Often laced as a line of work filled with glamour, being a makeup artist goes far beyond just pressing powder on big names. I sat down with Elda Esmeralda, a makeup artist (whose clientele include the local actors and actresses) to talk about insider beauty secrets and the biggest misconceptions people have about the industry.
Written By: Neon Drew
It was never Elda’s intention to be in the makeup industry for long, or at all. Her first brush with makeup was during a stint with Yves Saint Laurent as a sales associate when she was 17. It was also there where she learned most of her makeup skills, via company courses and lots of practice.
Even then, Elda’s intent was to become a preschool teacher. After YSL, she moved on to become a speech and drama teacher at Julia Gabriel centre. “I always wanted to be a teacher, that was my childhood ambition,” said Elda. “Even my teachers said I should become a preschool teacher.”
Yet somehow, it seems like the makeup life chose her. Despite teaching full time then, she was approached by family and friends in her social circle to provide makeup services. Through the word of mouth from satisfied clients, this soon became a weekly affair.It was no easy feat juggling both jobs at once, but if it meant she could keep both her passions alive, it was all worthwhile.
For a few years Elda played this balancing act, but when it came time to start a family, being on the roll seven days a week had its obvious tolls. Elda said, “I was trying to conceive and my gynaecologist told me to lessen my workload so I stopped teaching and focused on makeup.”
Nearly a decade on, what was a freelance job on the weekends became her bread and butter and Elda now has her own bridal beauty business and is often engaged by media companies to handle makeup for the stars. Though she has established a noteworthy reputation for herself, Elda still attributes many of the skills she knows today to her days over the counter at YSL.
Underneath the Glamour
On the surface, it does seem like makeup artists have it all - a simple job description, a glamorous industry, and occasionally, a celebrity’s part-time therapist. But more often than not, these depictions are more caricature than they are the truth. Ever seen people serving at makeup counters flipping through magazines? Contrary to popular belief, they aren't skiving off and lazing, it's a method of research.
More than just throwing makeup on someone’s face, Elda shared with me the importance for makeup artists to spot new trends and mastering the techniques before it hits the mainstream market. She said, “Every year, there’ll be a new makeup trend. As makeup artists, we have to keep up and do our homework. So we have to join courses and classes to master the techniques. Other times, magazines and YouTube are great resources.” For starters, Elda recommends accounts like Michelly Palma.
When it’s time to get to work, the first order of business isn’t about setting up the makeup desk or colour matching. Rather, it’s getting to know the client and building a rapport. Even back in the days serving at the YSL counter, Elda would often find herself striking conversations with customers, getting to know them before recommending a product.
A practice she still uses today, Elda emphasised the importance of communication and establishing a friendly relationship.
“I touch on their personal life and get a sense of their personality. Along the way, I make sure they’re comfortable. That way you will have satisfied clients who’ll return and refer you to more business.” Elda shared. “It is very important. You have to build rapport, before and after.”
On the Beauty Busines
Thanks to social media, the walls of the secretive makeup artist community have now broken down, and it is much easier for aspiring makeup artists to enter the beauty arena. The old days of secret techniques and products have faded away with the advent of blogs and video tutorials that are freely shared online.
On the same breath, the ease of entering the business makes it much more competitive. The supply of makeup artists is increasing much faster than there is a demand for them.
For Elda, the best way to have longevity in the industry is knowledge and passion. “You need to know your products and techniques well, because sometimes your clients would want to know what you’re doing,” said Elda. “If you’re just after a glamourous lifestyle, then makeup is not for you. You have to be sincere and passionate.”
Skills to pay the bill
When it comes to skill sets, it’s not just about knowing how to apply the products, it’s a people business too. Elda advises beauty novices to be a chameleon, to adapt to the idiosyncrasies and occasional demands of clients. “As a makeup artist, you have to be versatile. It’s not just about covering flaws and making someone look good. You have to know your client too.”
Even with the necessary skills equipped, criticism comes along with the job, especially on the outset. She's had her fair share of critiques, even from seasoned pros when she started out as a counter girl. Elda recalled, “When I first started in this line, there’ll be people jeering ‘your makeup skills cannot make it’, but I always smile and say ‘thank you’.”
“In this line, it never stops. You have to constantly do your research and look at the trends, it never stops,” said Elda. Though her line of work is ever-changing, Elda relishes in the unpredictability of it all, meeting new people with every assignment received.
Tips to Break into the Industry
Before I ended my interview with Elda, she left me these tips for those who're confused on where and how to begin:
1. Perfect your skills first. Attend makeup school if you have to. There, you can start to build contacts and get to know more people.
2. Establish social media accounts to share looks you've created. Be versatile and experiment different types of looks. And don't commit the cardinal crime of not updating the page.
3. Reach out to people in your social circle and see if any of them require makeup services. Should you be lucky to have a friend who is a makeup artist, offer to job shadow them and gain more experience and contacts along the way.
4. Start off small and apply for a job at makeup counters. Follow makeup brands on social media and keep a lookout for recruitments. Otherwise, you can simply email the companies and ask if there're vacancies!
Step into the World of Makeup with FastJobs!
My short conversation with Elda left with me with much deeper respect for those who are in this line of work - they are true testaments to what being passionate is all about. Breaking into the cookie jar that is the beauty industry is no easy nut to crack. But for aspiring beauty makers, it doesn’t have to be. With FastJobs, getting a foot in the world of glitter and gold cannot be easier.
If you want to get a headstart in the beauty business , check out Beauty and Wellness jobs on FastJobs! With a whole array of choices available , design your own beauty career path and decide the way you want to break into the industry. With filters like minimum pay, job functions and location, start your career in the colourful beauty business today!
