is that what you are getting paid for 40 hours?you need to move on to a situation that pays at least minimum wage! your 'boss' is taking advantage of you, and saying that motivated people would do it for free, i say to her 'find that person!' as for doing makeup, do some freelance work on the side, working with photographers and new modelling hopefuls for what they call 'book', which means you and the model and work for copies of your work in print for your portfolios. then you have something to show for yourself as you go on in looking for employment in makeup.

as for being an assistant, try to find a salon who will hire you as their employee, instead of working for a single renter. you  have no benefits, and nothing going towards unemployment the way it is structured now.take care of yourself, and go for your dreams!

your boss wants a slave not an assisstant. tell her to stick it and move on. You know if you love doing makeup you can always go to work at a department store too in cosmetics department. Those jobs are alot of fun i did that for awhile and i blew it because that job was a cake walk! Any way  live your dream! you can do it! Good Luck!

Lily