Freelance Hairstylist: A Six Figure Glam Job

If you’ve always been interested in the beauty business, but you want a position more lucrative than the typical hair styling position, you might consider becoming a freelance hairstylist or makeup artist.  You can earn hundreds or thousands of dollars a day for your work, giving you an income well above $100,000 annually.  In addition, you may have the opportunity to work with some fascinating people, including television news anchors, singers, dancers, and actors --- the rich and the famous. 

As a professional hair and makeup artist, you can play a pivotal role in some remarkable events—including weddings and other personal events, commercial fashion photo shoots, televised awards presentations, a movie or whatever occasion where the service of a hairstylist or make-up artist is needed.  

The job of a hairstylist/make-up artist is to offer beauty or personal appearance services that enhance the look of consumers. The scope of the services primarily includes shampooing, cutting, coloring, and hair styling.  They may also advise clients how to take care and manage their hair, what to do to enhance the condition of their hair.  In addition, hairstylists may also give pointers how to use make-up that will go with their facial shape and hairstyle. 

In the field of freelance personal appearance service, a specialist who can offer an array of services has an edge over someone who does not have.  Ideally, if you want a successful freelance career, you must also be trained to give manicures, pedicures, provide make-up analysis, scalp and facial treatments, clean and style wigs and hairpieces as well as offer other hair care services.

In addition to having the opportunity to interact with a number of celebrities, you’ll be able to enjoy a flexible schedule, allowing you time for home, family, and recreational activities.  As a freelancer, you’ll have the added pleasure of acting as your own boss—meaning you can toss your time sheet away.  Job opportunities can run the gamut, including work for music videos, runway shows, ads, theater, and even movies.

As an added benefit, you may find that you’ll receive invitations to galas, parties, club openings, and concerts.  In fact, you may find that your list of social engagements will lengthen considerably once you begin work as a hair and makeup artist.  And you may derive special satisfaction from working with special populations such as cancer survivors and the learning disabled.   

In order to become a hair artist, you’ll need to be a certified personal appearance worker.  Almost all States require barbers, cosmetologists, hairstylists and make-up artists with the exception of shampooers to be licensed.  The conditions for licensure vary from States to States but the constant is the minimum age requirement, at least 16 years of age and has underwent training from a State-licensed barber or cosmetology school.  Some demand a high school diploma while others require physical examination. 

License will only be issued after an applicant has demonstrated an ability to perform the basic skills expected from barbering and or cosmetology services and has passed a written test administered by a board of examiners. 

Full training from a vocational school usually last about 9 to 24 months depending on the service you want to offer to your clients. The program usually consists of classroom study/discussion, demonstrations and practical hands-on. Students are taught the basic services --- cutting, shaving and styling hair, chemically treating hair, and giving scalp and hair treatments--- through lectures and practice on customers in school ‘clinics.’   

If your interest lies in makeup, it’s best if you get further training and attend a makeup artist school.  Although you can also gain training through one-day workshops and online courses, a formal training will be the best answer. Especially if you’ll want to master various makeup techniques, including character makeup for the theater, television makeup, and makeup for print ads.

Opportunities in the field of personal appearance will be great for those who have a licensed and have trained well and can offer a wide range of services to the clientele. Since you are working for yourself, the measure of your advantage will have to be the increase and steady build up of your clientele. You will know when you’re on top when you find people lining up to avail of your services.