Starting up your own bridal makeup business can seem daunting but it is actually quite straightforward. Just remember being your own boss and working for yourself is fantastic. Owning your business allows you more freedom than a conventional 9-5. You can work as hard or as little as you feel. Set your own hours and fees.
Listed below are some considerations that you will need to be aware of when setting up your own business.
Setting up as a sole trader is relatively straightforward and easy to do. You will need to inform the HMRC that you are trading by completing a self-assessment tax return form every year. You declare your earnings upon which you will pay tax on the profits as well as National Insurance Contributions. A business owner can hire an accountant to do this for you. It is quite easy to do yourself and there are many apps now available that can help you do this. In the United States of America, you would need to inform the IRS.
To begin with, it may be better for you to be a sole trader but if your company expands dramatically, you may well want to become a limited company. Setting up as a limited company is a little more complicated as you’ll need to register your company with Companies House after which, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation detailing when your company was formed and its number. This can be done online, as can set up as a sole trader. There is in-depth guidance on how to do this on their website.
Keep clear and accurate records of your earnings and expenditure. Meaning that all receipts must be kept for any spending in relation to your business and invoices should be raised for each makeup job that you are employed to do. A bridal makeup business owner can easily find invoice templates online and a simple spreadsheet is useful to record your income and outgoings. You will find it much easier to complete your self-assessment tax returns by being methodical in your record keeping.
As a sole trader, you will need Public Liability Insurance but this is not too expensive. Public Liability Insurance protects you from claims if a client has an allergic reaction to the makeup you use. The Insurance helps if you damage a bride's dress or someone tripped over a hairdryer cord or your makeup kit and damaged themselves.
It all sounds rather formal but it paves the way for a successful bridal makeup business and thriving career if it’s set up correctly from the start!
As a bridal makeup artist, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and techniques. But in today's digital age, it's equally important to protect yourself from hackers and cyber threats. Having recently suffered from an attack ourselves and been locked out of all accounts, we can speak from experience! As a small […]
Can you give us a brief overview of your background/qualifications and what attracted you to the beauty industry? I started off in the industry as a commercial model and I always felt so much more confident when my makeup had been done that I often thought how nice it would be to do the same […]
Bridal makeup tips for makeup artists
1. Practice. Practice. And then practice some more. Practice makes perfect no matter which industry you are in and makeup is no exception. If you want to hone your craft, here are some great bridal makeup tips for makeup artists. To be in high demand as a reliable and talented artist, you really can’t practice […]
Creating your first portfolio as a Bridal Makeup Artist
Your bridal makeup artist portfolio is the key to your success. Your portfolio is probably the most important part of your armory as a bridal makeup artist. It will be the deciding factor for a bride whether she chooses to initially email you or not. When you are first starting out this can be a […]
Health and safety for makeup artists
When starting up your new business as a makeup artist, the most important aspect is to be aware of the health and safety requirements concerning both you and your client. Health and safety for makeup artists and clients come first at all times. Cross Contamination This is the most important aspect of your work as […]
Checking out the market for a bridal makeup artist
Bridal makeup artist competition research Before you set up a business as a bridal makeup artist, make sure there is a market for your services. Carefully check out the competition in your area. This can be done by searching the internet to find other makeup artists in your region (and outside), in particular those specializing […]
