Zuri Academy
Beauty Career Guide
Make Up Artist Education Requirements & Career Summary
Career as a Make Up Artist requires little formal education. Learn about education, professional training, job duties, career opportunities and salary potential.
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Education
02
Skills
03
Career
Professional Beauty
Make Up Artist
About The Career
Is a Make Up Artist Career Right For You?
Career as a Make Up Artist may be ideal for an artistic individual who wants to work with special effects and prosthetics for film, theater or television, or improve someone's appearance.
Most makeup artists complete a cosmetology or related program where they can obtain the skills they need. Some work for large production companies, while many work freelance.
02 / Education
Educational Requirements
Explore different educational paths that can help aspiring Make Up Artists develop professional beauty skills.
Cosmetology Program
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that most beauty professionals complete formal training through programs that require at least a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission.
Makeup artists can receive professional training through a cosmetology associate's degree program offered at a community college.
Cosmetology students learn makeup application, hair cutting and styling, skin care treatments, nail care, sanitation, bacteriology and business skills.
Theater Degree
Those who aspire to work as makeup artists for film and theater can earn a bachelor's degree in theater. Many of these programs incorporate makeup into the curriculum, and some offer concentrations in makeup.
Students learn basic makeup application, special effects such as wounds and aging, and corrective makeup. Students may also put their knowledge to the test during school productions.
Career Resource
Explore Official Career Information
Learn more about education, employment and career information for theatrical and performance makeup artists.
03 / Career
Career Overview
From client consultation to character transformation, a Make Up Artist can work across different areas of the beauty and entertainment industry.
Job Description
Makeup artists start by discussing and planning the clients' desired end result. They may directly apply makeup to models and actors or work with a team that helps implement the look.
Duties
Makeup artists analyze the skin to determine its type and study the face's natural curves and shape. They prep the skin through cleansing and moisturizing before makeup application.
Using cosmetic substances such as powders, creams, gloss and lipstick, makeup artists create the client's preferred results.
Film, Theater & Special Effects
For actors, makeup artists can transform performers into different characters. Makeup can be used to age someone, create mock wounds and produce other special effects.
Wigs, false eyelashes and prosthetics can also be used. Theatrical makeup artists may research time periods and settings, read scripts and consult with directors.
Career Outlook
Performance and theatrical makeup artist jobs were described in the supplied career information as expected to grow 19% between 2014 and 2024, compared with 10% for cosmetologists, hairdressers and hairstylists.
04 / Professional Skills
What Makes a Great Make Up Artist?
Skin Analysis
Understand skin type, facial curves and preparation.
Makeup Application
Create polished looks using professional cosmetic products.
Special Effects
Learn character transformation, aging and special effects.
Creative Vision
Develop artistic skills for beauty, fashion and production.
Career Potential
Salary & Opportunities
Makeup artists get to transform somebody to look like a monster, give them an extra touch of beauty, or age their skin twenty years.
Makeup artists generally must complete a cosmetology training program and become licensed in order to work, while makeup artists for film and theater often hold college degrees.
Start Your Journey
Turn Your Creativity Into a Career
Build practical beauty and makeup skills with professional training designed to help you move toward a creative career.
Explore Zuri Academy →A career as a Make Up Artist can offer opportunities in beauty, fashion, film, theater, television and freelance work. Professional education and practical experience can help aspiring artists develop the skills required to work confidently in the beauty industry.
Explore professional beauty education and makeup training opportunities with Zuri Academy .