THE show for make-up artists is making its way to Toronto in a couple of weeks. IMATS (International Make-up Artist Trade Show) will be setting up shop at the Direct Energy Centre on the weekend of November 21st-22nd.

A slew of vendors will be available for both make-up artists and make-up enthusiasts. I'm looking forward to picking up some more tried and tested kit faves...in fact, my list just keeps on growing:
FACE atelier - foundations
Crown Brush - brushes and disposables
Kett & Temptu - airbrush supplies
Make-up Forever - everything!
Nurturing Force - airbrush cleanser
Yaby - maxi-minimalist kit

Also looking forward to trying out some of the products by Eve Pearl - I've heard plenty of great things about the line from many a blogger, but ever the weary shopper, I always do like to try before I buy :)

Besides the awesome shopping, there's a full two days of great speakers, seminars and workshops available!!! Some presentations to definitely check out will be Hung Vanngo (celebrity fashion & beauty make-up artist), Kevin-James Barnett (industry expert and Emmy award winning artist extraordinaire), along with the bloggers/Youtube beauty gurus behind Pursebuzz and Enkore Make-up!

Get your tickets in advance here and save a few bucks that you can put towards some very important purchases!! See you there :)

I was interviewed by blogger and freelance writer extraordinaire, Cheryl Santamaria, for a feature article on Women on Business. The article details the importance of using the Web as a tool for advertisting, both for budding entrepreneurs and established companies.

Working as a freelancer in make-up, I realize that there's so much that I've learned along the way just by doing (rather than picking up from the classroom) especially on the business side. In the early days, when I first attempted to market myself to a large audience, aside from word of mouth, the Internet was my best advertising friend. I used livejournal, a free web-based journal to help me document different make-up looks I did on myself and on friends. Nowadays, if you're an aspiring make-up artist, there are many more user-friendly resources available to you on the Web. Sites like Blogger (where this blog is hosted), Yola and Dripbook allow you to build your own blog/site with little to zero programming knowledge required. Social media-based sites like Twitter and Facebook allow you to send instant updates to those on your subscriber/friend list and further spread the word online. The best part about all these sites mentioned is that the basic layouts are free of charge to use!

So, if you're just starting out and looking for your best promotion tool, take good quality photos to document your make-up work. Print out a few business cards (you don't have to spend a lot of money, and can do this on your home computer), send out a mass email to your contact list, post it to your Facebook status or update your Twitter. Let your web presence be known and essentially you can initiate your own 'e-word of mouth'.

Q: I work full-time, but make-up has always been something that I loved to do. I would like to go to school for it, but I have commitments to work and to my family. I’m looking at part-time programs at different make-up schools, but there are just so many to choose from! Can you provide any recommendations or speak of your experience?

A: Thanks for the question! I can only speak from personal experience and about the classes and programs that I have taken, but I do remember being just as anxious researching a quality make-up school in Toronto. Fortunately, I really lucked out as all my choices exceeded my expectations! I'm a firm believer that you get what you put into something, and being that I've been passionate about doing make-up all my life, I wanted to ensure I maximized what I was learning from the classes.

In order to get a better feel for a school or program, I would recommend calling around to your school of choice to set up a visit. While you're at it, you can ask to sit in on one of the classes briefly - just to get a proper sense of the environment and the instructors. Pay attention to the facilities and even the other students (are they engaged in what they're learning? Do they look like they're having fun?) Your final choice in school will centre around a number of variables (quality of teaching, reputation, convenience, cost, certificate or course program, location, etc).

I answered a similar question like this in a previous post, and hopefully you'll find the info there useful as well:
Q & A | Choosing a Make-up School in Toronto

Hope this helps!

