Make-Up Artist Information
Makeup artists are creative beauty professionals who use cosmetics to help people look their best. A career in makeup artistry requires knowledge of the latest fashion and beauty trends, and an eye for color and shape. Some makeup artists are self-taught and receive most of their training on the job. However, attending a program at a cosmetology or makeup school can help improve your employment opportunities.
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Description
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Makeup artists assist customers in achieving their desired looks by applying cosmetics and other physical enhancements. Depending on the client and the venue in which they are working, makeup artists may simply apply foundation, eye shadow, blush and lipstick to prepare an individual for a special occasion, such as a wedding or prom. In other cases, they might use makeup and prosthetics to make the individual look older, create a scar or other disfigurement, or transform an individual into a character, like a monster or zombie. Makeup artists also assist customers in choosing the right colors and products, and make sales for cosmetics companies. Some makeup artists even develop their own product lines and promote them directly to customers.
Education
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While a formal education is not required, most makeup artists do receive training. There are many cosmetology and makeup schools throughout the country, where classes are taught by professional makeup artists and hair stylists. Many of these programs are geared toward specific makeup artist career paths, so know what your interests are before you enroll. Beauty makeup classes teach students the basics of makeup, such as foundation matching, contouring, highlighting and eye shadow application. Special-effect makeup courses provide instruction in simulating injuries, creating scars, using makeup to create period characters and applying prosthetics and artificial facial hair. You also can take classes in airbrushing and face and body painting.
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Opportunities
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Makeup artists can find employment in a variety of venues. Some work in the entertainment industry, where they apply makeup to actors and actresses in television and film. Others work with models in print and advertising, or provide services for fashion shows. Some makeup artists become licensed as cosmetologists or estheticians, and work in salons and spas. Makeup artists also work behind the counter for cosmetics companies at department stores, making sales based on the makeovers they perform.
Salary
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According to Pay Scale, a salary information website, makeup artists with less than a year of experience earn between $8.37 and $15.12 per hour as of May 2010. Those with one to four years of experience are paid between $10.79 and $18.03, while those with five to nine years of experience earn between $13.93 and $20.25 hourly. Makeup artists with 20 years of experience or more can earn as much as $62.50 per hour.
Employment Outlook
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for personal appearance workers, including makeup artists, is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. The increasing popularity of spas and high-quality salons make those particularly good employment opportunities for makeup artists. Makeup artists who wish to enter the entertainment industry will find it an extremely competitive field; most of the jobs are on a freelance basis.
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References
- Photo Credit makeup image by Francois du Plessis from Fotolia.com
