17 year old daughter’s MUA idea

[Bellavida99]

DD17 loves make up and is very good at doing her own makeup and friends makeup. She’s is doing 5 girls prom makeup next week and charging them £20 each. She now wants to start being a MUA doing wedding/ party makeup at weekends instead of her cafe job. She has seen a £600 course so could do this fairly quickly and has done a quote for insurance which was under £100. She has some savings but I’d probably pay half which I don’t mind if it’s worth doing. She’s just passed test so could get to places. As I’m really not the target audience I’d love some feedback on if this could be an idea worth trying out? Would anyone employ her as she’s young? She’d be cheap so that could appeal to people! I’d love anyone’s thoughts please as it’s really not something I know about.

It’s not something I particularly know much about but I think it sounds a great idea. Everyone I know who is successfully self employed has built up their reputation to get where they are which takes time. If she’s passionate and talented she has absolutely nothing to lose. Sounds like it could be the start of something exciting for her.

When you say she’s ‘seen a course’ - has she gone onto authoritative websites and compared it with every other relevant course? Is it the industry standard for MUAs? And at what level - foundation / degree / apprenticeship / advanced? Essentially is it the route that’s most likely to set her up for a successful career?

Does it fully cover the business aspects of self employment? And have work experience built in? (I know nothing specifically about this - but I’d be looking at UCAS for initial guidance. Or the National Careers Service.)

Secondly - she really should not be selling her services cheap. If she has a skill then people should be prepared to pay the going rate - bearing in mind she will have all the associated costs of running her business.

(I’m deeply into Glow Up on BBC1 at the moment - some of the competitors are incredibly talented - and I like the fact they each cite interesting references for their artistic inspiration.)

She needs good insurance, not cheap insurance.

Firstly is it a proper accredited course? Theres many out there that aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Secondly does she have the money to buy decent make up and all the disposable brushes and cleaning products she will need? Good insurance is also a necessity but if she can do all this i dont see why she shouldn't. Starting young gives her a great advantage as well. She needs to also set up a portfolio and a cv of relevant work and try and possibly get employed in a salon/department store make up counter as a starting point to build clients and reputation.

Thanks for the comments and questions. She is at college doing something different and is really thinking of this as her part time job while at 6th form / uni. With reference to the course it is credited but not like doing a full time course. She just thought it would be good as she can say she’s a qualified MUA. She definitely has talent and always has immaculate hair and makeup herself so is a good advert. The insurance is a specialist beauty liability insurance company all looks fine. Yes she has some money to purchase make up / brushes/ cleaning stuff and single use mascara brushes etc. For portfolio that would be limited initially but she can hopefully get the prom girls photos next week and some friends initially.

Absolutely support her doing so if she's passionate about it she's young and this type of service is always desired particularly now with the ever-changing trends etc . 🩷 if she decides not to do it as a long term career at least she has it as a loved hobby and she'll remember how you were present and supportive as a parent 🤗