Make-up artist

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by private training providers

University

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

Subjects that show that you are creative and have good communication skills can be useful for getting on to university make-up artistry courses.

These could include:

• art and design
• performing arts
• drama or theatre studies

You'll also need creative talent and a print or online portfolio to demonstrate your skills.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could study for a college qualification in:

• make-up
• theatrical and media make-up
• make-up artistry

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through:

• a Beauty Therapy Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• a Hairdressing Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• a Hair, Wigs, Make-up and Prosthetics Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

With a qualification in hair or beauty and practical experience you may be able to apply for assistant make-up artist jobs.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

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.

Volunteering

You could volunteer behind the scenes in theatres or amateur dramatic societies.

OtherRoutes

You can do specialist make-up and beauty courses through private beauty schools.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• 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
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• customer service skills
• business management skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• the ability to learn through your work
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• leadership skills
• the ability to read English
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Make-up artists apply make-up and style hair for people appearing on camera or in front of a live audience.

In this role you could:

• research and design make-up and hairstyles
• work to production designers' notes and instructions
• style hair
• create special effects make-up
• take notes and photos for reference
• be on set to redo make-up and hair
• remove make-up and keep wigs and hairpieces in good condition

Location : You could work at a TV studio, in a theatre, on a film set or at a film studio.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours irregular

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed away from home

Career Path:

Many make-up artists work freelance and develop their career by building a network of contacts and getting recommendations from their clients.

With experience, you could progress to chief make-up artist or make-up designer. You could also develop specialist skills, for example applying body art or making facial or body moulds for creating and fitting prosthetics.

You could move into areas like fashion and photography, print and digital media or special effects.

You might also specialise in medical aesthetics, using make-up techniques to hide scars and skin conditions to improve a client's psychological wellbeing and confidence.