Just Shana: It's a break room...

So that we can take a break, so when clients invade that space...awkward

I Wanna Be an MUA: Know Your Worth!

*EDIT* I found this post in my drafts and have no clue why I never posted it but there is no time like the present right?  It's still valid and timely as I had to deal with something similar recently...unfortunately 

I feel like I do a post or video of this nature every year...I know for certain I get the question from other MUAs or find myself in a group discussion about it more than that! Today's topic my friends is about setting your rate as a makeup artist but more importantly knowing your worth as one.

Allow me to preface this post by saying that I may ruffle a few feathers and for that I do not apologize one bit. The truth can hurt at times and so it is what it is. That said, lets continue shall we?

This meme was floating around the net last week I believe via Instagram...

I didn't feel the need to post it on my account because though it sparks a much needed conversation, it isn't one I have to ask because I have my rates set and they are really not up for discussion...

This is not a form of me putting on airs, it's more so an expression of growth because you see, I've been that artist. Unsure if my prices were too high, feeling let down if a potential client chose to go with someone charging a lot less just to get the work; researching for hours to get my rate just right...and see that's the key. I did the research.

I know my prices aren't high, I know plenty of artists who charge more and rightfully so. As the meme poses the question above you as an artist have to consider the service you are offering and your client needs to realize if they want what can still be considered a luxury service then they should be prepared to pay accordingly. The client who feels some kind of way about paying that is not a client you want in my opinion.

Now granted there are some instances in which you adjust for friends, family, hell even celebrities because its the right thing to do and/or it's going to look good on your résumé/in your portfolio. However, have the knowledge to recognize when you are being taken advantage of.

I want to share with you an exchange that took place just today between myself and a potential client/social associate:

Potential Client (hereafter referred to as PC): Hey! You available to do my make up tomorrow am around 10 am? Sorry it's last minute. Let me know if ur free and how much. It's for my bridal shower. I just want something light and pretty with simple lashes.

Me: Hey! Yes I just so happen to be off tomorrow. I normally charge ($price and names removed for privacy) but as a gift for your shower and wedding (congrats!!!) name your price and I will honor it. 😊

PC: Yay that ur free! I had no idea make up cost that much! Lol I really do not want to LOOK like I had my make up done. I'm not a real housewife or anything. Lol I just wanna look like I put a little extra effort. So hopefully you won't have to expend much energy. Don't wanna look beat. Just awake and pretty. Lol with that said what so you think is a fair price. I don't even pay ($X amt) for hair so I really wasn't looking to spend that much. Let me know!

Me: I know - a lot of people don't. But in our area that's the median (i know artists that charge more) especially in having someone professionally trained come to you with their kit, chair and possibly lighting and a table(thanks meme for that wording) It is the cost of that, travel/parking, the service itself and the time. For those that go directly to MAC it's ($x amt) At the salon and spa where I work (x location) where our clients are CNN analysts, congressional leaders and high profile lawyers we charge ($x amt) and that is for me to touch up their lipstick and maybe mascara only.

All that said - as an entrepreneur and soon to be mom I hope you understand; definitely not stated with ill intent. I just like to explain it to those who inquire so they are aware going forward.

The "no makeup" look, still requires makeup. I would even out your skin tone and hide any imperfections and make it look like you are not wearing makeup which is a skill that a lot of people have not mastered but is integral. The lashes would be minimal but enough to make you look awake and provide a slight lift to the eye. Polished and pretty, not overdone.

Given all of this I propose ($x amt with a discount). If that is still a bit too much I understand and hopefully we can work together in the future and I would refer another artist to you who may charge a bit less as they are working on building their expertise.

PC: Hey, I totally respect what you do and your rates. I would never question you on why your fees are what they are as I wouldn't expect that in my line of work. With that said, that is more than I planned on spending for the occasion considering I will just wash it off in a few hours. I do appreciate your consideration and wish you luck in all your endeavors!!!

Me: Ok sure, and thank you for considering me. Did you want me to refer someone else?

PC: Ummmm idk...it's not that serious to me. I don't really like strangers. Lol I'll just do what I can so myself. Thanks!!

Me: Lol ok

I share this to show that even if you do try to please people by being flexible on your rates it still may not be enough. So rather than alienating yourself from your peers, for one client and/or being in the people pleasing business, why not please yourself?

Being in this industry requires continued education, networking, marketing, keeping up with trends, keeping a kit stocked, travel fees etc so on and so forth and guess what? At some point, if not all the time, these things cost money.

