Freelance Makeup: Wunder Makeup Artistry

MICROLUXEbeauty Magazine

Volume III - The Travel Issue

My beauty career has consisted of many parts - my favorite being a freelance makeup artist. Before I had even graduated from Blush School of Makeup, my career began.

Your first couple of months of being a freelance makeup artist consist of many, many trade shoots. A photographer, a model, and a makeup artist walk into a bar... just kidding. Trade shoots are when a few talented artists get together and perform their skills for free to create portfolio content. But the real fun is when you start to get paid.

As an airbrush specialist, most of my freelance work was in fashion, editorial, and film. Working in fashion or editorial, most of the looks that the stylist is going for are very natural and minimalistic. Sometimes, it can get a little boring. But film? Now that is a good time.

A Professional

There is a difference between someone who applies makeup and a makeup artist. A makeup artist is one who can think on the fly, that can transform a person into another's idea, and can provide the proper assistance throughout a set. They are your go-to-gal on and off set.

Vintage Shoot

Something really powerful happens when a few creatives get together in a room. As a makeup artist, your role is often to support someone else's vision, so it is a beautiful thing when you're allowed some creative freedom. For this shoot, the photographer, Hector Gomez, had a vision for a classic look that would evolve into something a bit more grungy. When he took out his vintage polaroid camera, I knew it we were in for a treat. Look how stunning these photos came out!

But working as a freelance makeup artist isn't always fun and games. Some days, you'll find yourself in strange places. Have you ever climbed a mountain carrying a heavy-duty backpack filled with lots, and lots of hair products? Plus an at least 25lb, metal makeup carrying case? Well, let me tell you - it's not fun.

Being a freelance makeup artist, you are responsible for everything - how you get to your jobs, how you set up for your jobs, not to mention everything that needs to be done to even get your jobs. In between shoots, you spend hours and hours setting up your next gigs. Some months are good, some months are not, so it's important to make sure you have a backup plan.

CHARACTER CREATION

Meet Yusa, a young bombing victim from the short film by Charles Bolton, Judgement Day. On this day of shooting, there were a lot of last minute changes - one being the request for shrapnel puncturing the character from the blast. Now, shrapnel is not a normal thing to carry in one's special FX makeup kit. Being a makeup artist, you need to be able to think on the fly. (This is where the true artistry comes into play.)

Sometimes on set, they feed you (and it's a good time because 99% of the time, you're starving). I noticed that the serving tray for our finger sandwiches had a large, clear lid that was no longer in use. Because all I had was lash scissors, I had to rip the plastic lid, by hand, into little shrapnel pieces. I painted them, created flat edges and adhered them to the actor's face, and doused them with some fake blood. Look how cool it all came together!

THAT'S A WRAP!

All in all, my experience as a freelance makeup artist was one of my favorites! Each day was something new, getting to meet like-minded creatives, and help their visions come to life. I would 10/10 recommend makeup artistry as a profession.

You may be asking yourself, why doesn't she just go back then? Being a freelance makeup artist has taken me on a path that led me to my current destination - Semi-Permanent Cosmetics. I want to give this 100% of me, giving myself the best shot to be successful here too.

Transforming one's look and giving them confidence that lasts longer than a day is my true goal & passion as of late - beauty that doesn't just wash off!

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