Alexander Kodak on the ethics of a makeup artist working with a client in different situations

Alexander Kodak is a master with 15 years of experience, the official makeup artist of the Avon brand and facechart artist! Together with him we discuss a variety of issues related to work ethics and communication between a makeup artist and clients.

Sasha, tell us where to start getting to know a client?

You should always start with a greeting and a smile to the client. 55% of the first impression depends on our openness to communication, posture, facial expressions - how we present ourselves.

It is important to address the client by name, although I admit that remembering a huge number of names when you work with a large number of people is quite difficult. Therefore, I have developed a rule for myself: in the first minutes of communicating with a person, I repeat his name several times in order to remember it faster. If you are working, for example, with several models at the same time, I recommend making notes on your phone.

Our job is not just to do beautiful makeup, but also to leave the client or model confident and in a great mood for a shoot, event, and so on.

Is it worth studying the client’s appearance type before the meeting?

Early in my career, I really researched the client before meeting them. I looked at the photographs and thought about what suited the girl best. At the initial stage, this is a good way to prepare.

But there is one nuance: almost everyone’s photos on Instagram are edited, and you never know what surprise awaits you in reality. (Smiles.) Therefore, if you have the opportunity to ask in advance for a photo of the client without makeup, take advantage of it.

The most important thing before a meeting is to find out the girl’s wishes, especially if you work outside. Because you won’t have the entire range of cosmetic products at hand, and the client may request something especially bright or extravagant - and you simply won’t have the right shades and textures with you.

Of course, a separate conversation if you work in production. In this case, you need to prepare especially carefully and seriously, discussing every little detail with the customer.

What to do if a client chooses makeup that doesn’t suit her?

A fairly common situation is when a client shows as an example a photo from Instagram or Pinterest, which shows a model-looking girl with perfect skin. Of course, the photo was also processed in editors.

If I understand that this makeup will not look very harmonious on the client, then I try to pay attention to the merits of her appearance. It is important not to convince or dissuade, but to inspire to try something close to what the client wants and what will suit him. For example, a girl wants an arrow. Even if she has drooping eyelids, as a professional you can draw her the desired wing based on the shape of her eyes, even if it doesn’t look the same as in the picture. Teach the client some life hack that will be useful to him. You won’t be disappointed, and the client will have a positive impression.

I can admit that sometimes I had to do things that I didn't like. But at the same time the client remained satisfied. This is his money, his wishes, and we must listen to them.

How to deal with clients who are trying to provoke a scandal?

No way. Do not mention it. Quite rarely, clients do this intentionally, and if they have a goal to get the master out, most likely they will do it. (Laughs.) This often happens to beginners working in inexpensive salons: here we encounter a category of clients who initially do not intend to pay. But, fortunately, this is rare.

If the client is not in the mood, nervous or nervous, perhaps he simply had a bad day. Therefore, never take such a person’s behavior personally - this is very important. Ignore the client's mood and do your job.

You can listen to the continuation of the conversation on our Instagram account.