Make-up Artist

Typical Salary

To

Typical Hours

38 to 40 irregular

freelance / self-employed away from home

How To Become a Make-up Artist

You can get into this job through:

a university course
a college course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
specialist courses run by private training providers

College / University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or a degree in specialist make-up techniques like:

make-up for media and performance
media make-up artistry
theatrical, media and special effects make-up

1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could study for a qualification in media make-up, like:

Level 2 Certificate in Make-up
Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up
Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Make-up Techniques

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a beauty therapy intermediate apprenticeship.

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could start out as a trainee or assistant to a make-up team, or find casual work doing make-up and hair for extras in crowd scenes.

You could also get experience in salon, wedding and events make-up, or through working in cosmetics sales, and build a professional portfolio to demonstrate your skills.

Other Routes

You can do specialist make-up and beauty courses through private beauty schools.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

design skills and knowledge
the ability to work well with your hands
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be flexible and open to change
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to use your initiative
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In this role you could be:

researching and designing make-up and hairstyles
working to production designers' notes and instructions
tidying and styling hair
using special effects make-up
taking notes and photos for reference
being on set to redo make-up and hair
removing make-up and keeping wigs and hairpieces in good condition

Working Environment

You could work at a TV studio, in a theatre, on a film set or at a film studio.

Career Path & Progression

Many make-up artists work freelance and develop their career by building a network of contacts and getting recommendations from their clients.

With experience, you could progress to chief make-up artist or make-up designer. You could also develop specialist skills, for example applying body art or making facial or body moulds for creating and fitting prosthetics.

You could move into areas like fashion and photography, print and digital media or special effects.

You might also specialise in medical aesthetics, using make-up techniques to hide scars and skin conditions to improve a client's psychological wellbeing and confidence.

Volunteering Opportunities

You could volunteer behind the scenes in theatres or amateur dramatic societies.

Tips & Information

Career tips

It's a good idea to get practical experience to put together a portfolio of work to show employers. You can get this through:

amateur theatre
student film, theatre and photography projects
charity or student fashion shows
working with established make-up artists and photographers
working in related areas such as department store cosmetics counters, wedding and events make-up

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the National Association of Screen Make-up and Hair for professional development.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in make-up on stage and screen from ScreenSkills.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.