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Makeup artists are often overlooked – their contribution to special events, photoshoots, films and more tend to be overshadowed by the final outcome. However, this hasn’t stopped the makeup industry from thriving.
The demand for professional makeup services is on a steady rise – proving that people recognise the true value of skilled artistry. So, if you’ve been thinking of starting your own makeup artists business, you could be on the verge of a profitable business venture.
However, makeup is a pretty competitive scene. It’s important your business is well set up and prepared for the business environment. That’s where we can help — keep reading to know more.
How To Start My Own Makeup Artists Business In Australia
Starting a makeup artist business requires careful planning and thoughtful preparation. To give your business the best chance at success, it’s important to check all the right boxes – this includes ensuring you’re well qualified, setting up your business properly, and protecting it from potential risks.
Get Qualified
A makeup artist can elevate a creative project, positively impact a bride on their wedding day or simply help someone feel their best. Achieving that level of skills requires proper training, knowledge and experience.
To become a qualified professional makeup artist, enrolling in courses and gaining hands-on experience is essential. Remember, makeup artistry goes beyond mastering a perfect smokey eye. You’ll need to understand various application techniques, colour theory, hygiene practices, and how to adapt to different skin types. The more knowledge you acquire, the more refined your craft will be.
Plan Your Makeup Artist Business
Mastering makeup is only half the game. If you want to run a successful makeup artists business, then you’ll need to be smart about how you set up your business. The first step to successfully launching your makeup artists business involves a lot of research and planning.
This may seem like a tedious and boring step however, creating a solid business plan can help you identify any risks you may have overlooked, get clarity on your goals and stay organised.
We’ve written more about writing a business plan in our guide: How To Start Writing A Business Plan.
Register Your Makeup Artists Business
Every Australian business is required to be legally recognised as a business before it can operate. In order to do this, you will need to register your makeup artists business. To register your business, the first step is to pick out a business structure. The most common business structures are a sole trader, partnership and company.
- Sole Trader: If you register your business as a sole trader, you will be liable for the entire business – there’s no legal separation between your makeup artist business and you as an individual. Therefore, if the business is ever in any trouble, you could be at personal risk. To register as a sole trader, you simply need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) online and register a business name, unless you plan on using your personal name for the business.
- Partnership: Registering your makeup artist business as a partnership follows a similar process to registering as a sole trader. You’ll need to obtain an ABN (Australian Business Number) for the business and register a business name, unless you’re using the full names of all partners, in which case registration is not required. In a partnership, the business is legally tied to all partners, making each partner jointly liable for the debts and obligations of the entire business.
- Company: A company is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and is a separate legal entity, making it more regulated than other business structures. Therefore, it’s essential to carefully follow ASIC’s rules and regulations when setting up your company – seeking expert legal advice is highly recommended. While registering a company is a bit more complex, the company structure offers greater legal protection, as it provides limited liability. Since a company exists independently from its owners, your personal assets are generally shielded, meaning you won’t be personally affected if the company faces financial difficulties.
Keep in mind, there are other business structures and options available to you – we’ve just given you a quick rundown of the most frequently registered. It’s a good idea to chat with a legal expert when deciding on how to structure your makeup artists business, as they can give advice that’s specific to your unique business.
Get Your Legal Agreements Drafted
The next step to getting your makeup artist business started is getting the right legal agreements drafted. Legal agreements help manage the risks that come with running a business and secure your business’s rights. Well drafted legal agreements are integral in having smooth business operations, so it’s important to research what you may need, chat with a legal expert and have them drafted to meet the needs of your makeup artists business.
