The Importance of a Professional Makeup Artist for Corporate Shoots

 I do quite a bit of corporate work...I'd like to do more but overall with my experience I definitely say I understand the needs of corporate clients when it comes to makeup and hair.  Unfortunately, not everyone understands the value of hiring a professional makeup artist for their corporate head shot shoot or video production.

A lot of times people in the corporate world don't understand the difference using a professional artist will make in their pictures and videos.  It's not their fault.  Typically, their work is about business or numbers or computers etc. Not exactly the most beauty focused fields lol.  What exactly do they know about the benefits of hiring a professional makeup artist.  That's why it's up to us as professionals to help educate them.  In fact it actually holds a lot of the same principals and facts as to why brides should hire professionals are their day too!

I thought it might be smart to outline some of the important reasons and benefits as to why businesses should hire professional makeup artists for their photo or video needs.

Reasons to Hire a Professional Makeup Artist

1. Makeup Reads Differently On Camera - You may need more makeup than you typically wear day to day.  A lot of women think that the makeup they put on for work is perfectly fine for pictures or videos but the camera takes away about 30% of the makeup.  That's why you need to "up it" a bit but still look professional.  A makeup artist will know how to keep you looking like you while still enhancing your look enough that it will show up on camera.

2. They Use Professional Camera Friendly Products - I'm sure it's obvious to most but not all makeup is created equally.  A lot of consumer products are great for day to day use but they aren't necessarily "camera friendly" meaning they might create a flash back (white face) for pictures or just not be strong enough for film or pictures.  A professional makeup artist will know what products work for what situation and will have a kit stocked with camera quality products that they've tried and tested out so they know exactly how they react and what works best depending on the lighting, setting and type of picture or video you're working on.

3. They Will Be Available For Touch Ups - When you hire a professional they will typically be just off camera and ready in case you need a lip touch up, powder for shine or to fix fly away hairs.  Small things like this may not seem like a big deal at the time but they will be huge on camera and ultimately very distracting.

4. It's An Investment For Your Business - You are already investing so much into your pictures or video it only makes sense to make it the best you possibly can.  There is not point in investing all of this money into a project if you're not going to look your best in it.  If the star element of the picture or video doesn't look good it doesn't matter how much money was spent on the photographer/videographer or production value the project will ultimately look cheap and unpolished and I don't think anybody wants to have that as their last impression.

5. How Many People Will See These Pictures/Videos? - These pictures and videos will probably be around for a long time and hopefully be seen by thousands of people.  It's important that the impression you leave people with is a good one.  If you look disheveled or unpolished that's the impression you're going to leave clients or potential business contacts with.  If you're going to use these pictures or videos for several years it's only smart to make them look the best and most
professional you can.

6. You'll Feel More Confident - When you hire a professional makeup artist they come to you.  You don't have to worry about anything on the day with regards to your hair and makeup.  The convenience of it all can't be beat and it can be a very relaxing and pampering experience to get your hair and makeup done which in turn can raise your confidence and reduce your anxiety which will both show on camera.

7. Men Need Makeup Too! - This is actually a big one!  Most men don't realize the benefit of having their makeup done for photos or videos.  It's true that day to day the average man does not wear makeup and because of that a lot of men see it as something only women need for pictures or film but that's not true. As mentioned above the camera picks up small details and magnifies them.  A lot of men just like women have redness in their skin or dark circles under their eyes.  These sorts of things can make a man look tired or unpolished on camera.  Now of course the level of makeup needed on a man compared to a woman is very different but even just some concealing of redness or dark circles and a bit of powder foundation to reduce shine can make a a world of difference in photos.

8. It's More Affordable Than You Think - A lot of times budget and money are huge factors in this sort of thing but when you break it down the cost of hiring a professional makeup artist for your shoot or video is actually a small percentage of the total cost.  Plus if you think hiring a professional is expensive imagine the costs if you need to do a re-shoot because the first shoot wasn't good enough!

Now like any professional or business there are different levels of skill and quality.  It's important for people to do their research before hiring someone.  Like the saying goes - "You think a professional is expensive, try hiring an amateur" ;)

Wedding Hair - Why Using Your "Usual" Stylist May Not Be The Best Choice

So as anyone who reads this blog knows I do A LOT of weddings.  Sometimes I do just makeup, sometimes it's just the hair and sometimes it's both makeup and hair.  The more I do weddings and the more confident I get w/ both bridal makeup and hair I will be honest the more I enjoy having complete control over the entire look...that means being in charge of both the makeup and hair (at least for the bride).

Of course that is not always the case and I'm totally cool with that but I will say there has been more than one occasion where I have thought "Oh she would have looked better if she just let me do her makeup or her hair" when I haven't been in charge of both services.  

A lot of times when I'm not booked for hair it's because the bride has opted to use her "Usual Stylist" for her wedding day hair.  Now I'm not going to say that this is always a bad decision because it's not - there are plenty of salon hairstylists that are good at wedding updos and styling...but there are also a lot that aren't!

I think a lot of times brides feel "guilty" if they don't hire their regular hairstylist for their wedding day or they just assume they are a hair stylist and they cut/colour my hair great therefore they'll do my wedding hair great...but that's not always the case.  Do not feel like you are "cheating" on your usual stylist if you don't use them on your wedding day.  

So this isn't to say you shouldn't hire the person that cuts/colours your hair it's just important to ask some questions and make sure they'll be the right artist to achieve you wedding hair dream.

Here's some questions to ask or things to think about:

Do they do weddings often/Have they done a lot of weddings in the past? Ask your stylist this don't just assume they do.  There are a lot of hairstylists nowadays that don't want to do weddings or almost never do weddings.  Either because they don't like them or their specialty isn't updos or wedding styling.

How comfortable are they with Wedding Hairstyles? Some salon stylists are amazing and cut and/or colour but you ask them to do an updo or half updo and it's just not their forte.  This doesn't make them a bad stylist it just means it's not one of their strengths.  If they aren't strong in updos do you really want to risk their skills on your wedding day.

Are they willing to come to you on your Wedding Day? Weddings typically happen on Saturdays which of course is the busiest day in the salon.  Are they willing to leave the salon for several hours to work your wedding w/ you and your bridal party or do you have to go to the salon? 

 If you have to go to the salon how will this effect your timing for your wedding day?  Is this going to cause more stress or anxiety for you having to travel to and from the salon vs. getting your services in your home or a hotel where the artist comes to you?  More and more brides are opting to have mobile services for this reason.  It's just so much more stress free to have an artist or team come to you and your girls where you are!

If the stylist comes to you or you go to the salon what's the timing like? I've also seen several times where b/c the bride wants her usual stylist to do her hair she's had to get it done HOURS before the ceremony or pictures b/c that's the only time the stylist could fit her in.  Either the stylist came to her and did it super early before their Saturday salon hours or the bride went to the salon super early in the morning.  If you have an updo this might not be the end of the world as they are typically pretty sturdy if done properly but if you are wearing your hair down and you get it done hours before pictures or the ceremony you have a much stronger chance that they hair is going to fall and not look like you had hoped by time the ceremony comes around. 

Remember to ALWAYS do a trial with your usual stylist! If you do want to use your usual stylist make sure to book a hair trial with them...don't just chance it and think they will do exactly what you want on the day b/c they are use to cutting/colouring your hair.  I personally find even with my own work I do a better job on the hair the second time around.  I figure out little adjustments and things I want to fix for the wedding day.  The trial is as much a practice round for me as it is for the bride so it's VERY important!

