Hold on tight, this is a long old list!

Something I learnt very quickly as a student makeup artist was that building my makeup kit was going to be expensive, to say the least.
Luckily my lecturer pointed out that many brands offer a professional discount to students and people working in the industry!
I started off simply using MAC & Illamasqua as they were the most popular and used
brands within my class… but as years have gone on I’ve discovered more and more makeup brands and suppliers that offer these generous discounts!
So I thought I’d share this knowledge with you, as I know how difficult it is breaking into the industry, let alone dishing out the cash to build your kit to even do the work in the first place!

Sadly some of these discounts are only available within specific countries and professions – but I’ll let you know what brands you can get in which countries, etc.
If you can think of anything I’ve missed or something’s been updated, comment below to let me know!

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills –
Discount: 35%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible:
What You Need:
Cost: 
Apply:  “Coming Soon” to the USA

Bare Minerals –
Discount: “Friends And Benefits”. Discounts & free gifts
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Loyal Customers
What You Need:
Cost: Free
Apply: Sign up for the program online, or call their Customer Call Center at 888-795-4747. You can also enroll at any bareMinerals boutique or bare+BEAUTY outlet.

Bdellium Tools –
Discount: 20% – 40%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup students and Industry professionals
What You Need: As well as filling out the appropriate application for you need at least 2 of the following; – Composite card
– Union card
– Professional license
– Business card with name and profession
– Professional website
– Reference letter from current employer
– Editorial page including name credit (highlight your name)
– Crew call list on production company letterhead (highlight your name)
– Program material with name (highlight your name)
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link HERE.

BeautyBlender –
Discount: 40% off all pro-kit orders
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Qualified, working makeup artists. *Any student.
What You Need: Anything that legitimately confirms you are a working, qualified makeup artist, so a website, proof of professional credentials (valid from the last 3 months)
Cost:  Free
Apply: Follow the link HERE and click “Enroll Now”

Benefit –
Discount: 40% off products and 15% off services. *10% off for any student
Where: USA and *UK (Verified by UNiDAYS)
Who’s Eligible: Qualified, working makeup artists. *Any student.
What You Need: Anything that legitimately confirms you are a working, qualified makeup artist, so a website, your resume, call sheet, etc.
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link HERE or HERE if you’re in the UK.

Bobbi Brown –
Discount: In the UK it’s 35% for Make-up Artists, Industry Professionals and 20% for Students. Applicable at freestanding stores & online.
In the USA you’ll get 40% online
Where: UK/USA
Who’s Eligible: Student MUA’s, makeup artists & industry professionals.
What You Need: The Pro requirements are as follows:
• One valid photo identification (passport/drivers licence)
• Photocopy of any certificate you have obtained
Three pieces of professional Makeup Artist criteria from the following:
• Business card with name and specific profession
• Editorial page with name credit
• Contract on production company letterhead
• Programme or press material with name credit
• Union card
• Professional valid licence
• Proof of qualifications
Cost: Free for USA makeup artists.
£15-£25 per year, depending on the level of discount you’re eligible for in the UK.
Apply: email bobbipro@bobbi-brown.co.uk or  bobbibrownpro@bobbibrown.com

Cinema Secrets –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Professional & Student Makeup Artists, Cosmetologists & Aestheticians
What You Need: If you’re a student you’ll need your student enrolment, student ID and a portfolio. Otherwise you’ll need photo ID, as well as two of the following;
 • Union Card
• Cosmetology or Aesthetician License
• Professional ZED/Composite Card
• Makeup Artist Certificate
• Production Call Sheet
• Business Card
• Business Website & Portfolio
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link and fill in the application HERE

Crown Brushes –
Discount: Multiple offers throughout the store.
Where: UK
Who’s Eligible: Makeup Artist, Aesthetician, Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Model, Fashion Stylist/Costume Designer, Photographer, Hairstylist
What You Need: Editorial page with name credit, Union Card, Professional License, Diploma/Certificate, Publication Masterhead, Program/Press Materials w/ Name, etc.
Cost: Free
Apply: https://crownbrush.co.uk/pages/crownpro

Cover FX –
Discount: 30% – 40%
Where: USA & Canada
Who’s Eligible: Professional makeup artists, Photographers, Hair stylists, Fashion stylists, Nail technicians, Makeup students, Models & On-air talents.
What You Need: Programs/press material with name credited, Business card with name & specific profession, Diploma/certificates
Cost: Free
Apply: https://www.coverfx.com/pages/proartist-registration

