Hi there geeks!

Hope you are all well!

Don’t get on here much these days L so I have got a bit of catching up to do!! J

My full time office job was at risk, and I was SOOOO close to redundancy, but thankfully an alternative role in the company has been found for me, so I am not going to be jobless and skint now!!! Wooooo hoo!! (well, for now anyway!)

...Anyway, I was wondering (there doesn’t seem to be much in the forums re Makeup Artists) if anyone can offer any advice on an advanced career in Makeup Artistry…

My thoughts are that it is all happening in London, possibly Manchester or Birmingham, but there is certainly no call for this kind of work in my area (Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, UK)

I am currently doing my Theatrical & Media Makeup course – YAAAAYYYYY! (after years of wanting to do it, but kept missing out due to the popularity of it/limited spaces etc) and am simply baffled about my future career potential

I am a qualified and experienced Beauty Therapist/Nail Tech/Makup Artist, and have experience in bridal makeup, and makeup for a professional model, and for the advertising pics for a new hair salon, as well as the 'general' makeup experience also

I have numerous pics for my makeup portfolio, and am taking pics of everything I do in my T & M course also as proof of my work

From experience, or inside knowledge, does anyone have any thoughts on TV/Media work etc as a full time career? (pay, how to stand the best chance of getting a top job etc)

Thank you in advance for your time and advice!! xx

Stoke's actually quite well located for both Manchester and Birmingham (if you're happy to drive or take the train), so I really wouldn't worry about location.

I know quite a few people who work in theatrical & media make-up, particularly with body painting, and I guess one of the most important things you could do in terms of your future career is to find your "niche" that you really enjoy doing (e.g. body painting, prosthetics, wig making, etc) and aim to specialise in that - yet still keeping your general skills up to date as well. As you probably won't land your dream job for some time - but it would certainly give you something to aim towards.

Thanks for that Ruth!

I have tried searching for positions in Manch/Brum, but no luck as of yet

xx

There are lots of routes to go down as a MUA. I've recently started taking bookings for "going out" makeup on a friday/saturday night which keeps me going when I don't have a 'proper' job.

I have never worked in TV, so can't offer advice, but have done catalogue work and theatre. Theatre is becoming increasingly more diffcult to get into and i've found that most productions are looking for a wig specialist who sidelines in makeup, which I have no experience of.

I have also found myself working for stalls at Wedding Fair's who want their models to look their best, and have got a few wedding jobs on the side without having to pay for a stall (naughty ).

What qualification is your course?

Also, most MUA's I know who work in television have an agent, so that would be a good place to start.

Thanks for the replies Jez!

In response to your question, the course I am doing is the VTCT Level 3 Diploma - It's FAAAB!! LOVE it!

Still not getting anywhere finding opportunities in makeup artistry on the net yet though, but I will perservere!!!

xxx

Hi Sarah Marie.

try makeupadviceforum.com - it's an industry specific website with a forum for makeup artists, both new, student and general makeup consumers.

I'm surprised Ruth Mills hasn't mentioned it, she's certainly a member and has told us plenty about her websites and businesses on there.

Anyway, with regard to your line of work, if you want the high paid jobs in editorial, film, TV etc, you're either going to have to relocate or look for less well paid, regional work.

At the end of the day, the best paid jobs are in the South, it's a sad fact of life that London/Surrey etc is the be all and end all for most 'decent' jobs, but that's how it is.

If you don't necessarily want to relocate - it's a big ask, then perhaps look for editorial and photographic work and go and chat up your local photographers. That's not just ringing them up and asking to work with them, it's taking time out to physically go and meet them, take them out for coffee, show them your book and get to know them.

The one they remember is the one who was prepared to take an hour or so out and spend time with them.

HTH

Sam x