When it comes to becoming a makeup artist, there are a lot of myths floating around. One of the most common is that you need to have some sort of qualification in order to get started in the industry. This simply isn’t true. While there are certain qualifications that can help you get your foot in the door, they are not essential. In fact, many makeup artists have no formal qualifications at all. So, if you’re thinking about becoming a makeup artist, but don’t quite know where to start, read on. This blog post will dispel the myth that you need qualifications to become a makeup artist and give you some tips on how to get started in the industry.
What qualifications do you need to become a makeup artist?
If you want to become a makeup artist, you don’t need any specific qualifications. However, it will be difficult to find work without any experience or training. The best way to get started is to do a course at a makeup school or academy.
There are many different types of courses available, from one-day introductory classes to full-time professional courses that last several months. There are also online courses that you can take in your own time. Once you have completed a course, you should look for opportunities to gain practical experience by assisting more experienced makeup artists.
Working as an assistant is a great way to learn new techniques and build up your portfolio. You can also try working on friends and family members to practice your skills. When you feel ready, you can start looking for jobs in the beauty industry. Many makeup artists start out working freelance before moving into full-time employment.
What type of training is required to become a makeup artist?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the type of training required to become a makeup artist will vary depending on the country you are in and the specific requirements of the job. However, in general, most makeup artists will need to complete some form of formal training in order to qualify for the role. This could include completing a makeup artistry course at Face Agency. Some makeup artists may also choose to take additional courses in special effects makeup or prosthetic application, in order to broaden their skill set.
What are the benefits of becoming a makeup artist?
There are many benefits to becoming a makeup artist, including the ability to be your own boss, set your own hours, and choose your own clients. You can also work in a variety of settings, including salons, spas, department stores, and even film and television productions. Plus, as a makeup artist you can enjoy discounts on products and services.
What skills and qualities are required as a makeup artist?
There are many skills and qualities needed to become a makeup artist. Do you have a few of these ticked off?
- Be creative and artistic
- Someone persistent and patient
- Have great problem-solving skills
- Is flexible and adaptable
- Good stamina to stand for long periods
- Be able to work under pressure
- Someone dependable
- Have great communication and people skills
- Good time management skills
- Someone imaginative
- Have a great understanding of colour, different skin types and facial shapes
- Is knowledgeable in what products are suited for what occasion
- Open to learning
- Someone detail-oriented
- Is passionate about their hobby and craft
- Can work independently or in a team
- Fantastic hand-eye coordination
- Be punctual and adaptable
Makeup artist tasks and duties
Many makeup artists perform different tasks depending on what industry they work in. Here are a few general tasks they can do.
- Discuss with clients the requirements and answer necessary queries about the products or techniques they use.
- Analyse the skin type and facial structure of their clients.
- Examine which products and makeup techniques that are suited for the client.
- Produce makeup designs and concepts.
- Source cosmetic materials for their makeup kit.
- Implement prosthetics and cosmetics using painting and airbrushing techniques.
- Maintain good hygiene and safety standards.
- Accommodate makeup touch-ups during shootings.
- Apply special effects makeup for aging, bruises, scars, tattoos, etc.
- Educate others on the right makeup application, products and skincare.
- Craft prosthetics (wigs, beards, artificial body parts, masks, etc.) and fit them to achieve the appropriate character appearance.
- Discuss the job requirements and budget.
- Stay updated with the latest information on trends and techniques.
Tips to start your journey as a makeup artist
Formal qualifications are not needed to become a makeup artist. Here are a few ways below to get started on your makeup journey.
Take a makeup course
There are many makeup courses you can find online depending on what you want to focus on. Are you looking to apply wedding makeup for brides or apply makeup to models for photoshoots?
Doing a makeup course or workshop will allow you to gain experience and learn knowledgeable skills in the makeup industry. For example, you get to learn different skin types and colours to achieve a masterful result. You may even have a professional expert to support you throughout your studies.
