Freelance Advantage

Journey Through the "Career Guide" with Houston, Texas based Makeup Artist LeRenda Howard

I've often asked artists from around the globe, who have purchased The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide to write about it. Few have ever responded, but one young lady, a Houston, Texas based makeup artist by the name of LeRenda Howard did, and it has given me much insight into how the book works in the professional life of a freelance artist who is just discovering who they are in this game called makeup artistry.

With so many questions needing to be answered, an artist who wants to jump start their career out of makeup, cosmetology or fashion school, advanced makeup or hair classes, or move beyond selling lipstick behind the counter or getting off of your feet at the hair salon has few reliable [unbiased] resources who can tell them what to do NEXT!

I wrote the Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide to do exactly that, show you WHAT to DO next. For those who read it, and continue to pursue their dream, the information is priceless.  I have been sent photos of old Career Guides held together with staples and paperclips. It warms my heart to see my book getting that kind of workout.

Included here over the next 9 weeks will be a 9 week series of Makeup Artist LeRenda Howard's thoughts about what she's gotten out of the Guide.

Sunday, July 17, 2011 – 1:00AM
Day 1: What I’ve Learned From the Career Guide

Good Evening Crystal,

I'd like to start off by thanking you for being open and allowing me to share my thoughts and reactions to your book.  It means a lot to know that you are genuinely interested in my success. 

Today, making a decision about which side of freelance make-up I want to work in has been the biggest challenge.  I'm sure it sounds naive, but I would really like to do some of everything.  Until I read this first chapter, I never knew that MUA’s either did Film & TV or Print, Video and Commercials.  I guess I figured once you got your foot in the door, the opportunities were endless.  

I was just asked to work on a film project that will begin on Aug. 1, 2011.  It will be the first time I've worked on a movie.  It's not a paid position but I hope that it will allow me to gain enough knowledge and experience to work on other films as well as music videos.

I never thought to consider working on corporate, industrial, or educational videos.  I guess I didn't think about the fact that those people need to be "made up" as well.  

I'm in Houston, so I know I probably won't get too many opportunities to do films however, I may have opportunities to do educational and industrial videos or commercials.  Just reading this first chapter has opened my eyes to a whole new world.  

I'm getting a better understanding of the different opportunities out there for make-up artists and how they differ.  I've been procrastinating with building my portfolio even though I know I need to get one.  It just seems so overwhelming to find a photographer and a model, but it has to be done and I need to just do it. I'll stop here and follow up with you after I finish reading chapter 2.

Thank you again,

LeRenda Howard

LA Based Makeup Artist Tania Russell
sent me a picture of her Career Guide & 1stHOLD magazine collection last year.
Visit her website at www.MakeupWerks.com

This is it for the year. Take advantage of our FINAL sale. Visit us at http://thestore.crystalwrightlive.com/

News Views & Videos from PYP NYC October 2011

It's been 2 months now since I returned from Packaging Your Portfolio New York October 15 & 16, 2011.

What an amazing 2 days teaching 15 amazing artists in NYC. We've already completed our first 30-60-90 day coaching session and have another call coming up in a few days.

Check out this slide show at the MAKE UP FOR EVER Studio in NYC:
    http://www.gallery.stylez4women.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?AlbumID=19608169&AlbumKey=GMP99g

Also, we also got some really great video from the students that I want to share with you below:

Florida based Hair Stylist Crystal Lockinour - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT1AXZ1Bf8I
New York based Makeup Artist Mary Gordon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCv7-5cFWLk
Maryland based Makeup & Hair Stylist Amina Garrett & Philly based Hair Stylist Richette King - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMx3DTL8kCA
Director/Producer Craig Brooks (http://www.KontentPartners.com) & Celebrity Makeup Artist Monifa Mortis (http://www.MonifaMortis.com) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf777hDM6dE
New York based Makeup Artist Vashni Michos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyjXjOVwl5w
New York based Manicurist Tiffany Cofer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ofb7k67lDU

In closing, I'm excited to announce that New York based agency Artists by Timothy Priano met with manicurists from the PYP Washington DC class in November and 2 of them have been working steadily with the agency on clients such as Bloomingdales, Victoria's Secret and Zink magazine.

Have an awesome day everyone, and I look forward to having YOU in one of my 2012 PYP Workshops. Make sure to register before Jan 1, 2012 so you can take advantage of EARLY BIRD pricing and save $100. Our no-interest monthly payment plans make it easy!

And remember, if you STAY READY, you won't have to GET READY!

Sincerely,

On The Rise: DC Makeup Artist Keisha Willis Shares Her PYP Experience

November 18, 2011

Dear Crystal,

There aren’t words enough to thank you for what you have done for my career! Before I learned of you I could barely call myself a makeup artist.  I had the talent but I was bumping around in the dark. Some months I didn’t work at all.  Then I noticed that an artist I really respected mentioned you on twitter and I started to follow you.  You would give out so many helpful nuggets I had to learn more.  You mentioned your book, which I instantly bought and read––highlighting and marking several pages. 

     Once I started applying what I learned, I instantly started getting better jobs.  The book lays out what you need to do step-by-step.  You had artists that I really admired such as Sam Fine and Monifa Mortis giving so much amazing advice in your book.  After reading the book you started doing webinars and I instantly signed up and was so excited I wanted to pay it forward and bought another one for you to gift to someone.  You were so impressed with this that you actually called me and spoke to me.  This absolutely floored me because I didn’t think it was that big a deal.  This gave me a deeper peek into how much you care about your students. I was so very touched that I knew I had to take your class and learn more from you.

      I had no clue just how much this class would change my life.  There was a threat of a hurricane (Irene) during the class and I was 6 months pregnant. But nothing was going to stop me from coming to this class.  Me and about 9 other students came each day and we built a bond that will never be broken.  We learned so much during this workshop and heard from other great artists.  This class helped us see that our wildest dreams are possible with strategic planning and determination.

      Since this class I have been able to assist amazing artists such as Renny Vasquez and Jenn Quinn. I have received a paid assisting job through an agency and I shot for Discover magazine (possibly landing the cover).  I have raised my rates and gone from making around $200 or $300 for a wedding to making $1,000.  I just finished the class 2 months ago (Aug 28 & 29, 2011) and I did all of this in my 3^rd trimester. How much more can I do not pregnant?  The world is my oyster and anything is possible and I have you to thank for showing me the world through your eyes.

You are far more than a mere motivational speaker or teacher, you literally climb into our individual worlds and mentor us by intimately caring about us and giving us tough love when we need it. I have never met another person like you.  Thank you for allowing God to use your life to reach so many. 

Successfully yours,

Keisha Willis
keshiaw3@yahoo.com
www.KeishaWillisBeauty.com

 

 

 

 

For 24 years Crystal Wright represented some of the most talented freelance makeup, hair, fashion stylists and manicurists in the entertainment and fashion biz.

Two and a half years ago she decided to write and teach. She has been called many things, most often she's called "Empowerment Diva" because she inspires and motivates others to take responsibility for their choices, leave their excuses at the door, get control of their lives and take their power back.

She is a woman of unbounded energy who isn't afraid to expose her own frailties if it will help someone else change their lives in a positive way.

Her book, The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide is considered the beauty bible for freelance stylng professionals who want to succeed behind the scenes in print, video, film and TV.

Her new book 30 Days at 100 Percent: Changing Your Life 30 Days at a Time challenges the reader to strive for excellence in eight different areas of their lives by tackling one thing every 30 days. You can order 30 Days at 100 Percent online in the CrystalWrightLive Store.