Freelance Notes: Condense that Kit

I've revamped my kit too many times to count. I remember the frustration as a younger artist pulling so many items of my kit, that I became overwhelmed. Things have a way of working out of your life because that kit was stolen. Long story short, my car was broken into and my kit was in the trunk (wah, wah, wah)

In makeup school, I never learned the importance of having palettes in my kit. Palettes are less expensive, makes your kit lighter, more organized and easy to clean. My second kit was full of nothing but palettes.

It’ll make your life 10 times easier..guaranteed!

• Depot all eye shadows, blushes, pressed powders, bronzers into palettes (if they are from MAC, you can recycle the plastic housing through the BAck to MAC program)
• Z Palette just created a deep-dish palette (sounds like a pizza) that can fit your baked powders (MAC Mineralize)
• Take all your lipsticks and depot them into a weekly pill box
• Liquid Foundation bottles...tricky one....get mini travel bottles from Muji and label
• Creme Foundations depot into a palette
• Ziploc bags are your best friends. They can hold lip pencils, eyeliners, cream shadows, false lashes, etc.
• In case of extreme emergency, Makeup For Ever Flash Palette can serve as a dupe for all the above makeup items: custom foundation, creme shadow, lipstick, blush, highlight, contour
• Purchase products that can be used multi-taskers i.e cake liners, MAC cream color base, Makeup For Ever Uplight, NARS Illuminators, Urban Decay liners

Follow the hashtag #CondenseThat Kit on Instagram for ideas on condensing your kit

Freelance Notes: Less Money, Mo Problems

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.

Freelance Notes: Building & Cultivating Your Network

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

Who Are You? Imitate,Then Innovate

I speak with a lot of young women and men that aspire to be makeup artists. I ask them about their influences, motivation and background. Sometimes I can already envision them working on set. While other times, I wonder if their real motivation is the perceived glitz & glam. 

If you have the passion and focus, everyone will see it. Determination & passion radiates. You have to be willing to find yourself and create your signature.

At the 2012 Commencement for the University of the Arts, writer Neil Gaiman said “Most of us only find our own voices after we've sounded like someone else.”  

True. We’re all clueless how these businesses work. After speaking with Crystal Wright, she told me how she modeled the Crystal Agency after industry veterans like Cloutier. She took the blueprint then customized processes to fit her business.

We imitate, then innovate.

Research: Google industry vets, study their work, study their influences. Read about the history of your craft. Dissect work that you love. Break down websites. Read books that help  expand your mind. I love reading O Mag. Every month, I read it from cover to cover. Question your beliefs. If you do all of this stuff, your brain cells should be popping like oil in a hot frying pan.

Sometimes its just a matter of slowing down and being patient. Think about what you are doing. Stop falling into the same old routine. Every client is different. The more work you do, the more skilled you become.

Make your own rules.

As we sit here, we find ourselves getting lost in the YouTube Bermuda Triangle. We land onto Lisa Eldridge's island by way of Lachlan Bailey. Lisa Eldridge proves to be our new makeup BFF4L.  She's simply marvelous darling!

Lisa Eldridge says if you master one area, then it becomes easier to do different kinds of work. This works because you have a built a strong reputation and people know your work. Stop whoring yourself out like a prostitute. Test, test, test and test some more. Build your portfolio. Stop selling yourself short by spreading yourself too thin. Focus on one thing. Embrace your future. Create a book that makes people drool.

Thanks for listening. I have work to do!

Drops mike...exits stage left...

Love,
Jamaya

Freelance Notes: Handling Bad Energy on Set

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

Know Your Worth

This is your passion and you would do it for free. 

This is your business and you need to make profit.

Get compensated for your talent.

Give back to those in need when you feel compelled. 

Don’t sell yourself short.

Only surround yourself with people that respect what you do.  

Where Can I Find Bulk Eyelashes?

One of my Facebook friends just asked: I was wondering do you know of any places where I can buy banded lashes in bulk?

I struggled with that same issue for a long time. I haven't found anyplace local. I will purchase in bulk at The Makeup Show, IBS Show or various beauty supply wholesalers in NYC. If you walk around midtown Manhattan (27-29th & Broadway or 7th Ave), you are destined to find a few scattered beauty wholesale spots.

You can also try http://www.eeyelash.com or www.madamemadeline.com, Ebay and BundleMonster. 

Freelance Tip: Ask the Right Questions

Ask the right questions upfront to gain a better understanding of the goal for a project. This can also alleviate harboring additional stress.

Some questions need a definitive yes or no; while, others can give you all the information you need about a person or opportunity.

Be inquisitive.

Seek out what motivates and drives people.

Ask what they expect from you.

Evaluate your options and the information you have learned, then make your decision.

Remember, everything isn’t for everybody. Make sure the opportunity is for you.

Don't work from a place of unknowns and assumptions. Just ask.

Eyebrow Junkies: Save Your Old MAC Dipdown!

MAC's Dipdown Fluidline gel eyeliner has many uses. Its a deep-chocolate shade which has multiple uses as an eyeliner, shadow base, shadow and eyebrow enhancer.

Over time, air begins to seep into the fluidline pot and dry out the product. This tends to happen with most cream products. You can extend your cream shadows by placing a piece of wax paper inside the lid to keep out the air.

One day, as I was sifting through my dingy 'Back to MAC' bag (all makeup junkies have them), I saw my old dipdown. It was half full; but, really thick and tacky. Cream products expire after a few months so don't try this with your Fluidline from 2 years ago (yuck)!

I decided to take my angle brush and see what it would do....Wowsers! Its aged like fine wine. My brows are amazing! Not overly done, but just right. I have more control over the fluid line. I can mimic my brow hairs without feeling like someone can see my strokes.

If you are a brow beginner or expert, give it a try. Let me know how you like it. Its only makeup. Nothing is permanent!

Bleached Eyebrows with Sally Hansen Creme Hair Bleach

Today my friend Bria colored my strands a deep golden blonde. Now as you know, my hair isn't an inch long. I can color every 2 weeks after each hair cut. Personally, I wait every 3-4 weeks. With this lighter hair color, I realized my eyebrows were too dark.

I became aware of the benefits of brow bleaching from studying master makeup artist's Kevyn Aucoin and Sam Fine. They encourage bleaching the brows to soften the face and open the eyes. 

Sally Hansen's Creme Hair Bleach is my go-to "brow" bleach. It's super simple to use. I've used it on myself for years. In my past life, I wore weaves that were always lighter than my natural hair color. Being a beauty connoisseur, meant that I bleached my brows to match.

 I will admit, the process can look intimidating; but, the results are definitely worth it.

The instructions are super easy to follow (I told you it was easy). I would recommend coating the skin directly above & below your brow with a thin layer of Vaseline to avoid contact with the bleach.

After bleaching my brows, I filled them in with the below products:

• Maybelline Master Shape Eyebrow Pencil (Soft Brown) 
• MAC Eyebrow Pencil (Strut) only in the arch & tail for definition
• Ruby Kisses Brow Polish (Shimmering Blonde) **Great dupe for MAC's Brow Set in Girl Boy**
• Highlighted with a concealer/full coverage foundation 2 shades lighter than my complexion

Try it! You're guaranteed to love it!