Five things to consider before pursuing a career in beauty

A career in the beauty industry is a great way to unleash your creative abilities. You might already enjoy experimenting and creating new makeup trends on yourself or even friends and family. It can be exciting to see the end result and especially rewarding when your client is pleased with your work. 

But with 65% of people working in the beauty industry registered as self-employed (according to NHBF), it can be difficult to make your beauty business stand out of the crowd.  Whilst we can all appreciate the importance of mastering the perfect cat eye, here we discuss some important aspects to consider before committing to a career in the industry. 

1. Building a professional kit 

Many professionals will spend years building their makeup kit and a good artist will have an inclusive range of products for all shades and skin types – usually between 10-15 foundation shades alone, because there is nothing worse than having your face a different shade to the rest of your body! Not forgetting other products, such as eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks – it can start to add up, so it’s best to start your collection as early as possible.  Many makeup brands also offer generous discounts to professional makeup artists. 

2. Excellent customer service 

Beauty is one of the many industries that operates through word of mouth. You’ll often meet a mixed bag of characters, so it’s essential you build a unique relationship with each client. Clients will often come to you before a special event and may be very nervous, so it’s important to make them feel as comfortable as possible- which often just involves listening to what they want and providing some reassurance. Above all, there should be impeccable professionalism shown to each client, regardless of their timekeeping or behaviour. 

3. You work to your own schedule 

If you decide to work as a self-employed artist, you have the flexibility to work around your lifestyle. You can choose to work by appointment at times that are convenient for you. But it also means you can travel to exotic locations around the world to work with clients who may have seen your work online or through social media. 

4. Building a strong portfolio 

Would you purchase a lipstick without reading its reviews? Probably not. Which is why it’s imperative to have a strong portfolio filled with a variety of makeup looks –  that are both timeless and trendy. Social media for example, provides a great platform for many makeup artists to showcase their skills and knowledge behind different looks. It’s also a great source for inspiration and could even lead to job opportunities. 

5. Practice really does make perfect

You might already have years of experience creating beautiful looks on yourself, friends or family, so you understand the value of generating as much experience as possible by working on different skin types, shades and ages. Not only will this help build that all important portfolio, but it will help you navigate any issues or setbacks – especially if you’ve already learned how to overcome them before. 

The beauty industry is filled with talented artists primed and ready to showcase their abilities through a creative outlet. If you too would like to empower others to feel their best, then a beauty course with Walsall College is the way forward. You could be working in our state of the art beauty studio, gaining valuable experience and learning from experts in the industry.

Apply now to secure your place for September.  See our Beauty courses.