As a MAC alumni, I get a lot of calls from aspiring makeup artists asking if they should work for MAC. It’s not an easy conversation. For one, MAC is not the easiest job to land. There are countless interviews (at least 3). You have to have something special to be a MAC artist. It’s not for everyone; yet, everyone thinks they can do it...NOT! Call me what you want, but I love that company. They have strong branding and they never compromise. Their products are always evolving.
I am a MAC girl. I love other brands too, but I don’t know of one artist who does not have a MAC product in their kit.
Enough of the sappy-ness, here are my 5ive Attitudes You Should Eliminate If You Plan to Work for MAC Cosmetics (or any other makeup brand)
1. You don’t like teamwork. Being a makeup artist involves a considerable amount of collaboration and teamwork. On counter, we also share products and knowledge. You will always hear “Who has a Blacktrack or Spiked?” by artists searching for products at one of their colleagues work stations. Artists always ask each for help during foundation matching. Every artist sees something different. Someone is always there to offer tips and tricks on new products. At the end of the night, everyone has to assist with cleaning the store. So, it’s never just about YOU! You have to work as a unit. Working at MAC will prepare you for working on set with other creatives (photographers, hairstylists, manicurists, wardrobe stylist, etc.)2. You don’t like change.
During the summer, I missed a day of shooting at the gun range with my friends to meet with an agency in New York. To say I felt excited would be an understatement. I was floating. My meeting was awesome! The energy was cosmic.
One of the owners asks me to stay in the city to assist with a job the following day. I had to decline because of 2 photo shoots back home. Needless to say, work back home flopped: model cancelled on one shoot and half the models were present for the other.
I sent an email (working on getting my personal thank you cards) to the agency following up on our meeting. All week long, I wondered to myself, ‘what would've happened if I stayed’? I ran this past Glen. He told me to stop dwelling on it. Everything is not meant to be. No more singing the “should of, would of, could of’s”
Weeks later, I get a call from the agency asking if I was available to assist with a new client project. Since then, I've gotten calls to work on a bi-weekly basis.
We can’t dwell over perceived missed opportunities. As long as you’re prepared, there will be tons of new opportunities that may change your life.
You have to have faith that everything you want will come to fruition. It may not happen when we want it; but, it will happen.
Let it go. Keep working and you’ll be surprised at what your future holds.
Love,
Jamaya
I have met numerous women and men who expose their dreams to me. There are 3 people that are currently making it happen. I am very proud of their journeys. I’m so elated that I was able to inspire them to pursue their dreams.
This life isn't for everybody. Along with the dream, comes hard work, persistence and dedication. I have found myself through this journey.
Sometimes people just need a little push: a pep talk, venting session, the hard truth, a dose of reality, validation and encouragement. That little nudge often leads to big results.
Keep pushing!
Love,
Jamaya
In business we work with people that we have mutual interests with. Sometimes friendships are developed during this process. Heck, it can be inevitable at times. Your creative colleagues are sometimes the only folks who you could watch a documentary on Helvetica (yes, the font). We can be nerds with these folks and they really get it or add it to it. You may even have a friend that was your 1st client and continues to support you through your process. Support i.e. embarking on business ventures together and hiring you for personal projects.
Just because we’re friends, you don’t have a pass to be late for a job. Or to forget about an appointment. Or to jeopardize your clients for the sake of a project with your friend. Or to assume that I will work with you on a project when I said “maybe”.
Question:
What is your best yet easiest method of promotion: YOU
look the part, play the part
Whenever I’m in the public eye, I am on. I never know who I will meet. No, I do not wear a full face everyday. I keep it simple with tinted moisturizer, concealer, mascara, bronzer. I keep my skin healthy, nails manicured and hair groomed. If I’m tired, I’ll throw on a pair of $5.80 shades from Forever21.
I wear what I like but I never try to hard. Its so apparent. I just go with my feelings. I am aware of trends; yet, I am not a slave to fashion.
I was involved in an accident on the light rail during early spring. I suffered from whiplash and a few sprains. I started seeing Doc for physical therapy 3 times a week. Doc is a springy, energetic, guy in his early 50’s. One day I asked him if he was a hippie back in Woodstock.
I loved visiting his office.His optimism always invigorated my day. The atmosphere was inviting and I felt like I was in a Cheers episode. Whenever I called the office, they always answered the phone “Hey Ms. Moore”. They have caller id but it still felt so personal.
Unlike other therapy offices, I actually saw Doc everyday. It was amazing watching someone follow their passion and build a career from it. His patients definitely feel the love (I did!)
Am I good enough?
This is a question that often accompanies fear and self doubt. Once you believe you are deserving of goodness, there are no boundaries to what you heart can desire. Open up, tear down those walls and dream.
Trust me, don't let others opinions determine your worth.
We are online hundreds of hours a week. Getting exposed to other artists, entrepreneurs, etc. don't get caught up in comparing your work to their. Followers, likes, retweets DONT mean anything if the work is not GOOD. Life is not a Venn diagram. No comparing & contrasting. Celebrate what makes you different and leverage it.
Love,
Jamaya
Business should not be conducted through Facebook messages. Facebook is too friendly. Send me an email. If you have my number, text or call me on the phone .Now a days, everyone has their phones at all times; which, is linked to their email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
My Hierarchy of Communication
Face to face
Phone Calls
Text messages
Email
Video Chat
Facebook
How many times has someone responded to your email days or weeks later stating it went into their spam folder? bull$*%! Follow up! I know you saw me post on Instagram...you know you saw me (lol)!