Make-up Learning and Upgrading at Wink
Speaking more on personal experience, I just completed an airbrush make-up class at Wink Make-up Academy, and would absolutely recommend for anyone to go there! Wink offers introductory make-up classes for beginners and specialized classes (for airbrushing, special effects, portfolio building, etc) for more seasoned make-up artists who are looking to expand their repertoire. The individual class size cap is eight students, so the instructors have the time to ensure you feel confident in what you've learned before you move on (and that sometimes gets lost in larger class sizes). The classes are offered at different times to accommodate day, evening and weekend schedule, and the instructors are knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic (insert numerous positive adjectives here)... seriously, what is there not to love?! I'll also be starting a hair class to update my skills in a couple of weeks - maybe I'll see you there! ;)

Q: I took a look at the MAC Zuca case the other day in store and it seemed to look smaller then I thought, can it really hold a lot? I have a ton of stuff and really need to update my kit to something thats plane friendly, organizes and holds alot. Does the ZUCA pro seem like a better case? I'm debating whether or not to buy the MAC sport zuca at the store or the online ZUCA Pro.

A: For the ZUCA bag, the dimensions are the same. It's the same bag re-branded for MAC, and comes with clear-topped containers that really help with organization and accessibility to your make-up items. I do carry an extra set bag when I use the ZUCA bag, but it pretty much fits all the make-up I need. The containers can be filled to the brim and then zipped shut, which you can't always do with the trays of some other kits. To be plane friendly, a bag also has to fit certain dimensions, and the internal organization of the ZUCA bag is a great way to maximize its space.

If you decide to go with the ZUCA Pro off the site, it does come with plush containers as well, but from what I understand the tops aren’t transparent. It's totally up to you which one you go with but I believe the ZUCA Pro is on back-order right now, and the one through MAC immediately sold out on the MAC Pro site from what I hear from other bloggers. Keep in mind the duty taxes you'll have to pay if you're ordering online from zuca.com since we're in Canada. That played a huge factor in the ZUCA case I got as I've been researching since November. I'm glad I held out - the ZUCA MAC bag totally fits my needs!

We’ve been talking make-up artist shop all week, so this week’s Q & A is also dedicated to the aspiring bridal make-up artists out there:Q: I'm a Vancouver based-freelance artist currently working at as a drugstore cosmetician. I recently graduated from a make-up school here. It sometimes seems feels like forever to get to where I want to be in my make-up career. I know everyone says patience is key and it is quite competitive, but I'd love to be doing more bridal. How did you go about getting into doing weddings? How did you put yourself out there?

A: In terms of getting involved in more bridal and in breaking into the industry – really and unfortunately, there's no hard and fast way to do so. To put it into perspective with, in my first year of bridal make-up, I started off with doing two weddings (plus miscellaneous appointments), the second year was four weddings (plus appointments), my third year was 15 and now I look forward to 30+ weddings per year!!

In terms of what got me to where I am today, it really boils down to making good first impressions, networking and word-of-mouth (which is how I got all my first few jobs!). What definitely helped my business take off this year was setting up a website, which allowed potential clients the ability to view examples of my work instantly.

When you're just starting your bridal portfolio off, you may not have professional images right away, but here are a couple of things to get you started on the right foot:

1. have a mock bridal photoshoot to add pictures to your portfolio
Think about recruiting some friends as model brides, and co-ordinate with an aspiring photographer to get some photo examples of your work. Yes, they don't necessarily need to be actual "brides" in your photos, but once you work with more (and real) brides, you can replace these initial photos. Sometimes, it's just easier for clients to visualize the make-up this way.

2. research the bridal make-up artists in your area and find out if they need assistants
Even if it's just to watch brushes or do skin prep, you'll get a first-hand glimpse of how the pros do it, whether it be from a technical make-up or psychological customer service standpoint. Learn the little tips that will make the make-up last and save you time during the application appointments.

Finally, remember to hang in there, work hard and do it for the love - the rest of it will fall into place.

Hope this helps!

In order to provide a more accurate review, I’ve been toting the ZUCA for MAC bag the past couple of weeks on various make-up jobs. For some jobs, I took the ZUCA bag directly from car to appointment location, while for other appointments, there was more walking involved. I have three other make-up bags that I usually switch between, but the ZUCA is a definite stand-out. Read on and see pictures (plus slideshow) below!

Lightweight and Easy to Transport
With my perpetually growing make-up kit, it’s been the best bag to house all these items yet. The lightweight bag facilitated the transport of my make-up from job to job, and the double set of wheels made it noticeably easier to carry up stairs without the usual fear of banging it and breaking fragile items within the kit.

