Let’s be honest—being a freelance makeup artist sounds glamorous, right? But behind the scenes, it’s a juggling act of clients, deadlines, and a million little tasks. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that have made a huge difference in managing my time. Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way, mostly)!
Set Boundaries—Seriously!
When I first started out, I was saying “yes” to everything. A 5 AM booking? Sure. Late-night touch-ups for a friend? Absolutely. But eventually, I learned the importance of setting clear boundaries. Now, I stick to my work hours. And trust me, I’ve had to say no to some pretty tempting opportunities. But protecting your time is key to avoiding burnout. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Get Cozy with Your Calendar
I know—calendars don’t sound all that exciting. But trust me, having a digital calendar has been a total game changer. It’s not just about marking dates; I block off time for everything. From prepping for a client to travel time to making sure I have time to grab lunch. This way, I’m never rushed, and my clients get the best version of me.
Time Blocking: The Secret Sauce
Time blocking has been my secret weapon. I basically carve out specific chunks of my day for different tasks. Morning = client work. Afternoon = emails, social media, invoicing. Evening = downtime or learning new skills. It helps me stay focused and on top of everything without feeling like I’m constantly running around.
Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate
This one took me a while to get used to. At first, I wanted to do EVERYTHING myself—because I’m the expert, right? But as I grew, I realized I couldn’t handle all the admin stuff. I started outsourcing tasks like social media management or even accounting, and it was a game changer. Letting go of those tasks freed up my time to focus on my craft.
Flexibility is Your Friend
Here’s the thing: freelancing isn’t always predictable. Some days your shoot runs over, a client’s late, or you get that last-minute booking. I’ve learned to roll with it. Sure, it’s stressful, but being flexible while keeping a close eye on your schedule is key. You’ll get better at it with time.
Tech to the Rescue
There’s an app for everything, and I’m not ashamed to admit it—I use them all! Trello to organize my projects, a simple to-do list app to keep track of tasks, and even scheduling tools for social media. The right tech makes life SO much easier, and trust me, anything that helps me stay on track is worth it.
Make Time for YOU
This is the one I neglected for far too long. When you love what you do, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle. But burnout is real. I’ve learned to take a step back when I need it. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday or just an hour of quiet, you NEED to recharge. It’s not just about managing your time—it’s about managing your energy, too.
At the end of the day, managing time as a freelance MUA is all about balance. Yes, there’s a lot to juggle, but once you find your rhythm, it becomes second nature. Take it from me—it’s a learning curve, but you’ll get there.
