note that clients are not friends so they should be treated as such, with utmost attentiveness. If you make this mistake, you will most likely lose clients.
4. Not willing to share knowledge - As they say, when you learn, teach, when you get, give. Knowledge has no value unless you use it and share it. Gaining knowledge is wisdom, sharing it is humanity. If you want to succeed, gain strength and really blossom in your career, share and don't hoard. I have learned that in the past years of my career. I get to know more about any particular knowledge I share. After all, you’ll not take the knowledge away from the earth. Start birthing proteges.
5. Not being confident - This mistake can demoralise any makeup artist especially if you are new to the career. You will meet clients that are rude, picky and inconsiderate but your level of confidence will determine how you react. If you don't believe in yourself, start working on that. Build your confidence and don't be sorry. With confidence, you have won before you have started.
No one will approve of you if you haven't approved yourself. When you have confidence, you can conquer the world. So stand tall, your head high and show the world what you're capable of.
6. Not accepting mistakes - As I mentioned earlier, we all make blunders. Accept it and learn from it. I love to learn from my mistakes. When you make errors, evaluate them and do better. There would be times you would get criticisms, assess them and outmatch it. Don't worry about anything because we learn and grow every day.
7. Taking offence - Offence will take you nowhere. Smile and move ahead. I have been spoken to rudely by clients severally. All you have to do is endure, smile and let go. It's a test and you have to pass it by simply not taking any offence if you want to grow. We should be too big to take offence and too noble to give it.
8. Not cleaning makeup tools - Always make sure your working tools are clean. If you can't use it on your face then don't use it on a client. Don't share makeup brushes with clients. Every artist should have their personal makeup tools. Practice personal hygiene for the safety of your self and your clients, if you want them to remain loyal.
9. Not using the right products - Use the appropriate makeup products for each client. For example, if you have a client with oily skin, use products for oily skin and whatnot. If your client has dry skin, use a moisturizer. With this, you will be seen as a professional.
10. Not asking questions - Everyone has what they like or what suits them. Make sure to ask questions when working on any client especially a new client. If you don't do this, you might end up wiping off the entire makeup which can be disheartening. The client might also not reach out again. So don't be too big to ask your clients what they would like, what colour of lipstick, eyeshadow and whatnot.
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I really enjoyed this. Thanks for your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure👍
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