If you aren't happy with the trial DON'T feel obligated to still use your regular stylist!  I've seen and heard this time and time again.  A bride does a trial w/ their stylist and they leave unhappy but then somehow magically hope/expect that their wedding day will turn out better.  Speak up at your trial.  If the stylist isn't getting your vision let them know so they can try to fix things they aren't mind readers lol!  If they still don't get it and you are doubting they'll get it on the wedding day FIND ANOTHER STYLIST FOR THAT DAY!!!  It's one of the most important days of your life and you're spending so much money on every detail you HAVE to hopefully LOVE...at least LIKE your hair!  DO NOT stick w/ a stylist if you are judging their wedding hair skills.  It will cause more stress for you and you'll actually resent them later if you hate your wedding hair.

Like I said above just b/c a stylist is amazing at cutting and colouring doesn't mean they understand or can execute wedding hairstyles.  It's a VERY different skill set for a stylist and truthfully a lot of stylists don't get that much practice at it and it's not heavily taught in school.

I don't cut or colour hair but I specialize in wedding hair...you wouldn't want me to cut or colour your hair b/c it would be a disaster but I feel pretty confident doing your wedding updo lol!

I've had it happen multiple times where a bride who I was doing makeup for contact me after and ask to do a hair trial b/c her regular stylist just didn't seem to get her vision.  I've also seen brides cry b/c they had their regular stylist do their hair while myself or my team has done their bridesmaids' hair and it's looked better.  And of course I've seen salon hairstylists do work that's amazed me where I've wanted their card lol!

All I'm saying is think about what's right for you on your wedding day and don't feel obligated to make a choice b/c you feel pressure or a sense of loyalty if it's not what's right or convenient on your wedding day.  

2015 Goals & Resolutions

Well we are about a wk into the New Year and it's already looking to be a promising and busy year!  I'm feeling very optimistic about this year after ending last year on what I thought was a productive high note!  So just before the New Year I wrote about how I felt I did tackling last years goals and resolutions...now I'll talk about the plan for this year!

2015 Goals & Resolutions

Drink More Water - I know this is a pretty simple one but literally if I don't make a real effort to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day it won't happen.  It's kind of a pain in the butt for me sometimes b/c I then have to go to the washroom ALL THE TIME...and I feel like I already have to go to the washroom a ton lol!  But it's good for my skin, bloating and overall health so yeah really gonna try on this one.

Get Back In Shape - I'm still looking okay but I've put on about 10 pds w/ my trip and the holidays...it's time to kick it into high gear and get back on track.  Lose that weight and fit back into all my new "skinny" clothes...that are currently a bit tight I'll be honest lol.  Got a gym membership as it's way too cold for me to run outside right now so definitely hope to put that into use..the key for me is really to work out in the morning before other things start "getting in the way"...I always make excuses if I wait until later in the day.

Run Another Half Marathon - So I got through my last half marathon last year...want to do another this year and do it in under 2 hours!  That's my goal!

Stop Cyber Stalking So Much - Yeah we all do it...but I'll admit sometimes I get a little obsessed.  I need to leave certain things in the past and worry about my future.  This isn't just to do w/ exes it's about a lot of different ppl from all times of my life.  I need to stop concerning myself w/ other people and just worry about me and doing my thing!

Make Lists - I think this will really help me be more productive day to day b/c sometimes I think I don't have much to do and I end up wasting time when if I thought about it there's actually a lot of different projects I could tackle.  I think having lists and checking off stuff will make me feel and be more productive day to day

Practice and Revive Some of My Skills - Sometimes when we are busy we tend to just get in the habit of doing the hair and makeup styles that we know work and we can do quickly and well.  I need to keep up on some trends and learn some more tips and techniques.  As an artist it's important to always keep learning and practicing and I feel I've let this one fall away a bit in the last year.

Keep Better Track of Finances and Spending - I made more money this year than last year...my sales were definitely up but for some reason I also think I spent a lot more money too.  I want to keep better track of that and see where my spending it going and maybe adjust things accordingly.  And to go along w/ that I want to save more this year.  I definitely did a pretty good job this past year and I'm glad I know have a financial planner and I'm saving a certain amount every mth but of course I can always do better!

Expand the Wedding Business - Already talked about this one before and it's pretty much a goal every year but I don't really have a prob with that.  Now that I've changed everything to Toronto Beauty Group I really want the business to grow w/ my staff and my outsourcing of bookings.   I can only do so much so the only way it's really going to grow is with the staff!

Do Creatives & Network More - This is one that I openly said I failed at last year.  I've definitely put the "fashion" side of my career on the back burner b/c let's be real it's not the area I make much money with but I'm feeling way out of the Toronto fashion scene loop and I love doing creatives so in the coming mths I really want to reach out to photographers and stylists again start producing some creative and inspiring work!

Travel More - Yes...this is another one of those that I put down every year but every year I want to travel more so why not!  I do really want to work on maybe taking a couple of short get away trips a long with a nice vacation.  I really want to make a point to go to NYC at some point this year.  And I have no idea where I want my next big trip to be!

Blog More - Again another one I failed at miserably but as I mentioned these past few mths have sort of revived me so I'm feeling inspired again and I think that will lead into me blogging more as I won't think of it as so much of a chore or annoyance.

Decorate & De-clutter my Apt - Okay overall my apt. doesn't have a lot of clutter b/c I hate clutter but I do have a couple of pieces of furniture I need to get rid of...plus about 5 bags of clothes just sitting there lol!  Also, I'll admit one of my weaknesses is home decoration.  I moved a lot growing up and so I never decorated much...I've been in my place for almost 4 years now...I should at least put a freaking picture on the wall!!

I think that's a pretty good start for now lol!  I'm sure knowing me I'll add more as I think about it and the year progresses!

Why I'm Okay With Getting Older

A couple of wks ago I turned 33...for a lot of people (especially women...even more so single unmarried women lol) I think this could be considered a pretty scary time.  I mean I think this is officially the last year I can claim to be in my "early 30s"...after this I think I enter mid 30s...(who knows next year how I'm going to feel about that one lol).

A lot of people have told me I look young for my age which of course I'll take as a compliment.  I believe this in part is due to good genetics and a healthy lifestyle...but I can't deny being a makeup artist doesn't hurt the cause ;)  I've even had a lot of guys tell me I should start lying about my age because I'm going to start limiting my dating options...I personally think this is fucking bullshit for a couple of reasons.  1. Why is being 33 a detractor - I'm established in my career, have a good sense of myself and a good amount of life experience to make me a valuable partner among other things 2. I'm way more confident and comfortable in my skin than I have been at any age in my life so why would I lie about my age 3. I'd really rather look like a smoking hot, young 33 year old than a "27 yr old" who looks her age lol!

I'm actually okay w/ the fact that I turned 33.  I've pretty much always been okay every year w/ getting a little bit older.  I've realized I think a lot of this comes down to where I am in my life at that point in time.  Am I happy w/ my life? Do I feel like I'm moving forward, achieving my goals, making the most of things?...if the answers to these questions are overall positive then I guess I'm okay w/ adding another year on to things.