Daniel Sandler –
Discount: 20%
Where: UK
Who’s Eligible: Students & Makeup Artists
What You Need: Photocopy of photo ID and two of the following;
• Composite Card
• Business Card with name and specific profession
• Original Editorial Page with name credit
• Publication Masthead
• Program/press Materials with name
• Contract on Production Company  Letterhead
• Crew/Call sheet on Prod. Co. Letterhead
• Professional Letter of Reference of  Employment 
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link and you’ll have the option for two different applications to download depending on whether you’re working in the industry or are a student.  http://danielsandler.com/pages/professional-makeup-artists-discount-scheme

Dinair Pro Airbrush –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup artists, hair stylists, consultants, models/actors, nail technicians, costume designers, etc.
What You Need: Photo ID & two pieces of professional criteria, for example Business Card with name and specific profession, editorial page with name credit, union card, head shot & resume, professional license, diploma/certificate, etc.
Cost: $35
Apply: http://www.airbrushmakeup.com/pro/

Face Atelier –
Discount: 40%
Where: Worldwide
Who’s Eligible: Professional makeup artists, student makeup artists, salon professionals, actors, models.
What You Need: Provide two of the following items;
Composite Card Business Card with name and specific profession
• Editorial with credit
• Union Card
• Professional License
• Diploma/Certificate
• IMDB link
• Website link
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link and fill out the application HERE

Hourglass –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Qualified makeup artists
What You Need: Two of the following; Agency and/or business card, Editorial page with name credit, Professional licence, Diploma/certificate.
Cost: Free
Apply: Follow the link HERE

Illamasqua –
Discount: 20% – 40% depending on status
Where: Worldwide
Who’s Eligible: Makeup Artists and students studying Make-up for Beauty, Film/TV and Theatre.
What You Need: Each level of professional status has it’s own requirements, you can find them HERE.
Otherwise two pieces of evidence are needed to complete the application or it will be rejected.
If your evidence is corrupt or too large your application will be automatically rejected
Both forms of ID must to be from the same category Level.
Cost: Free
Apply: https://www.illamasqua.com/professional-accounts.list#

Inglot –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup artists, students enrolled in makeup artistry schools, bloggers, hairdresser, nail technician, etc.
What You Need: If you’re applying as an industry pro, you’ll need 3 of the following;
• 50,000+ fan base
• Magazine tear sheet with name credit
• MUA business card
If you’re applying as a student you need to provide proof that you’re studying my uploading a copy of your student ID
Cost: $49 (+tax)
Apply: https://www.inglotusa.com/login-register-pro-student

Kett Cosmetics –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: “Industry Professionals”. Kett workshop attendees also automatically qualify for discount.
What You Need: TWO of the following;
• Hair or Makeup Union Card
• Cosmetology or Aesthetician License
• Tear Sheet with credit
• Film or commercial call sheet
• An on-line portfolio link with makeup images
Cost: Free
Apply: Make sure you create an account and then E-mail info@kettcosmetics.com or fax to 718-352-1402:

Kryolan –
Discount: % as well as many other benefits, as well as a pro points scheme!
*Discounts between countries may vary.
Where: Worldwide (With specific benefits only available in certain countries)
Who’s Eligible: Professional Makeup Artists
What You Need:
Cost: *Free for the first year. (If you spend over £1000/€1000/$1500 throughout the year your membership will automatically renew for an additional year. Otherwise It’ll cost €30/$40/£25 or 1500 Pro Points to renew)  
Apply: https://us.kryolan.com/procard/how-to-apply

Laura Mercier –
Discount: 40%
Where: USA Only
Who’s Eligible: Professional, working Makeup Artists
What You Need: Two of the following credentials from within the last TWO years;
 • Agency Representation: Have agency fax a roster list on company letterhead or provide link to agency website
• Film or Television Experience: Fax crew list with name credited as a makeup artist on set.
• Tear sheets with name credit
• Copy of your Union Card
Cost: Currently can not find sufficient information regarding cost!
Apply: Email: makeup.artists@lauramercier.com

Love Makeup –
Discount: 10% & 20%
Where: UK
Who’s Eligible: Students and professional makeup artists
What You Need: If you aren’t already, set up a customer account. Then you will need 2 of the following;
• Business website with authenticated email address & portfolio
• Recent published editorial credit
• Press material containing your name
• Production company employment contract on company letterhead
• Cosmetics company employment contract on company letterhead clearly stating position employed as a makeup artist, etc…
Cost: Currently can not find sufficient information regarding cost!
Apply:  https://www.love-makeup.co.uk/professional-discount-g-26.html

