Help Jump Start My Career!
Hi! I’m Beth Aurora, a makeup artist & licensed esthetician from Los Angeles, California. (Check out a preview of my portfolio in the
video above! Or check out www.bethaurora.com). Growing up I was always interested in the arts,
photography specifically, but after high school I followed my family’s advice
and received a bachelor’s degree in English, from The University of
California-Irvine. Since then, I
have been on the corporate grind.
While I was making an “average” salary, I always felt that there was
something lacking. That one thing
that made me excited to get up every morning and face my day, the one thing that
made it all worthwhile.
A few years ago, I decided that it
was time to figure out what that “one thing” was. I began playing with photography again and because of my love
for fashion photography, that led me to discover that makeup was my “one thing”.
Since then, I have plunged head first
into the makeup and the fashion industries. I enviously flick through all of
the editorial spreads in fashion magazines, follow my makeup artist mentors on
social media, and attend industry events. I have been beautifying faces here
and there for about 2 1/2 years, but it wasn’t until the beginning of this year
that I decided to take a leap of faith and begin freelancing as a makeup artist
full-time.
Freelancing for me was a two-step
process. Step one was enrolling in
and graduating from Los Angeles' top makeup school, so that I could refine
my technique as a makeup artist. Step two was building a SOLID portfolio (or
“book”) so that I could work on getting agency representation.
I am proud to say that in May of this
year I saved up enough money, kissed the corporate world goodbye, and enrolled
in Make-up Designory’s full time Fashion Make-up Artistry Program, from which I have
recently graduated!
What’s Next?!
Step two! Now that I’ve graduated its
time to hit the ground running and start working, right? Right! But for
a freelance makeup artist starting to “build their book, more often than not working means doing a lot of
work for free, or for “trade” rather.
“Trade for portfolio” work is how all makeup artists, hairstylists,
wardrobe stylists, models, and photographers who want to work in the fashion or
advertising industries get started.
Let me back up just a bit. I don’t want to work for MAC or become
the next YouTube beauty guru sensation.
I am in no way disrespecting those individuals it takes A LOT to do
online tutorials and rock at the MAC boutiques, my goals are just
different. I want my work to fill
the pages of fashion magazines, I want to be the key makeup artist for multiple
shows at New York & Paris Fashion Weeks, and I want to emulate the artists
before me such as Pat McGrath, Gucci Westman, Dick Page, and Val Garland. Trust me, those are some pretty amazing
paths to follow.. but that’s my dream!
So, how do I get there? I build an
amazing portfolio, doing “trade for portfolio” shoots nonstop. This allows me to get images and to
perfect my craft. My goal is to
spend the next 7-9 months doing just that so I can apply to be on an “Assistant
Roster” with an agency, which would get my foot in the door and could lead to representation.
Sounds like I have it all planned out
right?! Well, kind of. While I have an amazingly supportive
boyfriend and family and have saved money to live off of, I do need to
constantly replenish and build my kit to execute the looks needed for these
shoots. And yes, some gigs do pay
an industry standard “Kit Fee,” but that sometimes is just enough to cover gas
getting to and from the location.
That’s where you come in!
How You Can Help
With your support, I will be able to
replenish my kit each month for the next 7-9 months (possibly even the next
year), and focus primarily on building my portfolio, without having to worry
about the stress/distractions a 9-5 job can bring. This will expedite the process for me and get me closer to
my goal, all the much quicker!
It may seem quite the sum of money,
but all of the products I use add up.
