“It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together as one.”
My name is Emma Bahi, I’m a nineteen year old makeup artist in Maryland and this is my story.
I’ve always been very artistic in every way possible. Art was a form for me expressing myself to the world and healing everyone around me. Ever since the fifth grade, I was interpreting the world I saw on paper. Coming from Silver Spring, MD… you don’t get a lot of action and nothing much happens here. So, I found comfort in doing art and I pursued it. It healed me along the way and molded me into who I am today.
It was only a matter of time before I discovered that my artistic talent could be interpreted on faces and bodies, as well. Once I knew I could turn my heart driven passion into a career, I jumped at the opportunity. Art was therapeutic to me and being able to transfer that form of therapy to others (that is making them feel better about themselves y’know?), I did everything to reinforce my natural abilities and learned whenever and wherever I could.
I never actually wore makeup until 10th grade year of high school and once I did, I discovered how much I loved it. I just fell into makeup artistry. Once I took makeup artistry seriously and knew this is one of the things i wan to pursue, I worked on perfecting my talent. I assisted makeup artists, went to seminar and practiced on my own. I also got to work with a makeup opportunity (but not everyone gets that chance so even if you don’t it’s okay, still go for it). Practice is key in this business. The makeup world is always renovating and although old aspects get re-introduced, new techniques are formed along the way. if you’re not willing to learn, you’ll always be limited and that was something I never wanted to be. To be frank with you, once I started, I only had a background of painting but it still was a struggle rendering my painting skills into makeup skills.
I never attended makeup school (because honestly, I didn’t have the money and I learned all the basics they taught working with other artists) but I became the best that I could be and never settled for little.
Once I decided to be free-lanced, It was the ultimate struggle. I was just building my business and trying to get myself out there and it was hard. People only didn’t take me seriously because of my age but also because I wasn’t “well known”. But I always let my talent speak for myself. It’s good to be a makeup artist who knows how to do makeup but there’s many people out there. You have to know how to stand out and be different from the rest. You have to know your colors, how everything works and how to create out of nothing. But most of all, the key aspect is your motivation and passion for it. If you’re in it for the money… it’s not worth doing this job. Do it because it’s a passion for you, not a trend. That’s what will keep the clientele.
Today I’m happy where I am. I have developed a good clientele and I’m still growing (whether it’s slowly or rapid) but it’s okay. It’s going where I want it to be right now and I like it. Soon, I’ll be able to be a makeup instructor and travel around teaching and also doing celebrities' makeup. I do have more dreams after that. Although it’s a long way to go, I’ll get there soon if I’m driven.
If I could give any advice to you guys..? Honestly it would be to never give up and practice. Hard times will come and people will doubt you harshly. But continue at your won pace. Remember, you’re only on a race with yourself and not others. I also want to make a quick note that you shouldnot expect to make money…not at first-lol! You may get the occasional paid job (assisting or otherwise) but if you’re in this for the fortune, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. There are going to be times where you’ll work your ass off..such is the life of a freelancer.
Lastly, BE KNOWN FOR YOUR WORK (not your attitude). You may be able to do killer makeup - but if you’ve got a high and mighty attitude or are hard to work with, people are going to get tired of you really quickly. So do a great job, communicate and breathe positivity, then you’re going to get repeat bookings.
Hope this inspires someone…
-Emma Bahi
@emmy.dee and my website emmabahi.com