Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Makeup artists (theatrical and performance) apply makeup to performers to reflect the period, setting, and situation of their role.
Makeup artists’ job duties involve applying makeup to alter or enhance appearance, applying cleansing or conditioning agents to client’s hair, scalp or skin, reviewing product information to determine costume or makeup requirements, assessing skin or hair conditions and collaboration with others to determine production details.
To become a performance or theatrical makeup artist, one must obtain a degree or a diploma in a relevant field for makeup artists. After successful completion of high school, students can be admitted to a graduate school that offers courses for makeup artists.
Makeup artists’ salary depends on their education, certification/licensing, location, and the type of makeup artist they decide to become. Salary in makeup jobs can vary depending on large projects undertaken and the years of experience.
Makeup artists find makeup jobs at parlours and spas. Also, an aspirant can work as a product advisor in a department or a beauty store for make-up schools that deal with beauty service training. It is always to be kept in mind that a license is a must to take up any opportunity in your career as a makeup artist.
To succeed as a makeup artist, one requires to possess professional makeup artist certification, good communication skills, business sense, customer service skills, self-motivation, ability to work for longer and at odd hours, work under pressure, time management, eye for detail, and an attractive, outspoken personality.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Diploma Professional Makeup
- NSQF Level 5 Photographic Makeup Artist
- MES Course Beauty Therapy and Hair Styling
Tasks
- Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
- Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
- Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
- Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
- Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
Progression Routes
READY FOR MORE?
Subscribe to any of our Premium packages and you'll unlock a wealth of extra information about your favourite careers and gain access our library of immersive 360° VR careers experience.
As a Premium user you'll find out more about the day-to-day demands of any career, what you could earn and, importantly, receive expert advice on study routes, preparation expenses, and where & what to study to fulfil your potential.