I've also realized it's better to not look at "what you thought your life would be like"...I can definitely tell you that no part of my life is "what I thought it would be" if you would have asked me when I was a teenager...hell I don't think I thought my life would be like this 10 years ago...or even 5 years ago so who knows lol!  That's not to say my ideas of my future were better or worse...they were just different.  I mean in high school if someone had told me I'd moved to Shanghai, China and work as a makeup artist there for 8 mths I probably would have laughed or backpacked through India or done have half the things I've done...and that's what's so cool.  As we get older we keep experiencing new things and using those experiences to enrich and enlighten our lives now.  I know for a fact my 18 yr old self would not recognize my 33 yr old self...but I'd like to think she'd think she's pretty fucking cool lol!

Now it's not always been sunshine and rainbows with regards to getting older for me.  I remember one birthday in particular I was not happy....when I turned 28.  This to me was when I officially entered my "late 20s" and to be perfectly honest I was not at all happy w/ the direction my life was taking at that point.  I was broke, gathering debt, in a relationship I wasn't very happy to be in and my career was not going in the direction I wanted it to go...I think when I was younger I just imagined my life would be so different at 28...I'm pretty sure I thought I'd at least have my shit together enough to have a decent job or be married or something lol.  When in fact in that particular year I think I felt like I was regressing more than any other point in my life and actually felt pretty trapped to be perfectly honest...and it was pretty scary b/c I didn't know how I was going to get myself out of it.

Thankfully I did get out of it and I think a big turning point was leaving the relationship I was in at that time b/c after that everything seemed to get a little more possible and I started to see things in a different light.  It's so funny how relationships have a way of doing that to us.  I mean they really don't just affect our personal lives they infiltrate every part of our lives whether we want them to or not!

This past year I sort of had a situation like that w/ another relationship I was in.  It was NOTHING like that other relationship and I loved and cared for this person a lot but it was just not working for various reasons no matter how much I tried or how many nice things I tried to do I couldn't overcome this person's issues and it was actually making me miserable (I didn't even realize how miserable until after).  It was holding me back in life and I wasn't doing anything I wanted to do because I was living my life for them and making every decision w/ them in mind, trying to make them happy and change their mind/opinion about certain situations.  You'd think by 32 (almost 33 lol) I'd have learned better but matters of the heart are tricky lol.

It really sucks when I look back b/c I think it was literally paralyzing me and my ability to get shit done.  I couldn't concentrate, move forward, do things for my business etc.  That's not to say my business was failing but I wasn't taking the necessary steps to move it forward like I had wanted b/c all of my attention was on this person and our relationship.  I also wasn't going out, being social or doing things hoping to prove my devotion, accountability and trustworthiness.  I wasn't taking trips b/c I was waiting for them to go on trips with me...I also felt like me taking a trip alone or w/ a friend would be some sort of violation or example of how I wasn't trying anymore to make it work....yes...this all sounds pretty stupid and pathetic to me now as it's not really the person I aspire to be but it's funny how you don't really see it all going on until you're outside of the situation. I just kept thinking if I tried a little more and gave it a bit more time it would go back to the way it was...but eventually I realized that wasn't true.

It's been a couple mths since that realization and even though I'll admit 32 might not have been the best of years for me (although it started out pretty awesome w/ a lot of optimism, love and hope) I'm definitely trying to make the most of these last couple of mths of 2014!

The last couple of mths I feel like I've actually made up a lot of ground for the year!  I've been getting

in shape and I'd have to say I'm probably in the best shape I've been in since Shanghai, China (if not better)...and yes you know what I might be a little vain and boastful and put a few too many selfies on instagram but you know what FUCK IT..I'm proud of my accomplishments so why can't I share them w/ others.  I've not always been proud or happy w/ the way I've looked...for years in fact I've usually had a lot of self doubt and been pretty uncomfortable or unhappy w/ things so to be happy now why shouldn't I celebrate Goddammit!  And yes, maybe I am looking for attention and adoration from others but really is that the worst thing in the world...doesn't everyone like a bit of attention or to be told good job?I actually found a picture of myself from my 24th b-day on Facebook and I was just so thrilled w/ the fact that I looked BETTER now than then...trust me there are a lot of 33 year olds that cannot claim this to be true.  I am in fact getting better with age ;)

But it's not just about looks of course.  I actually just accomplished another one of my goals a couple of wks ago too!  I ran a half marathon!  It's crazy to think that my first run ever was literally my 32 b-day - it was 5 km and I thought I was going to die lol!  Literally a year later I was running a half marathon.  I wanted to be under 2 hours but came in at 2:02 which isn't bad of course and there's always next year ;)  I've been having some bad knee issues and I would have been under 2 hrs but at 17 k my knee just couldn't take any more and I had to slow down a lot unfortunately.  But still at 31 if you had told me I'd run a half marathon at one point I'd probably have laughed!

Plus I've booked another trip - 3 wks backpacking in Central America!  It's been way too long since my last trip - Singapore/Malaysia in Feb/Mar 2013 so I'm very excited to get out there and start experiencing and seeing the world again!  I'm excited too to be taking back my life and
not waiting anymore for the "right person" to travel with.  Would I love to actually travel with someone - yes, of course...but I can't just keep waiting on someone.  I feel in a lot of ways women tend to do this sort of thing a lot more than men and it's really a shame.

And even though I might not have felt like I was pushing my career enough this year (I totally could have done more).  I'm happy to say that it is surpassing last years goals.  I've booked more weddings this year than last and my sales are up from last year too...I've actually already surpassed last years sales so it's all gravy now lol...well not really...I am kind of wondering where a lot of that gravy has gone this year lol!

It's funny I've had it in my mind to do this blog post for a couple of wks now and like many things I kept putting it off...I really do need to work on my procrastination.  But it's actually rewarding and somewhat uplifting to see things written done in front of me and to really realize even if it's not everything I wanted I have made progress this year and I should be proud to be another year older b/c it's allowed me to gain another year of experiences and therefore be another year wiser...and I am optimistic as to what this next year will bring!

Blur Pro Panelist Classes

Very important announcement for Aspiring Makeup Artists in Toronto or the GTA!!!  For those of you not in the know...or possibly living under a rock (in which case you really need these classes) I'm very excited to announce I've been chosen along w/ several other AMAZING and INSPIRING artists to be on a pro panel class at Blur Makeup Room for makeup artists looking for advice on how to "make it in the biz"!

Anyone, who has been following this blog for awhile knows that I love to help out other artists and give advice and support to anyone who contacts me...in fact it was a big reason I started the blog in the first place!  I'm a big believer in giving back to other up and coming artists and sharing my knowledge and experiences in order to help others maybe avoid or learn from some of the mistakes I've made while trying to make a career for myself.  

On several occasions I've actually gone back to my old makeup school to give talks about my career and how I've built my strong and ever growing business these past few years!  And it's not to say I'm not a believer in going to makeup school or taking a makeup program (although any artist will tell you that you learn a TON more once you're out of school) but I do know it's super important as an artist to not just stop there and to continue our growth and that means continually investing in ourselves and taking new classes and workshops...which I've actually talked a lot about in the past!

Also, and this is nothing against makeup schools but the one area I find them SERIOUSLY lacking in is the "What Next?" portion...sure they give you the basics and teach you some great techniques about makeup but where I feel they really fail is on the "What to do after graduation?" portion...no one tells you the next steps to take to make it as an artist once you graduate.  I also think this is why there is such a high failure rate after students finish makeup school...I'd say 90-95% of the girls I went to school are not doing makeup now...or didn't even attempt to start a career once school finished b/c in all honesty they just didn't know how to get started!

