Ten Rules for Makeup Artist Professionalism – Hygiene and Tools of the Trade
Recently, I attended a makeup demonstration at a local salon. The salon’s lead makeup artist was demonstrating a new cosmetic line. I watched this otherwise very talented your woman make several of the worst hygiene-related mistakes in the span of about 15 minutes.
Here are the 10 things you absolutely never do as a professional makeup artist or beauty advisor.
1. Don’t show up with all of your brushes and kit dirty.
(Especially the brushes as you’re going to be using them straight away.) There is no excuse for a makeup artist’s brushes to be filthy before he or she has even started applying makeup. In fact, even when your brushes are clean, it’s a good idea to using a mist cleaner and lightly clean brushes in front of your client. Let your client know that her comfort is important to you.
I can’t emphasize this enough. Blowing on product or brushes is about the same as spitting on them. It is unsanitary and unprofessional. Always tap off excess powder on your brushes and use cotton balls or the like to clean trays of powder color. (Also, please don’t ever blow on client’s face. Really.)
3. Don’t double-dip from testers.
Applying color (or skin care) to a client and then using that same instrument to “dip” back into the product is double-dipping and contaminates the product. This is not only disconcerting for the observant client – but it causes products to spoil much faster.
The way to keep from being tempted to double-dip, is to immediately cut off mascara wands, lip gloss and concealer wands etc. This forces you to always use a disposable wand in its place. It also keeps other makeup artists from contaminating your products when you have to share kits.
For other products where a disposable wand or similar tool isn’t convenient, simply scoop out the amount of product you need and place it on a painter’s palette, paper towel or small tray (whatever is handy as long as it’s clean.)
4. This should go without saying but this makeup artist did it right before my eyes – don’t go on to the next client without cleaning off your tools, testers, and counter!
5. Also deserving of its own section: Wash Your Hands! Frequently and in front of the client. This young woman went through 3 clients in her chair before washing her hands. That is absolutely unacceptable for a professional.
6. Don’t take testers out of the store’s units unless you have already established that you have permission to do so.
This habit is especially rude when there are other makeup artists that may need to demonstrate that product while you’re working with your client. If you need products from the unit, try to take the amount you will be using and place it on your palette or tray. You can also (using a skin care spatula) scrape powder colors onto a tissue and take it back to the station you’re working from. Obviously there will be times when that isn’t possible – but always try to leave store’s testers available to all the makeup artists who might need them.
7. Always be prepared to use your own brushes.
The store or line may provide you with brushes that they’d like you to use to help sell them – but never assume that that will be the case. Come prepared with the things you need.
8. Get familiar with the products you will be demonstrating *before* you start showing and applying them. Clients see through the act when you fumble to find products, and/or can’t explain them well.
9. Don’t wear perfume.
This is a controversial one because demonstrating fragrance can be a good way to build sales. But if you’re wearing a perfume that a client could react to – think of how uncomfortable doing her makeup in such close proximity would be for her. My best advice – skip it.
10. Don’t “primp” or, in this case, completely reapply your own makeup, in front of clients.
This comes back to showing up (on time at the event ready to work. If you need to reapply makeup or freshen up, use the ladies’ room to do so.
Follow these guidelines and earn the respect of both your clients and your fellow makeup artists!
