The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Makeup Artist

So it's Fri. night a little after 10 pm and what do I find myself doing?  Cleaning makeup brushes and preparing for my Sat. 7 am wedding job of course! 

Yes, this has become my typical Fri. night fun times...cleaning brushes, packing my kit, printing directions and trying to go to bed at a reasonable hour...although that never happens lol.  I know, I know...far cry from the glamorous life of photoshoots, models and fashion that I show in my behind the scenes pics but it's the reality of the biz.

Being a makeup artist is not a glamorous job!  Don't let the media, magazines or anyone else fool you.  The reality...it's fucking hard, tiring, tedious and even boring at times!  Don't get me wrong I LOVE what I do but it's not easy. 

I remember when I was in university studying Theatre a professor once said if you can imagine yourself doing anything other then acting and being just as happy then do it b/c it's a hard life and job and the only reason someone should do it is b/c nothing else would make them near as happy...hence why I left acting and went into makeup lol.  But the same can be said for makeup artistry...literally the only reason someone should become a makeup artist nowadays is b/c they can't imagine doing anything else w/ their life!

So you might be asking what gives Jessica...why are you being such a downer?  Well I'm just trying to keep it real lol.  Here are some of the not-so-glamorous aspects of the job.

1. Erratic & Unpredictable Schedules
 One wk you're crazy busy and working 6 days straight the next wk you don't have anything scheduled and you're worried you're not going to make rent!  That's the life of a Freelance Makeup Artist.  You're always worried the job you're on is going to be your last and are thinking about where your next pay cheque is going to come from.  Just last wk I only had 2 jobs this wk and then last Fri. I ended up getting booked w/ 3 more jobs for this wk...amazing but you know what I've had the opposite be true too!  I've thought I was booked and then jobs got cancelled or re-scheduled and I was left going Oh Shit...hmmm there goes my visa payment.  Freelancers have to live like camels storing water in their humps b/c you never know when the water around you might dry up!  Plus be prepared to cancel or change plans on the fly b/c of shoots being changed, things going into overtime etc...there is no 9-5 in makeup artistry so there goes your social life or any sort of predictable schedule lol.  If you're not good w/ change and unpredictability freelance makeup artistry is definitely NOT for you!

2. Early Calltimes & Long Hours
Tomorrow I'm getting up at 5 am for a wedding job (yes I know I should be in bed right now) and then after that I have to rush to another booking...all this makes for very long and sometimes stressful days.  This happens a lot too...weddings and film work often call for very early call times and w/ film work the days are often esp. long...like 10-12 hr days are the norm...sometimes longer!  Again, say goodbye to having a normal social life! 

3. Fun Work Usually Pays Crap!
So often ppl have these illusions that being a makeup artist is all glamour and fun, creative play time...umm no.  Usually those "fun jobs" are either done for free or paid very poorly...also those "fun"  jobs are never as fun as they look lol...music videos sound really "fun" they aren't a lot of the times.  They are often paid really poorly and not that "fun" at all.  You know what pays well...really boring, plain corporate stuff.  I did a job this wk where all I had to do was grooming for 1 male.  It literally took 10 mins...easy money you say!  Well sort of.  Yes, my actual time applying makeup and fixing hair took like 10 mins...of course I had to be on hand to powder between filming.  So basically I sat around for 10 hrs...not exactly the creatively stimulating adventures ppl associate w/ makeup artistry lol but it did pay well enough and this also leads me to my next point.

4. Hurry Up & Wait!
Usually everyone on set wants everything done like yesterday so it's important that a makeup artist is good under pressure and stress.  So a lot of times you have someone breathing down your neck about how quickly you can get things done, you rush and get everything done in good time and then you wait...yes that's it you sit and wait!  That's film work...lots of waiting!  Which goes back to that whole thing I said about work not always being stimulating or fun.  I don't know about you but I HATE just sitting around and waiting...it's so boring!  And you know what I do when I'm bored on film sets...I eat...uggh the Craft Service Table is my nemesis!  I'd rather be busy for 10 hrs any day then sitting around doing nothing but powdering every so often. 