That's where these classes at Blur Makeup Room come in!  Basically, there are two sessions - one for the "new(er) artist" that wants to learn how to better themselves and their business and turn their "hobby" into a profitable career!  This is the panel I'll be sitting on along w/ two other working freelance artists in the city - Jem Lopez and Nicole Richards.   This pro panel is being held on Monday, March 3 from 9 am - 4 pm!  

We're going to touch upon topics like Branding, Advertising, Social Media, Portfolio Building, Resumes and Rates!  Really great way for any artists to come out and learn and ask questions about anything in the biz they've been too afraid to ask before!  It's a full day w/ a ton of information being given and in my opinion will probably be the most useful and educational class you will take all year!  Plus you can have a choice you can choose the whole day or just the morning or just the afternoon portion...so if you feel you have a grasp on one area but need help somewhere else maybe just take one portion of the class!

Like I've said before you can never stop learning and yes, classes aren't cheap but it's true what they say - You need to spend money to make money!  If the newbies out there only knew how much money I spent in the beginning and how much money I continue to spend every year investing in my career and craft lol! 

Plus a class like this will actually save and make you money in the long run b/c it will teach you where to spend your money, what shoots to accept or turn down, how to build a proper rate and business plan for yourself...I'm not just saying this b/c I'm on the panel (and I know I have a shitload of information and experience on these subjects ;) ) but wow this would have been SO USEFUL to me 7 years ago!!!

The second panel is happening on Mon, March 24 9 am - 4 pm.  It's for a more intermediate artist who already has a grasp on their career but is looking to take it to the next level and overcome challenges and obstacles standing in their way...newer artists would also benefit from this panel too of course.  I'm really thinking of taking this one as people on the panel are amazing and have a broad range of knowledge throughout the industry.

So really what are you waiting for...sign up!  Your career will thank you!

Never Stop Learning!

As artists I think it's really important that we constantly learn and improve our skills through testing, workshops, research etc.  All too often we can get busy or complacent and comfortable in our skills and forget that trends, products, styles and skills all evolve and it's important to keep up to date on all the latest advancements and improvements.

No one ever said being a makeup artist was going to be easy or cheap...in fact it's a really expensive career to take up b/c as a working artist you are constantly having to not only replenish your kit and products but also improve your skills and offer new services.

That's why when I found out while I was at IMATS last weekend that Blur Makeup Room was having a tattoo coverage workshop by Thomas E. Surprenant I knew although it maybe wasn't the best time financially to take a workshop (I did after all drop a little over $600 at IMATS eeek!..and I'm getting into my slower period for work EEEKKK!) it was well worth the investment.  And in all honesty that how WE as ARTISTS need to start looking at these things...they are investments into our careers and skills!  Investments that will pay off when we can start offering different services and charging more therefore making more money!

All the time I hear artists whine and complain about not getting ahead and not having money for this or that...guess what - suck it up!  If you want something bad enough and you think it's important enough you'll make that extra money for that workshop or save that extra money for that new product.  I know it hurts a bit b/c it feels like it's a lot of money upfront...and it is but it's so important to keep improving our skills as artists!  I can't stress that enough!  Okay enough of my mini rant ;) let's get to the actual workshop!

So I'll be real.  I took SFX in school but it's never really been my thing as my career focus isn't on movies or film and I'm just not called upon to do much guts and gore lol.  But a tattoo coverage workshop now that's the kind of sfx stuff I can use in my business!  Esp. for commercial or fashion work when you might need to cover up an actor or model's tattoo and it's becoming very popular in bridal too (and it's a great upsell opportunity)!

As someone who has been asked by brides in the past if I do tattoo coverage and I've always shrieked away at the possibility as I've never felt really comfortable in my skills I knew this was definitely an area I could use improvement on and also an area I could immediately see marketing and money making opportunities for my business!

So this week I got to take a very intimate and hands on workshop w/ Thomas E. Surprenant who has to be one of the nicest and down to earth artists around...and so talented!  I mean just look at his resume and body of work and you have to be impressed...hello Emmy winner anyone!  First he showed his tips and techniques for covering tattoos using his very own line of sfx prosthetic paints (available at Blur Makeup Room).  He showed how they can be used both by hand and in the airbrush gun and explained some colour theory and how it applies to the skin and it's colouring.

After watching him work away and cover a VERY large arm tattoo to perfection I got to test out my skills with him there to guide and watch while giving me some hands on tips and tricks.  I'll be honest...I usually SUCK at things when I first attempt them...like worst in the class awful suck so I'm always nervous when pros are watching me but Thom is so friendly and nice that I felt a lot more comfortable and at ease and he's a really great teacher!  I did one wrist tattoo first w/ Thom stepping in to help me every now and again. After that there was time for me to even go after a second wrist tattoo on the other arm and I can definitely say I think I did pretty well if I do say so myself!

There is another Tattoo Coverage Workshop happening at Blur this Sunday Nov 17 from 2-6 and I definitely think it's worth the money!  If you can't make it out this time definitely stay in the loop w/ Blur to find out when they're having Thom back in the future for other workshops!

Here's some pics from the workshop!

 Thomas showing us how it's done!

Me working away!  My first attempt on the first tattoo!

Pretty good results I'd say!  Forgot to take a before but on the left arm there is a heart tattoo that's been covered...same tattoo as the right arm in the pic....you can see where I could have kept going w/ the coverage up further on the other tattoos on the left arm in the pic.

Thomas even showed us how to do veins on the arm using airbrush for an even more realistic finish...the skin has so many different tones and variations throughout it's important to not make it too perfect looking!  I def. still need to practice on the veins lol!

 Me working away on the second tattoo all by myself!

Thanks Blur for hosting such an awesome workshop and thanks Kory for having so many great tattoos to work on ;)

Also here's a couple of pics I took at IMATS last Saturday of Thomas at work flexing his SFX muscles and his model friend Josh flexing his real muscles ;)

Dressing Appropriately For The Job

Last week I was hired for a corporate gig w/ a big international company for some internal videos involving some of the high up execs and CEO.  Corporate gigs tend to be some of the better paid and easiest gigs a makeup artist can get. Usually it just involves some male grooming and light makeup and hair touch ups for the females.  Not exactly creatively inspiring or interesting but we all have to balance the creative w/ the payday in the end.

With these sorts of jobs the best thing a makeup artist can do is be efficient, professional, quiet and right on hand for any quick touch ups.  You need to be around right when they need you but invisible the rest of the time.  These execs don't usually want to be doing these videos and truthfully they want to get them done as quickly as possible.

An important thing to remember is they value your quickness.  Don't feel the need to stretch out the time for male grooming b/c you want to be sure they know "you're worth it".

Anyway, the job went incredibly smooth and we even wrapped early which is always a pleasant surprise. While on set I chatted up the execs w/ polite small talk but worked quickly and kept quiet and out of the way once filming started.  At the end of the shoot I thanked everyone and let the person who hired me know to contact me anytime in the future if they might have these sorts of shoots.

