What can I do to become a professional makeup artist?

Over the past 3 years I've been contemplating becoming a makeup artist. I have an extensive collection of makeup (all MAC). I've done makeup on friends and obviously on myself. The only MAC counter we have here is in Nordstrom and you have to do this one hour application that doesn't ask anything about my skills as an artist, just dumb ';if you saw someone stealing would you;'; questions. Anyone here a current or former MAC artist? How do I get into working at that counter? Is school really necessary? Any help would be awesome.What can I do to become a professional makeup artist?
If you have no experience, I would start at a smaller department store at a Clinique, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden counter simply because it is easier to get your foot in the door there. If your state requires a Makeup Artist License in order to apply makeup (some do some don't), the company will pay for your schooling to get your license so you don't have to pay to get your license. Get your experience and practice practice practice at the counter. If you love cosmetics, it will be suprer easy and you will learn fast how to mix products, use products in innovative ways, and be really creative. If there is an older lady in the department who has been doing makeup ';forever'; then LEARN FROM HER. Take side jobs for weddings, proms, etc that will get you out of the safety of your counter and gain more experience that way. Ultimately, when you go to the MAC counter, you will have your license, your experience, and will be able to wow them at your interview. They will be much more likely to look at you if you have a good bit of experience rather than if you go to them ';green';. Who knows, along the way, you may decide you like the freelance aspect much more. It does afford you the ability to make your own hours and gives you loads of flexibility about who your clients are!





Hope I helped!What can I do to become a professional makeup artist?
If you think you're a good artist right now, and you don't need training or school, then try to get behind that counter! But, if you want more training, then I suggest going to school for it. It sounds to me like that counter doesn't really care about your skills as an artist. If I were you, I'd ditch the MAC counter and find another makeup counter to work at.
im not entirely sure, but i know that its not something any one who thinks their good at make up can do.





my mom is one of those people who work for mac and sells the stuff and makes people up at the counter and stuff, its pretty neat





i do know she's bought alot of books, done alot of practice, done some classes, and has done many weddings when i was a kid though, so it takes some work.