Make Up Artist Booboos To Avoid

With make up schools aiming to professionalize the field of makeup artistry, there are things that separate a professional make up artist from just anybody who wants to play with colors and brushes. Sometimes, passion isn't enough and manners do count. The following are acts that are often neglected but committed by make up artists who do not realize the importance of taking care of their client base.

Follow these rules so no one will be left traumatized by your carelessness:

1. Don't break your client's neck. Make sure she's in a comfortable position when you do her makeup. Let her sit with her back leaned against the chair, do not let her hyperextend her neck for several minutes to adjust to your moves, unless she's from an elastic superhero descent. It will strain her muscles leaving her in pain the next day as if she went on a boxing match instead of a pampering makeup session.

2. Do not rest your hand on anyone's face, especially on her delicate eyes. This is bordering on barbaric. Some strokes need careful and precise motion that can fatigue your muscles but it doesn't give you an excuse to transform her face into an armrest. Your hands should be as light as air when working.

3. Do not blow into your client's face. Some cosmetics need to dry before you can proceed to your next step but please, be hygienic enough not to transfer the germs from your mouth even if you don't suffer from halitosis.

4. Say "Please". When you want your client to move in a certain direction, say " look up, please," or "close your eyes, please." Do not move her head with force  or instruct her in a dominating fashion even if you become the most famous make up artist in the world.

5. Use sponges or brushes. When doing your own makeup, you could get away with using your hands in applying makeup. There are certain cosmetics that blend more easily with the heat of your hands. Some claim to have better control in blending using bare hands. I personally started on this technique in applying makeup to my own face but when working professionally, use a tool. Some people don't fancy the idea of your hands touching their delicate skin.

6. Make sure your sponges or brushes are clean. Use 1 sponge per client. When doing makeup of several faces in one setting, having a different set of brushes for each person may be impractical. Sanitize your brushes with alcohol or wipe them off with wet tissues in between clients.

7. Do not wear a strong perfume. Your work needs getting close to another person and although you want to smell good, don't overdo it. You might trigger some allergic reaction from people around you or cause them migraines. In the same way, please don't smoke before a makeup gig. Tobacco is not a very pleasant smell to stick on one's face. Bring mints or breath fresheners, instead.

8. Do not gossip in front of a client. Talking about another person in a malicious light does not make you look professional at all. If you want respect, earn it. For all you know, the person you're backstabbing may be a relative of hers or in case of celebrities, she may be a closet fan of the one you're dissing.

9. Do not talk about another make up artist's mistakes or ditch a competitor. If you are truly good in your craft, it will show in your works. You don't have to make another artist look bad to make yourself appear better.There is no Hippocratic oath among makeup artists to protect their colleagues but do have the decency not to spread negative talks.

10. Do not pry into your client's personal affairs.  As much as you want to build rapport with your client, do not ask rude questions and intrude her private life unless she volunteers information. Be a good listener, interact nicely but do not cross the line.

Bottom line is, have some finesse, be gentle, courteous and hygienic. Observe professional demeanor at all times.