Ethics of a makeup artist working with a client: 7 important nuances

Together with top makeup artist Svetlana Rymakova, we figure out where to start getting to know a client, how a makeup artist should look and behave while working, what condition his tools and products should be in, and whether it is necessary to wear gloves and provide cosmetic procedures. Read, memorize and put into practice!

Svetlana Rymakova , certified makeup artist, Makeup Artist with 30 years of experience, known for working with show business stars (Jamala, ONUKA, Irina Bilyk and others)

Today I want to share my experience of working with clients (I don’t like this formal word, but I’ll have to use it). According to my observations, until today the market was simply choked with offers of makeup services... It is no secret that, along with well-known, strong and trustworthy schools that exist in Ukraine and are known beyond its borders, there are many amateur courses.

Literally every girl who has completed “makeup for herself” courses and not only considers it possible to immediately enter the market offering this service to others. I do not exclude that there are very talented students, geniuses, but among the graduates of the courses there are also mediocre individuals offering service of dubious quality. Unfortunately, there are no criteria for evaluating activities of this kind. Received a diploma, sometimes printed on a printer by the “teacher” himself, and forward!

And then there’s Instagram, which allows you to confuse the client with photoshopped photographs of young models with perfect faces that are beautiful in themselves without makeup. Believe me, everything is not that simple. Having a diploma, a certificate, a case with luxury cosmetics, or expensive brushes does not guarantee you quick success and decent fees. And I have repeatedly encountered how in photo studios masters turn girls and women into identical dolls, completely depriving them of their individuality, and sometimes simply spoiling beautiful faces with their work.

Among other things, I consider one of the most common problems to be the basic inability of a makeup artist to work with a client. I will not hide that I also had a sad experience when I could not understand what a woman wants and did not find a single point of contact. In such cases, the advantage of our profession is that cosmetics can be washed off... You just have to admit that the client is not yours if you are not ready to fight to the end.

Meeting the client

You need to be a subtle psychologist to understand the situation. There are so many factors that influence a woman's mood, and you should make every effort to see a happy face in the mirror. To do this, you should prepare for work in advance. Nowadays, it is possible to get to know a client through social networks in order to get an idea of his tastes and wishes. You can analyze and figure out whether the client is ready for experiments or whether his views on his own appearance are quite conservative.

Do not rush to demonstrate mastery of several techniques at once, do not overwhelm the person with a mass of information. If you see that the client is interested, leave something for future visits. Let girls look forward to meeting you as a date. Well, since this is a date, then be 100% ready for it.

Appearance of the master while working with clients

I won’t talk about salon employees now - the administration is responsible for their appearance. She either takes care of the overalls or simply determines the dress code acceptable for a given establishment. You yourself must understand that your appearance should win over the client and inspire trust.

I believe that a deep neckline, lack of underwear, short miniskirts and shorts should be left at home while working. Your luxurious hair fluttering in the wind and a cloud of intoxicating perfume can also play a cruel joke on you. A clean T-shirt or shirt, trousers, skirt, jeans will help you. Exceptions are allowed if the client warned in advance that he wants to see you in an evening dress and kokoshnik (and then for a fee =)).

You work with a person, so you must adhere to all hygiene rules. I won’t insist, but personally, I don’t really understand the presence of long nails (especially the stiletto shape). I would be afraid to touch myself, let alone work with such nails in the eye area... Especially if your technique involves touching the skin with your fingers.

Working with fingers or brushes?

I noticed that many craftsmen now work with gloves, and they cannot always give an explanation for this. Some people cite allergies, others think it’s stylish, impressive, and hygienic.

But all makeup artists will agree that some products need to be warmed with your fingers and applied to the skin with them. I don’t encourage you to work only with your hands, because not everyone is ready for tactile contact. But remember: perfectly clean, soft, good-smelling hands, warm in the cold and cool in the heat, are your first and most important tool, along with chic brushes. And if your touches do not cause rejection, this is a good sign of trust in you.

What condition should tools and products be in?

