How I became a Destination Makeup Artist
From doing makeup on my best friends in my college apartment to being flown across the country to glam clients for ALL occasions, I’m here to share how I became a Professional Destination Makeup Artist.
Like with anything, if you want results, you have to put in the work. Even when it’s for free, or far away, or going to make you have a long drive home. I said yes to everything… I mean literally everything. People would say, “Your motto should be, ‘Im Available!’ because I would make myself available for any and all work that would help me grow my portfolio. Saying yes to a wide variety of opportunities put me in positions for people to call me again and become repeat clients. This creates a network of people who refer you, become regular clients, and support your business again and again.
But Kelsea, how did you get destination clients?
My first destination booking was in 2021 when I was flown (all expenses paid) to Hawaii to glam a client for her boudoir shoot. This client had fallen in love with the fabulous work of professional boudoir photographer Brooklyn Claudia Boudoir and wanted to do her boudoir session in Hawaii. I had been working as Brooklyn’s lead in-studio makeup artist for about a year when she presented me with the opportunity to glam her Hawaii client (and spend 5 days on the beaches on Oahu). This moment launched my travel career and created the trajectory for more destination bookings.
But that wasn’t the last time I’d be working in Hawaii! I was hired and flown back out the following year to glam two more beach boudoir clients with Brooklyn Claudia Boudoir. In 2023, I was fortunate enough to be hired again to work in Cancun and glam two clients for poolside photoshoots!
Expanding my repertoire beyond bridal has opened up so many doors to new places and possibilities for my career.
So where am I going next?
You’ll find me lying on a Catamaran sippin’ a strawberry Don Julio marg with a tajin rim in Mexico! Next weekend, I’ll be in Cancun getting set up to glam my client for her steamy boudoir session. Traveling for work is such a privilege and something I am beyond grateful for! If you’re a beauty PRO looking to add destinations to your services or just want to start traveling more in general; my top tip is to just put yourself out there and the right opportunities will absolutely fall into place.
What can you do right now to become a Destination Makeup Artist?
Put yourself out there. Let people know you travel and are willing to go wherever, whenever.
Be flexible. In all aspects, I think the thing that has gotten me booked time and time again is that I am flexible with the client with whatever they need.
Be available. Make it happen.
Thank you so much for reading! I’ll be posting lots of travel content next week so stay tuned for that on IG (@kelseajmua) if you want to see what its like being a destination makeup artist. As always, if you have any questions about beauty I am happy to chat!!
xoxo | kelseajmua
