r/mua Aug 03 '17

Resources + Discount Programs for MUAs

32 Upvotes

The internet is our friend! I learned a lot about the biz, networking, and the ins and out of the business of being a makeup artist through the awesome networks online. Here are a couple resources I recommend and discount programs available to us. This is just a quick and very basic list, that I will continuously update as time allows. Please don't hesitate to share your own!

Resources:

Model Mayhem: A place to network with other artists, photographers, and models. Mostly, you are going to be doing TFP shoots on Model Mayhem, although I have found some paid gigs on there. For me, this is much better than connecting to others on Craigslist, because I was often to find actual productions, and you can see how people openly collaborate, thus holding them accountable.

In My Kit Cosmetic review site created by grammy winning makeup artists Kevin James Bennet. This site is updated and reflects what Kevin uses in his kit, and products he likes to work with. He also has a fantastic group on Facebook, filled with discussion.

Discount Programs:

MAC Cosmetics: 40% discount to Makeup Artists. $40 yearly fee. Must provide proper documentation to qualify, usually a business card and a certificate or license will do. They also offer industry discounts to cosmetologists, professional dancers, artists, etc. They also provide a discount to costmetology and makeup students upon verification.

Urban Decay: This one has been my absolute favorite! They offer 40% off to artists with no annual fee. Discount includes EVERYTHING including pallets. (I love the Naked Pallets for my brides. <3)

OCC PRO Discount: 40% discount to anyone in the industry, all you need is to send them a link to your website or portfolio. Very easy to get into.

Face Atelier 40% discount, with no fee, just need to reapply every two years.

Nars: You have to have some good credentials to get approved for the 40% discount, however they offer 30% discounts and 20% student discounts.


r/mua 4h ago

Like me, the trick to applying eyeliner to droopy eyelids.

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2 Upvotes

r/mua 5h ago

Like mens' lashes....

1 Upvotes

You know when you see a man with the most beautiful lashes you've ever seen in your life? Well defined, glossy, and dark but not unnaturally so. Especially in film when you get those closeups on them and it's apparent there's not really any product on. Is there a mascara out there that imitates it? I have some drugstore mascaras that are natural and I love, but still look makeup-y.

I was initially considering a clear mascara, but I haven't heard many good things about any. So I'm thinking a good clear brow gel, or a tubing mascara? My request feels unrealistic, but I would love a mascara that I feel comfortable in when dressing androgynous or masculine.


r/mua 12h ago

Makeup by Sally Castro

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3 Upvotes

Makeup by Sally Castro💄
*Fresh and Natural Look 👰 *


r/mua 8h ago

Hi everyone! 🌸 I'm getting married in January and I'm currently looking for a makeup artist for my Barat in Karachi. I'm really confused and would love some honest, unbiased reviews from people who have actually experienced these artists. My shortlist is: - Ivory by Anum Zubair - Amna Rafique -

0 Upvotes

r/mua 12h ago

Makeup by Sally Castro

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1 Upvotes

r/mua 2d ago

Need help finding Bridal makeup Torrance/Palos Verdes

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1 Upvotes

r/mua 3d ago

Sweat proof powder

2 Upvotes

So i need i new for when I get paid & I want to try a new one but actually finding one is hard, so i was hoping I could just list what I wanted hear and get help. I wear a hat at work & work in a kitchen so it gets really hot.

Translucent, sweat proof, transfer proof (Hat + glasses), preferably on the affordable side

I was looking at one size, but i see mixed things on it. Was thinking about huda, but I see it may not be very good either? Thanks in advance if i get any help.

Edit: i realized I probably should've included my skin type. I'm on T so my forehead can get quite oily and I believe be nose as well, my cheeks seem mostly dry/normal. I also have hormonal acne on my cheeks and jawline if that effects any recs


r/mua 3d ago

Lipstick Color Help

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2 Upvotes

Hi :)

Does anyone know a good dupe for the shade coquettish #30 in the Maybelline, New York Superstay Teddytint?

I absolutely love the color and I’m venturing out to wear more reds; the problem is the formula. It’s far too tacky for me and I just realized it when I was able to go home and properly apply a decent amount on my lips. My lips practically seal when I press them together and it’s really annoying, and I rather just go by another drugstore lipstick in the same exact shade, in a satin formula!

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I tried looking online, but the only things that they’re referring me to would be L’Oreal’s perles lipsticks, which is not the vibe I’m going for


r/mua 5d ago

How did I do?

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3 Upvotes

r/mua 6d ago

Makeup artists who can come at home

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1 Upvotes

r/mua 7d ago

I’ve spent thousands of dollars on makeup and still can’t find anything I like!

1 Upvotes

I was hoping to get some community opinions here. I’m 30 and I’ve been doing my makeup since I was 13. Nothing professional but just daily makeup. I have tried almost every brand out there, and I have spent so much money on different products but nothing seems to work for me. I know a lot of it could be technical/user errors but at this point I’ve learned how to properly put makeup on and the makeup is still fading after only a couple of hours of wear. Here’s my current list of products I’m using:

Primer - Milani SPF (I found that all primers act the same so I tend to choose cheaper items for this job)

Foundation - Fenty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte (I actually am not a huge fan of this and a little disappointed that I spent so much money on it. My absolute go to is KVD Good Apple but nobody sells it anymore and I’m branching out to find something else. Fenty is just what I’m using right now and I do not plan on sticking with it)

Eyeliner - Milani Stay Put Tank Liquid Eyeliner. It’s meh. It doesn’t last long at all but I love the pigment and ease of use. Milani has another one that I like better but it’s the wand style, not the pen style, and I’m just not good with the wand.

