I want to move to Ireland. Am I mad?

Beautybeanie

Greetings Ladies,

I was told about these boards by a friend of mine regarding a question I have. At present, I live in Australia but I was born in Ireland and immigrated with my parents when I was quite small. I've been thinking about relocating to Ireland just to see what it's like, reconnect with family etc.

I've been working as a beauty professional and makeup artist in film and event production for the past few years and have a good portfolio and extended clientele. I was wondering whether there'd be enough business for me in Ireland to set up a salon/service of my own and, if so, where do you think it would be well received?

While my family is situated in the mid west, I'm pretty flexible about where I'd go so I'm open to all comments from you, be they good or bad.

I'm up for it. All replies much appreciated.

Thanks.

Abi

I think you would be off your rocker tbh. Shit, I'm doing this wrong. Wanna trade? :pac:

GirlInterrupted

Beautybeanie wrote: »

Greetings Ladies,

I was told about these boards by a friend of mine regarding a question I have. At present, I live in Australia but I was born in Ireland and immigrated with my parents when I was quite small. I've been thinking about relocating to Ireland just to see what it's like, reconnect with family etc.

I've been working as a beauty professional and makeup artist in film and event production for the past few years and have a good portfolio and extended clientele. I was wondering whether there'd be enough business for me in Ireland to set up a salon/service of my own and, if so, where do you think it would be well received?

While my family is situated in the mid west, I'm pretty flexible about where I'd go so I'm open to all comments from you, be they good or bad.

I'm up for it. All replies much appreciated.

Thanks.

PM user allabouteve who came from oz and has Irish parent(s?). Film studios in Dublin and big one in Bray called Ardmore if you want to look it up, perhaps you could find work there.

I wouldn't live anywhere else.

Black Swan

Tiny market for film makeup in Ireland. Was some talk awhile back about Huston donating a pile of money to NUIG (said to impact on film), but haven't heard much in months about it, so it might have been just rumour. You could work for, or open a salon, perhaps in Dub, but there will be competition as always.

Caoimhín

OP, are you good lookin?

ClassicDisaster

caoibhin wrote: »

OP, are you good lookin?

:D:D:D:D:D:D

Zaph

caoibhin wrote: »

OP, are you good lookin?

And exactly how is that relevant? There are plenty of other threads in TLL to flirt in so kindly behave yourself.

StandnDeliver

Hey Beautybeanie
Why dont you come for a working holiday and see how you get on!!!

A mate of mine is makeup artist and she is located in the south of ireland,all she does are weddings,and the odd fashion show.Other jobs in your area (in ireland) would be working at a makeup counter.

With the downturn of employment in ireland i would advise against starting a business in the next few years,most people currently are emmigrating to your side of the world from here.

There are little to none paying makeup artist jobs in the film area,u may get a job in dublin but the market is flooded with well known established Makeup Artists.I know this is probably gloomy news but its better than bankrupting yourself!:cool:

allabouteve

Beautybeanie wrote: »

Greetings Ladies,

I was told about these boards by a friend of mine regarding a question I have. At present, I live in Australia but I was born in Ireland and immigrated with my parents when I was quite small. I've been thinking about relocating to Ireland just to see what it's like, reconnect with family etc.

I've been working as a beauty professional and makeup artist in film and event production for the past few years and have a good portfolio and extended clientele. I was wondering whether there'd be enough business for me in Ireland to set up a salon/service of my own and, if so, where do you think it would be well received?

While my family is situated in the mid west, I'm pretty flexible about where I'd go so I'm open to all comments from you, be they good or bad.

I'm up for it. All replies much appreciated.

Thanks.

OP, I'm from Perth and have been living here for just over a year. I love it. If weather isn't an issue for you, go for it, you can always go back.

I don't know anything about your industry or the opportunities in it, and to be honest I haven't travelled around Ireland much so I can only talk about Dublin and the surrounding areas, but I think you might like it here. Where are you based at the moment?

caoibhin wrote: »

OP, are you good lookin?

It would appear he has a thing for Australian girls...

estebancambias

StandnDeliver wrote: »

Hey Beautybeanie
Why dont you come for a working holiday and see how you get on!!!

A mate of mine is makeup artist and she is located in the south of ireland,all she does are weddings,and the odd fashion show.Other jobs in your area (in ireland) would be working at a makeup counter.

With the downturn of employment in ireland i would advise against starting a business in the next few years,most people currently are emmigrating to your side of the world from here.
There are little to none paying makeup artist jobs in the film area,u may get a job in dublin but the market is flooded with well known established Makeup Artists.I know this is probably gloomy news but its better than bankrupting yourself!:cool:

I want a source for that.

RealEstateKing

everybody I know that's in your line of work has headed outside of Ireland!

