Rare Beauty’s Post

A year has flown by since my final exhibition at @delamaracademy Embarking on a freelance journey in the makeup industry at 40, armed with a distinction in Makeup Design, has been an exhilarating experience that continues to challenge me. The bold decision to pivot careers was significant. Reflecting on the past year, here are three key insights I’ve learned: 🎥 Embrace the uncertainty. Leaving the security of a well-paying corporate position to venture into the world of freelance makeup artistry, especially amidst industry upheavals (strikes, anyone?), felt akin to losing a part of myself. The transition from a steady income to the unpredictability of freelance work, while managing a mortgage, has been an enlightening journey. 💫 It's a path many tread when shifting from permanent employment to the freelance life, made even more challenging as the industry finds its footing post-recovery. In these quieter moments, I've recently learned to embrace the opportunity to enhance my craft, diving into books, honing my hair and makeup skills, and broadening my knowledge. I've learned the value of this downtime, choosing growth over worry for work beyond my control. 💋 Say yes to everything. With a heart rooted in cinema (a nod to my original Film degree), I envisioned my post-training career amidst the buzz of TV and Film sets. My journey kicked off with a stint as a trainee on a major film production, an experience that set the stage for an unexpected yet challenging path going forward. Initially, fashion shoots and theatre work weren't on my radar, yet they've unfolded into enriching chapters of my career. With two theatre credits as a wig manager and a network of incredible individuals, I've come to realize that every opportunity contributes a vital piece to the larger mosaic of my profession. It's all about playing the long game in this industry. 🎨 Find your cheerleaders. In the tapestry of your career, you'll find champions in the most unexpected corners. These advocates are pivotal, especially in the early stages, and they often appear when least expected. This emphasises the importance of kindness and presenting your best self every day. As a Hair and Makeup Artist, the focus often lies on technical prowess, yet the art of 'showing up'—your holistic approach to life—is just as crucial. It's not merely about maintaining a positive demeanor; it's about nurturing every facet of your being, from nutrition and exercise to reading and rest. These personal foundations are what draw people to you, building a network of supporters who will sing your praises even in your absence. I’m fortunate to have had cheerleaders in my previous career who supported me while pivoting and I continue to discover the same generosity on this new path ❤️ If you’re interested in seeing what my new career looks like in real time, head over to Instagram and follow @amy_on_set #MakeupArtistJourney #CareerChange #FreelanceLife #LifeLessons #HMUA #Theatre #HMUA

Let’s talk about ASOS 🫣 Disclaimer: this is my personal opinion and experience - your experience might differ but I thought I’d share mine too. I’ve been putting off from saying this for a while but here goes. A few years ago I was contacted by a coordinator at ASOS to start a freelance opportunity with them as a producer (not as a photographer) for their e-com shoots - I was hesitant but accepted it as I saw it as an opportunity despite it being £125p/d - yes, you read it correctly, £125! The trial day was interesting. The team (the only person with me) didn’t seem bothered at all about having someone new, they sort of explained what I needed to do but didn’t go into much depth, just told me to shadow them for the day and ask questions when necessary. My day consisted of curating/editing the Capture One session from one of the photographers, selecting final images (the basics) and sending them off to the retouching team and liasing with different parts of the business to make it as smooth process as possible - something I can do and I’ve done before. After the trail day, I received an email saying I wasn’t a good fit for the freelance role as the team thought (the only person I spent the whole day with) I wasn’t a team player, I didn’t seem to put ASOS as a priority (because £125 a day is an outstanding offer for a freelancer). A company that made almost £4 billion revenue in 2022 and yet, you are offering freelancers not even a living wage in London! I didn’t really want to share my personal experience as I thought, maybe it was me, maybe they were right, maybe I was not being a team player and not putting ASOS as my 1st option but today I received an email that has changed my mind and confirmed my suspicions. After this experience (2021), I thought I would reach out last week in case they had any freelance photography opportunities and maybe their rates have changed, so I emailed one of the cordinators. This morning when I received the email, I was greeted with a whole different role (freelance Video Editor position) and my questions, yet again, were ignored and I was sent a template email. Regardless, their offer was £150p/d and there’s no scope for any increment and you need to give ASOS the 1st option as a company - so it makes me reflect and laugh how much we praise ASOS as a company, how inclusive and open they are, how they are disrupting the industry and creating opportunities for everyone but the “opportunities” they offer to freelancers aren’t any of such, they are laughable and to be honest, quite ridiculous to consider that nowaday, that’s a decent rate for anyone when we are living in an economic crisis, travel alone would cost around £30 - £50 to get to them, so you are making less money for them to make billions. I won’t be standing with ASOS, I won’t be praising them and I won’t be buying their products when I know they don’t respect their freelancers, at least, not me. 🫡🫡 #freelance