He thanked me repeatedly for my professionalism and said he would definitely call me for future shoots (YEAH!).  He then actually explained to me that before he had hired a different artist for two other videos. He said that execs and CEOS can be a bit particular (which is true) and that they felt uncomfortable w/ the way she dressed as it was a bit too tight and revealing.  He had mentioned this to her after the first job and hired her back for a second but for that one she came dressed even more inappropriately!  He said her makeup work was good but he couldn't hire her back just b/c of the way she dressed!  Her loss, my gain!

I was actually shocked that someone would be stupid enough to lose a sweet corporate client just b/c they didn't dress appropriately and then I began to think about it and it's true a lot of artists don't always dress appropriately!  It is true that we are artists and therefore do have a little leeway in how express ourselves w/ regards to makeup and clothes but we also have to respect and understand the jobs we are accepting and the clients/environment we might be involved w/ that day.

Some rules to kind of live by for dressing appropriately.

1. For corporate gigs you don't have to come dressed for a business meeting or church but dress respectably.  That means nothing too tight, too trendy, too revealing.  You'll be shooting in an office a lot of times so keep it simple.  Usually a nice pair of jeans/pants, a nice sweater or top and decent shoes and you're pretty safe.  Also, don't go crazy w/ the makeup or hair.  Keep it clean and simple like the clothes. You don't want to make any of the execs uncomfortable.  They can sometimes be a bit older or more traditional in their values and appearance and therefore they don't usually care that your dress is by so-and-so designer and you're rocking the latest smudgy smokey eye and deep purple lip trend or something like that.  If you  have tattoos possibly try to wear clothes that don't have them on display.

2. Weddings are similar to corporate gigs in a lot of ways.  Even if the bride is "cool" you might be working w/ her mom or aunts or grandmother and  you don't want to freak them out.  Also, you might be showing up super early in the morning and working for several hours straight.  The last thing you want is to show up at 5 am looking like you just came from the club the night before lol.  Again, you can usually get a feel for the bride at the trial and what kind of girl she is or what her style is.  An example for myself personally - in "real life" I tend to wear a lot of red lipstick.  This isn't exactly something "crazy" or "out there" but if a bride through email correspondence expresses to me that she's "super natural" and "doesn't wear makeup" then I know at the trial to probably leave my red lipstick in the drawer that day b/c even though it's not all that offensive it might throw her off and she might think that I'm going to do that to her...even though it might seem a bit ridiculous you just never know sometimes trust me.

3.  When you're assisting another artist just ask what they feel is appropriate for a job.  Some artists want their assistants dressed a certain way or in certain colours aka black other just want you to be comfortable. So just ask...no one is going to be angry b/c you asked!

4. There is a certain idea that makeup artists only wear black.  While this is true for some it's not a hard rule. In truth I think it happens just b/c it doesn't look dirty if you get makeup all over it.  It's easy to match and look professional and sophisticated and it blends in behind the scenes and let's be real on most jobs you're not there to be the "star" or center of attention, you're there to do your job and be invisible when you're not needed.

5.  Runway is the one time a lot of artists are actually told to wear black. It's indiscreet and again blends well behind the scenes.  Plus it makes it easy to see who are the artists if they are all in the same colour and gives them all a sense of cohesiveness.  But it's not always a rule.  I've done runway where ppl just wore what they wanted...again just ask what's expected.

6. Fashion shoots are the times where as an artist you can express a bit more of your "personality" through dress and makeup.  Again, this doesn't mean go insane and in truth a lot of artists I know still keep it pretty simple and clean b/c let's be real it's not about you and you're there to watch the model and not be touching up your own makeup and hair the whole time.  Also, once you get use to a photographer or team or regular client you'll kind of get a feel for what's acceptable and what's crossing the line.

7. Wear clothes and shoes that you're comfortable working and standing in for hours.  Again, you're not there to be a fashion model.  You're there to work!  No one wants to hear you complaining about your shoes or see you constantly readjusting your outfit b/c it's not comfortable to move around in.

8. Don't feel b/c you're a "makeup artist" that you need to be "done up" all the time!  This may be true for retail where makeup artists probably wear more makeup there then most people ever wear in "real life" but this is also b/c they are there to sell and many take the approach to wear as many products from the line as physically possible lol!  Seriously, don't show up looking like you didn't even brush your hair or wash your face but also don't feel pressure on a job to look like a "glam queen" if that's not your style.  Stay true to your own personal style.  If you're a bit of concealer, gloss and mascara type of person for yourself don't feel like you need to make yourself club ready for every job.  Of course if you know you might be on camera or there might be some behind the scenes pics taken on set that day you might want to put in a little extra effort but don't feel you need to go to extremes if it's not your "style".

I'm sure there are some other "rules" for dressing but these are a few to get you started and hopefully clear up any confusion some of you might have about what's "appropriate".  Of course I'm totally cool w/ ppl dressing slutty and inappropriate if it means I can get their sweet corporate gigs b/c they're dressed unacceptably lol!

How To Get Pictures From Brides After The Wedding!

As any of my readers can tell from the MANY posts I do on here sharing pics from my brides on their wedding day I think it's safe to say I'm somewhat of a pro at getting pics from brides after their wedding.  I probably see pics from at least 75% of my brides after their weddings...that's really high!  But one of the biggest complaints I hear from other artists...esp. newer artists is that they don't have enough pics on their site b/c brides don't send them pics after the wedding.

Guess what...it's up to YOU to take the initiative to follow up w/ brides to get pics.  Very few brides are going to remember to send their makeup artist pics after the wedding...truthfully after the wedding guess what you aren't a priority and they have NEW bigger and better things to do then remember to send you pics.  It's up to you  to be SUPER proactive but not quite annoying to get pics from brides...and it can actually be a fine line to walk between the two.

I should note that I always make sure my brides are okay w/ me showcasing their pics on my blog or site and any bride that wouldn't be okay w/ that I wouldn't do it plain and simple!  Truth is I think most brides kind of get a kick out of being featured on a website or blog...sort of like the "star treatment"...I mean I know I would feel really proud and beautiful if someone thought I was pretty enough to be on their site!

Here's how I lay the groundwork to up the chances that I'll see pictures after the wedding.

1. I start right at the trial.  Yes, that's right - at the trial I will always ask who the photographer is.  In fact I ask it on my contract now too!  I like to research ppl in my biz...always important to learn about new talent after all...plus networking is oh so important in this biz!  I always make mention how important the pictures are to the whole day...I mean they are after all the memories of the day!  And I always make mention that I can't wait to see the pics after the wedding day b/c I know they are going to be gorgeous...b/c guess what - they are!  I'm good at what I do...so that raises the chances of good pics by A LOT!  Plus w/ a good photographer even the most uncomfortable girl in front of the camera can usually get a few good shots w/ the proper lighting, angle and makeup and hair!  Also, if I can I like to ask if they are going to do an engagement shoot...another thing I think is Oh So Important!  Great practice in front of the camera and great way to get to know the photographer to feel more comfortable.  AND it's a chance for me to up sell my services for another event...and possibly get more pictures...b/c I'm a greedy little picture monster muah hahaha!

2. On the wedding day everyone is (hopefully) in a good and excited mood!  If you do your job right the bride should be feeling relaxed, happy and the most gorgeous she's EVER felt in her entire life!  Of course on the wedding day I'm always mentioning how I can't wait to see the pics.  I mean I LOVE seeing the bride all done up and all my hard work on display.  I love getting the beauty shots in the hotel or home but I love seeing the pics throughout the wedding too!  I love to see how my work held up throughout the night or learn a thing or two on things I might have improved on.  I don't always get to see the bride all dressed so of course I love seeing pics of  her all done up and looking beautiful and perfect.  I think the last thing I say before I leave the bride is Congratulations, I can't wait to see the pics, you look beautiful!