This industry is over saturated. I was asked to speak on a career panel last weekend and once we were done another panelist approached me to say "I do make up too! It's my side side hustle; doing makeup for people." All I could offer in response was "I see!" *blink blink*. And that's just it, everywhere you go now there will be at least 2 people there for every 10 that says they "do makeup". Now to me there is a difference between a makeup artist and someone who says they "do makeup" but I digress. What I will say is you probably do not want to be identified as someone who does makeup...just saying.

Prom Season: Polished Pretty

I had the opportunity to work with another prom pretty on Friday.  She wanted to look polished but didn't want a bold color on her eyes.  For some reason I always gravitate to and get booked for clean beauty or glamour so this client was right up my alley.  I chose to focus on getting her skin even and to cover blemishes.  I used my new Graftobian foundation palettes on her.

I don't know what's going on with my camera as of late but it seems to be giving an airbrushed feel to pics I take, obviously I need to read the manual in its entirety...in any event here are some images that I assure you have NOT been edited in any way.  They just look "glowy" for some reason...

before

After

More pics before they left for the evening...

Awww don't you love it?  Congrats to the class of 2010 and good luck to my prom pretty who will be starting college in the Fall - Biology and Pre-Med!  WE LOVE IT!!!!

T&T Beauty - Bevy of Beauties - Keyonna's Sweet 27th and etc.

So this weekend was supposed to be jam packed for me: 2nd viewing of the movie 'Hard to Find' on Friday (I ended up getting really sick and didnt get to go), 2 clients on Saturday followed by client's birthday party and all day on set Sunday (sitter was unavailable at the last minute so I couldnt make it). Well as we all know the only constant is change so some things fell by the wayside but all in all it was good and still pretty busy.

Saturday I had a lot of running around to do - get my glasses done, stock up kit for Sunday, etc. so on and so forth. I got my foundation from MAC. I was interested to see if they had something comparable to MUFE HD Foundation. A fellow makeup artist and close friend (Hey Tee!) suggested the new Studio Sculpt Foundation. I picked up 4 colors that I knew I didnt currently have in my kit (I mostly use Studio Tech on clients and adjust the coverage as needed). Although MAC had all of the colors on display they actually only had about 6 of the colors in stock. I love the packaging, seems better for packing the kit and more sanitary. I will be sure to let you all know how it performs!

I made it back home to prep for my clients of the day - Keyonna (birthday girl) and Naima (party planner). Keyonna never wears anything more than lipgloss most of the time but was surprisingly very open to color and intensity. I asked Naima beforehand about what Keyonna would like her look to portray for the evening and she suggested a smokey eye would be best. I made sure that is what Keyonna wanted when she arrived and she said she was ok. I opted for a pink smokey eye as she told me that is what colors she was wearing for the night. I used Ben Nye Lumiere pigment in Azalea with Laura Geller hot chocolate baked liner for the eye for the most part along with a MAC color that escapes me right now. NC45 Studio Tech was used to even her skin which didnt need much. I used Tanarama lipstick with Baby Sparks over it and chestnut liner to finish the look. Thank goodness Naima snapped photos because a friend of mine had my camera held hostage that day (thanks Cookie - NOT!) LOL

Keyonna pre-makeover

makeover in progress...

Almost there...

Birthday girl at her party - check her shoes!!!

All smiles :-)

Naima opted for a yellow smokey eye. She is a longtime friend who isnt afraid of color, the more color the better for her. For her I used The Mineralista Skittles collection in Banana Berry along with MAC Chrome Yellow and a MAC pigment that again I cant remember. She is a new mommy so her under eye area was a concern as well as her eyebrows (she hates tweezing and had just gotten a tattoo before she came over so her pain threshold was at the bare minimum when she arrived) so we had to do a bit of shaping and sculpting that I achieved with both MAC Studio Tech in NC45 and NC42 as well as a bit of Black Opal foundation stick (this is a great drugstore brand foundation that is recommended by both Billy B and Sam Fine) She was the photog so I didnt get many pics of her during the application but she sent me some pics from the actual party. Check em out:

This was actually taken during the makeover, as you can see my natural light was gone so I had to rely on my OTT-Lite and viewing the look in a mirror to be sure I could see what the cameras would pick up...Almost done!

At the party with another party goer!

dancing the night away!

Both ladies were happy with their looks. I am my own worst critic so I see things that I would have liked to do differently but all in all I am satisfied, especially if the client is happy. :-) Women of color often have the issue where their face is a different color than their body (I am one of them, my face is darker) so its a challenge in deciding whether to go with the darker tone or vice versa. I am working on it! I had a ball at the party even though I was extra tired! In fact I am STILL tired today! LOL

Thanks for looking!