I am a qualified make up artist and have also worked for a big cosmetic company for 4 yrs is they anyone who cand give me tips on how to go freelance plz??
Does anyone work for Mac Cosmetics on here!

I think a good way to go freelance would be to join up with a hair salon (possibly one that does wedding hair). That way you can use them for advertising and somewhere to work from. Obviously they would want a cut but they will have an established client base which is what you need to get yourself started. You would still be freelance because you wouldn't be an employee of the salon, just pay for using a workstation and a cut of the profit.

I would love it if you could help me out with make up art, I'm a fashion designer. At the moment I'm only doing children's wear professionally and women's wear as a fun side project, but if you could help me, or know anyone who's studying it who needs some experience I'd love that!

To be freelance you should start to build a portfolio of your work, the way you do this depends on what aspect of make up you prefer to concentrate on.

If you want to do bridal as your mainstay of work place an ad on here in the wedding section offering to do make up for very little money - just a kit fee really and maybe travel expenses part of this deal would be that you get to take several photographs of the bride - this is the start to your portfolio, you will only need to do 2 or 3 and then you can get a website done and advertise via that. I would recommend if you are doing bridal that you invest in an airbrush and good quality silicon based foundations as these last all day on the bride, don't forget you will need insurance, you should invest in a pro set of brushes (likely to set you back at about £150) you must be aware of health and safety.

If you want to work with models doing photographic work then again invest in the airbrush, join a model portfolio site such as http://www.purestorm.com and prepare to work many hours for little pay (if any) for at least 6 months, don't work with just anyone who offers it, check out any photographers quality of work make sure to take a good look at the model(s) as well and ask yourself if they will really help you to get a career off the ground, don't let people walk over you and again when you start building a portfolio get a website - humans a very visual and anyone who wants to book you will want to see the quality of your work.

Hope that helps

Sian (aka makeup on purestorm)

I am just having a stab at making a fashion model portfolio (http://www.fashionmodel.me.uk) website.

I am just putting the structure together at the moment and hope to get some free portfolios on there soon.

I do nails mobile and I think that you need a website because then you get some internet pressence and its free try webs.com for that you can look at mine to see how it looks. You should register on as many free directories as possible, I like freeindex and gumtree best but theres loads just do a google search. You need some pictures of your work on there because it will help people trust that you do a good job. Get some buisness cards free from vista print just pay postage its a bargin. I was also thinking depending on where you are based and where you want to travel or if you think its a good idea do you want to work with me a bit. We could swap cards and recomend each other and could maybe offer a nails and make up package or something for weddings and proms and things. Its just an idea let me know.

Hope some of that helps you out

Laura

I could help you out with this, I shall PM you.
Thanks.