At Face Agency we offer these courses including professional makeup, hairstyling to special effects (SFX) makeup. You can also do our short-term courses in personal makeup & image lessons, lash extensions and more. Note that we do not offer accredited makeup courses.
Experiment on friends, family or yourself
Reach out to people that you already know and experiment with different makeup products and techniques. This is a great starting point to learn how to apply makeup on various facial features and skin tones.
Make sure you are open to their feedback as it allows you to recognise the areas you need improving on. As you do this you can photograph all your designs and add them to your portfolio (a portfolio is required for getting potential clients).
If there are methods that you want to get better at you can simply search online to find videos that teach you the basics (look at YouTubers like Nikkie Tutorials, Christen Dominique and more). From then on, practice is the key to building up your application skills and working out what makeup industry you want to head towards.
Volunteer or gain experience
Once you have experimented with makeup on friends, family or yourself and have learned the basics, you can start by looking for places to put your makeup skills to good use. Start by reaching out and volunteering or interning
You can also apply to junior or entry-level retail makeup jobs such as at a makeup sales counter or a beauty salon. Doing this will allow you to gain hands-on experience, develop your expertise, and build connections. You also get to work with different skin types, facial features and eye shapes.
Promote yourself online
As you continue to grow your skills you will be expected to have an online presence. Most clients are just a Google search away and it would be a waste to not use the internet.
Sign up for any social media platform like Instagram or Facebook (tip: find a social platform that allows you to post photos). You can also create your professional website so that you have a place to publish your portfolio.
Once you have those set up you can publish your photographs online and start connecting. Contributing to your forums and discussions, or joining groups in your industry are great ways to network and have prospective employers come to you.
What are the challenges of becoming a makeup artist?
There are several challenges you may face when becoming a makeup artist. Firstly, you need to have the passion and natural ability for applying makeup. Secondly, you must be able to market yourself and build a strong clientele. Thirdly, you need to keep up with the latest trends in the industry and continuously update your skillset. Fourthly, you must be able to manage your time efficiently as you will often be working on tight schedules. Finally, you should always maintain a professional attitude as your reputation is key in this industry.
Types of Potential Makeup Artist Careers
A makeup artist uses a diverse range of techniques and products to enrich a person’s appearance, conceal blemishes and generate special effects. They use cosmetics and prosthetics to change how a person looks.
There are many different types of makeup artists like special effects (SFX), theatrical, runway makeup artists and more. Here are a few of them.
Wedding or Bridal Makeup Artist
As a bridal makeup artist, you’ll be applying special wedding cosmetics to the bride to make her look gorgeous on her memorable day. Not only will you be applying the bride’s makeup but you will also be styling hair or applying touchups for the bride’s attendants.
You will need to comprehend the basic needs of your clients, how to apply the right techniques for your client’s facial features as well as know which products to use. While you’ll be working with different skin tones and colours it is useful to apply the right foundation and concealers. For example, an anti-shining and all-day-lasting foundation for the photographs taken.
Cinematic and Special Effects (SFX) Makeup Artist
Being a cinematic and special effects makeup artist opens many opportunities to work on television, commercials, or film sets. You will need to factor in how the makeup looks with the lighting and tweak it to make it look natural.
You may work on simple makeup such as touching up an actor’s appearance or enhancing their features. There are also complex makeup designs such as working on a witch character portrayed by the actor.
A complete understanding of how SFX makeup works is necessary so that you’re able to use the tricks and techniques to re-create complex designs (we also deliver a 12-week SFX makeup course).
Theatrical Makeup Artist
Like a cinematic makeup artist but this time you’re working on a theatre set or travelling with the cast. Your job requires you to touch up or exaggerate the makeup looks so that the audience sitting afar will be able to see. At other times, exaggerating the actor’s features is needed to make the character seem more realistic.
On some occasions, you’ll be employed to work with heavy specialty makeup for the desired character appearance (usually involves wigs, prosthetics, airbrushing, hairpieces, etc). With that said you will also need some basic training in special FX makeup to be able to create bruises, burns, cuts or age a character straight away.