3. The wedding day is also a great chance to meet the photographer if you can.  Unfortunately, my timing doesn't always overlap w/ the photographer.  It really depends on how the bride has the scheduling set up that day.  But if it does it's a great way to ask for the photographer's card, that way if the bride doesn't remember to send you photos (b/c she's just gotten busy w/ "real life" after the wedding) but you have her permission to use photos of her you can always contact the photographer yourself!  Sometimes the bride has shared a gallery w/ me but never ended up sending pics or sometimes I've never seen pics at all...but usually a nicely worded email peppered w/ a little flattery to the photographer and they are more than willing themselves to send you a couple of web size images from the day.  Totally let them know it's okay if they want to put a small watermark on the images (it is just the web after all).  Plus I always assure them that I'll be sure to give them full credit for the photo and link their website up to my site or blog whenever possible.  I've never had a photographer against that sort of thing personally.

4. A couple of days after the wedding I always send a follow up email to my bride just to let her know it was a pleasure to work w/ her and her friends and family on her wedding day and I always end the email w/ a short note saying I can't wait to see the pics!...do you see where I'm going here...I'm not being pushy, I'm just mentioning it repeatedly at appropriate moments to slowly work it into their minds that I really, really want to see their pics after their wedding lol!

5. So I have a lot of weddings...sometimes 4 a weekend.  That's a lot of brides and pictures to keep up w/ esp. during busy, busy wedding season.  The way I've dealt w/ this is to make a list of names w/ their wedding date beside it.  Usually, after 1.5-2 mths I'll send a short follow up email to see how the bride is doing and to see if she has any pics yet.  I always make sure to tell her no rush just checking in.  Sometimes, she has them and sometimes she doesn't.  If I get pics I can then cross her name off my list.  If not, I'll check back in a couple of weeks or kind of see what she says...if she says it will be awhile b/c they haven't even look through pics I know not to bug her again for awhile.

6. If I didn't get pics when I asked the first time I will usually send one more email inquiring about pics a few weeks or a mth later.  If I don't hear back from her or she just never sends me pics but I know from our past correspondences she was going to but just got busy...this is when I'll contact the photographer if I have their info.

7. If after all that I don't have pics then I just have to let it go...can't go harassing the former client after all. Sometimes it sucks b/c you know her photos were going to be gorgeous or amazing but you don't want her telling ppl ugh the makeup artist is such a pest or something like that.  I always make sure when I ask to say if you don't have them yet no worries, no rush, just checking in.

Just a side note...I personally only like to have professional pics on my site now...but that's b/c I've been doing this a few years and have enough pics now.  If you don't, there is nothing stopping you from asking the bride if you can take a couple of snap shots of her and her bridesmaids w/ your phone or camera.  Most brides are more than happy to do that.  Plus, then you don't have to wait a couple of mths for pics if you really need them!

Also, a lot of artists do Before & After shots w/ their cameras.  I know it's really popular w/ brides and I'm all for it if the artist wants to do it...personally though I just don't feel right asking my bride if they mind me posting pics of them w/out any makeup.  I know I wouldn't want pics of me on someone's site looking like how I know I look w/ no makeup lol (even though I have posted no makeup pics on this blog lol).  But like I said that's really a personal choice for the artist.

Another side note....depending on my rapport w/ the bride I will also sometimes ask for a review at various sites...I of course give them the links to the sites...want to make this as easy as possible for them.  I totally let me know they by no means have to do this and they shouldn't feel any pressure whatsoever it just helps me and my business a lot.  A lot less brides go through the steps to write reviews and I'm fine w/ that...I NEVER ask more than once about a review...to me that's very different than pics.

So anyway, here's some more pics I've collected in the last week or so from some of my brides this past Summer!  My website is getting so full I'm trying to get rid of some of the older pics but I love them all so much it's hard lol!

Amanda - Did both her Hair & Makeup...such gorgeous naturally curly hair!

Meaghan wanted a very simple almost rustic look.  I think we accomplished that w/ her Hair & Makeup.  I love her small, doll like features!

I wanted to keep the hair very "undone" and rustic to go w/ the whole look!

I actually only did Makeup for Krista's wedding...one of the only times this year where I only did Makeup!  Photos courtesy of Daryl Banks

Loved her bridesmaid's skin...and hair...I can only take credit for the skin and makeup though lol ;)

Krista and her younger sister both had their hair done at Bespoke Salon in Yorkville - it's on Yonge just North of Bloor...actually perfect for me to walk to lol!

Even younger clients can wear a full face of makeup including lashes and still look natural and age appropriate!

Bridal Beauty Dos & Don'ts For Your Wedding Day!

I know there's lots of commotion today w/ the Royal Wedding and lots of blogging about this and that and who wore what and all that but I'm not going to talk about that b/c to be honest I'm probably not going to add anything interesting or revolutionary to what's already been written lol. 

I will say Kate looked gorgeous and her dress w/ sophisticated and elegant just like her.  There's been a lot of talk about the fact that she did her own makeup for her wedding day...which normally I wouldn't suggest (and not just b/c I'm a makeup artist ;) ).  I think your wedding day is stressful enough why worry about your makeup and screwing up your eyeliner or trying to put false lashes on while your hand shakes like a leaf...you wedding day is YOUR one day to be a Princess afterall so why not feel like one and leave it all to a professional.

It should also be noted that Kate had professional makeup lessons before her wedding day (I don't think most brides do this but hey if they want to I DO offer private lessons ;) ).  She did follow one of my cardinal rules for wedding day makeup - Look like your best version of YOURSELF!  She kept her makeup soft and clean and let her natural beauty shine through which is how I personally like to approach wedding makeup in general.

So when I have my Trials w/ my brides after we're done I like to give them some Dos & Don'ts for Pre-Wedding  & Wedding Day Beauty and I thought I'd share some of it w/ you guys here.

DO get your hair trimmed approx. 2 wks before your wedding.  I know lots of brides are trying to grow their hair out but trust me a trim just makes it look healthier when styled and it makes it easier to style on the day of your wedding.  Plus doing it two wks before allows the ends to soften so they don't look so freshly cut on your wedding day.  Also most updos don't actually require for your hair to be SUPER long...in fact after a certain length the hair actually becomes harder to deal w/ or put up b/c there is just so much of it!

DO colour or highlight your approx. 2 wks before your wedding (if you already colour or highlight your hair).  This will allow everything to still look fresh but it won't look like you JUST coloured or highlighted your hair.  Plus if for some reason there is a problem w/ the colour this allows you enough time to fix it.

DON'T do any dramatic hair changes whether it be colour or cut right before your wedding.  1. What if you hate it?!? 2. You don't want everyone to whispering and commenting on the fact that you look like a completely different person.

DO get a facial before your wedding but again DON'T do it right before your wedding in case you have a reaction and break out...again the 2 wk rule works well here.

DO get your eyebrows shaped before your wedding.  A good eyebrow opens up and frames the eye.  But DON'T wait to do it the day of or the day before your wedding in case it causes any redness or irritation. 

