Copycat, copycat where are you...

What’s new copycat? Woah, Woah

What’s new copycat? Woah, Woah…

Nothing in terms of you or your work it seems!

An industry filled with copycats that should be ashamed of themselves!

Now don’t get me wrong, at this stage in the game there is nothing truly original out there as most makeup looks are regurgitated versions of old. However, most artists manage to create their own unique take on something that has been done before. As for those of you that continually copy looks and make a hash of it… shame on you!

One thing I am seeing again and again are the Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), the calaveras, which stand for "skulls" in Spanish. This Mexican skull make-up art is copied again and again and again and it's gotten pretty boring at this stage. Here's a test for you, type 'Mexican skull makeup art' into google and just look at the amount of stuff that comes up! 

Another thing I am noticing a lot is schools that are teaching students by continually telling students to 'copy' what they have done and often what they have done is a bad imitation of someone else's creative idea. 

I've heard of tutors printing off images I have heard stories of school printing off makeup images from the internet, handing them to students and telling them to copy it... yep, that's the way to go :/

Worse still, there are those of you that go beyond copying, opting instead for the even lazier route which is just to steal someone else's work and publish it on social media sites as your own! 

Here is a shocking example. Makeup Artist and Beauty Blogger, Karla Powell (www.karlapowell.co.uk) and another blogger happily allowing her readers to believe this is her own work! 

Karla has built up an extensive following and it must be extremely frustrating when another so-called professional uses your work (without credit!) as their own. This does not a makeup artist make!

This kind of thing takes effort, determination and creativity - all part of being a professional makeup artist. If you can't be bothered to give credit where credit is due, to cultivate your own ideas and create your own looks then you are in the wrong industry.

Now don't get me wrong, it can be very flattering to have someone openly recreate 'your' look, but please, oh please at least make sure you credit the person who's work it actually is. And certainly, in the event that you are just posting someone else's work, when your followers/friends comment on how amazing 'your' work is, at least have the decency to point them in the direction of the actual artist who bothered to do the work in the first place!

So you want to be a Makeup Artist?

With a spate of so-called makeup artistry schools churning out so-called makeup artists it's time those of you considering makeup artistry as a career took heed!Before you even consider makeup artistry as a career, read this information and act on it! It will save you a lot of heartache, false promises, bad advice and wasted money!While there are many fantastic schools out there worth going to, with tutors who have relevant industry experience and are teaching to a standard that the industry recognises, there are also a lot of schools out there that sadly can't and don't offer you the relevant information, tutors or qualifications in order for you to have relevant skill, knowledge or a budding career in an industry you desire to be in!

 Choosing a school:

For God's sake, do your research! Research every option that’s available to you to find a school that fits your needs.Visit every school, look at their facilities, meet tutors and ask questions! Speak to industry professionals and past graduates (when possible) for advice. Check the course fees and get written information regarding what is offered within those fees - will you have to pay out more for materials throughout your course or a kit? Are course notes and information updated according to industry needs? Will there be adequate tools and products for each student? Who's Teaching You?

Ask to see the published work of your instructor/s and get a complete list of the clients they have worked for where available. Are brochure images and/or website images stock photos? Are they adequate representations of tutors work? Beware of schools with lecturers that claim to teach every kind of make-up there is. The professional make-up industry does not want make-up artists who know a little about everything but not much about anything. Clients hire artists who are specialists in a particular field. 

Promises, Promises, Promises...

Any schools that promises you extensive work experience throughout your course and/or a high paying job straight away once you graduate, you should run a mile from! Some schools will offer students work experience, but it can often amount to little more than a group day trip, where work is observed, not attempted. As the school sends every class to the same venue, it’s of little value to the students; And, as it’s a group work experience, every student who graduates will have the same experience on their CV… class after class, year after year… rendering it significantly less impressive!

Portfolio Work:

Another common promise is working with professional photographers. But this can also be less educational than it appears – as the photographer is hired to do a job for the school. In the ‘real’ world, a photographer hires a makeup artist to ensure their images are as stunning as possible – if the photographer is working FOR the school, they will often make the best of what they’re given, often not pointing out flaws and problems with looks. Get used to working under such conditions, and the first professional job you do could be a shock to the system! 

Qualifications:

For individuals working within the Screen/ Media Hair & Make-Up (Photographic, Film, TV, Theatre): Minimum 300hrs / 3 months training via private schools (ex-industry professionals) or a college course.

These courses MUST INCLUDE: Health & Safety, Character creation (including use of tooth cosmetics & additional teeth), General casualty simulation, Application, care and re-dressing of Facial Hair, Making, application and after-care of Bald caps and small Prosthetics, Basic Hair styling and Period hairdressing including attaching of wigs & hair pieces (UK), Basic Hair cutting (UK), Airbrush application.

Make-Up Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Fashion and Photographic Make-Up 

Level 2 Certificate in Face and Body Painting 

Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-Up 

Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make up

Recognised Accreditations:

BABTAC

Habia

NASMAH

The Guild of Professional Beauty

BAC - British Accreditation Council

BTEC Courses

Edexcel Courses

HND Courses

ITEC Courses

VTCT Courses

Starting out:

After completing a foundation training course (a basic training of no less than 300hrs is required), you are a trainee. There is much for you to learn, not only about make-up but about how a production works, set etiquette, continuity and so on - things that a course can only teach in theory. 

After being a trainee you progress to being an assistant and, after several years of solid experience, you may then be considered a make-up artist. 

Remeber, being a film or television make-up designer takes many years of experience and NASMAH (www.nasmah.co.uk) cannot stress this enough - simply doing a make-up course does not make you a designer!

You never stop learning and developing your skills and there are lots of "top up" short courses on a wide variety of subjects.