Feminism is...
ALTERNATIVE CAREERS : Media Make-up Artist
The real downside of being a make-up artist is the constant danger of a bad back or being involved in soft porn shoots (the two aren't related). The upside is it's one of the best jobs in the world, says Andrea Perry-Bevan
Name: Andrea Perry-Bevan
Web: www.myspace.com/perrybevanmakeupartist
Email: perrybevan@googlemail.com
Career title: Media Make-up Artist
How long have you been doing this? Do you need any special qualifications or work experience?
I have been in make-up for 17 years, but I have always had a hand in it since I first stole my mothers make-up bag! It's not important to have a qualification in make-up, all you need is flair and a passion to create art. I did go to a college to learn Hair & Beauty therapy, but when it came to make-up, I ended up doing the tutors make-up instead of the other way around.
Five years later I went back to college to do a Theatrical make-up course, where I got to play with prosthetics and gloop! Although my work tends to be fashion orientated, occasionally I am called upon to do something a little bizzare!
Will this job get you cash-rich in a matter of months?
The more you put in the more you will get back - make-up artists are freelance. You can expect around £300+ ($500+) a day depending on the assignment. The pay is good, but expect long or unsociable hours.
What are your main skills?
Firstly a creative mind and the abilty to transform those ideas into something people can visualise. To be able to listen to a brief and work with the client's ideas, sometimes putting forward an idea that they hadn't thought of.
Are there any job perks? Smooching with stars, looking beautiful all the time, that sort of thing? If you meet interesting people, who was the most interesting?
Yes!! Free make-up, once you have a index card together (samples of your work) you can be cheeky and send it with a letter to make-up companies and Mr Postman will bring you lots of goodies to play with :-)
I've met a lot of top media hairdressers and designers such as Ben De Lisi.
What made you want to become a make-up artist?
I've always loved beautiful people, the magic behind an image speaks VOLUMES! There's a black and white picture of my mother in the late 60's with perfect black liquid eyeliner on... I tried so many times to copy it and eventually managed to recreate it, then I started buying glossy magazines and copied the latest trends.
How physically or mentally demanding is the job? Do you pamper other people all the time? Do you ever get pampered yourself?
It's more like a hobby than a job because I love it so much - the only time I find it hard work is when I have to do long hours, maybe for a fashion show or in a studio that has low chairs. This may sound odd, but after doing 6-8 people bent over to reach the faces, you feel like you will never have a straight back again! When i'm not working, I often will pamper my friends with new looks and take some pics, it's always great to see how thrilled they are with the results. I sometimes treat myself to a manicure or facial, but I mostly do home treatments for myself.
What would you say are the pros and cons of working in the industry?
Pros: Meeting new and interesting personalities, the money, the pics, making clients happy, getting that buzz from creating something cool.
Cons: Strange hours, bad back, aching feet.
What are the pitfalls a potential make-up artist should watch out for?
So many pitfalls really, but here are some main things potential make-up artists should look out for: Dodgy model agencies (read hideous career moment), it is important to have a good portfolio but beware of dodgy photographers or agencies doing deals to do all your portfolio pics for you. Look for photographers who will work on a TFP (Time for prints) basis. Everyone will come away with something! Great pictures is a marriage of fabulous make-up + a photographer with a creative mind :-)
What is your most hideous career moment to date?
Ooh!! Once upon a time and wet behind the ears, I was raring to get going, I worked for a so-called model agency, they sent me out to my very first location shoot. I had no idea what the brief was, and when I got there it turned out to be a soft porn shoot *blush*
What is your most glorious, high-flying career moment to date?
Winning the North West Colour Trophy with Denton & Hyde salon
Sexy uniform?
Anything as long as it looks professional and stylish
Danger factor?
Make sure you know everything about the assignment and client beforehand... or it's soft porn shoots for you!
Do you meet fit, clever, solvent blokes in your line of work?
You get to meet high flyers, and yeah of course male models!
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in this career path?
Go for it!! Work hard, play hard, get a good agency behind you... don't let anyone stop you!! It may be expensive at first to get your kit and portfolio together, but it will pay off in the end!!!
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