DON'T just go to anybody, get a referral just b/c they say they are a professional doesn't mean they are actually good (unfortunately I know this too well from yrs of a "professional" over waxing my brows in highschool...they still don't grow completely in :( )!

DO wear sunblock EVERY DAY (this is no matter what time of year it is ladies not even just before your wedding).  Be esp. careful in the sun leading up to your wedding though b/c tan lines are REALLY hard to cover and no one wants to be burnt or peeling either!

DON'T suddenly decide to take up tanning or visiting tanning beds right before your wedding b/c you want to have some colour even if you do it reg. for some reason right before your wedding will be the ONE time you burn (plus it's just bad for you in general)...DON'T risk the spray tan or self tanners either unless you're well versed in them (no one wants to look like their from Jersey Shore...except maybe the ppl from Jersey Shore ;) )

DON'T try any new and radical face treatments or skin creams right before your wedding.  Who knows what you'll have a reaction to...plus w/ all the stress you're under if you're like me you'll be more prone to breakouts!  That means DON'T even think about Lip Injections or Botox for the First time either!

DO drinks lots of water in the wks leading up to your wedding day.  You should try and do this anyway but esp. before your wedding.  It hydrates your skin and helps flush out toxins from your body...plus no one wants dry, parched skin on their wedding...it might be even worse than oily!

DO hire a Professional Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist.  You want to look and feel your best on your wedding day and a good professional will help you look your best and make your wedding day that much more stressfree.  Plus it allows you to just relax w/ your bridesmaids and have a good time.  As well a good Makeup Artist will be well versed in products that are good for photography as well as in person and will last the ENTIRE day!

DON'T leave booking Makeup & Hair to the last minute.  Many in demand artists book up mths in advance and it would be a shame to not get who you wanted b/c you didn't book ahead of time.

DO have a Makeup & Hair Trial before your wedding.  Again it just makes things that much less stressful on your wedding day when you've already worked out w/ the artist(s) exactly what you want.  Also you want to make sure you get along w/ your artist(s) they are going to be w/ you the entire morning before your wedding you don't want to hire someone that really annoys you or just doesn't vibe w/ your personality.

DO your research when hiring a Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist.  DON'T be afraid to do more than one trial w/ more than one artist if you want (and you can afford it).  Yes, I'm confident enough in my skills that I don't mind if a person has trials w/ other artists...hey sometimes they may even like another artist's style better, I don't take it personally I know I'll get booked up that day either way ;)

DON'T be afraid to speak up!  If you don't like something or want something changed w/ your Makeup or Hair say it...a good artist will NOT be offended and they WANT your feedback.  If they do get offended you probably don't want to book them anyway.  I mean in the end it's all about YOU feeling comfortable and beautiful on YOUR wedding day.

DO send your Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist pictures before the trial or take them w/ you to the trial.  I personally LOVE to see pictures and inspiration before I meet the bride b/c everyone has a different interpretation of something - what's dramatic to me might be natural to another person therefore pictures ALWAYS help clarify things.

DON'T make yourself unrecognizable on your wedding day by wearing too much makeup or a style that's totally not you.  I always say that you should look like the BEST version of YOURSELF on your wedding day!  The last thing you want ppl to say is "Oh my God I barely recognize you!".  This is why it's important to be clear w/ your artist about how you want to look on your wedding day.  I always ask my brides how much makeup they normally wear or if they tend to wear a lot of eyeliner, lipstick etc.  If a bride normally wears a lot of black eyeliner I'm probably going to use black eyeliner even if I wouldn't normally just b/c she's going to feel more comfortable that way or if she NEVER wears makeup but wants a smokey eye I'm probably going to do a subdued smokey eye b/c anything more is probably going to overwhelm her.  A lot of brides think they want a makeup look that is more dramatic then they actually do I find.

DO wear some makeup on your wedding day...even if you normally don't.  Also DO strongly suggest this to your bridesmaids and mother as well.  If someone NEVER wears makeup it's even more of a reason to hire a professional b/c they really won't know how to do it on themselves and make it look good or if they don't wear any makeup they will stand out in the pictures in a BAD way b/c they will just look so washed out or underdone next to everyone else.  A GOOD artist will understand and know how to do a makeup look that is soft and natural and won't feel overly heavy on an unwilling particpant.  In fact a large majority of my Bridal Clientele often hire me b/c they say the Brides on my website look so Natural and NOT overdone!

DO keep some lipstick/gloss and powder on hand for touch ups throughout the day.  No one wants a shiny nose or forehead in their pics.  As well always good to  have a couple of extra bobby pins if your hair is pinned up too!  Personally, I give a complete touch up kit to my brides but every artist is different.

DO try and get a good night's sleep before your wedding!  I know it's hard b/c of the excitment and nerves but the last thing you want is to look tired and puffy on your wedding day.  To go along w/ this DON'T drink too much the night before your wedding...no one wants to risk a hang over...that NEVER looks good!

DO try and relax on your wedding day...it's your one day to feel special and it will be over before you know it.  Things are bound to go wrong on the day but try not to stress too much b/c you're marrying the person that you Love and that's what matters.  Plus frown lines NEVER look good in pictures ;)

So there's some of my Bridal Beauty Tips...hope it helps you out!

Assisting Do's & Don'ts

Today I got the opportunity to give a little talk to a couple of students at my old makeup school SOMA and it got me thinking about a couple of things.  I know for all the new MUAs out there just getting started in the biz can seem a little overwhelming...well maybe not just a little ;).  Where to begin, how to make contacts, how to get work...these are all questions every MUA struggles w/ at some point. 

A great way to start out whether it be straight from school or even w/out any schooling is to assist or intern w/ a senior artist.  Assisting or interning w/ a senior artist is a great way to get your feet wet on set and learn how a proper set works (which is very different then any classroom environment you'll ever be in) plus you learn all sorts of tips & tricks from another artist which is invaluable in itself.

No one should ever think they are above assisting...it's important to remain humble in this biz b/c there is ALWAYS someone better than you that you can learn a thing or two from!  I know when you leave finish school you might think you're the shit b/c you were top of your class but trust me...you actually know NOTHING lol...the quicker you realize this the better! I wish I had more assisting experience actually b/c there are SOOO many fab artists that I'm sure I could learn so much from...I'm positive there are a ton of things I could be doing quicker and more efficiently (esp. w/ hair) but I just don't know b/c no one has ever showed me a different way!  What's funny is I'll be completely honest...assisting freaks the shit out of me more then keying in a sense lol...I'm always paranoid I'm suddenly going to find out that I don't know how to match foundation or I'm doing something completely wrong lol!

So where to begin...hmmm...I guess first might be how do I become an assistant?  Well, research artists in your area that you admire and email them!  Ask them if you might be able to take them out for coffee or lunch and pick their brains a bit about the biz, or ask them if they wouldn't mind looking at your book and giving some advice to a new artist.  Yes, it might sound scary b/c you might think these BIG, IMPORTANT Makeup Artists might be snobby bitches but the truth is I've found most of the higher up makeup artists to be very humble and very generous w/ their information.  Esp. if you write to them in a well thought out and sincere way.  Most understand what it's like to start out and how hard it was and therefore like to help new, enthusiastic makeup artists. 

