Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Alyson Granaderos · Accepted Answer

“Don’t let others detour you from what you want to achieve,” says Granaderos. Because whether a person has been in the profession for five days or thirty years, it’s a competitive field, and there will always be setbacks as well as people who aren’t supportive. “Know who you are and you will succeed,” she adds.

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Alyson Granaderos · Accepted Answer

Granaderos states, “When Makeup Artists don’t understand how the industry works outside of their profession.”
Assuming that it’s not necessary to learn about the other aspects of the entertainment industry can lead to a lack of humility and respect for those who work in those fields. It might also mean not getting that respect in return. “Being a Makeup Artist is a team operation,” says Granaderos.

Question 3

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Alyson Granaderos · Accepted Answer

Interestingly enough, Granaderos admits that she didn’t ask questions when she first entered into this profession. “I just jumped in,” she states, which circles back to her advice that an aspiring Makeup Artist needs to be fearless. She adds that she always had faith in the process and recommends to “just do it.”

Question 4

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Alyson Granaderos · Accepted Answer

“Gregarious.” (Runner-up is “fearless”!)

Question 5

What is a Makeup Artist called?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

A Makeup Artist is a completely appropriate title to call someone who works with cosmetics and prosthetics for film. However, many people abbreviate this title to MUA.

Question 6

How much do Makeup Artists charge in LA?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

The day rate for Makeup Artists who work on films in Los Angeles will depend on their experience and the overall budgets of projects. That being said, an experienced Makeup Artist who includes in their rate their kit fee, which means the fee for the cosmetics they purchase on their own and use for the project, can run anywhere from $100 to $900 per day.

Question 7

Is Makeup Artist a high-paying job?

Anna Keizer · Accepted Answer

The profession of Makeup Artist for film and other entertainment mediums can be a lucrative one pending several factors. One, the Makeup Artist must have the expertise to meet the demands of the projects they are hire on to. And two, they must have regular work to provide a consistent income to meet their cost-of-living needs.
It’s important to note, though, that as with many specialties in the film industry, the professional life of a Makeup Artist tends to fluctuate between periods of busyness and no work at all.

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