Branding & Commercial Makeup Artist
As a commercial makeup artist, you’ll be working on the model’s makeup right on set for print ads, tv commercials and internal videos. Since this is product-focused your job is to enhance the model’s facial features or apply casual makeup. Similar to being a bridal makeup artist you might also do other roles such as being a hairstylist, wardrobe stylist and men’s groomer.
On the other hand, a branding makeup artist can work directly with makeup companies to help them generate looks to sell their product. You might even contribute details about the product and how to enhance its quality. You’ll be working with the models throughout the photoshoots and commercial filming along with assisting in how they can model the product successfully.
Retail Makeup Artist or Assistant
This is one of the best ways to gain entry-level makeup experience. As a retail makeup artist, you’ll be working in stores to help sell cosmetic beauty products. You may even work in the makeup artist department, applying makeup for customers.
Someone in this profession may work behind makeup counters or within a store that consults in beauty products. You might work in separate cosmetic stores like Mecca and Sephora, stand-alone shops or in major department stores such as Myers, David Jones, etc.
Freelance Makeup Artist
Someone who is a freelance makeup artist gets to have their own client base, take appointments in line with their schedule and may even travel to their client’s homes. Additionally, you may even have your makeup business at home or in a rented building.
As a freelancer, you’re able to have more freedom and the choice to pick which clients you want to work with. Perhaps you may specialise in different areas including weddings, special effects (SFX) or fashion.
Since you are a business owner you even get to set your own rates. However, since this comes under the “health and beauty” category you may require investing in your business insurance (to protect yourself and your clients in case of any issues and mishaps).
Online Makeup Influencer
Do you want to showcase your makeup talents online? This is someone who creates online content relating to makeup and beauty. Examples include creating how-to videos, challenges and compilations on YouTube. Or you could share your makeup skills through photos and quick 5-30 second videos through Instagram, Facebook or Tiktok.
You could also become a beauty blogger or editor. This is someone who blogs about makeup, beauty, skincare or/and wellness through a website. They could even combine their blog with YouTube and any social media platforms to get better outreach.
At first, it will require you to have persistence, dedication and time. You will need proficient writing skills, photography skills and great marketing.
Once you grow your online presence and gain a large following, you may start getting PR packages from different beauty brands, and sponsorships, create your own products or even work with celebrities.
Runway Makeup Artist
Being a runway makeup artist requires you to apply makeup looks that accompany a designer’s fashion collection. You’ll be working behind the curtains at runway shows or applying touch-ups with magazine photographers.
Compared to the commercial makeup artist, your looks are more creative, exciting, bold, edgy and spontaneous. These makeup designs will affect the upcoming trends and seasons.
Celebrity Makeup Artist
Becoming a celebrity makeup artist can be quite tough to get in as long as you’re networking and have a great online portfolio. It can be fun and interesting to have celebrities as your clients but working with them can also bring additional stress to an already stressful career. You will require to have confidence in your abilities, a great personality, flexibility, and phenomenal interpersonal and stress management skills.
Numerous celebrities and high-profile figures require consistent attention to their appearance and may even hire personal makeup artists to travel with them, making sure they’re looking their best.
Artistic Makeup Artist
In this profession, an artistic makeup artist is someone who produces makeup looks for exhibitions or shows.
Not only will you be applying makeup on the model’s face but you may be using body paint most of the time to create a whole wide range of designs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no one answer to the question of whether or not you need qualifications to become a makeup artist. It really depends on where you want to work and what kind of makeup artist you want to be. If you’re looking to work in a high-end salon or as a freelance makeup artist, then it’s probably a good idea to get some sort of qualification. However, if you’re just starting out and aren’t sure what kind of makeup artist you want to be, then there’s no harm in trying to learn without any formal qualifications. Whichever route you choose, remember that practice makes perfect – so keep practicing your craft and perfecting your techniques!