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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

How to market and advertise yourself as a makeup artist

Hi beauties:

This post is about marketing and advertising yourself as a makeup artist.

Whether you're the new kid on the block or a veteran makeup artist, it is important that people know about you and what you do (services you offer as a makeup artist).

There are numerous ways to advertise yourself as a makeup artist. Some free ways and some not so free.

If you're completely new to the fabulous and dynamic world of makeup artistry, you will need to have pictures to show the world what you can do. Unless you're walking around with Irish lucky charms or that pot-o-gold, chances are, your first face is not going to be that of a celebrity so who do you work on? Yourself, friends and family.........initially, your friends and family are going to be some of your best clients. Use them to practice on.


Outside of friends and family, you will need to find other (preferably inexpensive/ free) ways of advertising yourself.

SOCIAL NETWORKS

For new comers, it is probably best to take baby steps and utilize free mediums such as social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, MySpace, YouTube etc). Social networks have blown up over the last few years and everyone uses them. By creating fan pages and blogs, you are opening up yourself to a wealth of knowledge from other industry professionals and even some amateurs who you can also learn from. You are also reaching out to international arena. It is a very inexpensive way of advertising yourself. As a matter of fact, it's all FREE!!!

For seasoned artists, social networks are also useful. If celebrities can have Facebook and MySpace pages, then why can't you?

Outside of these social networks are also blogs and forums specifically for artists whether fashion design, photography or makeup.


Model Mayhem is the number 1 portfolio website for professional models and photographers. It is a network for professional and amateur models, photographers, makeup artists and stylist to meet and exchange talents. It is one of the most popular networking sites for people in the industry. Again, the best part is that it is FREE!


WORD OF MOUTH

Word of mouth can either be a good thing or bad thing. It can either lift you up or tear you down. Although your makeup style may differ from someone else's, if your clients (family, friends) are pleased (or displeased) with your art, they will be sure to tell others and that news, whether good or bad will spread. Trial, error, research and practice are KING in this game. Most of all, remember to be true to you and your own creativity.


NETWORKING WITH OTHERS

Networking with other makeup artists can also assist you in marketing and advertising yourself as a makeup artist. Bear in mind that some artists will be reluctant in assisting while others will be very helpful.

Attending events such as trade shows- makeup shows, hair and beauty shows will allow you to network with people in your field. You can exchange ideas, learn new tricks of the trade and buy products. I recently attend the Makeup Show in New York and while I didn't necessarily learn any new tricks and tips, it was great to meet some well-known makeup artists and bloggers.


LOCAL CONTACTS

Event planners, especially wedding planners, are always seeking makeup artists (and even better if you can style hair as well) to assist with completing their wedding plans. Contacting wedding planners and photo studios in your area about your services is another free way of advertising yourself. Be sure to leave business cards with them as well.


BUSINESS CARDS

Business cards can be expensive but they can also cost next to nothing (if printed at home). They are necessary and can non-verbally speak a thousand words. Remember that in the absence of your presence, your business cards will speak for you so your name and title (Makeup Artist) should be clearly stated on the card along with contact details in the event someone needs to contact you. The design of your card is a personal thing but because you are in a professional line of business, you want to ensure that your card is a true reflection of you and your business. If you have a blog, page or another medium which shows your work, then include this information on your business card also.


PERSONAL WEBSITE

Personal websites can be costly. If you know someone who can create one for you at no charge, then great but if you don't, just bear in mind that if you are a newcomer to the industry, it is not necessary that you have a personal website. For more experienced professionals in the business, having a personal site would be great.


At the end of the day, if you do not make the effort to advertise yourself, you may become disappointed and discouraged with the industry. As a matter of fact, this goes for any line of business. If no one knows that you exist then what is the point of it all?

Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Makeup Show NY 2011- Experience & Haul



Hi Beauties:

I decided to take a trip to New York (for the first time) to attend THE MAKEUP SHOW- NYC. It was a 4hr direct flight from Grand Cayman but I made it there (and back).




Yes, as much of a world traveler as I am, I have never been to the Big Apple. Why is it called the Big Apple anyway? I need to Google that.