I'm DFD...gotta get back to work!
Love,
Jamaya
You really can't reach your true potential until you clean out your closet
If your finances are jacked, how can you handle contracts, invoices, and big checks
If your self esteem is low, how can you give beauty to your clients
If your house is untidy, how can your kit be sanitary
Give your true unfiltered self to your passion
Once you have pure and clear intentions, goodness will come to you.
Love,
Jamaya
There aren't many people who choose to freelance and start out making a gazillion dollars. For some people it can be months, years or decades. I worked full time at a stressful job making really good money. So when I decided to make the plunge to freelance full time, I wasn't ready for the sacrifices that came with it. I THOUGHT I saved enough money and cleared my credit; but, I wasn't prepared for the mental anguish that accompanied my new lifestyle.
This is the happiest that I have ever been; but, the brokest (money wise). I have almost surpassed my former corporate America salary. I am a happy artist, just working to have my bank account reflect my current state of mind.
While freelancing you never know when you’ll receive your next pay. After you invoice a corporate client, it may take 30-45 days to see a check.
Getting your finances in order before freelancing is a must. In addition to housing, food and other necessities, you have to restock your kit with products and pay for a website.
You have to keep yourself well-put together. Neat, clean, professional. Cultivate your relationships wisely. You may have to barter services until you get on your feet, but; don't forget those that help you along the way.
You will have to make some sacrifices to live this life. Starting with minimizing your monthly living expenses. As freelancers, we are not able to gauge how much money we will earn each month. Our salary can fluctuate quite a bit. You should pare down your living expenses to avoid shelling out too much money each month. Create a tight budget and stick to it. Yes, I know, it can be hard when you wanna take classes and purchase new products. Those are items that we set goals and plan for.
Since I started doing makeup, I’ve built a new network of friends. They are so different from my normal circle of friends. They are my beauty sisters and brothers. Some of them are makeup artists, hair stylists, barbers, manicurists and clothing designers. We are all creatives. We often share the same clients. We can talk for hours on end about the latest makeup, beauty shows and clothes.
I have had the opportunity to work with many people in my network, either as their client or as teammates. We know each other on several different levels. I respect my beauty family. We keep in touch through the interwebs. We might hang out at trade shows or bump into each other shopping.
If my schedule is booked, I have a list of several makeup artists that I can refer clients to. I feel good knowing that I just helped someone in my network gain more business. I never keep tabs on who I refer to. I know that I get good business from my network. In order to receive, you must give.
Your network is essential for your success. There have been several times when I've been referred to awesome jobs because someone in my network was booked. They could decline the job; but, they thought about me. Everyone wins. Winning duh!
We are not BFF’s but respect each other’s talent and business. It’s always nice to vent to someone who understands your trouble because they just dealt with the same thing. My “regular” friends can’t always relate to my stories.
I enjoy talking to my network because I always learn something new. A new class, product, technique or show. I’m always looking for new stuff; but; I’m only one person. I don't know it all.
I don't consider none of these people my competition because we are all different. We might have the same profession; but; our talents are unique. There is more than enough work for everyone. Share. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Surround yourself with people who share your enthusiasm for learning and achieving success. Those are your comrades. Keep your team tight. Stay in touch with people. Call, email, text, tweet or Facebook them. You never know. They may need you. Just be your genuine self. Give, give, give!
Love,
Jamaya
Today I worked on a photoshoot with a client who ‘tried’ to drain the life out of me. I worked on a 4 hour shoot that felt more like 10 hours. Nothing was good enough: the hair, makeup, wardrobe photographer! I went home exhausted. I did my job; but, geez why do I feel so bad.
Bad energy is contagious. Leave it at the door.
Some clients may have no sense of self. They want to be like everyone they see.
It doesn't matter how matter how many hair extensions, contours/highlights and designer outfits are worn. If your clients doesn't feel beautiful inside, all your compliments will fall upon deaf ears.
So many images of exotic, toned, tanned people flood our daily receptors. Some people can't discern and have no gauge for their own beauty. They sit in your chair and tear down themselves into shreds. Their negative energy tries to penetrate your core. Hours of self doubt and hatred linger in the air. Put up a shield!
You have to put up your personal shield and limit your energy from becoming immersed in the tragedy sitting in the chair. Layers of personal experiences have made this person the way they are. Manage your stress level and personal involvement by:
- Keeping their opinions at bay
- Take it light. Some people just don't know better. Its not your job to entertain them with a 15 minute dissertation about self esteem.
- Remove your emotional self.
- Remember this is a job.You are a providing a service. Do your job well.
- Remember this person is not your friend or family. You are not obliged to spend the holidays with them.
- Thinking happy thoughts: babies, puppies, ice cream (lol)
Find a feature that inspires you and FOCUS on perfecting it.
I began with contouring and highlighting my clients skin because I could not visualize the face shape that I wanted. Once I finished I moved onto the eye area. I wanted to elongate her eye with liner and lashes. I made that my focus and tuned out everything else, except the photographer.
Its so important not to let people take control of your energy when they are not personally invested. Its like polluting the environment. Take control of the situation by mentally removing yourself.
Love,
Jamaya
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