5. Bridezillas & Divas
I'm going to be real...knock on wood I've been EXTREMELY lucky w/ the brides I've gotten this year.  They've all been really nice and overall easy to work w/ but that doesn't mean they are all like that.  In makeup artistry you sometimes have to have the patience of a saint!  I've had trials that literally drained the life right out of me but I have to keep my happy face on always make the customer happy.  Even working weddings where everyone is a delight is draining.  It's fast paced, stressful at times, weird hours and you really have to think on your toes.  This is why I cannot for the life of me understand how or why anyone would undercut in the bridal business...it really is just too much work to not get paid a good amount for it.  Even if the bride herself is a dream she can always have a crazy mother, nightmare sister or high maintenance maid of honour to deal w/!...I mean it feels like there is always one lol.  Plus, I didn't even touch on the divas you can get on set!  Hello...you don't even know!

6. Bad Hygiene
Yeah I know not exactly the nicest thing to think about but it's a reality of the biz.  Some ppl have bad breath, gross skin, greasy/dirty hair and we have to get all close and up in that shit...not much else to say on the subject.

7. Back Probs & Long Hrs On Our Feet
There are ideal conditions to do makeup in...we often don't have the pleasure of having them though.  I've worked countless hours hunched over, in dim lighting or poor conditions trying to get everything perfect.  Not to mention the hours I've spent standing...God I fear the varicose veins forming on my legs ...comfortable shoes are a definite must!

8. No Days Off
When you're self employed there is a rule that there really isn't such thing as a "Day Off".  The meaning of that is you're always on call and expected to be available.  Also, the idea is to be successful as a freelancer you should do at least one thing every day to push your career forward whether that be work on set, learn a new technique, read a blog, answer an email...something should be done.  Also, to the dismay of others including an ex this also means answering emails or taking phone calls at all sorts of crazy hours.  If a bride emails me at 10 pm and I get the email I respond then b/c guess what she might hire me just b/c I was the first one to get back to her...I don't want to lose work b/c I didn't check my email or return a phone call!

9. Everyone Wants Something For FREE
Because Makeup Artistry is seen as a "fun" job a lot of ppl these days don't understand why you should get paid for it.  I mean getting paid should only happen when you do a miserable, soul sucking, agonzing sort of job not something you actually enjoy right?  Well apparently, that's the word on the street b/c everyone wants something for free these days and there are a lot of STUPID Makeup Artists that apparently don't value themselves, their career or the careers of others b/c they are undercutting and giving away their talents for free which of course does not help the cause.  As a new makeup artist expect to not make a living at this career for at least a couple of years.  Yes, that's right you will probably spend at least 2 yrs as a Freelancer before you'll actually be able to make a living at makeup and nothing but makeup...and I'm being very nice when I say 2 yrs...so I hope you like having a second job and hustling  your ass off.  You'll spend thousands on your kit, schooling, supplies and then toil away for a couple of years building a book, contacts, references etc. before you'll even start to break even.

10. Makeup/Hair Kits are a Pain in the Ass to Carry
I pack light for a makeup artist...seriously I do.  I've seen very few artists that condense like me.  That still doesn't mean my kit isn't a bitch to carry around!  I condense b/c I take the TTC in Toronto...that's public transit for you not in Toronto.  It's really hard to look glamorous when you're balancing a makeup kit on one shoulder and a hair kit on another shoulder while trying to squeeze through crowds of ppl in a subway or pushing up the stairs.  And let me tell you - NO ONE offers a seat on the bus to the girl w/ a makeup kit lol!  I won't even get into the drama of traveling w/ a kit during a Canadian winter!  Even if I drove that doesn't mean I wouldn't have to contend w/ studios w/ no elevators, finding parking or a million other hassels.  Another reason for the sensible footwear...no matter how hard you try you can't look glamorous stumbling w/ a kit in 3 inch heels...trust me!

I'm sure there are a million other reasons makeup artistry isn't glamorous but it's late and I have a super early wake up call tomorrow so I have to get to bed and try to look fresh and beautiful on 5 hrs sleep for a nice 12 hr day!