Ireland is not a big country, there's not much creative film-type work going on here: Most people with that sort of talent head overseas.

Besides which. Why on earth would you want to come and live in this gloomy, rain-soaked alcoholic dump if you didnt have to? (Yes, I work for the anti-tourist board)

GirlInterrupted

RealEstateKing wrote: »

everybody I know that's in your line of work has headed outside of Ireland!

Ireland is not a big country, there's not much creative film-type work going on here: Most people with that sort of talent head overseas.

Besides which. Why on earth would you want to come and live in this gloomy, rain-soaked alcoholic dump if you didnt have to? (Yes, I work for the anti-tourist board)

It might be rain soaked, but Ireland's far from gloomy and the people are generally a lot more optimistic than Mr RealEstate above.:)

Irish people are great, she'll find plenty of work in a salon if that's what she wants, and if she wants to get in touch with her Irish roots then its better she gives it a try for a while. Good luck OP.

Loopy

I second the working holiday here, to test the water (although the water is bloody freezing over here:D) before you decide if you want to move over permanently.

I have lived in both countries and would choose OZ over Ireland in a heartbeat.

b3t4

Beautybeanie, like others I can't see why you'd want to head to Ireland. It is a lovely place to visit alright but for living in I wouldn't recommend it. I can see you being particularly limited with job oppurtunites as well. How and ever a working holiday wouldn't do you any harm

A

monkeyfudge

Well I'm involved in TV production and while there is a lot of make up artists out there I find the standard to be very low.

With things like the Sound and Vision fund which is made up of 5% of the TV license fee and any one can apply for there are now a lot more independent productions up and running which will be easier to get work in.

Beautybeanie

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate it.

I want a source for that.

Pig'n'Whistle Bar at any time of the day. You'll find a load of them there.
Now that the UEFA Cup is being broadcast, numbers triple at 4am.
When the All Ireland Hurling is on it's packed with every Tom, Dick and Martha wearing a shirt with their county stamped on the back of it.

My work is of a high standard (I also do hair and make wigs) but I'm a qualified beauty therapist and nail technician so I have that as well. It's not so much film and tv I'm concentrating on but rather an overall view on the beauty market in Ireland. I can appreciate that the makeup industry isn't that wide.

Eve, many thanks for your reply. I'm based on the Gold Coast although I've worked in Sydney and Melbourne and do fly there frequently for shows. I also work as Beauty Therapist and have specialist skills in microdermabrasion and IPL. The Professional Beauty Association have said they'll accept my quals as a viable equivalent so I know I can work in that capacity, I've been to Ireland a few times and the weather doesn't bother me and I realise the cost of living is double.

I guess the only thing now is to work out which county to go to.

Caoimhín

Beautybeanie wrote: »

I guess the only thing now is to work out which county to go to.

Spare bed in my house...

blue shimmering

Beautybeanie wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate it.



Pig'n'Whistle Bar at any time of the day. You'll find a load of them there.
Now that the UEFA Cup is being broadcast, numbers triple at 4am.
When the All Ireland Hurling is on it's packed with every Tom, Dick and Martha wearing a shirt with their county stamped on the back of it.

My work is of a high standard (I also do hair and make wigs) but I'm a qualified beauty therapist and nail technician so I have that as well. It's not so much film and tv I'm concentrating on but rather an overall view on the beauty market in Ireland. I can appreciate that the makeup industry isn't that wide.

Eve, many thanks for your reply. I'm based on the Gold Coast although I've worked in Sydney and Melbourne and do fly there frequently for shows. I also work as Beauty Therapist and have specialist skills in microdermabrasion and IPL. The Professional Beauty Association have said they'll accept my quals as a viable equivalent so I know I can work in that capacity, I've been to Ireland a few times and the weather doesn't bother me and I realise the cost of living is double.

I guess the only thing now is to work out which county to go to.

You do have your heart set on coming over to Ireland and I think you will only regret it later if you don't just get up and go! I would advise coming to Donegal but then again I am bias because I love the sea air, the mountains, the beaches, the people and all the lovely walks! Now work could be a problem but think if you are well qualified and obviously have very good references think you will have no problem either getting a job or freelancing!

Let us know what you decide and also where you are situated, would love to get some beauty treatments done - I definitely need some pampering! One thing I will say is be prepared for the slower pace of life, the promises of coming on Monday to do a job but not specifying which Monday - so annoying and it happens all over the Ireland! Aside from that Ireland is great, I love it but do know we are in for a bumpy few years from an economic point of view but then again I think it is global so don't think you will have a lot to lose by moving now! Very best of luck to you.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

MissHoneyBun

And ya'll make an even bigger fortune if ya bring your magic wand and make Irish men look good :pac:

monkeyfudge

I want to look like Darth Maul!