Just Call Me Organized
The quad of clear-topped fabric stackable mini-cases is another of my favourite features of this pro bag. I love the idea of make-up being organized into trays (as my kit can get out of control without some sort of dividing system!), but the plastic trays of previous make-up bags tended to add to the weigh down, while at the same time, only allotted so much room for make-up. Further, once you packed that bag into the car and had to flip it onto its side, the unsecured make-up items ended up in random places within the bag.

Reduce Packing and Unpacking
The ZUCA mini-cases could be filled to the brim with make-up product and secured with the zip-top of the plastic case to minimize movement. The plastic trays are a good size to easily transfer from one bag to anotherl You could very well use of these clear trays as a personal make-up travel kit. When I’m on the job, I just pull out the mini-cases and place them on my make-up table to keep it organized. In other words, bye bye to a cyclical life of constantly packing and unpacking!

And for those of you who are curious - in all honesty, I’ve been too afraid to sit on this bag! It’s definitely a handy idea (since us MUAs are always on our feet), but since I want to maximize the life of the ZUCA, it’s probably also in my best interests that I refrain from parking my rear on it!

Have you tried the MAC for ZUCA bag? I want to know what you think!


View slideshow below or in full screen size.

Ever the fan of finding more efficient ways to haul around my make-up kit, last November at the CMS in Toronto, I made it a priority to scope out what other professional make-up artists use to tote around their make-up loot. One case that particularly caught my attention had the words “Zuca Pro” on it; I made a mental note to do some research on the brand.

ZUCA Pro
From what I saw online, the ZUCA Pro bag (pictured below) wasn’t designed specifically as a make-up artist train case, but it totally fit the bill of what I was looking for. Some features of the bag:

• plenty of room (case dimensions 19 3/8" x 15 1/2" x 13 1/8")
• easily mobile on wheels, with another set of wheels to aid in lugging it up stairs
  
• slim enough to fit in overhead compartments and through the aisles of most commercial aircraft
• contains stackable and removable fabric trays where you can organize make-up to your heart’s content
• sturdy frame that doubles as a chair. ZUCA Pro supports up to 300 lbs in weight so “you always have a seat”. (What will they think of next?!)

Yes, the ZUCA Pro bag definitely had a lot of pros (versus cons) going for it, but being a Canadian resident, I had to factor in the dollar exchange and duty taxes into the overall pricing. I know...not fun.

ZUCA for MAC
Now, MAC has released their own ZUCA traincase that has all the features of a ZUCA Pro with MAC branding on the exterior. The case is a make-up artist's dream and comes complete with make-up artist friendly plush trays that have plastic see-through tops (differs from the original ZUCA Pro). The visibility allows for easy organizing and easy access of make-up items.

I just received the ZUCA for MAC case on Friday. I ordered it on Wednesday, and two business days later, I had it my possession (and without having to fork over extra dollars for duty tax!)

Pre-ZUCA, I’ve been going back and forth, packing and unpacking between the different cases I have, depending on the size of the job. I have this exciting feeling that this bag is going to simplify my life, and spare me the time packing and upacking. I’ll have to revisit this product review after a couple of times taking this case on the job.

For now, it’s pretty much love at first sight…

Once you convert to using eye make-up brushes, you can never revert back to using eyeshadow applicators or your fingers! Here are some of my fave brushes, at the lower end and higher end price range. You can decide whether to go for the splurge or the steal (I went for both!):

Crown C138 Round Countour Brush ($3) vs. Inglot Crease Brush ($18)
The crease brush is one of those products that changed my life. Seriously. Particularly for my Asian eyes, the crease brush is perfect for adding dimension and building depth into the crease. Other eyeshadow brushes just don't do the same justice as this pencil tip does. I love Inglot's crease brush for the tapered and stiff brush tip, and the Crown brush C138, even though shorter handled, is a suitable replacement. Imagine though - for the price of one Inglot brush, you can get 6 of the Crown brushes! Yes, this one's a no-brainer.
The verdict: Steal!

