What's Not To Love?

Being a freelance MUA is super glamorous and exciting… Except for like 95% of the time, when it isn’t. You’d better be in love with your work if you’re going to do it, because otherwise, it isn’t likely to be worth all the unglamorous and unfun parts. What could possibly be unglamorous and unfun about my workday? Let me tell you.

• Toting around twice my weight in equipment and supplies. Here’s the thing about working freelance and not having my own salon space: I have to take the ENTIRE SALON with me everywhere I go. I have to buy industrial tool boxes to carry MAKEUP. That’s ridiculous. Also heavy. Multiple loads. And I have to set up shop in some less than ideal places, which brings me to...

• Working on my feet all day in inconvenient and sometimes very difficult environments. Have you ever tried to style your hair outside on a breezy day? It’s like trying to nail Jello to a tree. (Go try it. I’ll wait.) Outdoors is pretty difficult for makeup, too - nobody wants a bug in their lipstick. And then there’s the church basements, utility rooms, closets, and public restrooms that pass for “dressing rooms” at so many events. And there’s no sitting down on a show, group shoot, or wedding day. I’m up and running - on whatever terrain is required - for as much as twelve hours straight, with...

• I get no breaks. I might be able to squeeze in a pee break between people in in my chair, but there’s no time for such frivolous things as eating lunch. But that isn’t even just on a job...

• I’m always working, even when I’m home. Scheduling, marketing, website, consulting with clients, paperwork… It never ends. I literally do not have days off. Even if I declare a day of no work, chances are I’m still going to answer a business related email or phone call. Or ten. And when I get home from a job...

• I have to clean and sanitize everything. Every brush, every tool... everything I took with me, basically. So I have to wash twice my weight in equipment and supplies. After a twelve hour day on my feet. Glamorous and exciting, eh? But worth it. I’m in love with my work.