HQ

Ask Mally

Celeb makeup artist veteran Mally answers your how-to on doing the beauty thing.

I really want to become a makeup artist. Is there a school for makeup artistry or do you suggest I apply to my favorite cosmetic brand that has a counter? Toni, 22, Washington D.C

“There are lots of really great ways to get experience. I personally never went to make-up artist school. I always just sort of learned by trail and error, and I worked at a Shisheido counter when I was young. My best advice would be to, number one: be a sponge and really do a good job at taking a look at everything around you and being inspired by everything around you. I think that school is a great place to learn fundamentals, but I would also want you to try to learn on your own to practice and develop your own style.”

“You are going to laugh! I don’t belong to a union, so I don’t really know. It depends. With freelance it really is not necessarily that common to be part of a union. But if you are doing movies and work like that, I absolutely suggest you become part of a union. I wish I could answer this question better for you, but since I don’t belong to one, I can’t tell you too much about it.”

I'm a very talented makeup artist and hairstylist and freelance quite a bit. But I think an agent will help take me to the next level. How do I shop for an agent? And how long should I expect it to take before I get editorial and fashion show jobs? Briana, 26, California

“Oh boy! Okay, let’s see, it really depends when it comes to finding an agent. You can’t really say oh you’ll find one at this particular time. It’s really about finding someone who fits you perfectly. It could be the first agent you meet or the fiftieth. Generally even with an agent or lots of work experience, it takes some time to get an editorial job, and heading a fashion show will most likely take years. But working a fashion show could happen immediately, especially if you are with an agency whose artists do fashion shows. But, again, there’s no real time frame for finding an agent. It’s about who fits you perfectly.”

What are the requirements to join your local makeup artists' union? How do I find out more? Jessica, 29, Nevada

"You are going to laugh! I don’t belong to a union, so I don’t really know. With freelancing, you’re an independent contractor and it’s not really that common to be part of a union. But if you are doing movies and work like that, I absolutely suggest you become part of a union."

Comments (9)

tiffanny said this on June 8, 2007 02:49:

HI , I'M 31 YRS OLD AND I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THE ART OF MAKE UP AND HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME. MY PROBLEM IS FOR MORE THAN 5 YRS I HAVE MADE MY LIFE BE PUT ON HOLD WITH VERY BAD DECISION. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU THINK THAT I'M STARTING OUT TO OLD FOR THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT ALL THE MAKEUP ARTIST THAT I READ ABOUT STARTING OUT IN THERE EARLY TWENTIES. THANK YOU, i WOULD LOVE AN ANSWER. EMAIL IS TIFFANEYSWORLD@YAHOO.COM

tiffanny said this on June 8, 2007 02:50:

Nicole said this on June 12, 2007 17:35:

i would just like to say i LOVE this article. im a senior in high school and already know i want to get into make-up. im going to school for esthetics so that i will have a backgound in skin which will help when appling make-up to people with different skin type. reading this articile really apmed me up because i only have a week of school left and cant wait to get into make-up!

Nicole said this on June 12, 2007 17:35:

Jamillah said this on July 1, 2007 00:06:

I just would like to say that I love Mally I wear all her product ..It's good to find makeup that fit Women Of Color thank's Mally .....Keep the Makeup Comin!!!!Jamillah From Parlin, NJ

Kelley Epps said this on August 10, 2007 17:43:

I would say to Tiffany above, ...your never to old to start... I know most start out when they are younger, and I started at 18.. But I have seen 35 year olds make a name for themselves within a matter of few years..

So its about your dedication, your drive, passion, and persistance.....

Good luck.....

Anonymous said this on August 10, 2007 17:45:

...and Mally you rawk.....

very inspiring....

O.G said this on October 17, 2007 02:12:

This up coming black history month my black student union @ Lincroft NJ is tring to have a beauty sesion for women of color with a couple of make up artist, maybe have a couple tips and tricks, before and after polaroids and freebies, do you know of any local people who can help us

Add a comment

08/27/07 Behind-The-Scenes Of Our Rihanna Cover Shoot
08/24/07 The Misrepresentation of Lauren Hill
06/20/07 Behind-The-Scenes of Our Mya Covershoot
06/04/07 What To Know Before You Go
06/04/07 Ask Mally
05/31/07 Party With a Purpose

HQ

Subscribe