Crown BK16 Mini Smudger Brush ($3) vs. Dior Backstage Eyeliner Brush ($25 US)
Dior's Eyeliner Brush is a personal fave for lining the eyes for a sultry, smoky look. The Crown brush achieves the effect just as well, but the bristles aren't as tapered so you have to use a lighter hand in application. Both brushes are perfect for smudging, and work great at lining the eyes when used wet with eyeshadow. I still prefer the Dior brush in this case as the tapered edge makes it easier to draw fine lines...and I'm a sucker for the nice packaging too!
The verdict: Splurge!

Elegant Faces Blender Brush ($13) vs MAC #224 Tapered Blending Brush ($33.50)The tapered blending brush is another brush that made eyeshadow applications easier. I'm a huge fan of blending and prefer a non-powdery look to the eyeshadow. Before the blender brush I was using my finger or a small dome eyeshadow brush to do all the softening of the applied colours. The tapered blending brush is perfect for achieving that diffused look so you can't see any harsh distinctions between where one eyeshadow begins and ends. I love both of these blending brushes: I use the Elegant Faces one for smaller-eyed beauties, and the MAC one for larger-eyed beauties. The blender brush is also great for lightly dusting on powder and setting undereye concealer without making it look too cakey.
The verdict: Splurge and steal!

Crown Mascara Fan Brush ($3) vs. MAC #205 Mascara Fan Brush ($20)
The mascara fan brush - such a simple idea that works! Use it when you're applying mascara to evenly distribute the mascara and immediately get rid of any visible clumps. I believe the MAC mascara fan brush is only available through the Pro stores. At only $3 a brush, the Crown version is definitely the better deal - and you can stock up instead of paying the price of one higher end equivalent!
The verdict: Steal!

Ok so we all know and love the benefit of quality brushes for our make-up application, but that doesn't mean we have the same fuzzy feeling about the prices usually associated with them. I had been anticipating the Canadian Make-up Show in order to stock up on Crown brushes (among other highly coveted make-up goods) . A grand total of 45 minutes at the Crown booth, a swipe of the card and a bag of goodies later - I was a happy camper!

I've spent a lot on brushes throughout the years - some worth the cost, some not so much. Crown Brushes and Elegant Faces are two great places to check out for affordable and good quality brushes. At the Crown booth, I didn't see a brush more expensive than $15! I know - I was in awe. I walked away with absolute steals for the prices I paid (I felt like I was the woman in the IKEA commercial! "Start the car! Start the car!") For the aspiring artist, it's always great to have multiple back-up sets of brushes, especially when you do weddings and group appointments. Here are some recent additions to my kit from from Crown and Elegant Faces and their comparable higher end counterpart:

Elegant Faces Foundation Brush ($24) vs. MAC #190 Foundation Brush ($38.50)
Both brushes have a concentrated amount of synthetic bristles that taper towards the tip and make them perfect for blending. I equally like the way foundation glides on with both of these brushes, but with the price difference the obvious favourite is the Elegant Faces Foundation brush (top brush above).
The verdict: Steal!

Crown C309 Studio Professional Jumbo Chisel Powder Brush ($10) vs. MAC #150 Large Powder Brush ($50.50)
The Crown Brush (top brush in picture above) is shorter handled, but has a concentrated amount of soft natural hair bristles just like the MAC Large Powder Brush (bottom brush). To build up powder coverage or apply a light dusting of powder, the Crown Brush is just as effective and definitely a better deal! Go for the steal!
The verdict: Steal!

Crown B2K Luna Series Unique Pointed Dome Brush ($9) vs. MAC #129 Blush Brush ($41)
I love MAC's Blush Brush for the soft-rounded dome that allows for smooth blush application when both contouring or dusting the apples of the cheeks. Crown's Pointed Dome Brush is a comparable equivalent and blends just as well, but I'll admit that although the bristles are soft, they're not as soft as the bristles of the MAC brush. For the $40 difference in price, you can decide if it's a worthy trade-off!
The verdict: Steal!

