Interested in being a make-up artist ?

What is it about you that makes you love make-up? If you love to help everyone look attractive and be their absolute best, then you may be a make-up artist at heart. If you like people, and you're comfortable in close proximity to others, if you have skill and artistry, you can make a good living as a make-up artist.

Make-up artists are in demand for many circumstances: wedding, graduation, corrective, artistic, as well as photo shoots for print commercials and fashions, consultations and demonstrations and special effects, and, of course, film and television.

How do you find the jobs? Chances are you started experimenting with make-up early, perfecting your own make-up and helping your chums improve their make-up expertise. Your first job was very likely recommended to you by a friend. Word-of-mouth advertising will always be your top means of securing jobs.

There are many other ways to get the word out about your services. For example, you could teach a class or talk to organisations-from Girl Guides to women's clubs, offering tips and demonstrations. Of course, your promo materials are on hand, along with a half-price coupon or two.

A website is one of the best ways to get your message out, because it's a super way to show your stuff. A gallery of photos that you remember to take at each of your jobs will go a long way as your introduction to potential clients. Why not a before and after pictures of your clients, to really show the depth of your talent?

Aim for a visually clean, easy-to-navigate website which includes a brief, friendly "About Me" page. This page should emphasize how easy you are to work with, not how magnificent you are. As you browse the web for Australian make-up artists, you will find many different types of websites; you will get a better feel for which parts to emulate, which to leave off.

The web also offers numerous sites that market your services on their site. A search for "make-up artists" and your community will reveal local sites that offer opportunities to list yourself and your skills, and search for jobs. Some of these can be found in the Makeup Artist Directory - just go to www.makeupartistdirectory.com and click on your country and community.

If you are serious about a career in make-up, then why not join the Australian Society of Make-Up Artists? This is a non-profit organisation established in Sydney about 40 years ago. Members are qualified professional Make-up Artists who work in film, television, theatre, and fashion. Members who are listed can be accessed by professionals who need their service.

Directories that serve the film industry in Australia include The Production Book and the Screen Producers Association of Australia. Members are listed and information provided even to non-members is a valuable resource to help you focus your job search. As a qualified professional, you are eligible to become listed in these resources and be seen by filmmakers looking for crew. If you're just starting out, you could offer to work on a student film. The copy can be part of your growing portfolio.

A make-up artist really provides the basis for an improvement in someone's self-esteem. A noble profession, wouldn't you say?