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Have you thought about a career in the beauty industry?


Have you thought about a career in the beauty industry? (In any capacity, whether that’s as a makeup artist, in marketing, chemistry, etc.)
If beauty blogging counts, then absolutely, and here I am!

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Linda Avatar

I have been dabbling on the beauty blogging side of the industry for about a year and a half now, and I love it. Though I don’t know if I’d want to turn it into a career lol. Unless you can be a college professor and chair of your own makeup line lol

Deanna Avatar

I’m *always* thinking about this! I’m not sure I’d be much of a makeup artist though, I prefer to be behind the scenes. I would also rather work for a smaller company/brand than a large conglomerate.

Elise Avatar

Yes, but I feel like I don’t have the money to afford becoming a beauty blogger (I would be only able to review gluten free items for sensitive, oily, acne prone skin) and I don’t really have any experience on make up (yes I know practice makes perfect but you can only do so much on yourself and I would to practice on other people to be a freelance mua).

Also, it’s hard for me to be willing to try gluten free products because it’s hard to sample them compared to a makeup counter and sephora because they are usually online or whole foods (where no one is there to help me)

Also, I don’t wear mascara and false eyelashes because they irritate me.

I still attempt to blog once in awhile about random things though ^_^ .

I think beauty blogging counts as being part of the beauty industry, because you are thoroughly reviewing the product and reviews like you, have a big effect on sales.

Also, I would love to host a site like beautylish to promote beauty communities and unknown brands to masses! ^_^

Christine Avatar

Hey Elise,

You never know – your perspective may be really great for others just like you, as many people don’t have to worry about gluten free cosmetics/skincare. You could use a blog to document your experience, your frustrations, your struggles, and you can review and speak on products you do use and have already had. Maybe it’s not a full-time job or something you’d write about every day initially, but I think it’s a unique perspective – and that is hard to find in the niche. And you could make it perhaps include more general topics and themes, too 🙂

Shrutilaya Avatar

I just graduated as a Fashion Designer in May, but halfway through my 4 years in hell (design school *shudder*) I realized my love for makeup – it combined everything I love, painting, colours, the human body in all its glory, so, I started a few freelance gigs here and there during school, and ever since I graduated, I’ve been a full time freelance makeup artist 😀

Lena Avatar

YES! I’m currently a high school senior and I plan on majoring in chemical engineering in college to formulate new make up products. I may be a nerd, but I’m still a girl. I believe there are new ways to synthesizes make up to promote more health benefits such as skin renewal. Foundation shouldn’t only cover your skin, it should help your natural skin and emphasize its beauty. I plan on starting my own line so I won’t have to get my ideas overruled. Haha.

Cristina Avatar

I actually had the same idea when I was a senior in high school. I did an internship at a cosmetics factory at the end of my senior year and I realized a degree in Chemistry would be better for actually developing products than a degree in Chemical Engineering… I actually ended up not getting into that field but I’m still interested in a career somewhat related to the beauty industry.

Lena Avatar

Chemistry would be better, but I’ve met a chemical engineer who worked with Algenist to synthesize a new compound in replacement of something found in shark fin. I don’t just want to produce, I want to be able to make it mass marketable. Also, if the plan doesn’t work out, I’d rather be a chemical engineer than a chemist. I’m more hands-on.

Ryou Avatar

I used to work as a freelance make-up artist as well as photographer and retoucher, before my hand injury became too unbearable. After years of therapy, I finally got a corrective surgery last year, which helped but didn’t fix everything — I have to live with my injuries for life, although at least I know doing make-up is viable option now that I’ve had the surgery. After moving to another country due to family situation, I’m currently struggling to get a job — Preferably beauty counter job — Which is certainly not easy when you have no full make-up qualifications nor local retail experiences. I recently finished a government-funded training which boosted my confidence in my ability to do the job well, but sadly didn’t exactly open any doors to new opportunities.

It’s quite depressing, if I may say so, to know that you can do a job really well, but no one would give you the chance to show them what you’re capable of, not even a trial or internship/work experience. The only openings I’ve found that are relevant to my qualifications were hairdressing apprenticeships, which I’m not physically able to do due to my bad hand. In fact, finding ANY job that doesn’t involve physical labor is crushingly difficult. I’m too scared to apply for disability allowance because I’ve gotten A LOT of “but it’s just your hand, it can’t be that bad”, not to mention I know I’m still able to do SOMETHING — It’s just getting the opportunity to show that I can that’s depressingly difficult.