MAC –
Discount: Between 30 & 40% depending on status
Where: UK, USA & Canada
Who’s Eligible: Student and professional makeup artists.
What You Need: One of the following;
• Union card, professional license or publication masthead, or any two of the following;
• Agency branded composite card
• Editorial page with name credit
• Program or press material with name and profession
• Professional website (must list profession and be self-hosted)
• Certificate/diploma. 
Cost: As of January 1st 2017 there will be no membership fee!
Apply: https://www.macproapplication.com/index.html#/application

Makeup Forever –
Discount: 20% or 40%
Where: Worldwide (for UK artists search for PAM Ltd. and Guru Makeup Emporium.)
Who’s Eligible: Students & working makeup artists
What You Need: Photo ID as well as 2 proofs from the appropriate lists (follow the link below to find PDF’s containing relevant info)
Cost: 
Apply: Create an account first a follow the instructions on the following link https://www.makeupforever.com/us/en-us/pro-only/backstage-card

Morphe–
Discount: 15% – 20% depending on status
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Students & working makeup artists
What You Need: Photo ID
Cost: $15 – $25 annually
Apply: https://www.morphebrushes.com/collections/gift-cards

Nars –
Discount: 25 – 40% Depending on status
Where: UK
Who’s Eligible: Makeup artists, hair stylists, nail technicians, cosmetologists, professional talent and cosmetic students 
What You Need: Photo ID + the appropriate requirements from the Level of discount you’re applying for. 
Cost: Free
Apply: https://narscosmetics.co.uk/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-UK-Library/default/dwb2560f2e/NARS_Pro_UK.pdf

NYX Professional Makeup –
Discount: 20% or 30%
Where: USA and UK
Who’s Eligible: Working makeup artists and students
What You Need: Photo ID as well as cosmetology certificate or 2 professional tear sheets dated within the year with your name credited, professional letters of reference, proof of current enrolment in a makeup artistry based school, etc…
Cost: Free
Apply: UK https://www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk/en_GB/pro-signup
USA http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/nyxpro-content.html 

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics –
Discount: 40%
Where: Currently USA only as their UK site is under construction
Who’s Eligible: Makeup Artists, Hair Stylists, Nail Technicians, Models, Photographers, students and other Industry Professionals.
What You Need: link to your website or online portfolio, along with your mailing address, phone number and preferred email address. Alternatively, scan your professional comp card, a tear sheet (with printed name credit), professional license, diploma or union card.
Cost: Free
Apply: Email: pro@occmakeup.com

Smashbox –
Discount: 20%- 40%
Where: USA & Canada
Who’s Eligible: Students enrolled in makeup artistry schools and working makeup artists
What You Need: Evidence you need to provide is dependant on the level of professional status you apply for.
Cost: Free
Apply: https://www.smashbox.com/account/signin.tmpl?IS_PRO=1#register

Stila –
Discount: 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup artists, hairstylists, beauty students, models, photographers and stylists.
What You Need:
Cost: Free
Apply: Create an account and download the application at https://www.stilacosmetics.com/pages/the-pro-artist-program

Temptu –
Discount: 15% or 30%
Where: USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion stylists, nail technicians and salon affiliates.
What You Need: Two of the following;
• Tear Sheet w/Name Credit
• Agency Comp Card
• Valid Union Card
• Crew/Call Sheet with Name Credit
• Valid Cosmetology or Aesthetician License
• Letter of Employment
Cost:
Apply: https://temptu.wufoo.com/forms/temptu-pro-membership-application/

TILT –
Discount: 10% 
Where: UK
Who’s Eligible: Working makeup artists only
What You Need:One of the following:
• Business card with name and specific profession
• Crew call list in company letterhead
• Reference letter from employer
• IMDB link
Cost: Free
Apply: https://tiltmakeup.com/pages/tilt-makeup-pro-scheme

Urban Decay –
Discount: 40%
Where: UK & USA
Who’s Eligible: Makeup Artists that are currently working & earning money within the industry and Students enrolled in a school on makeup artistry.
What You Need: A copy of your drivers licence of photo ID.
If you’re applying as an MUA then you need 2 of the following;
• Professional cosmetology license
• Editorial page with name & credit
• Crew/cast list on production company letterhead
• Union card
• Link to website
• Business card
• Professional letter of reference.
If you’re applying as a student then you need the following:
Proof of current enrolment at a licensed school of makeup artistry
Cost: Free
Apply: http://www.urbandecay.com/udpro or if you’re in the UK email: udpro@support.urbandecay.com