Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/325995
Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 19 Trial makeup sessions, such as you would offer a bride, do not work for a bodybuilder. The makeup she will need is very specific to the day of competition because of the bright overhead stage lighting and the state of physical depletion she will be in (bodybuilders carefully aim for a certain level of dehydration on the big day, as this allows greater visibility of the muscle fibers). Although proper makeup contouring is essential to a beautiful onstage look, it will not look right until she is under the lights. Instead of a trial run, I purchase professional stage photos of my past clients to show potential clients. At the Competition On the day of the show, your clients will have a lot going on. They're racing through hair, makeup, and tanning appointments; the show itself is always disorganized; they may be tense or have stage fright; and they are physically stressed from the depletion mentioned above. They're hungry, thirsty, and sometimes short-tempered. How you make them feel on this day is extremely important. You need to be there for them on several levels. At the tanning session, I spend a couple of minutes asking them to show me their best poses. I tell them how amazing they look. I help de-stress the whole experience for them by being dependable, boosting their confidence, and (especially for first-time competitors) guiding them through what to expect. Your role doesn't end when the last coat of tan is applied. Being backstage during the event is essential. I purchase a backstage pass (I factor this cost into my services) and check in with my clients for touch-ups, oiling, bikini gluing, lip gloss application, hair fluffing, pep talks, or whatever else they need. I even bring snacks in case my clients forget their own—baked sweet potatoes, fish, honey sticks, and unsalted rice cakes are good choices. Backstage is chaos, but it's also a great way to meet new clients. I seek out the most stressed-out competitors (it's not uncommon to find someone in tears because of a bad tan or a missed tanning appointment), give them my card and let them know I can solve their problems next time. After the show, the competition high lasts a few days, whether your client was a winner or not. Use that time to make sure they associate those good feelings with your service. I post about each client's great work on my Facebook page and make him or her feel like a star. Perseverance and Determination Entering a new market always has hiccups. Respond to difficult situations with poise. Your reputation is everything in this niche. Be consistent in how you treat people; bodybuilding is a small world and you never know who will hear about it. There are coaches, competitors, gym owners, product reps, and others whose opinion can make or break your practice. I absolutely love all of my clients and never get tired of hearing about their individual journeys that led them to compete. I really believe that their perseverance and determination to achieve their goals make them extra-special people, and they inspire me in ways that spill over into other areas of my life. Tackling a market I knew nothing about was scary at first, but it has been worth the effort. Allison Ault is a licensed esthetician and makeup artist who specializes in spray tanning for bodybuilding and other stage events, in addition to her full-time work as a membership coordinator for Associated Skin Care Professionals. Contact her at www.showandtan.com or aault@ascpskincare.com. Your role doesn't end when the last coat of tan is applied. Being backstage during the event is essential.