Makeup Artist Job Description Sample

Make-up artists use their specialist skills and a variety of accessories and make-up tools to improve or alter the way people look. These professionals specialise in preparing people for participation in events like movie shoots, live events etc. Make-up artists are often employed in diverse work environments, ranging from beauty salons, film sets to stage shows.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a makeup artist?

• To apply cosmetics, touchups, prosthetics, lip liner, eye liner, hairspray, powder etc to improve the look of an individual
• Offer makeup services for various cultural and family events like marriage, funeral, holidays, family trips etc.
• Help in removing makeup after stage events and cultural shows
• Attach prostheses and makeup so as to create special features required for a character
• Rinse out the skin before doing the makeup
• Improve how a person’s eyebrow, facial hair, hairstyle etc. looks like
• Come up with a variety of looks for a given character according to the requirements of the director, producer, production designers, costume designers, performers, cameraman, lighting crew etc.
• Find out the best application process for a given lighting
• Plan and design prostheses to alter the look of actors
• Examine plaster models to get the desired effect for the character
• Determine makeup requirements according to character descriptions
• Offers tips on best ways to care for the skin and hair during and after the makeup process
• Help in matching the hair style to the type of makeup used
• Carry out research on latest trends in make-up and hairstyles
• Make changes to the make-up and hairstyle when necessary
• Help in improving the shelf life of wigs, hairpieces etc through proper maintenance activities
• Hold discussions with clients to clarify on their needs
• Assess skin type of the client and check for any skin allergies
• Document the materials and resources used to achieve a look
• Carryout research and create character drawings accordingly
• Match skin color of the client to color palettes
• Liase with crew members and suppliers to achieve desired results
• Select the most suitable materials for makeup and plan according to the budget

What are the education and entry requirements for becoming a makeup artist?

The requirements for becoming a makeup artist vary from one employer to another. Some prefer hiring makeup artists that hold licensure, while others do not. Although certification is not mandatory, certified makeup artist find it easier to get a foot in the door during job search. Certification courses are available in both make-up and hairdressing. Several colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in areas like fashion, hair and make-up and special effects. However, academic qualifications are not considered as important as artistic and practical experience. Due to prevalence of freelance work in this field, training is usually on-the- job. Most employers prefer hiring candidates with relevant experience working at beauty or hair salons, stage shows etc. Competition can be fierce – getting hired depends on how well one has built their brand and reputation in the field.

What are the personality traits and skills of a successful makeup artist?

• An understanding of current fashion and beauty trends
• Knowledge of hairdressing techniques
• Working experience in prosthetics
• Familiarity with lighting and photography
• Artistic bent of mind
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong practical make-up skills
• Creativity
• Strong communication and people skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong self-promotion skills
• Patience
• Diplomatic approach
• Concentration

What salary can one expect to make as a makeup artist?

Payscale.com reveals that make-up artists are charging an average wage of $17.25 per hour. The annual salary lies in the range of $20,767 to $96,252.

The pros and cons of being a make-up artist?

Pros

• It is an exciting field (it’s constantly changing according to trends and seasons)
• It can be a lucrative career
• You are free to express your creativity
• You get to meet new people and visit new places all the time
• It is easy to network with other creative folks
• Flexible time schedule and work place
• Plenty of job satisfaction (you get to see the results of your work immediately)

Cons

• Work hours are irregular and erratic (you may be expected to work on weekends and even at night)
• Unpredictable employment
• It is not a highly respected career
• It takes time to establish your career path and build client base in this profession
• The competition is high (you have to be really self-confident and artistic to get noticed)

Work environment and career outlook

Working long hours and on weekends is not uncommon in this field. While some artists work at their own studios, most will travel to an employer or client’s location to offer their services. Make-up artists are often found working on movie shooting spots, photo shoots etc., providing touch-ups and alterations when required. A variety of industries employ make-up artists, including TV and Film, ad firms, photography, wedding and bridal make-up, fashion, salons, cosmetic companies, event organisers etc. With adequate experience, one can climb up to chief make-up artist, make-up designer or make-up director positions. On the other hand, there are freelance make-up artists who enjoy running their own business without reaching these senior positions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, make-up artists will see a 19% growth in opportunities between 2014 and 2024.