Space requirements:
The majority of your work as a makeup artist is going to be done on movie or television sets, so you are not going to need that much space in your home. However, you are going to need somewhere to store all of the supplies that you need and a place to set up your computer that you can use for scheduling appointments and doing your bookwork.

Time requirements:
To be a makeup artist you are going to have to put in some long days and sometimes long nights. This is especially true if you plan to do makeup for actors and actresses in feature films. You are going to have to spend hours on getting them ready to go in front of the camera. However, even with all of the time spent working on them in the morning you will still need to be on call throughout the day and evening while they are filming to offer touch ups and redo's, as needed.

Income potential:
3 - You can make some decent money being a freelance makeup artist, but the biggest problem is that you are going to be putting in some long hours. With how long of hours you are going to be putting in the pay sometimes does not seem like much in the end.

Keys to success:

• If you have any experience in the retail world of cosmetics it will help to get you started in becoming a makeup artist because it a great way to learn how the cosmetic industry works. This will also give you the chance to learn how to deal with annoying customers who expect you to perform miracles, what it is like to work with limited supplies, and how to get things done despite all of the negative things surrounding you.


• To help get your business started for being a freelance makeup artist you are probably going to have to give away a few jobs free. This is done to help you build your portfolio and to show the world what you can do. All makeup artists need a portfolio and offering free projects is the fastest way to build up the credits in your portfolio, which you can show to future customers.


• You are also going to want to work on as many indy films as possible before you open up your own business as a makeup artists. The reason for this is that you will learn how a set is run, but it can also help you to meet potential customers.


• To be successful you are going to need to be good at what you are doing, but you also need to be likeable. With how many people who do makeup are old and grumpy, by having a fresh face and a fun loving attitude you can attract a variety of potential clients to you.


Risks:

• The biggest risk that you are going to be taking is with the time involved with being a makeup artist. You are going to be devoting many hours to being a makeup artist and sometimes it can seem more work than what the pay is worth