Have you ever stopped to think about exactly why you’re passionate about makeup? If someone were to ask you, what would you say? Personally, my love of cosmetics lies in their ability to make me feel confident, creative, and ready to grab life by the horns. Plus, the time I spend mixing liquids, creams, powders, and pigment — and then carefully applying them to my face with brushes and sponges — is the happiest and most relaxed part of my day.
Whatever the reasons for your love of makeup, sharing that passion with the world is a fantastic way to help others, practice your craft, and get involved in the community at large. But how exactly does one go about spreading the love?
Instagram It
Instagram is one of the most-used social media platforms when it comes to cosmetics. Professional makeup artists, YouTube celebrities, and ordinary folks like you and me regularly post photos of their work, favorite products, and how-to videos. The best part about Instagram is that it’s one of the simplest platforms for first-timers to use!
Start off slow and really focus on taking high-quality photos of your looks or products. Even though you’re only taking photos of makeup for Instagram, you can still play around with layers, space, light, and details. Check out some tips from the pros and start experimenting to find your signature photo style.
Finally, remember to set your profile to public and make use of hashtags — that’s how people will find you.
Do YouTube Tutorials
From 2006 to 2017, the amount of beauty-related content views on YouTube per year went from 130 million to 88 billion. That’s a 67,592 percent increase! That’s why brands are so eager to collaborate with YouTube influencers. Some beauty vloggers have even ended up making a career out of YouTube by working with cosmetic brands to launch new products.
If you’re itching to start recording makeup tutorials, start by watching a variety of videos to get an idea of what people are interested in. Invest in a decent quality camera, editing software, and lighting. Record in a small room to get the best sound quality. Most importantly, be yourself — many viewers are looking for someone real who they can relate to.
Start a Blog
If you’re slightly camera shy, writing about your love of makeup might be a better option. Starting your own beauty blogs is both easy and insanely fun. With each new brand or technique you try, you can share what you learned, helpful tips, and which products are worth spending money on.
To really set your blog apart from others, it’s a good idea to have a specialty. This will help you set the focus your posts while simultaneously drawing in the kind of audience that will come back for more.
Some specialties to consider include:
- Advice for particular skin types or colors
- Specific types of products (e.g. lipstick, eyeshadow, nail polish)
- Swatches and dupes
- Product reviews
- Drugstore beauty brands
- Cruelty-free makeup
Once you get settled and start building up a loyal readership, you can choose whether or not you’d like to monetize your blog. If you do decide to make some monetize, there will be a little extra work involved, but it can be done fairly painlessly.
Make it Your Career
If you prefer a more direct route to a career in makeup, cosmetology school may be just what you’re looking for. Makeup artists can find work in a variety of places, including salons, weddings and special events, the fashion industry, film and television, performing arts, special effects, and even funeral homes. As you make your way through school, consider getting hands-on experience by working at a makeup counter at a beauty store as it will help you practice working with various face shapes, skin types, and colorings.
Conclusion
An important thing to remember — especially if you choose to monetize your hobby — is to keep your eye on the prize. Don’t let your love of makeup wane by turning it into a chore. Take things easy and at your own pace. And, despite what cynics may say, makeup can absolutely be something you wear purely for yourself. So get out there and shout your love from the metaphorical rooftops. You never know who may be listening.
Are you interested in turning your beauty expertise into a side hustle?
Also see: Yes, You Can Make Your Side Hustle Pay Off. These 3 Podcasts Show You How
Also by Liz: Women Are Getting Misdiagnosed For This Disorder Because Of Gender Bias
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