Sorry for being such a ranty negative nancy and complaining so much, guys (and Christine). If anyone has any advice I’d be very, very happy to listen.

Kelsea Yamashita Avatar

Yes I have!! You’ve actually inspired me!! I always consult your reviews before buying anything. You’re my beauty authority (and I’m not just saying that. You’ve helped me with every beauty purchase for the past 2 years.) and I want to be that for someone (anyone) one day.
I’ve had an obsession with makeup for a while now (4 years, I’m 17 now), and I spend a lot on feeding my addiction. I’ve always wanted to make a skincare/ makeup blog…well, a successful one anyway. I have one that I tried out for a while and got too busy for (But I’m looking into getting back into it as I’ve found my password :D). If I had to think about my future career in beauty, I’d say I want to be a reviewer, but I’d really be happy in any part of the beauty process. It’s all interesting to me: The chemistry (Acne related because we’ve all had those dark days), application, marketing…all of it!
Blogging DOES count!! It counts for so much! Thanks for your work, and keep it up!!

gina Dattile Avatar

im assuming you get all the newest items and all, and you posts are so helpful and fantastic WHAT do you do with the products you might not use yourself?

Christine Avatar

You would be assuming wrong, then 🙂 I definitely receive some new products, but I purchase 3-5x more ($ wise) than I ever purchased as a regular consumer – it’s not all free stuff. There are a lot of politics behind-the-scenes, I’d say!

Cassy Avatar

I most definitely have, but so far my job has nothing to do with beauty. What I want to do is have a kind of consulting company where I could do sessions with people who want to learn more about how to use the products they have or even have it verge on personal shopping where I could help pick products that would work for them. That’s the idea in my brain, but a) I don’t think there is a market for anything like that where I live and b) I am terrified of failure so I don’t even want to try (doesn’t help that my boyfriend told me my idea sounds more like a reality tv show and not a real thing) So I guess I am doomed to a life of having a job out of need and not because it’s something I love to do.

Rachel Avatar

I have often thought about a career in the beauty industry, but I can’t tell if it’s just a hobby or something I would like to do for a living. I went to college for Wildlife Biology, and while I’m not currently working in my field (though I am trying to get back into it), i feel that it is my true passion. While I read beauty blogs obsessively, spend (way) too much money on makeup, and log more hours at the salon than a “typical” scientist would, I don’t think I would be good at/enjoy doing someone else’s makeup or cutting/styling their hair. I did minor in English, so writing a beauty blog might be more up my alley, but there’s already so much of that out there and it’s all so good! Especially you, Christine! Ha!

Carolyn Sabourin Avatar

Hi Christine!

I have thought about and I am still thinking about it! I studied in communications and would love to start a career in my specialty in the makeup industry. There is a lot of competition though and I don’t know where to start, since I don’t have my makeup class or anything. I’m just addicted to makeup and all I do is buy makeup, try on so many things, read blogs and reviews (especially yours because it’s so detailed) and watch youtube videos! I don’t know where to start! Do you have any tips for me? 🙂

TheAppleCake Avatar

Friends and family keep telling me I should become a cosmetologist or a hairdresser because I’ve been good at both hair and makeup since I was a young teenager, and I have been cutting/dying my friends & family’s hair (as well as my own) for at least 15 years now….and I also do everyone’s makeup when they ask me to do it, especially for big events/Halloween-time. I really should start charging them! ;p
I just feel like beauty school is too much money after getting my BS in Business Management years ago. I also like my weekends & nights free, I like the stupid Monday-Friday 9-5 boringness. Ok, I’m really weird for that last statement but it’s true, I like routine.

beka Avatar

i am fortunate that i don’t have to work-i get to stay home with my kids. i would love to take a makeup class and get really good at applying it on other people. i went to college with the idea of being a teacher, so i would love to incorporate that into doing makeup-teaching people how to do their own. i know a lot of women who don’t wear makeup because they don’t know how. i feel like the beauty counter can be so overwhelming-even for someone who loves it! (i love the nordstrom beauty stylist) think it would also be cool to volunteer in a hospital doing the makeup for cancer patients or maybe at shelter for abused women. it might seem vain or shallow to some people, but sometimes a little lipstick can make a person feel soooo much better.

