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Creating Your Path to Success: Julia Green on Building a Makeup Artist Career with Passion and Persistence.
Description
The Makeup Insider is a weekly one-on-one podcast exploring the life and career of makeup artists, hosted by freelance mua Vanessa Barney.
Integral to the success of any makeup artist is their ability to pivot styles to suit the brief. Makeup often needs to change to complement the client, the lighting, the photographer or the trend.
@Julia Green is thankful makeup has come such a long way. Inspired by an article in @Vogue when she was in year 8 of people doing makeup on models backstage in the Milan and Paris Fashion Shows, she was roused to “create”.
FUN FACT: Julia still has the Vogue article which set her on her path to becoming a makeup artist!
If you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for a long time, tune in now, check out the key takeaways and subscribe for future updates below.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
CREATE.
Makeup artists don’t just ‘do’, we ‘create’. Julia found her spark early on, putting her hand up to do makeup at every opportunity she could. The School Play? Yes, a perfect place to get hands on practice and an introduction to products. Through your course instructors? Yes, you’ll be surprised the good stead these connections will put you in, in years to come.
Beauty styles, special effects, period makeup, character makeup and development – get a good overview of everything, so that when it’s your time to create, you can show off that spark of yours!
“At the start (of my career) there wasn’t a lot of makeup available... think thick crayons, aqua colour, pan sticks and grease paints – these weren’t very inspiring when you love CREATING. Makeup has come such a long way, which is one of the most exciting things, with technology changes, you have to understand your formulas for makeup.”
Julia Green
Your work hours are all over the place and yes a 4am start is a very possible reality. Make sure you are reliable and consistent with your clients.
Don’t underestimate WOM.
From cold calling clients to the ole’ grapevine (now called the Googles!), word of mouth is critical and can make or break your career.
Julia employed the “go see” technique, calling up photographers and artists to get her foot in the door and show them her portfolio.
Building a solid, loyal client base takes time, patience and a little bit of savvy (wine optional!). Find artists and brands you want to be aligned with, be professional and show up.
Communication (is Queen!).
What happens when sh*t doesn’t go the right way? Communicate, communicate, communicate.
Exceptional customer service skills are extremely important; this means learning the hierarchy and when you can step in. It’s building your community and keeping their bookings (yes, that hangover is going to have to be fixed with a breaky burger & large Coke enroute to the booking).
This industry is crazy fun and crazy hours – and you’ll find communication does a lot more than just keep the lights on.
“I went from grooming footy players for retail ads to being a lead mua for Fashion Week. Communication is so important, realise your capabilities and advocate for yourself. You can grow your community organically by being reliable.”
Julia Green
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