r/makeupartists

I’m doing my own bridal makeup this summer (eloping on a mountain) and need recommendations on products from you professional artist out there! All my skincare is water based so my makeup needs to be water based as well. Im pretty good with face makeup however I am lost when it comes to eye shadow but would like a subtle look. My lashes are naturally long so I’d like to avoid any winged liner (I’m down for some water line to help me lashes pop)

My skin is normal-dry, type 2 on the Fitzpatrick scale, blue eyes. I’m currently pregnant and will be getting an airbrush tan shortly before the big day so I’ll be buying new products since the ones I have currently won’t match my skin tone.

Hi girls!

I’ve ran into a bit of an issue with one of my bridal bookings.

I’m fairly new to bridal makeup and I took on a bride however from the start of her booking I had a weird vibe if you know what I mean by that. By the by, I got her booked in , policies signed and my booking fee paid. Leading up to her paying the booking fee she had to wait until she got paid which I understood however every day leading she was messaging me asking if I still had that spot for her. A week after booking , she told me her and her bridesmaid have fell out so now she needs to take her off the booking and get the part of the booking fee paid for the bridesmaid back. I kindly explained that the booking fee remains however I can take the raining amount for that bridesmaid off the total. A day before her trial she messaged saying she has a cold sore but she’s still fine to come, I explained that as said in my policy I’d rather wait until the cold sore heals and then we can proceed with a trial just for hygiene reasons. I reassured her on the day of if she has a cold sore we can work around it somehow. I have then offered more dates for her trial and one day she wanted which I didn’t have available is the day I’m getting my car fixed as currently it’s not in the best state ( just my luck ). After explaining this I offered even more dates, to which she sent me lots of messages demanding her booking fee back as she needs the money and she can’t do the trial dates. I informed her that as stated in the policy which has been signed that her booking fee is non refundable, and that I’m more than happy to work out more dates for her trial. It’s got quite heated and I’ve remained professional on my side and quite honestly repeating myself and I’ve had to leave it for now as it’s going in circles. She’s trying to twist the scenario saying I’ve cancelled the booking when I haven’t at all, I’ve offered every possible date and her wedding day is still secured in my diary. She’s also stating that as I’ve used no products that she is entitled to her full booking fee back which isn’t the point of the booking fee, it’s reserving your specific date. I’d also like to note this booking has only been done within the last month, it isn’t a long term booking. She’s even threatened to go through the bank to which I calmly responded with saying if she feels best then she can do that as I have signed evidence of the agreement. I just need advice to see what steps I can take if this escalates further as I don’t want my business being slandered. My final message was very to the point hence why I’ve just ignored her last message ,

Sorry it’s a long read but I’d appreciate any help 🤍

Hello! Wondering if anyone can give some advice! I’ve started getting requests for destination weddings & bookings, and I’m unsure how to charge - my understanding is the client pays flights and accommodation, but then do they also pay a rate? And if so do you charge by the time you’re there? The hours worked? I’m really unsure of this so any advice from others would be so greatly appreciated x

I’m just starting out and I’m focusing on practicing on as many different faces as possible. What do you do with clients that need a deep exfoliation? Like a wash and washcloth or scrub to get rid of sebum bumps and build up kind of deep?

I had a volunteer model today and I was not prepared for that kind of texture because I just assumed people usually do exfoliate every so often? I was unsure how to approach it so I did my best with toner and a cotton pad and she knew it was just practice but how should I handle it in the future?

Hi everyone

I'm posting this to ask for general advice on how to be successful in the makeup/beauty industry

So I have a qualification in beauty and nails and am currently studying facial and body electricals as well as other things such as reflexology etc

However my passion is makeup and I know it's not an easy job to be financially stable and successful in, my goal is to one day work on film sets as a makeup artist (I plan to do a course in sfx too). It's my dream and I don't want people to tell me I can't do it and I'd love any advice from other makeup artists who are successful, what gave you motivation and what helped you the most?

Does anyone have any tips for tightlining and even lining the waterline on clients? The ones who don’t regularly wear makeup tend to move around or blink a lot and it ends up smudging!! I can get it done but i feel like there has to be a better method out there. Lmk pls!! Thank uuu <3

Hello guys.

I reached out to a salon for providing makeup services. I'm not an employee of that salon. But I told them if they needed a makeup artist quickly, I'll be able to provide it for them. They asked my charge and I said "$100" because I'm just starting to charge as a makeup artist. They asked me if I do 60/40.

I'm aware in the hair world, 60/40 or 50/50 or 40/60 is normal. Is that a good range for a makeup artist? What are your thoughts?

Do yall keep an apple air tag in your kit? I saw an artist on YouTube who does and I thought it was a good idea. Just wondering if it's a big enough risk to spend $30!

Hi I’m a makeup artist in Ontario,Canada. Ive been a makeup artist as a side gig for a couple years now but I’ve never had a client ask me to stay at the wedding for touch ups. Should I charge the makeup application fee and then do an hourly rate? Or should I do a flat rate to stay? If so what’s a typical hourly rate to stay at the wedding?

Hello! I just joined this app & am a starting out makeup artist in my state. I wanted to come here and ask what recommendations would anyone have for working with different skin types & those who don’t really do skin prep? (Skincare.)

I take care of my own skin exponentially & tend to have dry skin, no acne. I have various different makeup products and find that the mu models I’ve been practicing on tend to not do skincare, have a bit of acne which is normal, & don’t wear full face makeup if any at all often. I always have them wash their face beforehand, but was curious what tips & tricks anyone may have. Bringing my own skincare stuff to do skincare prep before their makeup seems like a lot to do & not everything will be good for someone’s skin, but I want to elevate the look somehow besides just a good primer.

(I hope this type of post is alright here)

Hello!
I’m an NYC-based filmmaker working on a grim dark, Sci-Fi short film.

It’d be a single day (10 hour or so) shoot (likely in late June 2026) and we’ve budgeted $300 for artist payment.

Makeup effects needed:
Facial bruising, facial scratches, facial dirt, tears, tear residue (like streaks within the dirt), grime under finger nails, hand/arm dirt, and hand wounds.

Additionally, we may require “pale skin” effects, but currently are leaning toward doing that in post.

We’d be aiming for realistic, not stylized (not Halloween-looking) effects.

If you’re in NYC, the pay sounds fair, and this sounds like something you’d enjoy being a part of, please reply/DM me. I’d love to talk details, share the screenplay, and get it planned out. Thanks so much!