CREDIT: KATE MADA
Joshua Waller has found success as a makeup artist. In the photo above, he’s putting the finishing touches on a zombie for a music video.

Makeup artistry is not only an incredible form of art; it is also a very exciting and rewarding career choice. The avenues you can take in a makeup career are endless whether it's in retail, fashion, TV and film, theatre or even taking an entrepreneurial approach. But just like any career in art, it's a lot of work and requires much dedication and passion. I have put together a few tips and pointers that will help you kick-start and succeed in your career in makeup artistry.

Just like most things in life, its best to start off by getting your education. There are many world-renowned schools in Canada including Blanche Macdonald, Complections and Vancouver Film School. Once you have your diploma, it will not only give you credentials, it will also show future employers that you are very serious about your career.

However, when it comes to makeup, your education doesn't stop after graduation; you need to always stay relevant and up to date with latest technologies, makeup products and techniques. Teaming up with other artists or shadowing established artists is a great way to keep up to date.

The next most important thing is to have a well-rounded and good quality portfolio. When it comes to your portfolio, quality over quantity is very important; you want to make sure you showcase your best work as this is one of the key elements in getting you a job. Having a good variety of gender, races and styles of makeup will show employers that you are competent in all areas of the art. Avoid putting in amateur work or anything that looks like a “selfie” as this is really unprofessional.

Building your portfolio leads into the next important aspect in building a career; putting yourself out there and making a name for yourself. When you first start out you won't be getting many paid projects simply because it's a competitive industry and no one knows who you are yet, which is why you need to volunteer your time. Working on student/independent films, charity fashion shows and collaborating with other photographers is a great way to not only get your name out there, but to build your portfolio as well. Never limit yourself and always keep your options open.

Networking is another really important key to being successful because who you know in this industry will really determine how much work you will get. This is another reason why volunteering for different projects is really important because you never know who you will meet, whether it be a future bride, director or fashion designer. Once you start to build your network, make sure you always stay connected and be persistent for future work.

Even though makeup artistry can be a tough industry to break into, it is so worth it! You get to meet some of the most extraordinary people and get to be involved in the most exciting projects. Stay focused, stay connected and most importantly, stay passionate and you can create an amazing career in makeup artistry.