Crown Badger Kabuki Brush ($8) vs. MAC #182 Buffer Brush ($55)
In this case, the MAC Buffer Brush is a clear winner. Yes, the difference in price should ensure there is a definite difference in quality, but you just need to rub your fingers across it to feel how soft it is and see how it has the most concentration of hairs. I also like how the MAC Buffer Brush has a taller handle and shorter bristles, which makes it perfect for buffing. The bristles of the Crown Kabuki are quite soft as well, but much too long for buffing the face. Either way you choose, this brush is a great addition to the kit for any make-up artist - just smooth the brush over your client's face after the application for a mini-massage treat!
The verdict: Splurge!

Check back as I'll also do a comparison post for eye make-up brushes!

At the CMS this past weekend, I had the opportunity to catch a panel of industry professionals discussing the ins and outs of the make-up business. There were many helpful tips and words of wisdom for both aspiring and even more established make-up artists. Here's my write-up, as originally posted on Make-up Junkie:

As a make-up artist and budding entrepreneur, I'm a huge fan of reading articles on others artists' experiences and (of course) self-help books! I was lucky to catch the Industry Insider Panel being moderated by Plutino Group Make-up Artist Jackie Shawn. I admire Jackie's philosophy of bringing out the beauty in everyone - it truly reflects how "down to earth" she is, even with all the accomplishments under her belt. The panel members included seasoned and successful make-up artists (each with a different niche) and Debbie Bondar, President & CEO of FACE atelier. If you weren't able to attend the CMS, here are some of the topics that were presented before the panel. I hope you find it as useful as I did!

What are the qualities of a successful make-up artist?
"Make-up is secondary – the relationship is first...Find out who they are and if you have any common interests before moving in." Keep in mind that when you apply make-up, you are stepping into someone’s personal space (most people aren’t used to having anyone that isn’t a loved one so close to their face!). Break the ice first to set any nerves at ease. You'll find the relationship building to be one of the most rewarding parts of the job, and hopefully, it will also encourage return visits (and referrals) from your client.

How important is speed?
For this response, the answer seemed to be “it depends on the work being done”. Take into consideration any time constraints, and instead of trying to do everything, “pick key elements/strengths” of your subject and know what will “read best on” camera to achieve your desired look.

How is the economy affecting the industry?
Economic times have been bleak, but rest assured there was hope for this question with Debbie's comment that “make-up is a recession-proof industry”. There will always be weddings, and always be women looking to buy make-up. Make-up is still an affordable option that can instantly help someone look and feel great (and it's definitely cheaper than buying a pair of designer shoes!). But the panel also pointed out that with tough economic times, there will likely be fewer paying jobs. With the constant influx of new artists in the industry, it likely means there will be more people competing for fewer jobs.

According to the panel of experts, that the best way to protect yourself is to know your market and remain flexible. Be prepared to re-evaluate your prices in order to be competitive, and make sure you're "on top of your art" to remain in demand. You don't necessarily have to lower your prices, but instead, you can offer free add-ons for services you would normally charge (i.e. eyebrow grooming, eyelash application). Be strategic and use smart, aggressive ads (hardcopy or online) to get yourself and the updated services you're offering out there.

Do you have any tips for negotiating prices?
"Know Your Market". The panel suggests cold calling your competitors in order to do your "market research". Inquire about the different rates for 1 person versus 5 people, and look at the patterns between the rates of different artists. Keep in mind that your rate in suburbia will likely vary from the rate clients will pay in a buzzing metropolis. Be realistic - your rates starting out will not resemble the rates that a top industry artist can command. (Well, your rates can be up there, but that doesn't mean people will be knocking on your day to pay you!). Even top industry artists take "low-paying" jobs to get better opportunities. Apparently, doing full-day magazine cover shoots only pays nominal fees of $75-$150 -- even to top artists! Yet, top artists "rationalize their losses" and instead view these shoots as an opportunity to get their name out there for more work. If you're stuck on negotiating prices, a good reference for a base price is the minimum amount you would need to spend at a make-up counter to get a "free" application. Usually, that price is $45 or a purchase of two products.