A teacher once told me, on average it is about $20 each time you use
your kit on a model. I plan on shooting
at the minimum of 4 times a week,
with multiple models. Then I included all of the “Business Kit” essentials I
need to market myself, continue to educate myself, and grow as a
professional. Here is a complete
breakdown of what I will need during that time:
• Makeup Kit Essentials
• Airbrush compressor $400
• Airbrush foundations/concealers $200
• 20 lipsticks $300
• 20 lip glosses $300
• 20 lip liners $300
• 6 eyeliners $117
• 32 eyeshadows (pans only) $320
• 5 gel eyeliners $80
• 10 blushes (pans only) $170
• 16 foundations $496
• 4 conceal/correct palette (light to dark) $160
• 5 set powders $125
• 6 mascaras $57
• 50 pairs of eyelashes $50
• 5 duos $35
• 6 bottles of brush cleaner $180
• 4 bottles of 99% $32
• 3 large bottles of hand sanitizer $12
• 150 powder puffs $150
• 35 packs of sponges $80
• 10 packs of mascara wands $50
• 10 packs of precision q-tips $80
• 30 packs of makeup wipes $75
• 6 boxes of Kleenex $6
• 4 face washes $24
• 4 moisturizers $32
• Specialty Items $500
• 8 Large Z Palette 1$128
• 3 Pro Z Palette $60
• “Business Kit” Essentials
• Business Cards $150.00
• Website Hosting $120.00
• Ipad $400
• Hair & Makeup Artist Network Membership $159
• The Powder Group Membership $125
• MAC PRO Workshops (Continued Education) $400
• Makeup Forever Workshops (Continued Education) $300
• Industry Trade Shows $250
• Ink & Paper $150
Perks, There’s Something For All Of Us!
Now, it wouldn’t be fair to ask for
something without being wiling to give, so I’ve come up with some pretty
awesome perks:
$50
A personal "thank you" note, as a token of my appreciation. (All upper-level perks will also receive a "thank you" note).
$75
A personal "thank you" note and a small makeup product, as a token of my appreciation.
$100
10 minute Skype consultation & a personalized skincare routine to achieve a picture perfect makeup application (includes step-by-step instructions and recommended product list).
$250
A Skype consultation, personalized skincare routine, and a personalized makeup routine for a day or night look (includes step-by-step instructions, face chart, and recommended product list for both routines).
$500
A Skype consultation, personalized skincare routine, a personalized makeup routine for a day and a night look, and two small makeup products to use in creating your looks (includes step-by-step instructions, face chart, and recommended product list for all three routines).
Next Stop, New York Fashion Week!
Some might say this isn’t the chance of a lifetime, but for me it is. It’s a chance for me to break away from
something that makes me unhappy and to pursue that one thing that makes me
excited! That’s something I wish everyone could have. I have waited for years to have a chance at this opportunity,
but I know that I can’t kick butt this next year without your amazing support!
Success unshared, is failure.
Years from now, I’m not only planning
on designing looks for fashion shows and being featured in Vogue and W magazines. I
plan to share my success because I’ve learned that “success unshared, is
failure.”
Volunteering my time and services with organizations such as the Look Good Feel Better program through the American Cancer Society or the Beauty Bus foundation, will allow me to inspire women and help them feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside.
I'd also like to partner with Dress for Success, an organization that supports disadvantaged women become employed by providing them with professional attire and mentorship. Donations of makeup and hair products, as well as bi-weekly workshops on hair/makeup tips that are professional and affordable can only further support these women "take charge of their lives."
Ideally, I would love to start a non-profit organization that reaches out to youth in underprivileged areas and partner them with mentors in a field they're interested in. They will be introduced to art, fashion, and culture, things that aren't always in their everyday lives. Most importantly, they will be taught that beyond their neighborhood there is a world that is there's for the taking and instilled with positivity, self-reliance, and the motivation & drive to achieve something bigger. Everybody can realize their dreams, if they have they right guidance.
Make Some Noise & Spread The Love
Even if you can’t support me with a
donation, you can still support me by spreading the word. :)
Please share my campaign on your
social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (you name it!) or via
email. Don’t forget that you can use the Indiegogo share tools!
Evermore Thanks!
Thank you for donating! If you’re not
able to donate, I still thank you for taking the time to read my campaign
and/or passing it along. I am truly grateful!
XO -b.