How to Start a Home-based Makeup Artist Business [Paperback]

I'm generally skeptical of "build your dream career!" type books but I very much enjoyed this one, which was sent to me as a gift. I surprised myself by reading it in a single 4-hour sitting, admittedly skimming some of the kit-building sections (since that ship has already sailed!) - I'm a fast reader when I'm engaged with the material. I'm so glad d.d., whose reputation and talent I was already well aware of, got to contribute her expertise toward this series. She's worked in many areas of the industry - this book, as per the title, focuses on starting a business to cater to private clientele (everyday women, such as brides - if you're also interested in the commercial fashion world, you'll want to pick up Crystal Wright's Career Guide as a companion to this volume).

This is NOT a makeup how-to guide (although there are some great makeup tips included in the text) and it's not extensively illustrated (I giggled a bit at the color wheel which... wasn't printed in color) - instead, this is a book for artists who already know or are learning how to do makeup and want to build their own careers. Marketing, branding, networking, advertising - you name it. The information in the book is very useful and made me feel good about what I'm doing and have already done to build my business, but I got a few new ideas as well about networking and target marketing. And I particularly enjoyed when her sense of humor peeked through (the remarks about "nice crease color" and "wow, your brow bones are so shimmery..." had me in stitches!) It's a business topic, but presented in a very readable and engaging way.

I receive a lot of inquiries from new/aspiring artists and I will be sure to point them toward d.d.'s book, because what so many of them need is NOT a new crease-contouring technique, but a realistic picture of what marketing entails, how to target the right clients, etc. - all that business stuff that artists aren't always great at!

If you want to open your own makeup artist business. This book is for you. However it is only for someone whom already practice makeup or is in the field of makeup artist.

I really like this book! It is well written in a nice tone/language. All the details about makeup you should know about (especially as a makeup artist)is explained and addressed in this great book, from doing the makeup techniques to doing the home-based business. One down side for this book I must say is that it is only in pink and black, and has no photos of any makeup work at all. The color wheel is not even in colors. Over all, it is an excellent source for information in makeup artistry.