How important is it to specialize?
Being strong in a "niche market" can be beneficial, i.e. body paint and special effects. But overall, it is better to be "well-rounded - good at everything, and exceptional at a couple of things" to sustain your place in the industry. Be open to all calls that you receive. If you're "serious about make-up as your craft, you'll keep learning and growing" whether it be brushing up on product knowledge or updating your training.

Do you have any advice for new grads fresh out of make-up school?
Work with photographers who will make your work look better and stand out. If you can't work with the high-end photographer, try to work with his or her assistants. Build your portfolio constantly improving the quality of your photos (rinse, wash, repeat!). "If one door closes, remember that it opens in another direction."

What has been the biggest hurdle you have faced as a successsful woman?
"Overcoming mental blocks". Remember that attitude is everything. Negative thinking can be self-protecting but it can also be self-defeating. If you think "it's so tough to make it in this industry", you may be quick to give up and minimize your losses when it doesn't happen right away. Keep in mind that success doesn't happen overnight, and consistent hard work and passion can carry you through. When you're positive, you'll encourage others around you to be positive and they'll simply want to be around you more. Believe in yourself.

With the recent indulgence in make-up shopping, it was definitely time to do a kit purge and re-org. While rummaging through my kit, I came across a bunch of near-empty lipstick containers that were taking up unnecessary space and weight. Lipsticks seem pretty weightless individually, but adding 10 lipsticks to the kit means extra weigh-down, especially when there are alternate (and more efficient!) forms of transporting them! I did a recent post on the benefit of using palettes for aspiring make-up artists, but this tip is not limited to make-up artists only!

Rather than giving up on the near-empty tubes, here's a tip on how to maximize the product to the very bottom. You don't need to buy a fancy and over-priced lip palette (that has maybe one colour you like and three colours that are ok) when you can make your own! Just head to your local drugstore or even the dollar store to pick up a pill box. Yes, it's not as presentable as a blinged-out Christian Dior palette, but it's perfect for travel and ensures that even if you misplace it - no biggie - you still have the rest of the tube at home!

Ok, back to cleaning!

Here are more artist tips for building your kit. If you're a make-up addict like me, it's so easy to accumulate beauty products as time goes by. In the beginning as you're building your name and your kit, you'll want to give clients the impression that you're well-stocked with all the quality products that suit their needs. But as time goes by, and you lug your stuffed make-up case from job to job, you'll begin to wish there was a better and more efficient way to bring your product around.

I'm a huge fan of bringing only what you need - it's way easier on your arms and helps to lessen the chance of one of your beloved items going missing! Consider these tips for maximizing the most out of your kit space (and your valuable energy!):

Buy palettes.

a). Lipsticks
Use a thoroughly cleaned and disinfected make-up spatula to dig your lipsticks out of the tube. You can purchase an empty palette from a beauty supply company such as Japonesque (pictured at right). With the Japonesque palette, you have the option of adding your own lipstick colours (also great for use with cream concealers). Other cosmetic lines, such as Make-up Forever, offer their own refillable lip palettes that are customized to fit insert versions of their popular lipsticks.

I picked up my lip palette for $12 from a local Toronto company called Jordane Cosmetics . The palette pictured at right is from the Jordane website (I can't say that I have a blue lipstick in my kit!); the one that I bought came without any product, just the refillable container. The palette itself is made of a hard plastic that is durable, but doesn't crack when dropped.

What I love about this: You can easily mix back and forth between lipsticks to make up any colour your heart desires. Just make sure to do the mixing in a secondary container (or on the back of your hand) to keep the colours in the palette fresh and separated.

b). Eyeshadows
Many cosmetic companies offer easily customizable palettes. I stocked up on five eyeshadow palettes (addict much?) from my time working at Inglot (see picture at right), and now I'll have to go to Montreal (or Dubai, Australia or Poland!) whenever I need to restock on these.
At the lower end, Mary Kay and Avon offer refillable palettes while at the higher end, MAC, Make-up Forever and Bobbi Brown each do their version of a customizable palette.