Personally, I'm always very flattered anytime anyone asks for my opinion about products or their work so I'm always more then happy to try and help out.   Maybe after you've built up a little rapport through email or if you meet for coffee then you can enquire about the possibility of assisting them on a shoot.  A lot of big makeup artists get tons of emails of ppl wanting to assist them so sometimes it's nice if they have a little bit of a relationship w/ you first b/c they don't just want to bring any stranger on set b/c that could make them look bad and that's the last thing they want!  Plus if you just email them w/ no introduction about yourself or your work and just say "hey can I assist you?" they are going to go next b/c they already have a bunch of other ppl asking.  Think of asking to assist a makeup artist like applying for a job.  Make a cover letter if you want, send them references of your work or a CV, tell them your goals and why they should bring you for a job w/ them. 

If you have no real experience and you're looking to assist an artist you might have a little bit of trouble finding an artist to take you on...at least for paid jobs.  This is b/c nowadays an assistant basically has to be an accomplished makeup artist in their own right and often (at least in my experience) the assistant will basically be an assistant hair person...remember how I keep banging into your heads the importance of getting good at hair!  If you have no experience or very little experience you might be brought on in more of an unpaid intern sort of level.  Again invaluable if you're looking to learn.  You might only be doing things like cleaning makeup brushes or powdering noses on set while the Key Artist continues working on other talent but it gets you on set experience and it's a foot in the door and the more the artist begins to trust you the more responsibility they will give you!

So let's say you are being brought on as an assistant for a job - whether it's paid or unpaid there are some very important rules to live by.

1. BE ON TIME!!!!  In fact be early...I always try to live by an old actor rule that was burned into my head during theatre school - Early = On Time, On Time = Late, Late = Fired!  Of course Life happens but really really try to be on time...or at least call the Key if you are AT ALL going to be late.  Hell I call/text photographers when I'm going to be a min or two late...and most of the time I don't even end up being late..but again On Time = Late to me ;) lol!  With that being said if you do arrive before the Key wait for them before going into the studio probably.  Or call them and let them know you are there and they can give you further instructions. 

2. Ask beforehand what the Key expects of you.  Different MUAs have different rules.  Some want you to carry their bags and set things up for them and bring them a coffee.  Some want you to just be on standby in case they need you.  Some want you to bring you makeup and hair kit b/c you'll be working right beside them while some will just have you work out of their kit. 

3. Save your questions for after the job...or at least when there is some free time.  I know there is so much going on and you're so excited to be working w/ this artist that you just want to ask them everything they know about everything and it's great that you're enthusiastic BUT when you're on set as an assistant it's better to just be quiet, keep your head down and work.  Things need to be done quickly and you're there to make everything run smoother and more efficiently therefore the Key doesn't want to be distracted trying to answer questions about everything they are doing to the talent and why.  If they are free w/ that information while they work great but don't expect them to be a fountain of information in the middle of a job. 

4. Going along w/ that...just be quiet and don't give out too much information or talk to much and don't GOSSIP.  This is something that I have actually struggled w/ b/c naturally I sometimes just start talking esp. if someone is talking about something that interests me...it's a bit of the former bartender in me lol plus I have a sort of bold sense of humor (if you didn't gather from the blog already ;) ) and it can be misinterpreted w/ strangers sometimes.  This has actually gotten me in trouble in a couple of situations...esp. when you don't know someone and they don't know you you never know WHAT is going to OFFEND them.  Trust me I've said things that you would think nothing of and somehow it offended someone and then I got in shit for it :S

5. You are there to be a second pair of hands to the Key NOT to mingle and network w/ everyone on set.  Of course it's polite to meet ppl and get their names and say hi and everything.  If your Key is nice she/he will probably introduce you to everyone.  However, you are not there to try and network w/ the client or photographer.  You are there to make the Key look BETTER!  This might sound stupid but suprisingly it has happened - NEVER HAND OUT YOUR BUSINESS CARDS ON SET WHEN YOU'RE ASSISTING!  It makes you look BAD and unprofessional and it makes the other MUA look BAD and remember your job is to make them look GOOD!  One thing that is not tolerated in this biz...and it's a very tiny biz is backstabbing and trying to steal clients or contacts from another artist...easiest way to get blacklisted and no one wants that right at the start of their career lol!  If someone does inquire about your information refer them to the Key or talk to the Key about the situation.  I've tried to set my assistants up w/ the photographer's assistants on things.  I figure they are both starting out so that's a good networking relationship to have. 

6. If the Key wants you to do something and you don't know how or you are unsure about what exactly they are asking don't be afraid to let them know or get clarification.  I'd rather someone ask me a couple of questions or have me explain something again then have to redo all their work b/c they didn't know what they were doing or I didn't make myself clear enough the first time.  After another explanation if you still don't think you can do it let the Key know you don't feel comfortable.  Personally, I'd rather know something was beyond your skill set then have you screw it up completely.

7. Don't text or call ppl while you're working.  Again I know it sounds like an obvious one but hey it's got to be said. 

8. Also, don't look bored or impatient like you are dying to leave.  Yes sometimes being on set is boring...we've all been there.  Hell chances are if you're bored the Key is bored BUT you have to remain professional and that means not complaining.  You're there to get experience and guess what being bored on set is actually a real experience so get use to it lol!  Also don't ask if you can leave early or anything like that.  Unless you have arranged ahead of time w/ the Key that you have to leave at a certain time b/c of prior obligations understand that you are there until they tell you that you are done. 

9. Wear comfortable clothes, shoes and clean but professional makeup.  You might be standing for long periods of time and the last thing you want to do is be crying inside b/c your feet are killing you or constantly pulling on that really cute mini skirt you're wearing.  Also, I know newbies think that makeup artists must all look really glamorous and "MACed" out on set but the truth is from my experience we're not!  I'm their to watch over the talents makeup NOT to be preoccupied checking myself out in the mirror making sure my black eyeliner is still on my waterline.  Of course I wear makeup on set, I need to look professional afterall but I keep it pretty clean and basic...I'm not the focus - the TALENT is!

10. Remember you are basically an extension of the Key for that day meaning your hands and the work you do is pretty much the property of the Key.  I know this might be a hard one to comprehend but basically you're carrying out their vision.  They have instructed you on what to do so even if YOU execute THEIR vision the final work is still THEIRS.  So even if you assist an artist and do hair prep usually the final styling is still theirs and they give the final yay/nay before it goes on set therefore any pictures produced from that shoot are theirs and not yours and no you can't use them in your portfolio so probably don't ask unless they say you can...but they probably won't.  Remember you're assisting to get EXPERIENCE not pics for your book.  A photographer's assistant sets up lights the way the photographer tells them to...yes the assistant did the labour but the concept and final product is still the photographer's b/c it was their vision and their final execution that created the finished picture.  If you're lucky the MUA will try to get you an assisting credit or they will write you a letter of reference or something but don't expect these things b/c it all goes back to you're their to make the Key look BETTER and you're their to learn and it's the EXPERIENCE that is INVALUABLE!

So I hope this helps you guys out and give you some useful information.  Great things can come from assisting beyond just all the great tips & tricks you'll learn.  Once the MUA knows and trusts your work they'll pass along work to you that they can't do or that is below their budget.  You'll get to meet new ppl and get tons of on set experience on jobs that you would have had NO WAY of working on otherwise. 

Any amazing and talented MUAs reading this - YES I'M AVAILABLE & WILLING TO ASSIST :)