What does a makeup artist do?
A makeup artist is a beauty enthusiast offering makeup services depending on the clients' needs and event purposes. Makeup artists must have a broad knowledge of the beauty and fashion industry to provide recommendations and create the best aesthetic looks for clients. Makeup artists also need to have an understanding of colors and styles, as well as extensive options on long-lasting makeup materials and cosmetic toolkits. A makeup artist in a professional setting often works alongside other stylists to manage the right looks for clients.
Makeup artist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real makeup artist resumes:
- 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.
- Work in collaboration with key artist for fashion week NYC.
- Silk-Screen t-shirts, work in stain glass, glassblower apprentice.
- Customize facials focusing on anti-aging, acne, hyperpigmentation and PCOS.
- Demonstrate expertise with multiple tools/products including brushes, sponges, and blenders.
- Maintain spa cleanliness and comply with all local and state licensing requirements.
- Practice upselling by adding on services that would be beneficial to a client.
- Apply makeup and FX makeup to actors as required by situation to be film.
- Provide image consulting and life coaching services as well as provided beauty and FX makeup.
- Help maintain the store's organization and cleanliness by taking part in laundry and cleaning.
- Maintain online storefronts on Etsy and Storenvy, and social media pages on Facebook and Tumblr.
- Alert customers of upcoming mac events in store, while maintaining a positive and upbeat attitude.
Makeup artist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Makeup Artists are proficient in Customer Service, Product Knowledge, and Store Events. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Physical stamina, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Makeup Artists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 25%
Contributed to team effort by maintaining and expanding relationships with existing clients, utilizing exceptional customer service skills.
- Product Knowledge, 12%
Worked national events regularly achieving top-seller status with emphasis on product knowledge and demonstration skills.
- Store Events, 9%
Prepared and organized for large department/store events and inventory.
- Photo Shoots, 9%
Conceptualized and executed makeup looks for professional photo shoots.
- Skin Care Products, 5%
Assisted consumers in appropriate application of skin care products for deep cleansing, facials, foundations, and color coordination.
- Retail Sales, 2%
Retail sales beauty professional specialized in marketing & promoting current product/trend.
Most makeup artists use their skills in "customer service," "product knowledge," and "store events" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential makeup artist responsibilities here:
Initiative. One of the key soft skills for a makeup artist to have is initiative. You can see how this relates to what makeup artists do because "self-employed skincare specialists generate their own business opportunities and must be proactive in finding new clients." Additionally, a makeup artist resume shows how makeup artists use initiative: "team sell with sephora cast members, communicate with store directors to support daily sephora goals and first aid beauty initiatives. "
Physical stamina. Many makeup artist duties rely on physical stamina. "skincare specialists spend most of their day standing.," so a makeup artist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways makeup artist responsibilities rely on physical stamina: "analyze patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or schedule client appointments. "
Time-management skills. makeup artists are also known for time-management skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to makeup artist responsibilities, because "skincare specialists need to manage their time efficiently for scheduling appointments and providing services." A makeup artist resume example shows how time-management skills is used in the workplace: "work with the gleam squad to get models done on time for fashion show"
The three companies that hire the most makeup artists are:
- Estée Lauder4 makeup artists jobs
- Live Nation Entertainment3 makeup artists jobs
- WarnerMedia
3 makeup artists jobs
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Compare different makeup artists
Makeup artist vs. Beauty consultant
A beauty consultant is responsible for assisting customers with their beauty needs, recommending to customers beauty and skincare products that fit their lifestyle and skincare concerns. Beauty consultants also sell products and services for the customers, demonstrating skincare products through performing makeovers. They market promotional offers of the beauty products, advise beauty regimens, and respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the products. A beauty consultant must have excellent communication skills to maintain customer relationships and broad knowledge of the beauty industry to provide suggestions for the customers' preferences.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between makeup artists and beauty consultant. For instance, makeup artist responsibilities require skills such as "store events," "photo shoots," "touch ups," and "hair styling." Whereas a beauty consultant is skilled in "product demonstrations," "brand awareness," "upselling," and "brand training." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, beauty consultants reach similar levels of education than makeup artists. Beauty consultants are 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Makeup artist vs. Beauty advisor
A beauty advisor's role is to represent a brand by engaging with customers and recommending cosmetic or skincare products in pursuit of securing sales. They must have extensive knowledge of the company's products and current trends, ability in applying make-up, and customer service skills as most of the duties will focus on demonstrating and responding to inquiries. Usually assigned at malls or department stores, a beauty advisor must also take charge of monitoring inventory, maintaining designated areas presentable, processing payments, and even devising strategies on reaching sales targets.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real makeup artist resumes. While makeup artist responsibilities can utilize skills like "store events," "photo shoots," "touch ups," and "hair styling," beauty advisors use skills like "make-up," "basic math," "cleanliness," and "math."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Beauty advisors tend to reach similar levels of education than makeup artists. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for makeup artists in the next 3-5 years?
Paul Molnar
Associate Professor of Theatre, Independence Community College
Makeup artist vs. Special effects artist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, makeup artists are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "product knowledge," "store events," and "photo shoots." But a special effects artist is more likely to have skills like "python," "animation," "maya," and "graphic design."
Special effects artists typically earn similar educational levels compared to makeup artists. Specifically, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Makeup artist vs. Makeup instructor
Types of makeup artist
Updated January 8, 2025