1 Year

Believe it or not it's been a yr since I left Shanghai and came back to Toronto. Well technically, Friday was exactly a yr but I didn't have time to post that day. Sometimes in life you have moments of time where you just go - WTF and this year has definitely been one of those for me. I just don't know where the last year even went to be honest...a couple of mths yes but a whole year! Some moments it feels like my life in Shanghai was a million years ago and then others it feels like it was just last wk.

I'll be real I'm not completely happy w/ the progress I've made in a lot of things...including my career which is partially why I just keep going IT'S BEEN A YEAR!?! I hate when I feel like time has been wasted and I definitely feel there was some wasted time this year and I didn't do everything I could to push myself forward the way I want.

But you know what...I really feel I've turned a lot of things around these past couple of mths and I am making a strong effort to get where I want. I feel more at ease w/ things and how they are progressing and I actually feel I'm headed in the right direction now.

When I first came back it felt like it took forever to get the ball rolling on shoots w/ photographers and the planning was taking mths. But now I have two stories coming out in a mth or so and I have two other stories I'm waiting to be edited that I can't wait to share w/ you. My wedding website is finally up and running and I'm getting a good response from it already. My hair skills have really improved these past few mths and I'm really getting a lot more confident w/ it.

So if I learned one thing this past year it's that I need to stop looking to the past and dwelling on mistakes or missed opportunities. This year my goal is to look forward and to take and make all the opportunities I can.

Just Because I Love My Job Doesn't Mean I'll Work For FREE!

I'll admit it...this is a bit of a rant so if you're not in the mood for a little ranting don't read on lol. Basically, I'm just sick and tired of ppl thinking just because I love my job that means I'll do it for FREE! A Doctor or Lawyer can LOVE what they do that doesn't mean they don't expect payment for their services. Sometimes I'm worried about this industry and my place in the industry. Everyone wants stuff for free. I don't know when ppl stopped respecting and valuing their craft and giving their talents away but it really has hurt EVERYONE in the biz...esp. Newer Artists...it's really sad :( Even artists undervalue themselves and undercut b/c they think I love what I do so much I'd do it for nothing. It's wonderful that we love what we do but that doesn't mean we don't deserve payment for our services.

Anyway, you may be wondering where is this coming from...I mean it's not like I haven't been witness to this undercutting and undervaluing before. Well late last night I got a text from a photographer saying that their Hair & Makeup Artists canceled and they need someone to fill in for a job tomorrow (today) and was I available.

Right away I thought this was a bit weird b/c 1. I have only ever worked w/ this photographer once and it was like 7-8 mths ago 2. Why not just call me? But I figured I didn't have anything planned beside the gym I might as well call the photographer and see what the deal was. So I called and asked about the details of the shoot. Right away the photographer asked if I was available and I said well I need some info before I decide that. So I'm told the shoot is for a new designer (a friend of theirs)- the designer's Look Book and Campaign. It will be 2 models - clean hair and makeup. Shoot 8-4:30. Okay that's great but I think we're missing ONE BIG DETAIL HERE. So then I go okay...what's the rate? The photographer then had the nerve to say it's Tip Based!...LMAO TIP BASED (WTF is THAT!)...and some clothes if I want. LOL...Um hold on let me see if my Land Lady will accept clothes as PAYMENT for RENT! I almost laughed on the phone...it's not like I haven't seen or even had crappy offers like this before but I guess I was just shocked that a Professional Photographer would have the NERVE to contact me late on a SUNDAY NIGHT to work a full day for CLOTHES!

It's bad enough when regular folk think it's okay to offer crap money for these kind of services...sometimes it's not even their fault b/c they don't know better and they've seen ppl giving it away BUT for a PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER to undervalue my skills and talent is just plain insulting to OUR WHOLE PROFESSION! We (Photographers, Stylists, MUAs etc.) are in this TOGETHER. If WE don't VALUE one another and the skills WE bring to the table we're all SCREWED!

FYI New Makeup Artists - If someone is going to potentially make MONEY off of something you worked on then YOU should be getting PAID for your services! This is a RULE everyone should live by...NEVER do Headshots, Look Books, Campaigns etc. for free w/ promises of exposure or credit b/c guess what it doesn't mean SHIT and it won't get you anywhere!

Okay end of Rant...Happy Times Now :)