Makeup Artist
Quick Facts
Median Salary$59,923
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth+8.66%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Makeup Artist specializes in using cosmetics and applying makeup. Works in a salon and provides customized makeup for clients, or creates makeup for professional models, or works in a studio or theater to create makeup for actors and performance artists. May also advise on product development and participate in marketing for cosmetics companies.
Core Tasks:
- Clean supplies such as makeup brushes.
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
- Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
- Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
- Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
- Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
- Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
- Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
- Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
- Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.
- Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
- Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.
- Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
- Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
- Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files.
- Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.
What to expect as a Makeup Artist
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
3% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Makeup Artist related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
472 openings for Makeup Artists
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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