What I love about this: Not only is this space saving within the kit, it's also environmentally friendly! No need for the excess product packaging that usually gets thrown away once the product is all used. Just drop in the refillable eyeshadow insert into the palette and go!

c). Blushes
Similar to the eyeshadow palettes, many cosmetic companies also offer blush palettes. My blush palette is from Inglot as well, but blush palettes are also available through MAC and Make-up Forever. Sometimes the palettes come mixed with a selection of eyeshadows, blushes and lip products, like NARS Bridal Palette featured at right. The mixed palette is a great kit addition for make-up artists who specialize in neutral and bridal looks.

What I love about this: Usually I use a combination of two blushes - one darker shade for contouring just slightly below the cheekbone, and one slightly lighter shade for highlighting atop the cheekbone (and blending out any harsh edges of the deeper blush tone). Having the blushes all under one roof means less fumbling around in the make-up kit looking for product and more time to spend on the fun stuff - actual application!

d). Concealers
Concealers come in all different colours and sizes: aside from the regular skin tone matching concealers, there are also colour correcting concealers. Rather than lug every colour of the colour correcting rainbow around, opt for an artist palette. I love the Lise Watier palette discussed in a previous post, and I also love the Make-up Forever colour corrector palettes that come in a range of tones to cover every ethnicity.

What I love about this: Just like lipsticks, when concealers are all in one container, you have the freedom of mixing. The Japonesque empty palette described above is also great for managing cream concealers in one place. Now you can mix with ease...like a true artiste!

Bring only what you need.
If you've already had a trial with a client and have gone through the items that you'll need, just bring those items. Be warned that sometimes your client may want to make adjustments to the look, so bring extra eyeshadows, blushes and lipsticks to have accessibility to different options. The foundation, concealer and powder will likely stay the same colour so you can ditch the ones you don't need and travel lighter!

One of the building blocks on the road to becoming a make-up artist is developing your professional make-up kit for use on clients. Remember it's the quality of the products in your make-up kit that will help establish your credibility and make your make-up work overall look better (and last longer!). Since a lot of the jobs in this industry are based on word of mouth, it's best to have quality products that reflect your quality of work! During those initial months of building your kit, it only makes sense to save where you can, as you try to nail as many gigs as possible. Here are some tips for building your professional make-up kit without breaking the bank:

1. Check out make-up warehouse sales.
L'oreal and MAC both have seasonal sales where prices are marked down anywhere from 25% to 75% off. Remember not only is it a good time to buy make-up, but it's also a good time to buy moisturizers, make-up removers and make-up tools.

2. Check out your local drugstore or discount superstore for deals.
I'm an avid fan of stocking up on supplies from Shoppers Drug Mart (sorry Canadian readers will know what I'm talking about) whenever they have bonus points sales. Nowadays, Shoppers also sells brands like Lancome, Smashbox, Make-up Forever and Benefit so you can get all of your favourite brands and rack in the bonus points as well!
The other night I was in Wal-Mart and picked up a couple of packs of Maybelline's Blackest Black Waterproof mascara at one of the best prices I've seen in years - 2 tubes for $5! Yes, reason enough for me to scoop up multiple packs!

3. Check out your local dollar store.
I've blogged about my love for dollar store q-tips before. Seriously, you can't go wrong. 400 q-tips for $1. The dollar store q-tips are my fave because they have a minimal amount of cotton, and won't leave a cottony residue on your face. Check out this post to see their versatility!

4. Check with your favourite counter to see if they offer any make-up artist or make-up artist student discounts.
MAC is great for supporting make-up artists, and you can find out more about their programs here.

5. Buy the lightest foundation and the darkest foundation in cool and warm tones.
Buy these foundations on opposite ends of the colour spectrum and mix in accordance with your client's skin tone. Until you start getting more make-up artist jobs, you likely won't need every colour under the rainbow. Splurge on the brand of foundation you buy - great-looking skin post make-up is always a winner with clients and may win you some referrals down the line!

6. Buy disposables.
Buy disposable mascara wands so you don't have to constantly replace your mascara. Check out Elegant Faces where 25 mascara wands go for $8. That means that's 25 times you can use your mascara without replacing it for only $8! Imagine having to buy 25 tubes of mascara at $6 each - totally impractical!

