FAQ’s
Make-up Stars | Make-up Courses
1. How do you define a make-up artist?
One who specialises in the effects of make-up on the skin
2. What sort of personality does a make-up artist need to have?
Friendly, out going, team player, must know how to follow a brief, reliable, flexible, no attitude or need to be the centre of attraction – it’s all about your client not you. (bride, model etc)
3. Is a beauty therapist a make-up artist?
Trick question, there is no easy answer to this question. Simply put – no! However, anyone can call themselves a make-up artist. No training, certificate or diploma can measure your creative ability. Some of the worlds top make-up artists are self trained. This does not mean that training does not equip one to develop their skill, it’s just a powerful example IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT THE FINAL APPLICATION LOOKS LIKE and very little to do with the diploma hanging on the wall. For example, I trained in London and I have NEVER been asked by a fashion client (magazine, ad agency) where I trained or if I have a diploma.
True artists have a portfolio of their work (photos) and THIS is what sells a make-up artist. South Africa (and other leading fashion capitals) have styling agencies that represent hair and make-up artists. My agency is Monopole in Cape Town. My agency promotes me to international and local clients and finds work for me using my portfolio of photographs. I don’t have a regular CV mentioning diplomas and achievements. No make-up agent will take you on without a portfolio which must contain current make-up and hair looks – equal in standard to what you see in magazines.
4. Agents do not want to see your certificate/diploma and you can’t approach an agent without a portfolio.
So are you saying an internationally recognised certificate/diploma does not mean much in the make-up world?
Yes, any make-up school that tells you otherwise are not being 100% truthful. Unlike hair styling and beauty therapy which do require specific training hours and recognised qualifications. This does not mean you should not do a course to develop your skill of make-up, it’s just important you don’t have the ‘wool pulled over your eyes’ regarding your qualification.
5. Where do you suggest training?
Do your research with all the schools in S.A. – hunt on line or phone around and look for a school/academy that feel right for you. We at Make-up Stars run courses in Cape Town.
6. What work can be obtained if I do a course in make-up?
One-on-one make-up lessons, group lessons, make overs, bridal make-up, matric dance and special occasion make-up, creative fashion looks for hair shows, fashion shows and fashion shoots.
7. How much can I earn?
Anything from R 500.00 to R 2500.00 per day. Brides approx R 800.00 to R 1200.00
8. Once I have done a make-up course what would I charge for my services after a course?
This depends on how your skill and how well you have built up your kit. An artist who is confident, works quickly, can follow any brief, applies beautifully and can apply make-up to any age skin or colour skin is a true artist and can charge the fees listed in the above answer. However, most artists starting out needing to build their kit and need practise – so it’s a good time to reduce prices and rather get confidence up and practise as work comes in.
9. Once a make-up course is complete, kit is in place etc can one start working for magazines doing hair and make-up?
This process is one that takes time and a certain type of artist to have the skill and the ‘eye’ to deliver what beauty and fashion editors expect from a hair and make-up artist. South African magazine publications follow international trends and it takes a special artist to deliver work that’s to this style and standard. Theatrical trained make-up artists usually don’t make it in the fashion industry. Make sure you study with a fashion make-up artist who actually works in the fashion industry on shoots (ask to see their recent work and their full portfolio) this is the best way to develop your skill in the right direction.
10. How can one build their portfolio of photographs to have something to show magazines and advertising agencies etc
You can offer your services free to top fashion photographers and work on test shoots with them, this way you don’t get paid but you build up a book/portfolio at no cost. (A test shoot is when there is no client involved – it’s just the photographer shooting something creative for his/her portfolio) You can also pay fashion photographers to shoot what you would like included in your portfolio.
11. How long must a make-up artistry student train in make-up?
Each individual needs to see how well they grasp the techniques and go from there. I have trained students for only 8 days who get it right away and are natural talents and other who have needed to practise for months before getting to the stage of charging their clients
12. What would you say the highlights of your career have been?
Without question the exotic and beautiful animals I seem to encounter so often on shoots (elephants, lion, cheetahs, tarantulas, python snakes, eagles, giraffes and so many more) Also working with the Black Eyes Peas and doing Fergie’s make-up was amazing. The music videos I have done are what I remember as well.
13. How would you sum up the world of make-up?
Like any job it has its up and downs. Luckily for me mainly ups. Freelance work can be very lucrative, but there is always the down fall of ‘hitting’ quiet times. I like the fact that it is different everyday, one day you are applying make-up to a bride the next you are on a fashion shoot for a magazine, so there is a lot of variety. For the lucky few travelling also pops up (I have been on shoots to Switzerland, Dubai, Italy and to the most beautiful places in S.A) the plus for me is being out doors and meeting interesting people.
Make-up Stars | Make-up Courses. – We offer you make-up Artistry Courses in Cape Town | Durban | George.
