What is a Make-Up Artist?
Make-up artists are professionally trained artists that transform the skin and improve its appearance of by using make up paints and other accessories.
Continue reading and learn how to become a make-up artist.
The daily duties of a make-up artist are:
- Deciding if the physical outcome of the client is satisfying
- Ordering the materials she/he needs from the suppliers
- Making draft notes and initial sketches
- Organizing a plan of action and a timetable
- Explaining to the client the process
- Applying make up to the client
- Making sure the make-up fits with client’s colors and clothes
- Staying updated on new techniques
Make-up artists need to pay attention to the details as even the smallest detail can change their clients’ appearance.
They also need to have critical thinking skills and a good aesthetic because they will need to decide which make up fits better a client, depending on several factors.
Good communication skills are also needed as they come in touch with clients on a daily basis and they have to be able to explain them the make-up process.
Make-up artists are mostly employed by the entertainment and beauty industry.
They work at television and movie studios, fashion shows, photography studios and beauty salons.
They also work exclusively with a person, travel with them offering their services.
The average salary of a make-up artist is .
Make-Up Artist Specialties
Theatrical make-up
Theatrical or stage make up is used along with stage lighting with the goal of highlighting the actor’s face in order to make his/her expressions visible to the audience. This can be achieved by defining the lips, eyes and facial bones.
Fashion make-up
Fashion make-up is mainly used in fashion runway and fashion photography. It is also commonly used in films and television.
(FX make-up) Special make-up effects
FX make-up is mostly used at film shooting. Make-up artists use plaster casting, prosthetics, theatrical blood and other mediums to achieve non-human appearances and metaphysical characteristics.
Bridal make-up
Bridal make-up is a relatively new sector of make-up. There are several looks that can be given to the bride like glamorous, ethnic, or contemporary.
Airbrushing
At this technique the make-up artist uses an airbrush spraying various ingredients like water based color and alcohol.
High definition
At high definition make-up they use reflectors, lights and various ingredients like minerals to make the skin flawless.
Becoming a Make Up Artist
Step 1: High School Preparation
High School Courses for Make-Up Artists
Physics and Chemistry It maybe sounds a bit odd but these two classes will help you with your make-up artist studies. They will help you understand the composition of the ingredients you will be using, how they react to the skin if they cancel each other out etc. Art & Design It is common sense to take art & design classes as an aspiring make-up artist. Take classes in art and color theory if offered. These classes will help you develop a basic sense of aesthetics that will be really helpful later.Step 2: Complete an Accredited Training Program in Make-up Artistry
Make-up Artistry Certificate Program 3 months to 1 year
These short term programs are usually offered by technical schools and state universities. They are about 18 semester credit hours programs and are offered either on-campus or online. Due to the practical nature of this profession we suggest to complete an on campus program. It is easy to get accepted as you will only need a high school diploma or something equivalent like GED. Curriculum Required Courses (12 credits)- Culture and Appearance
- Fundamentals of Makeup for Beauty and Fashion
- Advanced Principles and Techniques of Makeup for Fashion and Beauty
- Professional Level Challenges in Makeup Artistry
- Introduction to the Visual Arts
- Art in Western Civilization: Ancient Through Medieval
- Art in Western Civilization: Renaissance through Modern
- Textile and Apparel Industry
- Stage Make-Up
- Advanced Stage Make-Up
Associate’s Degree in Cosmetology program 2 years
Because there is no make-up artistry associate’s degree program you can get a cosmetology associates degree with make-up orientation.
These are 48 – 75 credit hour programs and can be completed mostly on campus.
It is easy to get accepted at a program like that, as you will only need a high school diploma or a GED.
Curriculum
Core Courses
- Freshman Cosmetology
- Junior Salon I
- Junior Salon III
- Tinting I
- Tinting II
- Senior Salon I
- Senior Salon II
- Rules, Regulations, and Physiology
- Intermediate Cosmetology Lab
- Resolution of Skin Diseases and Disorders
- Intermediate Cosmetology Lab II
- Chemistry and Chemical Services
- Basic Business Practices
Electives
- Introduction to Hair Coloring and Styling
- Intermediate Hair Coloring and Styling
- Advanced Hair Coloring and Styling
- Contemporary Hair Styling
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Fundamentals of Chemistry Lab
The cost of an Associate’s Degree in Cosmetology program is relatively low and ranges from $6,000 to $26,000.
Associate’s in Specialized Business Degree (Special Make-Up Effects program) – 2 Years
If you want to become a special make-up effects artist there are some associate’s degree programs available.
They are 70 semester credit hours programs that can be completed on-campus. The admission requirements are a high school diploma or a GED.
Curriculum
- Sculpture I
- Cosmetic Make-Up
- Foundations of Make-Up Effects
- Anatomy and Anthropology
- Hair and Beards
- Sculpture II
- Mold Making and Casting
- Digital Sculpting
- Critical Histories of the Arts
- Introduction to Psychology
- Advanced Make-Up Effects
- Beginning Animatronics
- Advanced Mold Making and Casting
- Special Effects from Page to Screen
Animatronics track
- Professional Skills Workshop / Make-Up Portfolio
- Advanced Animatronics
- Special Effects Props
Fashion and Performance Track
- Basic Airbrush Illustration
- Professional Skills Workshop / Make-Up Portfolio
- Special Effects Props
- Fashion and Performance Make-Up
The cost of an Associate’s in specialized business degree (Special Make-up effects program) is $33,500.
Step 3: Get licensed
While there is no official make up artistry licensing, in order to practice this profession you will need a certification in cosmetology.
Requirements
While the requirements vary from state to state all states require to be at least 18 years old and have completed a professional training (1,000 to 2,000 hours of theoretical and practical training) in most cases from an accredited from your state’s board school.
Examination
The exam is divided at 2 parts the written exam and the physical exam.
The written examination of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology covers the following areas:
- Sanitation and Infection Control Procedures
- Advanced Knowledge of Human Physiology and Anatomy
- Structure and function of the layers of the skin
- Advanced Knowledge of Skin Conditions and Disorders
- Chemistry
- Cosmetic Ingredients
- Factors that Affect the Skin
- Dermatological Terms
- Plastic Surgery Terms
- Skin Analysis
- Exfoliation Methods
- Electricity and Use of Various Electrical Equipment
- Advanced Methods of Hair Removal
- Advanced Facial Treatments
- Advanced Body Treatments
- Lymphatic Drainage
- Pre/Post Operative Treatment
The physical examination of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology covers the following areas:
- Cleansing the Face
- Setup and Client Protection
- Ultrasonic Exfoliation Treatment
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Particle Microdermabrasion
- Jessner’s or 20% BHA Chemical Peel
- Advanced Facial Treatment – LED
- Electricity and Electrical Equipment – Microcurrent
- Dry Exfoliation and Mud or Seaweed Mud
- Advanced Body Treatment
Cost: $40
How Long Does it take to Become a Make-Up Artist and How Much does it Cost?
Option1: Certificate
| Degree | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 3 months – 1 year | $1,800- $19,500 |
| Certification | 1 month | $40 |
| Total | 4 months – 1 year | $1,840 – $19,540 |
Option 2: Associate’s Degree
Degree Time Cost
Associates Degree 2 years $6,000 to $33,500
Certification 1 month $40
Total 2 years & 1 month $6,040 – $33,540
