How to Deal with Seasonal Income Fluctuations as a Makeup Artist

According to Glassdoor, makeup artist income in the United States typically ranges from $46K to $83K per year. While the overall pay is good, it can be inconsistent due to seasonal income fluctuations.

When bookings slow down, managing your finances can feel tricky, but with the right strategies and smart planning, you can keep your bank account looking fresh year-round. 

In this article, we’ll cover practical tips for dealing with off-peak seasons, from saving during busy times to creative ideas for generating income when appointments are hard to come by.

Understanding seasonal income fluctuations

So why is makeup artist income inconsistent? Most clients require this type of services during specific times of the year when they attend a lot of events. These periodic spikes in demand lead to income fluctuations– luckily they’re predictable. The busiest periods for makeup artists throughout the year are as follows:

• The wedding season (May to September) – this is when you’ll see a lot of requests for bridal looks, as brides want to shine on their big day. But you might also do makeup for the bridal party, including bridesmaids, family members, or guests. It’s usually the busiest time of the year, with a packed schedule and high makeup artist income.
• The prom season (generally between April and June) – this is another busy period as many high school and university students seek out makeup services to complement their outfits and help them stand out at prom. You will also see appointments from parents or teachers that want to look good for pre-prom events or photoshoots. 
• The holiday season (late November to December) – during this time, people attend a lot of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve parties and want festive makeup looks to match the occasion. It’s also a time when families take professional photos for holiday cards, and many will want a makeup artist to help them become camera-ready. 

Of course, these peak periods are not equally busy and don’t bring the same level of makeup artist income. But one thing is certain: outside of these high-demand times, all makeup artists will have fewer appointments due to a drop in demand.

That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead. Being prepared for both busy seasons and slow periods helps you avoid shortfalls and maintain financial stability year-round.

There are two main ways to prepare for slower times: saving money when things are busy and finding extra ways to earn besides makeup appointments. The best approach? A mix of both.

Effective saving tips for slow periods

Limit non-essential purchases

To keep your makeup artist income steady during slow periods, try cutting back on non-essential purchases. It’s easy to get tempted by every new product launch, but before buying, ask yourself if it’s something you truly need for your regular looks. You will likely realize you can get by with the makeup products you already own.

This approach not only helps you save money, but also ensures you have funds ready for when your business picks up and you truly need to invest in new supplies. It’s about making financial choices that benefit you in both the short term and long term.

Set up an emergency fund

Having an emergency fund is key for getting through off-peak seasons. You can build one by putting aside part of your earnings every time you get paid for a makeup job, even if it’s a small percentage like 5% or 10%. This will add up over time and create a financial cushion for when bookings aren’t rolling in.

Knowing you’ll be able to handle financial challenges will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on growing your business and honing your skills, instead of struggling to make ends meet.

Use free or low-cost marketing methods

While you can afford to spend money on online ad campaigns or influencer collaborations during busy times, slower periods are all about low-cost marketing. This way you can still promote your services on a smaller makeup artist income.

For one, you can turn to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to post tutorials and client transformations, which cost nothing but time. 

Email newsletters or SMS marketing are also affordable ways to stay connected and keep clients interested, without having to worry about the budget. You can tailor messages to offer special deals (more about that later) or remind clients of your services, encouraging them to book.

Negotiate better rates with vendors or suppliers

When bookings go down, you probably won’t need as many makeup products, tools, and other supplies as in peak seasons, so it’s a great opportunity to negotiate better deals with your vendors. Even a small discount will help you reduce expenses.

It’s best to approach negotiations with a win-win mindset: you get lower costs, and they keep a loyal customer. A lot of suppliers really value long-term relationships, so they might offer better prices, even on smaller orders, just to keep your business.

Being honest about your situation and explaining your makeup artist income is affected by fluctuations can also help you get a better deal.

Strategies to generate revenue during off-peak season

Require deposits for upcoming appointments

Clients often schedule makeup services in advance for major events like weddings, so you will still see some bookings pop up during off-peak seasons. What you can do to secure immediate income is require deposits for future appointments. In addition to generating revenue, this strategy reduces the risk of cancellation. 

You can think of this as another financial safety net, helping you maintain a steady makeup artist income. If you’re using Goldie, you can instantly collect deposits when clients book online and then direct the earnings to your bank account. Simple as that. 

Run special promotions and discounts

Promotions and discounts can bring in much-needed income during off-peak seasons. People are more likely to book if they see a great deal like “20% off special occasion makeup” or “buy one daytime makeup, get one half off”, which will increase your makeup artist income.

How to get the word out about these promotions? Social media and email are two cost-effective ways to go about it, as we previously mentioned. But if you prefer a more personal approach, Goldie allows you to easily send marketing text messages to your clients, prompting them to schedule an appointment while the offer still stands. 

Sell makeup retail products 

Makeup product sales provide an additional revenue source, keeping your business afloat when bookings are rare. Plus, they keep your services top-of-mind, even if clients aren’t regularly coming to see you.

For a personal touch, you can create and sell custom makeup kits curated by you, rather than offering regular retail products, to add value and set yourself apart from standard beauty retailers.

You can start this side hustle without investing extra money in an e-commerce platform. Goldie provides the space to sell products and allows you to easily track your earnings.

Organize makeup classes

Hosting makeup classes is a great way to bring in revenue while engaging your clients. Whether you do group workshops or one-on-one lessons, people can learn makeup techniques directly from you in a personal setting, which builds trust and loyalty.

Classes can range from beginner to advanced, and you can set your pricing based on what you’re teaching and how long the session lasts. It’s your call if you hold them in person for a hands-on experience or online to reach a bigger audience and fit around everyone’s schedules more easily.

With enough interest from people, this can become a reliable makeup artist income source during slower periods.

Create content and share it on the internet

You should take advantage of the less busy periods and show off your skills online as it can potentially boost your makeup artist income.

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram allow you to earn through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Building your personal brand with content can open the door to working with makeup brands, helping you make money even when your appointment schedule is light.

Popular influencers like James Charles, NikkieTutorials, and Jaclyn Hill began as makeup artists too. As their following grew, so did their income and you could also achieve this if you consistently create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience.

Conclusion

Inconsistent makeup artist income doesn’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead and make smart financial moves during both busy and slow seasons. By saving money and exploring additional revenue streams, you can keep your finances stable throughout the year.

Remember that Goldie can help with some of these strategies, from collecting deposits for upcoming appointments to marketing special offers through text messages and selling makeup products. Stay proactive, and you’ll keep your business thriving no matter the season!