Michaeline Becker spent many years building up her career in the beauty industry after coming from the biomedical engineering sector. During this time, she learned many lessons about the demands of working in hair and makeup. We sat down with Michaeline Becker to find out the actual reality of working as a freelance hair and makeup artist, but also to learn any pieces of advice she might have for anyone interested in joining this field.
“I think the biggest accomplishment in my career was transitioning to full-time freelancer. I worked as a full-time employee before being able to support myself as a full-time self-employed makeup artist and hairstylist. I hustled hard and never looked back,” says Michaeline Becker.
When Michaeline Becker first joined the beauty industry, she transferred from the biomedical engineering sector. Because she had spent years building up her career in that industry, she had to take the time to network and gain connections in her new field when she decided to make the switch.
Michaeline Becker says, “When I started doing makeup and hair, I didn’t know anybody that worked in the industry, and I had to forge my path. That ended up positively impacting my life in many ways. I can see the payoff of my hard work and dedication.”
When she established herself in the beauty industry, she began receiving celebrity and corporate contracts. This was when Michaeline Becker began to notice that the beauty industry, in reality, was different than its portrayal on social media.
“I’ll be honest; while it’s rewarding, being a freelance makeup artist isn’t easy. It may look glamorous on social media, creating beautiful looks with the newest product releases, working on beautiful models or actors, the overall glitz of Hollywood,” says Michaeline Becker.
However, she clarifies that, in reality, it’s not necessarily as straightforward. From multiple opinions about the looks to the care that goes into maintaining products and tools, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating beautiful hair and makeup looks.
A piece of advice that Michaeline Becker offered is to focus on creating separation between personal life and work. Doing so will allow you to have the time to recharge between clients and also have an outstanding work/life balance.
“I had to learn to create separation from myself and work. I don’t feel alone in that struggle because being an artist requires you to be vulnerable and give a lot of yourself. Since it is my passion, I put my heart and soul into it. But in reality, it’s so much healthier to keep myself and my business and as two separate entities,” says Michaeline Becker.
What helps her stay on track and focus on her work is the fact that it is her passion. Despite the hard work that goes into being a hair and makeup artist, Michaeline Becker is more thrilled and inspired in this career than in her previous one. Through this motivation, she continues improving her business and brand while expanding it to accommodate her other interests in the beauty industry.
Michaeline Becker says, “Doing what I love inspires and motivates me. By just showing up and doing the best I can every day, I have proven to myself that I’m capable of creating a life for myself that I would have only dreamed of years ago.”
Learn more about Michaeline Becker on her website here mickbeauty.com.
