How do I know if my makeup artist is legit?

In a world where social media rules, sometimes it’s hard to cut through the BS and get to the root of a business to check out its credentials and work out whether or not it really is legitimate.

In the world of makeup artistry, I’ve noticed a very worrying trend: makeup artists using stock images, or images by other makeup artists to sell their own work or services. This is diabolical in more ways than one. First and foremost, it’s completely misleading potential clients into thinking that this is their potential MUA’s work and that they can produce this type of look for them. For all intents and purposes, it is deception at its finest. If a makeup artist really isn’t capable of producing beautiful, appealing makeup looks off their own back without the help of stock images to sell their craft, then they really should get out of the business and stop misleading people. After spending a good twenty minutes or so inwardly seething about what I’d come across online, it got me thinking of how I could incorporate the trend into a blog post and also help potential makeup clients to ensure that they make an informed decision on which makeup artist they decide to choose. So here are my top five tips on how to ensure your makeup artist is legitimate.

1. Check that your artist is fully qualified
Any makeup artist worth their salt will be more than happy to show you copies of their certificates. If you decide to go with a makeup artist who isn’t qualified, then on your head be it. Although it’s true some of the biggest makeup artists have no formal training, we now live in a world where qualifications are expected and it’s extremely rare for any unqualified makeup artists to be employed to even work on a retail counter, never mind supplying makeup for TV, film or even bridal clients. Products and practises change all the time and it’s imperative that your makeup artist has formal training in order to be able to deal with your skin type correctly and ensure you aren’t going to react badly to any of the products.

2. Check that your artist is fully insured
Makeup artists cannot be insured with companies like BABTAC (The British Association for Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) if they are not qualified. Personally, I would never go to an uninsured makeup artist. Choosing an insured makeup artist gives you a fallback should anything go wrong, and proves that your artist has their customers welfare and their business reputation at the forefront. Every insured makeup artist will have a certificate that they will be happy to show you. Alarm bells should also be ringing if your makeup artist doesn’t ask you to fill in a client information form or ask you about any contra-indications (anything that can restrict of prohibit your makeup application such as herpes simplex, bruising, ringworm etc.) These are extremely important for client welfare and ensure that you receive the best service possible. An example of this comes from when I wasn’t asked to fill in a client record form at a big beauty salon in Barnsley when going for a nail appointment, and suffered a horrible allergic reaction. You can read my ‘When Manicures Turn Dangerous’ post here.

3. Check up on reviews
Anybody can write absolutely anything on the internet and anybody can set up a fake profile to write a fake review. The best way to check that a review is legitimate is to contact the person yourself and ask about their experience. Ask if they have any photographs they’d be willing to share with you. Check around on the internet on different review sites to see what the general consensus is – websites like FreeIndex, LinkedIn, Facebook and BrideBook are great sources for reviews and checking credentials.

4. Check their website and social media accounts
If a company doesn’t have a website and social media pages in this day and age, you should question why. We live in a world where digital rules, and a fully functioning website is absolutely expected. Their website and social accounts should be filled with interaction and up to date images of their own work. Not sure how to check if the pictures are stock images? Right click on the image in question and click on ‘Search Google for image’ – google will bring up every webpage where the image has been placed and also bring up visually similar images to help you suss it out.

5. Ask about their kit and the products that they use
Most professional makeup artists will be using higher end, professional products. If the makeup artist you have in mind is using all drugstore products or cheap makeup sets that are bought from Argos or the supermarket, I’d recommend walking away and choosing somebody else. Sure, new makeup artists might not be able to stock their kits right away with products from the likes of MAC and Tom Ford, but to be charging a premium rate, the quality of the products and even the brushes used need to reflect this. Some cheap makeup products are actually harmful and can contain dangerous levels of lead, mercury and cyanide. Do not ever risk your health for the sake of a cheaper makeover. You wouldn’t expect to pay the same price in Primark that you would in Harvey Nichols for example, so don’t expect to pay £20 for a full makeover and get the same level of service and expertise.

It’s so sad but true that many people find themselves at the hands of some kind of scandal by rogue makeup artists. From terrible jobs and artists not turning up on bride’s wedding mornings, to artists using dirty equipment and causing allergic reactions – I’ve heard some horror stories over the years. I really hope that this post has been helpful and will help many more people to avoid bad experiences.

© This post is copyright of Rachael Divers 2016.