How to Become a Makeup Artist and Earn Big

The work of makeup artists in recent times cannot be undervalued as they work in various settings such as fashion, film, the music industry, theatres and all sorts of events. The basic goal of a makeup artist is for their client to look perfect as their work demand perfection and meticulous precision. Unknown to many people, the makeup business is one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. This post provides useful tips on how to become a makeup artist in Nigeria and earn a big income.

Over the years, makeup artistry has gone beyond improving a person’s facial appearance to look nice, they’ve dived deeper into creating or designing features which are not present in the human body, this most times are done in film production, campaign awareness and so on.

You have to possess certain behavioural traits which go beyond being creative and artistic in order to become a makeup artist in Nigeria. These traits include:

• Good communication skill
• Patience and perseverance
• Ability to work under pressure
• Good time management skills
• Strategic thinking
• Good decision-making skills.

How to become a makeup artist in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country still in its developing stage with thriving businesses. To become a successful makeup artist in this country, one has to be properly skilled at it with a strong media presence to boost publicity.

Below is a checklist on how to become a makeup artist in Nigeria:

1. Learn

To successfully master a craft, you have to learn from the people who are already in that field. You can either do this by registering at a makeup training studio or watching youtube makeup tutorial videos. Whichever one you choose, you have to be diligent so don’t lose sight of what you are learning.

While it is good to attend a school to learn from scratch, life is not constant and change is compulsory. You also need to keep following up with recent trends and learning new styles and techniques as they come so you don’t become outdated or old school.

2. Practice

We all know the saying ‘one get better at what they do often’ and ‘practice makes perfect’. You need to practice as you learn and that is why people go to a makeup school because there are opportunities to practice with your colleagues. But if you can’t afford to go to school because of finance or time factors, you can learn on your own and practice on the faces of your friends, family, mannequin and on your own face. With constant practice, there is room for development and you will see your progress over time.

3. Buy tools needed to become a makeup artist

To become a makeup artist, you need a professional makeup kit. It is very necessary for you to have your own makeup equipment because while you are learning, you would have to practice constantly. This is why owning your own tool is inevitable. You won’t always rely on borrowing or renting. You need yours for whenever you feel bored or creative so that you can always keep yourself busy.

As a startup, you don’t have to buy everything at first if you don’t have the money. You can always go for the less expensive and multi-purpose equipment while practising. With time, you can buy the rest.

4. Create makeup-related posts

While you practice both on your face and on people’s faces, you should take a picture and post on your social media handles asking for constructive criticism and corrections. As you progress with continuous postings, your friends will see your progress and could contact you for low-end jobs. That way, you would make some money to support yourself. Don’t be scared of humble beginnings.

5. Package your craft as a makeup artist

As time progresses, you get to a point when you realize that you’ve gotten better and you do more than just household makeup. This is when branding comes up. Branding otherwise known as packaging in the Nigeria term is a constructive way in which one makes his product enticing to others. At this point, you don’t need a shop. All you need is a name for your business, logo and graphic designs you can share on social media.

You will also have to create a social media account specifically for your business and invite friends and family to follow and share. To gain recognition, you can start by creating and posting content on makeup dos and don’ts, tips for skin type, this helps to build brand authority. Also, you can offer discounts and free home service, this will help attract customers to you, then you build from there. Scrollforth is a good place to start. The platform is optimized for Nigerian entrepreneurs and you can publish guest posts and add your business to the directory, among other things. See also 10 Best Ways to Attract Publicity.

How much do makeup artists earn in Nigeria

Makeup artistry is diverse and is done for different purposes, with each of them having its different prices. Those who cover movie production and fashion shows charge a lot of money up to hundreds of thousands.

For makeup for little events like going to church, child dedication, matriculation, convocation and so on, makeup artists could charge up to 4000 Naira. While for big events like weddings, and jubilee celebrations, the price could go for a minimum of 6,000 Naira. Then for a bigger event such as the AMVCA where celebrities love to look their best, a minimum of 20,000 Naira can be charged.

Booking a Makeup artist for a full bridal makeup will cost a minimum of 40,000 Naira as they will be around all through the day with the bride for touchups. The price is exclusive to just the makeup, logistics such as accommodation and transportation of the makeup artist will be taken care of by the bride if she doesn’t reside within the locality where the wedding will take place.

These prices would differ based on the artistry, and popularity of a makeup artist.

Top makeup studios in Nigeria

In Nigeria, there are different makeup studios in the country that have made name for themselves with their craft. They are largely involved in working with movie producers, fashion brands, music video producers, politicians and celebrities. Here is a tip: when training to become a makeup artist in Nigeria, it is advisable to train at one of the top makeup studios in Nigeria. This is because training in one of the top makeup studios might present you with a networking opportunity to connect with potential wealthy clients. See also How to Attract Rich Clients in Nigeria.

Below is a list of some of the top makeup studios/artists in Nigeria:

• Jide of St Ola
• Dagogo Jack Diminas
• House of Tara
• Bibyonce
• Anita brows
• Banksbmpro
• Adella makeup studios
• Blend makeoverr
• Bare to beauty
• Doranne beauty