Using Social Media To Advance Your Career In The Beauty Industry  

Thirty percent of women say that social media influences their beauty purchases, a recent Dove survey found. Given this impressive statistic, it’s no wonder that cosmetics and beauty companies take employee social media presence into account when making staffing decisions. Social media can advance your career in the beauty industry. Here’s how.

Makeup artists have always kept a portfolio of their best looks, both to find paying jobs and to help clients get a sense of certain styles. Now Instagram is replacing the traditional portfolio as makeup artists snap and share pics of their work. Beauty professionals can use Instagram to target particular audiences — say, brides looking for wedding day makeup — and to advertise their skills to potential clients and employers looking for new talent.

Hashtags rule Instagram because they are easily searchable. If you’re adding makeup tutorials or looks to Instagram, don’t forget to use several trending beauty hashtags, such as #makeuptutorial, #instamakeupartist or #makeupoftheday.

YouTube and Facebook Live both allow makeup artists to create tutorials, network with other beauty professionals, and keep their skills sharp. These social media channels can be very helpful for new beauty professionals, who may be searching for their dream job in the makeup industry. By creating videos, makeup artists can show off their skills, generate buzz, and demonstrate to a potential employer that they have a dedicated fan base.

YouTube is also a great way for beauty fans to discover niche products (think unboxing videos and product reviews). Beauty companies have caught on to this. For instance, Benefit mines YouTube data to see what products customers love the most, so they can cultivate loyalty. Beauty professionals who want to work for a cosmetics company can impress in interviews by demonstrating an in-depth understanding of YouTube’s role in influencing trends.

Improve your social media performance with a few simple tips. Post original content rather than trying to replicate a style. Use hashtags and stick to a schedule so fans know what to expect. It’s common to post fashion goals on #mondaymotivation or use #tbt to look back at favorite photos.

Experiment with different kinds of content to see what gets the most comments, likes, or shares. Engage with the community and add followers you admire to grow your audience naturally and improve your success with social media. As you spend more time creating content, you’ll find a unique point of view.

New York Institute of Beauty offers courses in Esthetics and Makeup, both designed to give you the information needed to create a successful presence on social media. If you are interested in finding out more about the courses and opportunities, give us a call at (631) 582-4737.