I think this is a great option for your DD. I know a woman who recently quit her job to go full time doing makeup. Based on my limited knowledge of her experience, I’d recommend your DD network, network, network: attend workshops, take classes, and get to know makeup adjacent vendors (photographers, videographers, prom dress shop salespeople, wedding coordinators, etc.) I used the woman referenced above for my engagement photos and found her based on a recommendation from my wedding photographer.

She’ll probably have to start with weddings, proms, etc. Even in LA, most makeup artists have to do these jobs because commercials, etc. are sporadic work.

I agree with the person who says she should try to get another marketable skill like going to beauty school for hair so she can do both hair and makeup for clients as many clients would prefer to book both together.

Anonymous wrote:She needs noticeable presence on Instagram and get a content creator to get her work circulated on TikTok. Do proms for friends, cheerleaders for games, theater kids for plays, old ladies in nursing home, kids for dance competitions, post pics and videos. Etc.

All of this!!! Also, if she can do "Halloween type" makeup

Become a make up artist for Indian weddings. Word of mouth and endless money $$$$$$ being spent.

Jobs that help to make women feel beautiful will never be taken over by AI.

She needs noticeable presence on Instagram and get a content creator to get her work circulated on TikTok. Do proms for friends, cheerleaders for games, theater kids for plays, old ladies in nursing home, kids for dance competitions, post pics and videos. Etc.

Have DD start an instagram account just showing her work. Have her work on her friends and post pics of her finished faces. Tell your friends and colleagues she does glam. She should intern for makeup artists who work on local talent who are on camera for local or cable news if your are in the dmv area.

Opportunity is all around, it’s about getting her name out there.

I know several makeup artists. One up and moved to LA to learn her craft about 15 years ago--she is now an A list celebrity makeup artists. I know 3 makeup artists who live here in the DMV. One owns a salon and does very well. The other two travel the country and take care of politicians and celebrities that come to DC. All are very successful and have been in the business at least 20 years.

You can study abroad, like this place https://www.accademialascala.it/palcoscenico/corso-di-special-makeup
She will specialize in make up in TV/theatre and the best one will do makeup for the knight king, ect

Anonymous wrote:Be prepared to fund her lifestyle for many, may years.

Completely disagree

If she expands beyond makeup and gets quality training in things like hair extensions, cuts, hairstyling and coloring, she can make a killing.

I have a family member who went into beauty after high school instead of college. She was very talented, very personable. and has "the look" that other women want to achieve.

By her early 20s, she was making enough money to be completely self sufficient.

By her mid 20s, she had her own chair in a high end salon.

By her late 20s, she was the primary breadwinner in her family, making far more than her husband who worked in a corporate job. She went from a small town girl not going to college, to running her own successful business in less than a decade. She even gets flown in to NYC to help with hair at fashion week, I assume through trai ing connections.

She earns easily in the upper 5 figures, possibly 7 figures, in a low cost of living area, with a flexible job doing what she loves.

The key is being good enough at high end skills, with a personal look and design aesthetic that conveys the "it" style of the moment.

Women will pay a lot of money to look beautiful.

Be prepared to fund her lifestyle for many, may years.

My SIL is an amazing makeup artist that built a very lucrative business doing weddings. She had options to go to LA. Very word of mouth type of industry.

Given all the hubbub about AI, I’m almost grateful my teen daughter says she wants to be a makeup artist. This isn’t fleeting: she’s extraordinarily creative and good with design, color, drawing, and, yes, makeup. She’s obsessed and spends a lot of time doing makeup, watching makeup tutorials etc. She doesn’t want to go to college, which is fine by me.

What kind of industry is this? Is it like fashion/design/entertainment where it’s all about who you know? I understand she’ll likely have to be based in NY/LA - she says she’s drawn to LA. What can I do to help her prepare in the meantime? Does she need to get an apprenticeship?

Any advice very much appreciated. TIA.