Expenses Checklist & Tips

One of the best things about a makeup artist business is that it has a relatively low starting cost. And one of the main reasons is that you don't need to rent an office - you can either travel to  your clients' homes or businesses or allow them into your own home.

As a makeup artist, your business expenses will include the following:

• Professional makeup kit

Your own makeup kit is one of the largest expenses you'll face. At first you’ll have to spend around 50% (or even more) of your budget on it. And that’s why your kit requires a great deal of research, careful selection, and care. It must contain 

• High-quality brushes (we’ve got a list of must have brushes for here)

• Foundations, concealers, and color correctors

• Various palettes and products for eyes, brows, lips, and cheeks

• Eyeliners and mascaras

• False lashes and lash glue

• Setting powder

• Spoolies

• Cotton swabs

• Makeup remover pads

Don't forget bags, boxes and containers that make up the "kit" and specialized cleaning products to maintain your brushes and tools.

Purchase quality, long-lasting equipment — the best you can afford.

• Portfolio

Portfolio is what makes your clients choose you, it is your resume. Yes, qualifications matter, but it is your portfolio that catches the eye of your potential clients and showcases your best skills. Seek women of different hair colors, eye colors and skin types. Demonstrate your ability to master different looks. If you don't have good photography skills we highly recommend you to hire a professional photographer.  

Be patient. Building portfolio takes time as it should be diverse and show what you have to offer.

And don't forget to watermark your work.

• Website

Website is what makes the first impression of you as a makeup artist. And you will have only one chance to make it, so your website should create the exact impression you want.

The website can be a great expense if you ask a professional to create one for you ( average $120 per hour). 

But you can make it on your own. There are plenty of website-building sites out there with nice designs and thorough instructions on how and what you need to do. Yes, it will take time and energy but it will save a lot of your money.

Your website doesn't need to be fancy, but it should have a clear navigation and all relevant information about you, your qualifications and your services.

Advertising

Start a makeup blog where you can post useful information (product reviews, makeup tips) and show photos of your work. Share your post on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Upload videos on youtube providing your followers and potential clients with some useful information. Be active, answer questions and post comments. Ask your clients for reviews and share them in your blogs.

Be active, answer questions and post comments. Ask your clients for reviews and share them in your blogs.

It is a good idea to advertise heavily on social media sites: it is relatively cheap and helps you showcase your skills best. Getting first clients is the hardest, but once you’ve got them, it will become easier and easier.

Use your social media pages to run contests intended to build interest and gain customers.

Regular updates of your Instagram and Facebook blogs are extremely essential. Get more information about the importance of social media for a makeup artist here.  

• Insurance

Insurance is not a must. It is up to you to decide whether you need it or not. But since you work with people's faces we at Online Makeup Academy believe it's a good idea to have one. 

What does a makeup artists need insurance for? Let’s imagine you are working on  a makeup and your model is having an allergic reaction. If you don't have insurance, you'll have to cover all the bills on you own. And that might be much more that the cost of insurance (around $70-100 per year depending on your area).

Insurance also protects your makeup kit which is a very important thing because you'll constantly invest your money and time in it.

• Taxes and licenses 

Depending on your business model and state (country) of residence you might need to pay for a license to make your business legal. Check out the amount of taxes you need to pay and when you should do it. 

Depending on your business model and state (country) of residence you might need to pay for a license to make your business legal. Check out the amount of taxes you need to pay and when you should do it. 

Check this information before you start working.

To sum it up, the costs may vary from $2000 up to $8000. The main part of your budget (half or even more) goes towards purchasing new makeup and makeup supplies. It is important to remember that the more supplies you have, the more services you can offer. The second biggest expanse is advertising and marketing. It includes your portfolio, website and promotion. This part is hard to estimate since you can do a lot from this list on your own. 

What to consider before you start
Before you dive into your MUA business it’s important you understand that there are new makeup artists popping up all the time. To stand out, you should be sure that you are well qualified and passionate about what you do. If you feel you’re lacking some skills or knowledge enrol yourself in our Advance Course. It will give you the opportunity to gain new skills no matter where you live. Having a wider set of skills under your belt can lead to opportunities in a range of industries.  

Check this information before you start working.

To sum it up, the costs may vary from $2000 up to $8000. The main part of your budget (half or even more) goes towards purchasing new makeup and makeup supplies. It is important to remember that the more supplies you have, the more services you can offer. The second biggest expanse is advertising and marketing. It includes your portfolio, website and promotion. This part is hard to estimate since you can do a lot from this list on your own. What to consider before you start. Before you dive into your MUA business it’s important you understand that there are new makeup artists popping up all the time. To stand out, you should be sure that you are well qualified and passionate about what you do. If you feel you’re lacking some skills or knowledge enrol yourself in our Advance Course. It will give you the opportunity to gain new skills no matter where you live. Having a wider set of skills under your belt can lead to opportunities in a range of industries.