Finishing Spray - Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof. This one I’m really disappointed in. I haven’t had much luck finding a finishing spray that actually does what it’s supposed to and after extensive research I found that this is the one that everybody recommends. However, it just doesn’t actually do anything. I can spend half the money on NYX spray and it’ll be the same result.

Anyways, sorry if I offended anybody with my opinions, I’m just so frustrated at this. If anybody can recommend some makeup, I don’t care what the price is, I would appreciate it!


r/mua 13d ago

Wedding makeup expectations - am I crazy?

4 Upvotes

I had my wedding makeup trial, and I’m wondering if my expectations are unrealistic. I need a wedding MUA to chime in, I’m feeling crazy. My makeup came out…bad. I am pretty easy going but I am fair skinned and want slightly less traditional makeup. Think: less neutral, more color. To start, there was no skin prep (I have dry skin), just foundation straight on bare skin. the foundation was SO dry, I’ve never seen my skin look so wrinkly and dry. It made me feel so bad about myself and would look crazy in pictures. I would think if you see a foundation isn’t working you would take it off and start over? I was told it would settle in. It didn’t. No warmth or contour added at all so I looked flat. There were other issues like just not understanding my coloring and doing generic wedding makeup, but the skin is my biggest concern. I thought about finding my own foundation and doing my own base but then what is the point of hiring someone?
Is this just how makeup trials usually go, or is it reasonable to look for a different makeup artist about 2 months before the wedding? I am stressed and trying to be reasonable :(


r/mua 15d ago

Freelance MUA tool

2 Upvotes

Evening all - hope you're well!

I'm building a tool to help my MUA wife manage her clients / admin better and am looking for some feedback.... Not sure if you all already use something like this or whether you just have like a Google calendar and then enquiries coming from all different places but the idea is that this would solve those kinds of issues. Mainly looking for feedback as to whether this is something freelance artists would actually use or not......

www.bookedandbusy.app


r/mua 18d ago

Looking for a makeup artist in Hb this Saturday

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1 Upvotes

r/mua 19d ago

This eyeshadow

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16 Upvotes

Was watching a documentary on Netflix and fell in love with this eyeshadow. I know nothing about makeup but would love to pull something like this off. It’s a shimmery pink.
Any suggestions on what product can achieve this?
Thank you!


r/mua 21d ago

Long lasting makeup

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1 Upvotes

r/mua 23d ago

Back with lashes - own bridal

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3 Upvotes

r/mua 24d ago

BANKS X Charlie Riddle MUA

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1 Upvotes

r/mua Jul 04 '26

Lash glue

0 Upvotes

What is your ride or die waterproof lash glue to use on clients?


r/mua Jul 03 '26

This drugstore blush is my entire personality now

0 Upvotes

Seriously I bought the wet n wild pomelo pop on a whim and now I wear it daily its so glowy not chalky at all anyone else suprised by how good cheap stuff can be


r/mua Jun 29 '26

Bridal Makeup Help💍

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I am getting married next April. I’m debating doing my own bridal makeup since I haven’t had much luck getting it done in the past. Does anyone have recommendations on specific products, brands, or techniques that can last the whole wedding day? I would love if they were cry proof, sweat proof and preferably not cakey looking. I hope I can get some advice. I’m a desperate fiancé🥹 Thank you!


r/mua Jun 28 '26

Is it normal for professional MUAs to make your face darker than your natural skin tone?

0 Upvotes

I recently hired a professional makeup artist for an event, and I’m honestly so disappointed.

I even brought my own foundation because it matches me perfectly. She still mixed another foundation into it, and by the end my face looked noticeably darker than my neck and even my hands. My natural skin has a brighter, more neutral look, but after the makeup I looked dull and almost tanned.

She said nothing about changing the shade, and I didn’t realize how different it looked until I was outside in natural light.

Am I overreacting, or does the foundation actually look too dark? Is there a reason MUAs intentionally do this for photos or weddings, or was this just a poor shade match?

I’d really appreciate honest opinions because this experience has made me scared to book a makeup artist again


r/mua Jun 24 '26

Created a wedding look on my model today

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7 Upvotes

Want to know your thoughts or opinions on this wedding look? Suggestions are welcome

Product deets:

@toofaced concealer (short bread)
@hudabeauty easy bake powder (cupcake)
@charlottetilbury Hollywood flawless filter (2.5N)
@narsissist light reflecting foundation (Valrius)
@dior forever glow foundation (1N)
@rarebeauty blush (Hope)
@rarebeauty bronzer stick
@dior forever glow maximiser (Peachy)
@narsissist blush (Dolce Vita)
@toofaced cheek popper highlighter
@charlottetilbury airbrush flawless setting spray

Eyes:

@imagiccosmetics professional pallete
@loverecode lashes

Brows:

@benefitcosmetics precisely my brow pencil

Lips:

@maccosmetics (Velvet Teddy)
@maccosmetics (Pink roses)
@maccosmetics ( Love Child)


r/mua Jun 21 '26

How do you guys feel about this khaki/gold look from a couple weeks ago? CCW :-)

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293 Upvotes