How To Become a Makeup Artist in Los Angeles

Makeup artists are needed on every film and TV production.

A key career in the Los Angeles-based entertainment industry is that of the makeup artist. The region is home to the film and television world, and is also the location for much commercial and advertising production. Every set has at least one makeup artist, and often an entire team. From glamour shoots to horror flicks and everything in between, the makeup artist provides an indispensable service.

Things You'll Need

• Makeup kit
• Portfolio
• Business cards

Instructions

1. 

   Monster makeup is a staple of Hollywood.

   Get some training. There are a number of programs and schools in Los Angeles, including Joe Blasco Makeup School, Cinema Makeup School and the EI School of Professional Makeup. All of these schools teach what a makeup artist must know for any kind of production, including beauty and glamour, old age, bald cap and hairwork, character makeup (injury simulation and special effects), monster makeup and synthetic applications. Programs at the schools listed here typically last from as short as a week up to a year. According to the schools' websites, 2010 tuition costs vary from around $750 for a short seminar to more than $19,000 for a year-long master class. Students must also purchase their own makeup kits prior to instruction, and these typically run $1,000 to $2,000.

2. 

   Glamour is a skill taught in makeup artist classes.

   Get some experience. The school will probably offer some placement assistance, which is helpful. Other options: community playhouses, colleges, student films and, in Los Angeles, internships at the various studios and production houses. This work initially may need to be done as a volunteer, but it is crucial to building up experience, reputation and your portfolio.

3. Make a portfolio. A portfolio for a makeup artist will include photographs that highlight the artist's range and experience. Include the types of makeup want to pursue in a career. Ideally, this portfolio will be both a physical book or binder and also available for viewing online. In addition, print business cards, have a résumé available and a website, a simple tool you can use to impress prospective employers with your experience, work photos and personal style.

4. Find makeup artist work. Network in Los Angeles. Jeff Gund's Infolist.com is a great place to find out about events where you can make connections. Contact production companies to submit résumé and your portfolio. Consider work in ancillary areas for makeup--beauty, cosmetics and fashion industries--as well as seasonal work during time of high need for makeup artists, such as Halloween.

Tips & Warnings

• A good strategy: Work for student directors. The initial familiarity could bring you repeat work over the course of a makeup artist career.

• It's an advantage to be an early riser, since film and TV usually start the long production day each morning between 4 and 6.

• Some Los Angeles makeup jobs may be union only, and you may wish to accumulate hours to join. You can find out more about the Makeup and Hair Stylists Union at local706.org.

• Licensing requirements vary, but most makeup artists hold cosmetology licenses because many also work part time in the beauty industry.

References

• Joe Blasco
• Bob Pardue Photography: Become a Hollywood Makeup Artist
• EI School of Professional Makeup
• Cinema Makeup School

Resources

• Makeup-Artist-World