Next we will talk about your case (suitcase or bag). It seems to me that no matter how much you talk about this topic, sometimes you can lose consciousness from the appearance of makeup artists’ cosmetics. Colleagues! The fact that our work may not involve checks and medical records does not allow you to risk the client’s health!

I have been in the profession for 30 years, and I have always had the opportunity to monitor the hygiene and cleanliness of instruments and cosmetic products. The beauty industry is working to keep your brushes clean and your materials sanitized. Thousands of options for cosmetic bags, organizers, covers and cases make it possible to keep everything clean and tidy. Believe me, some clients may refuse your services just by looking at the cosmetics. I insist that your workday should end with cleaning, cleansing and sanitizing all products and tools that you touch your face with.

Don't be discouraged if the client provides you with their brushes on your first work visit. Sometimes this indicates a negative experience. It is in your power to earn trust, so show how careful and careful you are, how attentive to the person’s wishes.

Interaction with the client during work

When this stage is over and you already understand that the client is relaxed and trusts you, you should pay attention to the interaction process itself. Some people like to chat, some prefer to have a snack while applying makeup, some are raising children, and some are immersed in Instagram. Try to delicately explain to the person that this may affect the quality of work. Gently convince him that makeup is a sacrament.

If you are communicating with a client for the first time, explain your every step, every movement. Each make-up artist has his own style and work procedure, and the client may get confused if your technique involves making up the lips first, and only then applying the tone (this happens).

Often, a good attitude towards you can be mistaken for friendship, but remember – this should not be abused. The client-master line must always remain. I also recommend resisting the temptation to gossip. Let me remind you: it’s a small world. Excessive curiosity and obsession are very tiring. Keeping your distance is a guarantee that they will contact you again. A good reputation and integrity, along with skill and talent, have never hurt anyone.

Is it worth providing a client with cosmetology services?

Nowadays, many makeup artists ask me the question, should we provide the client with
make-up, cosmetology services. Someone wants to pamper the client
mask, massage, patches. Of course, this is a nice commercial move. But in that
if you have permission to perform cosmetic procedures and you have
an hour or two for care, and you are also sure that there will be no negative reaction to
the proposed mask, and you know that you won’t overdo it with products that need time
absorb so that the tone does not float away or roll off...

My advice: don't try to do everything at once. Preparing the skin for applying cosmetics should include the usual express procedures: cleansing, moisturizing or applying preparatory products (bases, serums). A cosmetologist should perform cosmetic procedures! This is a completely different service that must be carried out under certain conditions and according to a certain protocol.

In what case can a makeup artist refuse service to a client?

Now is the time to talk about rare cases when you have the right to refuse to provide services to a client.

• If you cannot guarantee the safety of a client with inflammation on the face (severe cases), refuse, be sure to explain the reason (you are afraid of getting an infection, you cannot take responsibility).
• If you are not provided with disposable sponges, applicators, brushes, refuse.
• If you see that a girl’s eyes are watering, there are signs of conjunctivitis, ulcers, demodicosis - refuse!

Here we are not even talking about your safety, but about the harm that you can cause and the consequences that your actions can lead to.

If the client is not sober, I also advise you to weigh the pros and cons of whether it is worth working with him.

Now someone will think that I am exaggerating, because a makeup artist is such a sweet and innocent profession... Believe me, there are a lot of surprises in it. And it depends only on you how long you will stay in it and whether you will be in demand.

The current time allows you to embrace a lot. Everyone chooses their own path. Some work quietly behind the scenes in a photo studio, some masterfully conduct master classes, some write interesting blogs. And if you succeed, if the results of your work please not only you, but also your clients, welcome to the profession. But if you're seduced by the illusion of having a magical time in warm, cozy studios surrounded by ring lights and a sea of luxurious cosmetics, consider that doing makeup is also work.

In the meantime, while you have time, clean your feathers, sort through your treasures, get rid of spoiled products, and put things in order in your cosmetic bags and cases. I sincerely hope that very soon all this wealth will be put to use. Personally, I really miss work.