Why you DON’T need a freelance stylist   ✅ You – or your team – need to spend time getting to know the vendor   ✅ Also the house – every nook and cranny   ✅ The styling is often your Client Executive’s/negotiator’s favourite part of the job   ❌ They’re more money than you should/need to spend   ❌ A stylist will usually ‘over style’ – wasting time and overwhelming your client   ❌ Hiring a freelance stylist isn’t scalable   Keep your styling in-house, under your control and part of your delivery process.   #estateagents #propertymarketing #propertystyling

We're always on the lookout for freelancers who can support us and our clients 🔍 We want to hear from: 📽 Videographers & Photographers ✍ Copywriters 🎨 Graphic Designers If that could be you, email [email protected] Know someone who might want be interested? Tag them below ⤵️ #freelance #marketingagency #sportsmarketing

It's been a slow start to 2024 but freelance gigs are heating up. Lawrence is your Recruitment Specialist for all things freelance. In this short Video he tells you about a project up in sunny Brisbane. #freelancejobs #freelancedesigner #creativerecruiters

How do you manage your time and schedule? Answers to frequently asked questions as a freelance fashion designer, part three! #freelancertips #freelancerhelp #timemanagement #freelancergoals #fashiondesigner #freelancefashiondesigner #freelancer #fashiondesigner #schedule

Opportunity

The one question I get asked most often is about the career growth paths for makeup artists in corporate settings versus freelancers . This varies significantly, depending on a range of factors such as personal goals, market demands, and individual skill sets. Here’s my take at potential growth trajectories in both scenarios: Corporate Job: 1. Structured Advancement: - In a corporate setting, such as working for a beauty brand, a retail chain, or a media company, makeup artists often have a clearer, structured path for promotion. They might start as entry-level artists and advance to senior artist, team leader, or department manager. 2. Stable Income and Benefits: - Corporate jobs generally offer a more stable income and benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and retirement plans. This stability can be appealing and allows for long-term financial planning. 3. Training and Development: - Corporations often have resources to provide ongoing training and professional development, which can help makeup artists stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and trends. 4. Networking Opportunities: Working in a corporate environment exposes makeup artists to extensive professional networks, potentially leading to more high-profile projects or collaborations within the industry. 5. Brand Association: Being associated with a reputable brand can also enhance a makeup artist’s credibility and portfolio. Freelance: 1. Flexibility and Autonomy: - Freelancers have the freedom to set their own schedules and choose their clients, which is highly valued by many creative professionals. This allows them to work on varied projects across different sectors, such as weddings, fashion shoots, films. 2. Higher Earning Potential (but with higher risk): While freelancers might face periods of unstable income, they can potentially earn more than their corporate counterparts by managing multiple clients and setting their own rates. However, income can be irregular and dependent on securing continuous bookings. With makeup being hugely dependent on bridal dates there can be many low income months. 3. Personal Brand Development: Freelancers have the opportunity to build and promote their own brand, which can lead to recognition and more prestigious opportunities. Effective marketing and social media presence are crucial in this regard.With a boom in social media very few are able to see success as the competition and attention span may not have lasting effects. Both paths offer distinct advantages and challenges. Corporate positions might appeal to those seeking stability and structured growth, while freelancing might be better suited for those who value flexibility and variety in their work. What are your thoughts on this ?

A tip for choosing the right freelancers for your creative project: Most talented independent creatives like graphic designers, photographers and animators will have, to an extent, their own unique style. It's this edge and personal flair which makes their work powerful and emotive. But it also means that not every creative will be right for every brand. A mistake I often see companies making is... Thinking that a 'good designer' or 'good photographer' will be right for any project. But what's more important is having a clear idea of the creative direction for your brand and your project, then MATCHING creatives that authentically align with that direction. The results will be much better. ---- I help sports, fashion & lifestyle brands with photoshoots & identity upgrades so they can stand out online and drive sales sustainably.