Working With Kids On Set: What Every MUA Needs To Know

Kids on set are a different world. The energy is unpredictable, the timeline is tight, and the margin for error is small. Nap times and snacks are constantly needed and sometimes you have to pretend to grow their hair while putting it in two ponytails (true store).

Here's how to show up prepared and keep things moving (hopefully smooth):

1. Come in calm, not excited. Kids mirror your energy. If you walk in loud and enthusiastic, expect chaos. A steady, low-key presence tells them this is a normal, safe situation. Make them laugh, compliment them a lot and give a ton of high fives.

2. Get on their level, literally. Crouch down. Make eye contact. Introduce yourself before you touch anything. Kids respond to being treated like people, not props. A two-second introduction goes a long way. More high fives.

3. Show them everything before it touches their face. Hold up the brush. Let them smell the product. Explain what you're doing in plain language. "I'm going to put a little powder here so the lights don't make your face shiny." Simple. No surprises means less resistance. More high fives.

4. Keep your kit tidy and out of reach. A curious kid will grab a lip liner faster than you can blink. Keep your workspace clean, your tools organized, and anything sharp or breakable out of sight. Less temptation, fewer interruptions. Make sure your hot tools are always put away!

5. Work fast. Have a plan before they sit down. Know exactly what look you're building and in what order. Kids have a short window of cooperation and you want to use it efficiently, not figuring out your next step. You may also have to be on the move with them. Figuring out how to do a braid as they want to go get a toy to play with and make it back on set in five minutes.

6. Talk to them, not about them. Keep them engaged with low-stakes conversation: favorite color, what grade they're in, their pet's name. It keeps them still and makes the experience feel collaborative.

7. Involve the parent, but set boundaries. Keep parents in the loop, but make sure they know you're running the chair. A well-meaning parent jumping in with opinions mid-application is a common disruption. A friendly heads-up at the start ("I'll keep you posted on how it's going") usually handles it.

8. Build in buffer time. Even with perfect prep, something will happen. A bathroom break, a meltdown, a last-minute wardrobe change.

9. Have a distraction ready. A favorite song, a small fidget toy, something on a phone if the client approves. A two-minute distraction can save the whole application.

10. Know when to pause. If a kid is truly checked out or upset, pushing through rarely works and almost always makes it worse. A short break resets everyone. Trust your read on the room. When in doubt, high five it out. And go take a break yourself.

Working with kids on set is a skill that you learn especially if you aren't a parent (like myself). Thankfully I am always the cool aunt. But, kid focused brands make up a lot of work for production and commercial makeup artists in Philadelphia and New York City. Shoots I've worked on that have had kids: Apple and Eve Juicebox, Leapfrog, V-Tech, Spirit Halloween, Children Model Digitals for Agencies and more