Here’s a few legal agreements you may want to consider getting:
- Service Agreement: This is a contract between you and your clients determining the rights and responsibilities of both parties. It covers matters such as scope of services, payment, liabilities, termination, dispute resolution and more
- Business Terms And Conditions: Having a T&Cs for your business is a good way to establish the ground rules for anyone interacting with your business
- Employment Contracts: When hiring employees, employment contracts are a necessary way to establish important matters such as breaks, leave, entitlements, pay and responsibilities
- Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): To protect your business’s private information (such as business ideas) confidentiality agreements such as an NDA are crucial
- Partnership Agreement: If you’re going into business with partners, having a formal agreement determining how the partnership will operate and jointly run the business is essential to avoid future misunderstandings
- Shareholders Agreement: When setting up a company, a shareholders agreement is an important document in identifying the company shareholder, their rights, obligations and what happens when one shareholder want to exit the company
- Privacy Policy: If you’re makeup artist business has a website that collects information from it’s users, then you will likely need to have a privacy policy on the website to be compliant with Australian privacy laws
How To Start A Makeup Artists Business From Home
If you’re planning to start your makeup artist business from home, you’ll still need to go through the registration process and have legal agreements in place – this applies to mobile makeup artist businesses as well.
However, starting a home-based makeup artists business comes with additional legal considerations. It’s important to familiarise yourself with your local council regulations, which typically cover zoning laws, signage, waste management, business hours, noise levels, and any permits you may need to obtain before you can legally operate.
How Do I Advertise My Makeup Artist Business?
There are various mediums you can use to advertise your makeup artist business. Whether it’s traditional forms of media, such as print ads, or newer methods like social media marketing, it’s crucial to choose the platforms that best suit your business.
Start by identifying your target audience, determining your marketing budget, and getting any necessary contracts (such as an Influencer Agreement). Once you have these in place, you can begin promoting your business.
However, it’s important to be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding advertising. Ensure your advertising practices comply with the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) guidelines and Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Keep in mind that the ACL covers more than just advertising – it also governs consumer rights related to pricing, service quality, refunds, and more. Understanding these obligations is not only crucial for compliant advertising but also for running a legally sound makeup artist business overall.
Do Any Other Laws Apply To My Makeup Artist Business?
Aside from advertising codes and the ACL, a number of other regulations will impact your business. It’s important to know exactly what these regulations are and ensure your makeup artists business is always functioning in accordance with them.
A few regulations to keep an eye out for include:
- Employment Law: When hiring employees, it’s essential to ensure they are treated in accordance with Australian employment regulations and work health and safety (WHS) practices
- Data and Privacy Law: The collection of any personal information or use of surveillance practices must comply with data privacy regulations
- Industry Regulations: Safe business practices, banned materials, chemicals, and other standards are typically covered by industry-specific regulations. It’s important to stay updated and ensure compliance
- Intellectual Property (IP) Law: Your business should not only protect its own intellectual property but also respect the ownership of others’ IP. Legal processes such as trade mark applications or obtaining an IP licence can be useful in safeguarding these rights
Remember, every business is different. Your makeup artist business’s specific legal compliance requirements will differ from another business, so it’s always safer to get expert legal advice and go from there.
Key Takeaways
Launching a makeup artist business can be an exciting opportunity, but it requires thorough legal planning and consideration — expert legal help can provide you with the necessary support. To summarise what we’ve discussed:
- Starting a makeup artist business requires careful planning, including obtaining the necessary qualifications, setting up a solid business plan, and selecting the appropriate business structure (sole trader, partnership, or company)
- Legal agreements, such as service agreements, employment contracts, and privacy policies, are essential for protecting your business and ensuring smooth operations
- Whether operating from home or as a mobile service, you must comply with local council regulations regarding zoning, permits, and business practices
- Advertising your business involves choosing the right platforms (print or social media) and ensuring compliance with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and AANA guidelines
- Other key laws that impact your makeup artist business include employment law, data privacy regulations, industry-specific health and safety standards, and intellectual property laws
- Compliance with these laws is crucial for protecting both your business and clients, and seeking expert legal advice can help tailor your approach
If you would like a consultation on starting a makeup artist business, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.
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