Make-Up Artist
Make-up artists specialise in enhancing people's appearance through the application of cosmetics, using their skills to create various looks for events, photo shoots or performances and bringing out the natural beauty of their clients.
Day-to-day Tasks
- understanding the fundamentals of makeup application, skincare and beauty trends.
- learning about different makeup styles, from natural to dramatic, to suit client preferences
- developing a keen eye for colour coordination, contouring, and blending techniques
- collaborating with salon staff to ensure a seamless and enjoyable customer experience
- you could work in a salon, TV studio, theatre, on a movie set, or at a movie studio
Skills and Knowledge
- design skills and knowledge
- the ability to work well with your hands
- artistic and creative flair
- 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
Industry Qualifications
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.
You can do specialist make-up and beauty courses through private beauty schools.
You could also consider a Level 2 NVQ Beauty Therapy, which is a full-time one year course offered by UCM.
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