Freelancing is tricky (I'm going through this right now...) b/c there really isn't any certificate or state mandated lisencing process, it's all learning as you go and training w/ good people. I started at Nordies w/ Bobbi Brown, then moved to MAC, Laura Mercier, Hard Candy and Too Faced. Now I am working part time in a salon doing makeup for bridal/prom/special occasion stuff. I'd get started in a dept. store b/c they often have events and you can get a foot in the door. For MAC, I had to do a "makeup interview" where I had to actually DO the counter manager's makeup. IT WAS SCARY!! But I did ok, got hired. That's my advice...