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Original poster

Please tell me I'm crazy- make-up artist as a career change?

14 replies

NanasInJamas · 03/01/2011 15:09

I'm currently an academic; 20 years of teaching experience, published author, and now in higher education (part-time).

Due to the current budget cuts, there is a very good possibility that I will be able to take voluntary redundancy with a years' salary, tax-free.

I would like to take the redundancy package but the question is; what next? I originally wanted to use the year to finish my PhD (it's nearly done). Then I would try and get a research job.

However, there are a couple of issues:

i. Since I was small, I have always wnated to be a make-up artist! People told me I was 'too bright', though. Hmm I know it is mad (I'm 42) but this would be a great time for me to train (I have the time and the money).

ii. My son is very young and I don't really want to work or train full-time for at least 2 years.

Please tell me I'm crazy for wanting to be a make-up artist. I have no experience, no contacts, no training, I'm too old...just passion and a bit of flair. But there is a small part of me that really, really wants to do it.

Ugh, someone slap me before the idea gets out of hand!

OP posts:
HappyMummyOfOne · 03/01/2011 17:40

Would you have childcare that would enable you to travel and do long days? Most make up artists stay on set all day and start very early.

singingcat · 03/01/2011 17:42

Sorry, you're having a midlife crisis. Stick to what you're already doing, the PhD etc.

brimfull · 03/01/2011 17:46

makeup artist is something I have always wanted to do as well
depends how seriously you want to do it

think you probably need a slap

StopTalkingAndEatYourDinner · 03/01/2011 17:49

It depends what kind of make up artist you want to become as to whether its realistic. if you are happy working on a beauty counter or doing private sessions for weddings etc then I think it is perfectly realistic to retrain.

If you want to do tv/photo shoots etc then I suspect you may have left it a bit late. Most make up artists will have assisted (mostly unpaid) for a long while before they go out on their own and arranged numerous test shoots with photographers to build up their portfolio. It is a very young industry and I think you would struggle to get work experience etc. My best friend is a highly successful make up artist and is 47, she is looking to change careers in the next 5 years or so because the work starts to dry up as you get older (sad but true!)

However, nothing is impossible etc and I suppose it just depends how risk averse you are. Good luck whatever you decide!

Original poster
NanasInJamas · 03/01/2011 20:35

Thanks, everyone; I agree with all that's you've said and feel duly (if gently) slapped.

HappyMummyofOne: I think childcare would be a huge issue and one that I was aware would be a problem; I think I just tucked it to the back of my mind somehwere (silly).

singingcat/ggirl: I'm sure that's true. :)
StopTalking I mainly wanted to do private sessions (weddings, makeovers etc.) but maybe there isn't enough of a market for that? (espcially given the recession). Given up on TV etc. as it's a young person's game and I have just left it too late, sadly.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated, especially the honesty.

OP posts:
WhatsWrongWithYou · 03/01/2011 20:42

How about training as a beauty therapist?
Make up comes into that, and you may have more chance of building up a clientele successfully regardless of your age.
A friend of mine did a 1 year general beautician's course (one night a week), then trained as a Dr Haushka 'aesthetician.' She was then aged about 44 I think.

I've also met image consultants who started in this way.

Sequins · 04/01/2011 07:05

Sure the OP needs "some slap" rather than "a slap"?

Good luck OP whatever you decide, a colleague of mine does wedding make-up at weekends (mainly for Indian weddings) and enjoys this as a hobby - would this approach be enough for you?

Original poster
NanasInJamas · 04/01/2011 11:30

WhatsWrong...thanks, was thinking about that but not sure I could cope with waxing bikini lines...

Sequins Grin...it's definitely something I'd like. Whether I could make a living is another matter, I think.

Thanks, all. :)

OP posts:
dianekeen1 · 05/01/2011 10:19

I'm going to go slightly against the grain here and say if it's been a lifelong dream explore it a bit more.

At 42 you've still got a lot of working years ahead of you, and we're all getting younger by the year (40's new 20'3, 50's new 30's and all that) If you think you're too old consider this. How many people do you know or heard of who have made career changes in their 40's? I was only speaking to a guy yesterday who worked as a management consultant for years, became jaded with the work so trained to work as a registered childminder, he now owns two nurseries and has further plans for development.

Sorry to rock the boat, that's what I tend to do best!!!!

Di

kittycat37 · 06/01/2011 21:45

Nanas - I think it's a fabulous idea - go for it. Why not? You only get one life.

Lots of people want a make up artist on their wedding day and I for one certainly didn't want a young little thing doing mine. I think your age might be an advantage for some sorts of work.

decaffeinated · 07/01/2011 12:55

I reckon you should explore it further! I think if you have a dream you should go for it, and personally I don't think it's ever too late.

Why not think about combining finishing your phd with a part time / evening / weekend course in make-up? Then you're not closing any doors and can always continue along the path you thought you were going to with nothing lost.

In the meantime, you could call Greasepaint (or other make-up schools) to talk about the reality of the job, getting work, and job options / wages, but most importantly to discover what courses on offer to enable you to 'dip your toe in'.

At the very least, it could become a hobby that you love, or a course you've done to scratch the itch. If you don't try or find out about it, you'll never know, and the redundancy money / time space you'd have is a gift worth taking advantage of.

You'll probably never look back, and at least you'll never look back and say 'what if' Wink.

Speckledeggy · 07/01/2011 22:47

I don't think you're bonkers at all. I dream of being a florist...

Easiest thing to do at this stage would be to enrol on an evening course and see where that takes you.

I think a lot of people who have done 'brain work' often wish for a simpler more creative work life. I know I do! It also doesn't actually matter what anyone else thinks except you!

snice · 07/01/2011 22:55

have you thought about training as a 'colour consultant' -that sort of Colour Me Beautiful stuff?
Because you could combine that with make up/makeovers and work self-employed

WhatsWrongWithYou · 08/01/2011 00:37

I thought of that too, snice - image/colour consultants definitely do make up, and I've met one who trained as a beautician as well and does wedding make up.

House of Colour have lists of vacancies for trainees on their website.

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