Today – So much research!!!

While I was at work today, I spent maybe 25% of the time doing my real job and 75% of the time doing research on how to be a successful MUA.  I spent a lot of my time on http://www.specktra.net/.  There’s a lot of good advice on there as far as how to apply makeup, the best makeup for your skin type & tone, how to become a freelance makeup artist etc.  Thanks to Makeup by RenRen and Erin at Scandalous beauty for directing so many people like myself to such an informational site.

I know a lot of you (I know I was) were probably wondering how MUA’s who are just starting out afford most of the products they have in their kits.  Many cosmetic companies offer discounts (up to 40%) to makeup artist professionals.  The most well-known is MAC PRO (click the link for info – $35 for membership). Then you have others like STILA, NARS (super hard to get especially if you’re just starting out), Nixie, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Smashbox and many others.  I’ll do a post later to tell you all of the ones who offer professional discounts, and their requirements.

Today, I printed out the MAC PRO membership, and Smashbox Pro applications (faxed them in too!)  I’m PRAYING I see a $35 charge to my card from MAC because that means I was approved!!! Hello 30-40% off.  Do you know how much I’ll save?!?  Pray for me.

I also signed up for Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics professional discounts, which I was approved for almost instantly.  I’m waiting on Nixie, NYX, and two others.

Make sure you have a business card, a resume, professional recommendations, comp card, tear sheets if you want to apply for any of the discounts offered by these companies.

New York City makeup artist, beauty and mom blogger . I immensely enjoy helping myself and others feel beautiful inside and out, which is why I started this blog and my YouTube channel. If you have a beauty or makeup related question, contact me. Your question could be featured on the site! I also accept guest post submissions, check the guidelines. ***Brands and PR firms sometime provide press samples of products for review consideration. These brands are not guaranteed a review on Makeup by Kim Porter Blog, nor do we accept payment of any kind for our reviews. For more on our disclosure policies, please see my terms .