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Make-up artist

Alternative titles for this job include Media make-up artist, theatrical make-up artist, make-up designer

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

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 irregular

You could work

freelance / self-employed away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a make-up artist

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

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

College

You could study for a college qualification in:

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

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

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

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

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.

Other Routes

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

More Information

Career tips

It's a good idea to get practical experience to put together a portfolio of work to show employers.

You could:

  • get involved with amateur theatre
  • take part in student film, theatre and photography projects
  • work at charity or student fashion shows
  • work shadow an established make-up artist or photographer
  • work in a related area like a department store cosmetics counter, wedding and events make-up

Further information

You can find out more about careers in make-up on stage and screen from ScreenSkills.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • 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
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Beauty Therapist

  • Wage: £10,982.40 Annually
  • Location: Coach Road, Henlow

Beauty Therapist Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,296.00 Annually
  • Location: MACCLESFIELD

Courses In England

Level 3 Diploma in Special Effects Theatrical Make-Up & Hair

  • Provider: HOPWOOD HALL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: Rochdale

Level 3 Hair & Media Make-Up

  • Provider: TAMESIDE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 03 September 2024
  • Location: Ashton-Under-Lyne

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