46. How to Assist in the Makeup Industry: Tips and Tricks with Emma Chaisty & May Vl.
4th July 2023
Show notes
In this episode of "The Makeup Insider," host Vanessa Barney is joined by makeup artists Emma and May to discuss all things assisting in the industry.
We discuss the dos and don'ts of assisting, the importance of being a support system for your mentor, and the rewards of pursuing a career in makeup.
Here are my top three takeaways from this episode:
Read the room: As an assistant, it's important to be aware of your surroundings and the vibe on set. Don't go in with a preconceived notion of what you should be doing. Instead, take cues from your mentor and be open to adapting to their needs.
Be a support system: Being a creative can be mentally and physically exhausting. As an assistant, it's your job to be a source of support for your mentor. This means being positive, low maintenance, and offering help wherever you can.
Pursue your passion: Makeup and hair is a rewarding career, but it's also tough. If you're thinking about pursuing a career in this field, give it a go, but also have a backup plan. Stay in your own lane and don't compare yourself to others. Remember, there's a client for everyone.
I hope you all enjoy this episode as much as I did. Don't forget to rate and subscribe to The Makeup Insider podcast so you never miss an episode. Thanks for listening!
Product mentioned - Fabulous Mascara
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RECENT POST
1st August 2023
Assisting is a valuable opportunity.
Assisting is a valuable opportunity for makeup artists to gain experience, learn new techniques, and network with industry professionals. In the podcast, "The Makeup Insider," host Vanessa Barney interviews makeup artists Emma and May about their experiences as assistants in the industry.
Assisting is about helping the lead artist and making their job easier. It involves being a second hand to them and ensuring that the day runs smoothly. There are different levels of assisting, and it can be a paying job for experienced artists.
One misconception about assisting is that it is only for younger or less experienced artists. However, Emma and May both agree that there is no age limit or experience level for assisting. Everyone can learn something from someone else, and assisting provides an opportunity to do so.
Assisting can also lead to future job opportunities and networking. Emma assists Penny, who raves about her and her work. May has received rave reviews from Nigel and Kylie O'Toole, who she has assisted on shoots and at Fashion Week. Assisting allows artists to build relationships and connections with other professionals in the industry.
Furthermore, assisting allows artists to gain experience in different areas of makeup artistry. Emma primarily does fashion and TV work, but assisting has allowed her to work in other areas. May has a varied portfolio, including advertising jobs, events, weddings, fashion, headshots, and e-commerce. Assisting provides an opportunity to work on different types of projects and gain experience in various areas.
Assisting is valuable for growth.
One of the benefits of assisting is the opportunity to learn new techniques from other artists. By working closely with a more experienced artist, an assistant can observe their techniques, products, and tools, and learn how to use them effectively. This can help an artist improve their skills and expand their knowledge, which can be applied to their own work in the future.
Assisting also provides an opportunity to network with industry professionals. By working on set with other artists, photographers, and producers, an assistant can make valuable connections that can lead to future job opportunities. They can also gain insight into the industry and learn about upcoming trends and opportunities.
Furthermore, assisting is a paying job for experienced artists, which can provide a steady income while they continue to build their portfolio and network. It can also be a way for artists to work with different clients and in different settings, which can help them gain experience and exposure to different types of makeup artistry.
Reach out and follow up.
The best way to reach out is to keep it simple and to the point. Ray Morris, a makeup artist and ambassador, advised artists to avoid sending a novel or their life story. Instead, they should provide dot points about their abilities, availability, and what they can do. For example, if an artist can do hair, they should mention that in their email or DM. They should also mention any other artists they have assisted and the kind of jobs they have been on.
Following up is also important. Artists should not be upset if they do not receive a reply immediately. They should try again in a month or two weeks. Artists are busy, and they may not see the email or DM immediately. Following up shows that they are interested and committed to assisting.
Respect artist and be aware.
However, there is one crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when it comes to being a makeup assistant: respect for the artist.
One of the key ways to show respect for the artist is to be aware of what is going on in the room. As May pointed out, paying attention to what the artist is doing can help you anticipate their needs and be ready to assist them when they ask for something. This means being mindful of where to get the necessary tools and products and understanding how the artist likes their makeup or hair to look.
In addition to being aware of the artist's needs, it is also important to be low-key and humble. As Em noted, the makeup assistant should not be the center of attention. Rather, they should be like a working bee, quietly and efficiently helping the artist to create their vision. This means keeping conversations to a minimum and avoiding being too loud or distracting.
Another important aspect of respecting the artist is to avoid making extra work for them. As May pointed out, being an assistant can be hard work, and it is important to make the artist's job easier, not harder. This means anticipating what needs to be done before being asked and being as helpful as possible.
Finally, it is important to remember that as an assistant, you are there for the artist, not for yourself. This means avoiding behaviors that could be seen as self-promotion, such as giving out your contact information to everyone on set or approaching the photographer about doing a test shoot. Instead, focus on supporting the artist and building a strong working relationship with them.
Finally, a successful makeup assistant must be trustworthy. Artists need to be able to trust their assistants to handle confidential information, such as contact details and rates. This means being discreet and professional at all times, and not gossiping or sharing information with others. A trustworthy assistant can help to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues, which is essential for building a successful career in the makeup industry.
By approaching the job with the mindset of assisting to help, not to learn, assistants can build successful careers and help artists to create their best work. Being proactive, low-key, reliable, and trustworthy are all essential qualities for a successful makeup assistant, and those who possess these qualities are sure to thrive in this exciting and rewarding industry.
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