Lindsey Avatar

I would love to be a full time MUA. I have done a wedding freelance and have a kit, but feel like a license as an Esthetician would be beneficial. I have a large obsession for makeup. I have started a small blog, but haven’t really had time to put a lot into it.

xamyx Avatar

I would love a *steady* gig as a makeup artist, and living in L.A., one would think there were many opportunities; however, while there may be jobs, the market is also saturated with artists…

I also don’t necessarily work in a retail setting, as I’m not comfortable pushing product on people, especially with brands/products I’m not particularly fond of.

Cristina Avatar

I would love to make it happen. I am currently a Management Engineering student and I would like to finish my undergrad degree and get a master’s degree in Luxury Brand Management in France through an exchange program my school has with a school there, so I would like to work for a big cosmetics company when I graduate.

MizLottie Avatar

Oh, definitely! My very first job was selling Estee Lauder at a major department store and I became the go-to person for makeovers — this was way back in the late 70’s before they did that regularly. It was a lot of fun but my parents made me trade my part-time job for a full-time office job because they considered it just a waste of time. But it was a lot of fun and was the genesis of my makeup obsession.

Kiara Avatar

I definitely have. I’d thought about working at MAC. Never actually went through with it. No time and no experience, I’m only a senior in high school! 😛 Would love to have a small job in the beauty industry at some point in my early life but I don’t think I can work on it my whole life.

Vanessa Avatar

Not really. I guess once or twice I thought about working in the industry designing products — thinking then I would always have the color I wanted 🙂

Mel Avatar

Yup!! I actually do work in the industry. I work for Clinique and I love it! I love making people happy and helping them with skincare and make-up. The best job ever!

Amara Avatar

i’d love to be a beauty blogger! but i also love putting my photography on my blog so i guess i’d just want it to be a happy medium? and i need to blog more often! school gets so crazy that i just never feel like updating as much (especially now during finals)
i’d also love to work at sephora or mac, honestly… my friends and family keep telling me to apply so i may do so after finals!

Iliana Avatar

I would LOVEEEE being involved in the marketing department of some of my favorite brands, i’m currently still in college and taking business/marketing courses..I have no idea how i’d break into the industry though :/

Estefania Avatar

Ugh, it is my DREAM. I’m a freelance makeup artist for MAC right now, and I’d love to turn that into an executive position. I am about to graduate with a philosophy and medical ethics BA, so to get in on ethics committees of cosmetic companies would be a DREAM. Especially companies with a strong ethic in certain fields, like UD with animal testing and MAC with the Viva Glam program.

Lydia Avatar

I have considered this and have a beauty and fashion blog, but I don’t know if I would want to pursue it as a career. I’m currently studying journalism though and would love to get into magazine industry and work in the beauty departments for fashion magazines.

Chelsea Avatar

I used to work in cosmetics at a department store – I worked at a lot of different counters in my time there, but mostly for a particular French cosmetics company. I liked it for the most part – I loved being able to help people feel better – helping a woman who had just lost her mother relax and feel better with a facial, helping a girl get her first makeup for a Bat Mitzvah, helping people gain confidence. I also love it as a creative outlet.

I currently work at a university, clearly unrelated to cosmetics, and am starting a new job after I get my MBA in a few weeks as a market research analyst (working with customer satisfaction, we have some beauty/fashion clients), which I’m excited about. I’m hoping once school gets out to start beauty blogging in my free time as a creative outlet. I love doing makeup, even though I’m not anywhere near as experienced as a lot of people, but I think I could give a unique outlook on the field. I work in marketing, so I’d love to be in marketing for a cosmetics company someday.

Amaree Avatar

Yes! I am interested in a business career and I’d love to work in the beauty industry on the business/corporate side. I’ll always be up-to-date on everything business in beauty!! In college, if I ever had to do a project on a company of my choice, I would always choose a cosmetic or hair company!

Xero Avatar

I haven’t, really…it’s too risky in my opinion, and although I enjoy makeup-related things, it doesn’t seem fulfilling to me as a long-term job. It’s not my calling, to put it that way. Plus, my personality doesn’t make me very useful for anything other than scientific research, lol.

I have, however, considered working in the makeup section of a Walgreens or something if I ever need a part-time job,

Jan Avatar

Yes, at the corporate level. In the end, I turned it down as I am allergic to many cosmetics – particularly foundation, and the company policy was full make-up everyday.

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