Yes.

You are mad.

Zaph

caoibhin wrote: »

Spare bed in my house...

You've already been warned once on this thread to behave yourself. The OP is asking a serious question that will involve a major lifestyle decision, and as such deserves serious answers. One more crack on this thread and you're banned for a week.

Lil' Smiler

OP, there are plenty of salons here looking for Therapists. I'm a Holistic Therapist and I've found when looking for jobs that most places are looking for Beauty Therapists rather than just massage therapists.

Problem is that the girls in salons really don't get paid very much for their hours. You can always try somewhere like the Four Seasons Hotel. A friend of mine works there, she says she gets paid well enough and then gets big tips.

You can always work in a salon, work up your profile here and then do what we call nixers at home, when you make friends get them to come to you at home for discount prices. There's also companies such as "Girls Night In" who do the equivalent of Ann Summers parties for the beauty industry www.girlsnightin.ie, i'm not sure what the pay is like but I'm sure if you wouldn't mind working your ass off for the first while you'll get a lot out of it.

I'm also gonna PM you another idea I have, it definitely might interest you

I hope this helps

allabouteve

The Scientist wrote: »

Plently of women in this Country need makeovers.
I'd say your business will thrive.

Very mean and untrue.:)

Deleted User wrote: »

Yes.

You are mad.

No she's not, I did the same thing last year and don't regret it at all. The grass is greener and all that. Natives to a country are often blind to the things that make it special to visitors/immigrants:).

Larianne

Yes, the industry is quite small here in Ireland but if you are a good, reliable worker who pushes themselves it can be done. The nature of the business is quite bitchy but if you are confident and don't mind making the contacts for yourself you will do okay.

Also, if you are trained in hair as well as make-up you will definitely be more employable over here as on most shoots there's a make-up artist and a hair stylist. So you would cut cost and time on a shoot.

In the way of film productions, there isn't a constant amount of work going on to be doing make-up full time. There is a good few things in pre production at the moment but that could all change. Also, to work on these productions you need to know someone to work on them. But again, if you've hair work, that is definitely an area that will get you film/tv work as there aren't many hairdressers interested in doing film for some reason.

With regards to setting up a salon, Irish people these days are spending a fortune on looking good. People aren't going to give up their fakes nails and tans no matter how the economy is! You'll just have to research different areas around the country. If you just want to work as a beautican, there are lots of jobs in that area.

Don't mind people trying to scare you off Ireland. Take a year or two off, see if you like it and then, if you don't head to London... plenty of work there! Ya only live once!

WindSock

You live in Oz? Why wouldn't you try working in Weta workshop in Wellington? That would be a fab place to work.

Beautybeanie

You lot are sensational. I'm laughing my head off as well as getting some great information from you. I really appreciate the replies. But bear in mind, a spare bed's only good if you're prepared to make the coffee in the morning.

Yes, I do men. Well, what I mean is I attend to their grooming needs. But Monkeyfudge, if it's Darth Maul you want then I've got you covered. Just don't go visiting any primary schools afterwards.

Blue Shimmering, thanks for your support. Believe me, I'd welcome the slower pace of life!

Lil Smiler thanks for your input. I do 'nixers' over here too - event or season parties. They're great fun.

Again, I can't thank everyone enough for the feedback. I'm stoked. Thanks.

monkeyfudge

Beautybeanie wrote: »

But Monkeyfudge, if it's Darth Maul you want then I've got you covered. Just don't go visiting any primary schools afterwards.)

Pfft. That's no fun... Why else would I want to look like Darth Maul?

Oh yes.. and Larianne knows her stuff by the way... well worth paying attention to her advice.

Larianne

monkeyfudge wrote: »

Oh yes.. and Larianne knows her stuff by the way... well worth paying attention to her advice.

Thank you, I was going to give out about the low standard comment you made. Although, there has been a huge surge of people getting into make-up lately with all these make-up schools opening up. Don't know about the training standards. You do learn on the job too though!

I'd suggest moving to somewhere on the outskirts of Dublin, on the southside definitely. Nearer to Ardmore Studios in Bray and a lot of films are shot around that area in Wicklow- Roundwood, Glen of the Downs etc. So if you do want to get into that side of the business you will be in a handy spot. Living on the northside is a nightmare!

Also, get mobile and GET A CAR!!!!! That's my mistake... I can't drive and have had to turn down jobs or stay in B&B's or people's floors. Provisional is in the post though.... although not sure how it's going to work with me ma or da coming along. hehe

monkeyfudge

Larianne wrote: »

Thank you, I was going to give out about the low standard comment you made.

Ha... We've just had a few bad jobs done for us over the past year. I must remember to let you know next time we're looking for someone... We're Northside too.