Please see below for a list of common questions, and answers. If after reading the list of common questions – if you still have unanswered questions please feel free to contact director@niimd.com.
Q:HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A SCHOOL IS REPUTABLE? HOW DO I CHOOSE WHICH SCHOOL TO ATTEND?
There are lots of important factors to consider, including coursework, instructors and students services. When you look at what a school offers its a good idea to think about where you want your new skills to take you once you graduate.
PROVINCIAL LICENSING
One of the first things to consider is whether the school you’re interested in is operating according to provincial educational laws. Ensure the school you choose is recognized by the Government. A school can only offer traditional financial aid if a school is accredited and authorized by the Student Financial Aid and Canadian Department of Education.
LOCATION
Make sure the school suits your needs. Is there parking? Is it free? Is the school easy for you to get to? These are all very important questions to ask yourself when choosing which school to attend. Does the school provide you access to development? Developing a strong portfolio is the most important part of becoming a professional makeup artist. Make sure when you choose a school that your school provides you the resources and facility to develop a portfolio that will allow you to work once you graduate.
CURRICULUM
Do you know what you will be learning? Know what you want to get out of school, and ensure that your program will provide you with all the knowledge necessary to get there. Make sure you choose a school that provides a well rounded program with a through curriculum. Ensure your program has multiple components that will enable you to become business orientated as well as artistry inclined.
STUDENT SERVICES
Make sure you are aware of the students services your school can offer you. You want to choose a school that will support you once you graduate. At Numa International Institute of Makeup and Design all students are given the opportunity to be represented as a Numa Artist. Numa Artist Management rosters a few professional artists who complete job bookings throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Ambitious students have the opportunity to take advantage of our Artist Apprenticeships where students are given the opportunity to work under professional artists even before graduating.
ARTIST SUCCESS
Choose a school that can prove that they have graduates working professionally. Look at the success of the schools graduates because this will tell you allot about the school curriculum. Make sure to ask the school some of their Artist Achievements.
SCHOOL TOUR
Always tour a school before you decide where you plan on attending. In this case judging a book by its cover is very important. If the school looks run down, and out dated it usually means the school is not investing in the students education. In our line of work, it is important to stay up to date with the times. Aesthetics in an Aesthetics school are very important. If you visit a school facility and you enjoy the people and are inspired by the environment it usually means you have found the right school for you.
Q: WHAT IS IT THAT A MAKEUP ARTIST ACTUALLY DOES?
Beauty and natural makeup application suited to the occasions and projects such as model and actor portfolio pictures, fashion shows, beauty pageants, TV projects such as specials, independent films, weddings or commercial shoots such as advertising campaigns for TV or print ads. The makeup artist is responsible for understanding skin care and preparation of the skin for makeup, lighting and how the look will transform for different media such as photography, TV cameras, film for movies and for everyday wear.
Q: WHAT KIND OF DAILY ROUTINE IS THERE FOR A MAKEUP ARTIST?
There is no daily routine. Some days are 4 hour jobs, others are up to 16. Photo shoots can be at least 8-9 hours with up to 4 makeup and hairstyle changes. It is a major asset if you are able to style hair. Magazines, print and TV commercials often want one person to style both makeup and hair. Makeup lessons can be up to 3 hours, and a wedding can be 2 to 6 depending on how many people you have to do.
Q: AS A MAKEUP ARTIST, DO YOU HAVE A BOOS OR DO YOU WORK MOSTLY ON YOUR ONW?
If you’ve been hired as a freelance artist, you are the boss of the makeup but photographers and art directors will check the work before you go to set for film or photography, and express opinion. If it’s an advertising campaign, the client will have specific looks they want and tell you or even show photos of what they want you to duplicate.
Q:WHAT KIND OF STARING SALARY WILL A MAKEUP ARTIST GET?
For personal work, you set your rates eg. weddings, makeup lessons, parties. For commercial work, you often quote the job based on hours required, products used and how many people will have makeup applied. The production companies have set budgets though and often try to negotiate any quote you give them. Film and Television are often unionized. Starting salary for this position ranges. If you work at a retail counter selling makeup, you could be looking at about $15 per hour to start. Attending a reputable school will allow you the ability to charge about $65 per hour to start, with a minimum of 2 hour booking. Once you build your portfolio and work your way up to the top, you can make up to $2000 per day for advertising campaign work.
Q: WHAT IS EXPECTED IN A MAKEUP ARTIST’S PORTFOLIO?
Photos with good fashion photographers that have strong editorial themes with quality, conscious makeup. Bad portfolios have every picture you’ve ever done. Good ones show only your best work with the best photographers and showcase a range of makeup styles from natural to beauty and some that are fashion forward. Not all pictures will be from the same distance away, some are close up, while opposing page work should be full-body or 3/4 body shots. None should look like portraits. A good portfolio takes time to develop. Working with solid a solid team consisting of a strong photographer, a established stylist, and a experienced model. At first you will have to work with beginners just like yourself, but the goal is to expand your network and develop relationships with like industry professionals. Networking is a huge part of proper portfolio development.
Q: WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF A MAKEUP CAREER?
If you love applying makeup, you’ll love every aspect of the industry. The most rewarding aspects of the industry are the reactions. The way an individual reacts after they have been transformed into to someone they never imagined, the excitement from clients after you have successfully provided them with the look they were imagining and the smile on a bride’s face when they look in the mirror on their wedding day. You get to do something you love to earn a living – there is nothing more satisfying than doing what you love.