Are you new to the permanent makeup industry? Have you already been in the game and just looking for a little guidance? No matter what point you are at in your career, it’s always a good idea to have a trusted mentor you can lean on. However, before looking for a mentor it is important to understand why you are looking for one and what you expect from them. Once you’re clear on your expectations, you’re ready to begin your mentor search.

 Are They Legit?

First thing’s first, look for artists that are legit! A huge following isn’t always necessary but you want to make sure your artist has been doing this for awhile. Someone who has been in the industry a year or two is probably not a good mentor choice. Look at their certifications, accomplishments and progression through out the years. Is this someone you look up to? Is this someone you want to be like?

Do You Like Their Work?

Look at their work, fresh and healed results. If they are seasoned artists they should have plenty of healed work out there. Is this the style and type of work you want to create? Does the artist provide all of the services you want to offer? You should be learning form someone who is doing the type of work and using the tools you are interested in. For example, if you know you want to be a machine artist you probably won’t look for a mentor who only uses hand tools.

Do They Have A Good Reputation?

The artist you chose as your mentor should have good reputation. What other people are saying them? Look at their reviews, chat forums, social media, anything you can find online. You should also check out what other artists are saying about them. You do not want to be mentored by someone who does not have a good name in the community.

How Busy Are They?

Another important thing to look at is how busy the artist is. Are they booked out everyday? Do they only see a few clients a week? Do they have other people they already mentoring? You want a mentor who is busy, but is still available to give you the time you deserve. Your mentor should be blocking off time specifically for you and investing in your growth.

Will You Vibe?

Lastly, do you vibe with your mentor? It is hard to tell if you will connect with a person until you physically spend time with them, but you can still pick up their vibes beforehand. Look at what they post online, how they speak, what they talk about, what their interests are, their views, who they are aside from being an artist. Is this someone you can see yourself connecting with and forming a bond with? If you do not vibe with a person it simply just won’t work out.

Many other factors go into choosing the right mentor, and it all differs from person to person. It is up to you to know what you are looking for and what you wish to gain from your mentorship.

These are just some basic things to keep in mind when looking for a mentor.

Finding the right mentor may take a while, but don’t worry, this is not something you should rush. Take your time, do your research and good luck!