This post is where I tell you everything that I'm not supposed to tell you about the makeup industry. Well, I'm not going to actually divulge everything, but I hope to give people some insight. No fluff in this post; in fact, if you're easily offended, you'll probably want to skip this, altogether.
- "I graduated from [insert random makeup school] and am certified." - Huh? Don't be fooled by this line and automatically think you're hiring a real pro. Painters aren't painters because someone gives them a certification saying so. And don't we all know that not everyone with a cosmetology license can cut and color with the best of them? Further, Texas requires no certification to practice makeup artistry (unless you work in a salon/spa, in which case, I believe you need an esthetics license... correct me if I'm wrong, but I digress). If your awesome makeup artist went to school, more power to him or her, but I guarantee that the talent was already there. (S)he basically paid a lot of money for a piece of paper - kind of like that linguistics degree I have. ;)
- "I use all-natural mineral makeup!" - Aside from the fact that "mineral makeup" is almost always horrible for photography, it is a total gimmick. CEO and Creative Director of OCC, David Klasfeld, articulates my thoughts on the subject much better than I can:
- "I only use MAC [or insert your line of choice] products." - Run. Far, far away. If your makeup artist is exclusively using one line of cosmetics, you're missing out. There is no magic one-product-fits-all. While a brand may produce really great highly-pigmented shadows, its skin care line may leave something to be desired. Another brand may have long-lasting creamy lipsticks, but its foundations may be horrible. No professional makeup artist uses one brand, exclusively; (s)he uses the best products on the market, regardless of the label. Period.
- "I can work with your budget!" or "I have very reasonable rates." - Are my rates unreasonable? Absolutely not. My time and skill are valuable. Beware of artists whose rates are too good to be true. There is a reason they only charge $XX for their work. While Aunt Sally or Jessica's cousin's friend's friend may have some makeup and some brushes, it does not make them knowledgeable, skilled, or sanitary makeup artists. Make room in your budget for an accomplished and competent makeup artist; it will be worth the investment. What this under-cutting does to our industry merits a whoooole other post. ;)
Writer Harlan Ellison puts it much more... shall we say, succinctly?
Substitute "makeup artist" whenever he says, "writer."
WARNING: The following video is NSFW.
Ta-dah! And I've just revealed what everyone is actually thinking. :)
I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY,
Jen
3 comments:
of course you can use some-all-however many you want...for your blog:)
and thanks for all the industry secrets!!!
~b
love
Yes!! I agree with your post!! I would be wary about a lot of things people say - and yeah, you know that goes for Photographers too. I HATE when people buy an expensive camera and call themselves a photographer and start a "photography business" when they don't even know how to USE their camera, but their pictures every once in awhile turn out nice because they have an expensive camera.
Okay, so in all that rambling, my point is, no matter what profession you're in, there are bound to be imposters and it's good to be an informed consumer!! LOL.
Anyway - this is Alissa - alissaandtomswedding
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