Make sure you’ve read the beauty bibles
While testing lipsticks and painting on feline flicks sounds fun and frivolous, digesting the science behind the latest miracle cream can be mind-boggling.
Equip yourself with a good beauty book and familiarise yourself with all the key ingredients of products and what purposes they serve. A girl needs to know her peptides from her polymers – even if you only have to write about them in the simplest way!
I recommend… Bobbi Brown Living Beauty, and The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible
Get online and check out beauty blogs
The media industry is always evolving, and any digital experience or knowledge you have will serve you well. The blogging scene is firmly in the spotlight so check out some of my favourite blogs to keep on top of new product launches, product critiques and reviews.
Check out…
Think about starting your own blog to develop your own writing style and to discover your areas of interest. Keep the word count short and in snippets but with all the essential info packed in – it's the art of editing! Imagery is of course key too. We all love to drool over luxurious packaging and are curious about how the latest cream eyeshadow will look on skin – so get snap happy. Naturally, this will become like your portfolio for potential employers, so take pride in your work. Check your spelling, product names, and look out for typos.
Assist make-up artists
Voluntarily assisting a make-up artist on photoshoots will teach you all about application techniques and make-up wizardry. It’s impossible to write ‘how tos’ and ‘get the look’ without any idea of how it’s done.
Familiarise yourself with as many beauty brands as you can – not just the ones at Boots.
Visit the beauty halls at department stores and apothecaries, checking out boutique brands too.
"Familiarise yourself with as many beauty brands as you can – not just the ones at Boots"
Put hero products to the test to see if they really are what they’re cracked up to be
Don’t be lured by price or packaging. Ask yourself, does it do what it’s supposed to do? Would you buy it? Absorb any unconventional ways in which make-up is applied. Try mixing foundations together for a bespoke shade, or adding a spot of cream highlighter into it for a more dewy finish. Research colour correcting – do you know why some concealers are green and purple?
Follow the beauty twitterati
Twitter has changed the speed at which new launch information is communicated. If there are rumours about Jennifer Anniston coming out with a range of miracle anti-ageing potions, the chances are you’ll hear about it on twitter first (she’s not by the way). So, keep you finger firmly on the pulse by following those in the know – beauty editors, beauty bloggers and beauty brands themselves.
So, if you’re a devoted beauty junkie who’s lured by the juicy colours in the beauty halls, and intrigued to try out the latest miracle potions, you could bag your dream job by writing about beauty. With a little hard work, lots of dedication and by schooling yourself with all of the above you’ll be halfway there – best of luck!