ABOUT THE SHOW


The Makeup Show is a PRO-ONLY trade even open to those individuals and companies involved in the makeup artist industry. Makeup artists, retail artists, aestheticians, cosmotologists, hair stylists, fashion stylists, buyers, agents and photographers.


The show was a 2-day event held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, NY, on Sunday, May 15 and Monday, May 16, 2011. I attended the show on Sunday. For the first time in 2011, the show had 4 floors of goodies, seminar, sponsors, schools and so much more. Imagine that! 4 HUGE floors of goodiesssss!!!!!





EXHIBITORS




The list of exhibitors at the show was endless. There were makeup companies, suppliers, industry artists, airbrush companies etc.



Exhibitors included Make Up Forever (MUFE) who had the largest crowd and longest line by far. There was NO way I was going to stand in that. It was pretty hectic at MUFE. Inglot was also pretty hectic. MAC and Crown Brushes which also had a crazy line. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC), Stila, Alcone Company, Luminess Air, Mehron, Kryolan, Dinair Airbrush, Dermalogica, Nigel's Beauty Emporium, NARS were all there and the list goes on and on.



OVERALL EXPERIENCE & HIGHLIGHT


Overall, the show was a good experience for me. It was both tiring and exciting. It was great to be amidst persons who shared the same passion and interest. For that one day, I didn't mind being in such a crazy crowd although it was absolute mayhem being there.


The highlight was definitely seeing fellow bloggers and makeup artists like Tina (The Fancy Face), Lauren (Queen of Blending), Ren Ren (Makeup by Ren Ren) and others. I managed to squeeze a pic with Lauren & Tina but not of Ren Ren but she was pretty cool too.






My mini haul (I couldn't stand in those lines)







Part of Inglot's display














Inglot's crowd and others










Another makeup artist from Cayman








My look for the show (fairly natural and simple)....and yes, that's my hair ;)....not braids or weave. It's dreadlocks...all mine







The Makeup Show Billboard







Don't know who this lady is but I loved her flower :)










Tina, The Fancy Face and I (check her out at http://thefancyface.blogspot.com/)







Jordan Liberty (to my right) http://www.jordanliberty.com/














Lauren (Queen of Blending). I absolutely LOVED her flowers and tutu

Sunday, May 8, 2011

A bridal boo boo turns into bliss........

Hi beauties, I know that's it has been a while since I've blogged something and it is not that I have forgotten about you but I am actually pursuing a Master's Degree and I also switched jobs (a promotion) so needless to say, life has been mad busy. In the midst of failing horribly to find balance, I had to do bridal makeup yesterday (Saturday, May 7, 2011). Seeing that I hadn't done any work lately, I considered this an opportunity to remind myself that I needed to still find balance in my crazy life.

This bride, who is actually a second or third cousin of mine had a Moroccan themed wedding with turquoise and yellow for the wedding and burgundy and orange for the reception. It was a beautiful, scenic, quaint and simple beach wedding. Yesterday was also our annual carnival Batabanoo (Google it and check it out) so the traffic was insanely crazy. Thankfully I left home early enough to make it to the bride's location on time.

Upon arriving on location, the bride was still in the midst of having her hair done so I thought I'd help (after setting up my makeup of course). The hair went well then it was time to start makeup until..................................................................oops!!!! I left my makeup brushes at home and couldn't go back to get them. Can we say EMBARRASSED, upset and frantic?!?!?!?!?! I was flipping out but had to maintain composure and tap in to plan B quickly! I've heard many times before that your fingers are the best tools so guess what I did??? Used um!!!! Yes, I used my fingers to apply a full face of bridal makeup. There's a first time for everything right? This was a true test of my training and creativity......


By the way, ALL of the pictures were taken with my cellphone....


Bridal trial picture




Bridal trial pictures




The GORGEOUS bride


Glowing bride




Bride's dad walking her out & sister holding her train




Beautiful bride and her prince :)



View from the bride's room


GORGEOUS wedding cake in the fridge. Hahaha!



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