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What is a makeup artist and how to become one
If you have ever looked at a magazine and noticed how beautiful the model's makeup is or how well it complements the styling, you have makeup artists to thank for that! People often marvel at the beauty of advertisements and commercial models without thinking of the team of people behind the look. Makeup artists have mastered the art of illusions and color play.
They also know how to work with makeup tools and makeup products. They can transform a blank canvas - in their case, often a model's face - into a spectacular work of art. They know how to blend products to achieve their desired look. If you want to be a makeup artist, you should start playing around with makeup. Find the best products and brands to use. Study how to achieve different looks. Network. It would be a fun, creative outlet that pays well. Usually, makeup artists are considered gig workers. As such, they must get a strong client base and build a good reputation with studios, models, and even brands.
What general advice would you give to a Makeup Artist?
Paul Molnar
Associate Professor of Theatre, Independence Community College
Avg. Salary $41,026
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 17%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.65%
Asian 13.59%
Black or African American 8.74%
Hispanic or Latino 20.39%
Unknown 5.50%
White 51.13%
Genderfemale 88.21%
male 11.79%
Age - 32American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 32Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is very poor
6.4 - fair
Makeup Artist career paths
Key steps to become a makeup artist
Explore makeup artist education requirements
Start to develop specific makeup artist skills
Skills Percentages Customer Service 24.92% Product Knowledge 11.80% Store Events 9.37% Photo Shoots 8.84% Skin Care Products 5.05% Research makeup artist duties and responsibilities
- Achieve all sales goals through close client contact and upselling techniques.
- Manage social media outlets such as Instagram and Tumblr to reach a broader audience.
- Experience hair stylist providing full range of customize hair care services including hair extensions, wigs and braids.
- Support master classes in NYC.
Prepare your makeup artist resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your makeup artist resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a makeup artist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Makeup Artist Resume templates
Build a professional Makeup Artist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Makeup Artist resume.
Apply for makeup artist jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a makeup artist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Makeup Artist Job
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Average makeup artist salary
The average Makeup Artist salary in the United States is $41,026 per year or $20 per hour. Makeup artist salaries range between $21,000 and $77,000 per year.
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Updated January 8, 2025
