How often should a maquilleur portfolio be updated?

Refresh hero images every quarter and add new case studies after each major campaign to keep algorithms and recruiters engaged.

Do agencies prefer before-and-after sliders?

Yes—if implemented sparingly. One or two sliders that demonstrate transformative skill are impactful; overuse feels gimmicky.

Is social follower count critical for winning a retainer?

Engagement quality outweighs raw follower numbers. Agencies look for authentic interactions that indicate audience trust.

Should I list product brands used?

Absolutely. Brand alignment and allergy checks are easier when you disclose product lines; it also shows transparency.

What resolution do agencies expect for download kits?

Provide 300 dpi TIFF or PNG files at minimum 4000 px for print, plus 1920 px JPEGs for digital mock-ups.

What agencies seek in a maquilleur portfolio before awarding a brand retainer

Before an agency locks you into a multi-month brand retainer, it scans your maquilleur portfolio with a laser focus. This guide reveals every criterion decision-makers tick off—from lighting consistency to legal hygiene—so you can refine your showcase and graduate from one-off jobs to predictable, high-value contracts.

Why agencies invest in long-term maquilleur partnerships

For brand and creative agencies, onboarding a maquilleur repeatedly saves briefing time, secures visual consistency and reduces production risk. A retainer makes sense only if your portfolio proves you can:

Deliver repeatable looks that align with campaign guidelines.
Scale quickly for tour, live-stream and studio contexts.
Navigate legal, hygiene and diversity requirements without hand-holding.

Agencies therefore judge not just artistry but business maturity. Your maquilleur portfolio is the first and often only test.

Six portfolio pillars agencies scrutinise

1. Cohesive brand storytelling

An agency wants to visualise how your style plugs into its client's aesthetic. Arrange images chronologically or as mini case studies to show evolution—from mood board to hero shot. Need layout inspiration? Review the first-impression layout tactics that turn a maquilleur gallery into bookings and adopt a hero-support image hierarchy.

2. Inclusive shade range and texture mastery

Brands serve global audiences; agencies must prove representation. Showcase at least three undertone categories—cool, warm and neutral—across varied age groups. A dedicated slide for melanin-rich skin with close-ups of foundation transitions signals competence. Deep-dive tips live in this guide on inclusive skin-tone execution (article available soon).

3. Technical precision at 4K and beyond

Today's campaigns appear on UHD billboards and 4K livestreams. Agencies zoom into your shots looking for:

Edge crispness on eyeliner and lip lines.
Texture control on high-definition pores.
No stray pigment on lashes or hairline.

Upload high-resolution JPEG or PNG files (minimum 3000 px on the longest side) and compress wisely so pages still load in under two seconds.

4. Commercial readiness: rights, hygiene and ethics

A portfolio slide with concise notes on product sanitation methods, cruelty-free brands used and model consent forms reassures legal teams. Include a link to your hygiene SOP or retouch expectations sheet—agencies love frictionless onboarding. For a deeper dive, cross-read this onboarding toolkit for remote shoots (article available soon).

5. Behind-the-scenes credibility

BTS reels demonstrate speed, teamwork and calm under pressure—traits that static images hide. Aim for a 30-second vertical clip per project showing:

Initial brief and face chart.
Application stages in time-lapse.
Final reveal under studio lighting.

Keep file sizes under 20 MB; use silent auto-play to respect viewer settings.

6. Data signals: reliability and engagement

Metrics reassure agencies that the looks you create resonate with real audiences. Include:

Average engagement rate per post featuring your work.
Number of repeat clients in the last 12 months.
Turnaround time benchmarks—e.g., “festival kit touch-ups in under five minutes.”

Top criteria agencies value in a maquilleur portfolio (2024 survey, % respondents)

Source : State of Creative Hiring 2024

Curating images: quality over quantity

flat lay of a curated maquilleur portfolio

Your goal is to help the agent decide within 90 seconds. A tight edit of 15 looks often converts better than a 50-image dump. Master curation via these curation tactics for maquilleurs. Resist the temptation to display every backstage experiment; instead, select only the frames that underline commercial value, technical finesse, narrative cohesion and measurable campaign impact. A disciplined selection signals confidence, reduces cognitive overload for the reviewer, and accelerates the path to a signed retainer.

Must-have slide	Proof point	Bonus to impress
Hero close-up	Skin texture clarity	4K zoom feature
Full-look editorial	Color harmony	Motion GIF loop
BTS reel	Speed & hygiene	Team testimonial overlay
Shade chart collage	Inclusive range	Product list links

Copy that converts: captions & case studies

Don't leave images naked. A two-line caption should cover brief, product focus, result. Example: “Red-carpet glow for tech-brand launch. Oil-free airbrush base held under 3 k stage lights for six hours.” For SEO guidance, see this caption optimisation tutorial.

Where to host and how to load fast

Choose a platform with CDN support and lazy-loading. Remember Core Web Vitals: keep Largest Contentful Paint under 2.5 s. The curated listings at Artfolio's collaboration-ready makeup artist directory meet these metrics and attract agency traffic daily.

Quick self-audit checklist

All images load sharp on retina and mobile screens.
Every slide ties back to a campaign objective.
Legal and hygiene notes are one click away.
Inclusive representation evident within the first five images.
BTS or motion content included before the viewer scrolls twice.

Interactive quiz: Does your portfolio pass the agency test?

FAQ

How often should a maquilleur portfolio be updated?: Refresh hero images every quarter and add new case studies after each major campaign to keep algorithms and recruiters engaged.
Do agencies prefer before-and-after sliders?: Yes—if implemented sparingly. One or two sliders that demonstrate transformative skill are impactful; overuse feels gimmicky.
Is social follower count critical for winning a retainer?: Engagement quality outweighs raw follower numbers. Agencies look for authentic interactions that indicate audience trust.
Should I list product brands used?: Absolutely. Brand alignment and allergy checks are easier when you disclose product lines; it also shows transparency.
What resolution do agencies expect for download kits?: Provide 300 dpi TIFF or PNG files at minimum 4000 px for print, plus 1920 px JPEGs for digital mock-ups.

Level-up next: turn insights into action

Run the checklist today, update captions this week, and film a concise BTS reel before your next shoot. When you're ready, pitch agencies proactively: your refined maquilleur portfolio now checks every box they monitor before signing a lucrative brand retainer.

Ready to secure recurring work? Audit your portfolio with the steps above, then reach out to three target agencies this month. Momentum favours maquilleurs who act.