I Wanna Be an MUA - Michael DeVellis & Crystal Wright Edition - FINALE!

Now that they have schooled you on how to make the best first impression that you can (hope you were paying attention) now comes the part that everyone wants to know: What should go on my site/in my portfolio???

People bombard Michael with questions on a daily basis and flock to Crystal's seminars on just this very thing so to hear it first hand was indeed a true honor for me. I hope you learn from it as much as I did.

Your Website

You gave that contact your card, it better have had your website information on it. This gives that person you met another opportunity to connect with you. You website should contain the following:

• your contact email (ideally this would be yourname@yourname.com, not mua@prettyfaces.com, contact@shadesofbeauty.com, or anything like that)




• your contact number (a business line, with no music on the message and do NOT answer your line after 9p, its a business line for goodness sakes)




• your work (show your work online, even if it is one picture)




• your layout should be consistent, have the same font throughout

So you made your contact, they viewed your site and now they want to see your portfolio. How do you choose what to put in your portfolio? Continue reading to find out the tips to get your started...

Your Portfolio

Michael and Crystal shared a different opinion on this topic. Michael thought that having one picture did not equal a "portfolio" and in the traditional sense it does not. Crystal on the other hand that if you have a strong presentation and that picture is strong then that may be just enough to sell your brand. She once hired a fashion stylist who had nothing to show her at their initial meeting but concept boards of things she would have done on particular shoots. Meaning she cut fashion layouts out of magazines and did boards around those looks except instead of say that Miu Miu pump or Balenciaga bag she would have replaced it with a Chloe boot and a Marc Jacobs bag. So it may not always be quantity but it is always indeed quality.

Remember that any image you choose should follow these rules:

• Am I proud of the image (not the story around the image, not the makeup that day, the image as a whole). The images should tell the story of who you are as an artist.
  
• Does this image represent my current level of expertise? (knowing that this will undoubtedly change if you are indeed serious about becoming a makeup artist)
  
• Would I hire myself based on this picture?
  
  
• Show the makeup, no styling needed. The makeup should be the only thing on the page
  
  
• Do beauty images to open the book as they set the tone. The image that closes the book leaves a lasting impression (use Allure and Glamour magazine style images as a guide)
  

If you cannot stand firm behind the image based on these rules, then they say, remove the image - do not use it. You dont want to weaken your brand. Remember 100% true to your brand at all times, no matter what.

Once you have something to show keep these things in mind:

• A portfolio is not 3 images. Say to the person you are meeting with something along the lines of "I am just starting my book but I have these images that show my work..."
• There are expenses involved with being a makeup artist - hire a photographer that you think is an awesome photographer and PAY them if you have to. Sacrifice now for goal achieving later.
• Be ethical and have integrity at all times
• Remember to impart the rule of 9 into your marketing (I touched on it a bit here)
• You can make an impact with 1 good image and the belief in yourself
• Be fearless in your presentation (remember the stylist with the concept boards)

I hope this helps - good luck! For those attending The Makeup Show NYC be open , connect, connect, connect, soak up all that you can and most of all have fun!