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
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.
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