Being a makeup artist is hard work. I am going to dedicate this page, to all the makeup artists that are right now trying to sort out their lively hood and career.
If you think all they do is just do simple make-ups and charge exorbitant fees, well, hopefully this page will give you some insight into their lives.
A makeup artist is like any paid professional. The good ones do literally take up lessons and classes costing up to few thousands and 6 months to 1.5 years of time to pick up the necessary skills.
You have to carry a few kgs bag containing your makeup tools and materials. I tried carrying one of these bags, trust me, its like doing a gym workout for most guys who are not into body building.
Those make-up materials that are in the bag are mostly branded names. Needless to say, they are no cheap, in fact, in order to secure the client’s confidence, often there are gems of premium brands in the bag. Whether its Shiseido, Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Laura Mercier, or some other brands, its not free.
That is just the beginning. An array of eye lashes and tools for shaping the hair, are part and parcel of today’s MUA (make-up artist) arsenal. Clients do not want to listen to answers like “I only do the make-up for the face, i don’t do hair”. In today’s competitive world where almost everyone have a “package”, MUA’s need to be providing hair make over too.
Joey Lim. One of the make-up artist that i have collaborated with and impressed with her dedication. http://www.facebook.com/JoeyLimMakeUpArtist
Often clients are always pushing down the service value of these MUA’s while they have no problem paying models double the amount. Some requests for eg, ROM in Putrajaya suggests that the MUA needs to wake up around 6 am and easily the session will consume 3-4 hours . Rates that are around RM 300 for a really good and professional make-over are often negotiated down. Some clueless clients even could offer RM 150 or less for the session.
Its pretty discouraging sometimes, when you trained so hard for your skills and work and clients compare you with some new MUA that is doing it for hobby and watched some youtube’s tutorial. Now Youtube’s is a great place for learning things, but often the pro’s have gone way further than practicing on their clients and is worth the fees.
Like any other full time job, the MUA the same cost of living to faced with at the end of the day. Petrol, phone bills, rent, food and those extras that would be useful for upgrading her skills. The best MUA’s are those who loved their jobs, love to make the next person the most beautiful person ever for their events or photography.
Now, if you meet a MUA and get to hear her story, try asking this question and be surprised. “Have you ever been injured while doing make-up?”. Chances are, some scars still exist as a result of steaming hot iron accident on a typical hair make over session.
If you are a photographer / event organiser, you know, having an MUA makes all the difference in the shoot. Not every model could makeup, and even if some could, they would not be able to do a theme specific makeup.
To the next wedding couple and love birds, if you going to have an album that you believe would be enjoyed and lasts “forever”, cutting cost on MUA is probably one of the worst decision to make next to choosing cheapo photographers. Photographers tends to shoot close ups as well and shoulder portraiture during your wedding or “cheong san leong”, a natural makeup should make the bride recognizable but yet highly elegant, not some painted skin edition.
Entaro Adun Executor.
M changing lives with images. 