7. Try to get a part-time (or full-time) job at a make-up counter.
Not only will you be gaining valuable experience in your field of choice, you'll also be able to save money by building your kit with a handsome discount!

7. Pass on the make-up kit your school provides, and start building your own!
If you can, skip out on the kit that your school is offering, unless it contains brands that you'll use in your future professional make-up applications (if you're unsure of the quality, look up reviews and ask other people who have used the products.) Use that $500 (and up!) that would have gone towards the cost of materials for class towards buying good quality products.

I get asked the question below frequently, although I hardly consider myself qualified to answer it. This question also differs from the everyday stuff I usually post about make-up, but I thought it may be useful information for those aiming to become make-up artists. I know I had the same questions (and then some) when I was just starting, and everyday, I'm still finding new answers!

Q: I want a future career as a make-up artist and am looking to take make-up classes, but there are so many make-up schools and beauty academies out there to choose from. What school did you go to? How did you narrow your choice down? Is make-up school really a necessary step to becoming a make-up artist?

You're right. There are a wealth of schools and beauty academies out there to choose from and it can be seriously overwhelming trying to decide which would be best for you. (But hey, it's better to have selection right?)

I attended Ryerson University's School of Continuing Education and obtained a Certificate in Advanced Make-up Artistry and Special Effects upon completion of the course this past August 2008. The course itself spanned about a year and encompassed everything from bridal and glamour make-up to stage and prosthetic make-up.

I actually can't say that I did the conventional school-then-work route either - I guess I did it kind of backwards. While I was studying for my Psych degree at the University of Waterloo, make-up was a love I could never suppress (even sacrificing precious study and sleep time to go through my usual 40 minute make-up routine!). While still a university student, I started working my first paid part-time gig (aside from some freelancing at that point) as a Make-up Artist for various prestige make-up lines including Estee Lauder, Lancome and Christian Dior. I remember being so excited about that interview - using a point and shoot camera to document different looks I had done on myself and on friends, enlarging them for print and then presenting it during my interview while being extremely anxious. I did not have any formal training at this point; I had learned a lot of what I did from experimenting on my own face and from flipping through beauty magazines for inspiration.

After completing my undergrad, I worked as a Make-up Artist for Inglot Cosmetics. At that point, all things still pointed to make-up and I made the decision to improve my own technique and started shopping for make-up courses. I wanted to enhance my skill set, as the stage and prosthetic make-up were two aspects of make-up that I likely would never try on my own. I chose the course at Ryerson because it was being lead by Jane Stevenson, well-known throughout the industry for her work in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues and also because it was a night class that fit in well with my schedule. It was a great experience for me, but you shouldn't base your choice of school solely on where someone else went, as the path is different and unique for everybody.

Some of the more well-known schools out there are Complections, School of Make-up Art and the George Brown & Yorkville School of Make-up and Esthetics. You just need to take a peek at their price range to get an indication of why they command such a reputation. There are other make-up courses offered through more affordable avenues such as the School of Professional Make-up, Seneca, Humber and Ryerson and most of these schools offer studies both on a full-time and a part-time basis. Before signing up for any, I would recommend getting a sense of the class environment by going for a tour of the school and trying to speak with their teaching staff.

Before choosing your school, keep in mind that the reputation of the school can only do so much. Once you get that piece of paper, you still have to work (and a lot of the times in the beginning do stuff for free) to get better photos and build a portfolio, particularly if you want to make it in the fashion and beauty industry. You will have to network, gain experience (and save money) from freelancing and/or working at a counter and then get even better photos for your portfolio. Rinse, wash and repeat and then hopefully things take off from there! I'm still learning every step of the way - but that's the fun part!!

Keep in mind that some of the best artists out there had no formal training (think legendary Kevyn Aucoin and modern make-up master Pat McGrath), but were the fateful beneficiaries of hard work, talent, timing and luck. Unfortunately, success does not happen overnight for everyone in the industry, but if you do it for the love of it and continue to work hard, success - once it happens - will be even sweeter!

Good luck!