Flaky MUA

[digitalpixels]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this...admins can move if they so desire.

I know that models flaking and not showing up for shoots is quite common, but what about MUAs? I had this experience this past weekend, it is not one I would like to repeat.

I had even scheduled the shoot around the MUA's schedule since the MUA was so busy. But they had an interesting port, and I wanted to see if they would work out, as I am trying to build connections with some MUAs that I can rely on. I had to call them to find out they were not coming, for many reasons, one being that their "kit was not clean." I don't know much about makeup, but what does that even mean? The other reasons are even more ridiculous than that one.

I just find this so mind boggling, as most MUAs do this for a living, and if it was a paid opportunity, why would they not show?

Has anyone had a similar experience? Where the MUA just flat out did not show up?

Also, what do you do in this kind of situation? Send them hate mail? Vent? Is there any kind of model/mua/ review place?

[srwatters]

Let me guess, you found this MUA on Model Mayhem?

Look. Here's the real point. If you want reliable models, makeup, wardrobe, and hair stylists, look to a brick and mortar agency (Kim Dawson, Campbell, etc.). The Internet 'modeling' sites are no better than getting your construction workers from the parking lot of the local Home Depot. I've been doing this as a 'hobby' for the past 4 years and it has not changed one bit. The flake level is tremendous. Knock on wood, but I have several reliable makeup artists that I deal with and will be happy to share them with you. Just be prepared to (have the model) pay for their services. Treat them with respect and as a member of the creative team and they should serve you well.

And by the way, having a 'clean kit' is critical. This means all their brushes and other tools that touch the model are clean and sterile. That means you don't have any issues with communicable bugs traveling from one client to the next. At least your MUA uses proper methods even if they did flake on you.

[digitalpixels]

Thanks for your input Scott! :)

I was aware of the flake level, and I've been pretty lucky so far, I will admit. I just wasn't expecting it from an MUA. But I guess that happens as well. Right now, I have about 3 that I know I can rely on.

Thanks for clearing up the kit issue - that makes more sense now. I am glad the MUA uses clean methods, but I think they should have sterilized their kit when they knew they had an appointment. The first excuse was the hurricane - in Dallas - on Sunday. Um, yeah..no.

[Jenny Z]

Yeah, the hurricane hit us pretty hard up here....

Sorry that happened to ya Em. That really stinks. :( Was it the session that you posted a pic from the other day on Flickr? If so, looks like you did outstanding without the makeup....

[digitalpixels]

Nope, I haven't posted a picture of this session yet. I did get lucky and it worked out, as the model went to cosmetology school, and knew a fair amount of how to do makeup. But not all sessions are that lucky...

[mchong75]

Model Mayhem is a joke. I had two flakes in the past and will not deal with that site anymore.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by mchong75

Model Mayhem is a joke. I had two flakes in the past and will not deal with that site anymore.

You've got to be kidding me...

You actually believe it that one site?

Trust me they are ALL the same.

[sldi]

My other half is a MUA and we had a shoot with 10 models for the introduction of a new makeup line. We had one of the other MUA's at the salon scheduled to help with the shoot. She called at 10pm the night before the shoot to confirm the time and location, then never showed, called or anything the next morning. We were lucky that a wonderful young lady that actually sold a competing makeup line, had spoken to us a couple weeks earlier about doing the job just showed up out of the blue, and did a great job.