Make-up Artist
Make-Up Artist Career Overview
The world of make-up artistry comes complete with glitter, glam, and, of course make-up galore! This is because a make-up artist is responsible for the aesthetic application of make-up and special effects for weddings, photo shoots, movies, television shows, and much more. Being a make-up artist requires a lot of creative talent, a passion and understanding for aesthetic beauty, and a personable nature. The make-up industry is all about retaining clients and thus, you need to demonstrate both creative and social skills in order to succeed.
The make-up industry is fast paced, alluring, and diverse. Some make-up artists work in Los Angeles and New York on sets of movies, television series, and theater performances. Other make-up artists work in the personal care industry, offering make-up advice and application at salons, spas, and resorts. Many make-up artists will be hired for special events such as weddings, graduation or photo shoots where it pays to look absolutely perfect.
Individuals in this field will often work directly with photographers on photo and video shoots and thus, there may be travel involved in becoming a professional make-up artist. Furthermore, some make-up artists will work on a freelance or contractual basis.
Make-Up Artist Training and Education
Make-up schools come in many forms. Many programs will be part of an accredited cosmetology or career school while other institutes will be dedicated to professional make-up artistry only. Most programs require at least 600 hours of course training and take up to a year to complete. Part time and full time courses are offered at many reputable schools. Once you have completed and passed a make-up artistry program, you will have a certificate in that particular program and be able to look for work as a professional.
Some of the courses and techniques make-up artists can expect to learn, according to the EI School of Professional Make-up, include traditional uses of make-up such as beauty, corrective make-up, high fashion photographic mark-up, air brushing, the psychology of beauty, as well as more advanced forms including special effects life casting, multi piece molding, seaming foam and sculpting techniques. Other programs of study and courses may include theatrical and live performance make-up, film make-up, television make-up, hair arranging and wig styling, tattoos for film, face and body painting, and mask making.
Regardless of which route you choose to take, it's always a smart choice to ensure your beauty academy or professional make-up school is accredited. Accreditation means that the school has passed a rigorous set of standards set out by the accrediting commission and also that, as a student, you will be able to qualify for financial federal aid. The three accrediting agencies for make-up schools include the National Accreditation Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), all of which offer an accreditation link to your specific make-up school of choice.
Make-Up Artist Salary and Career Outlook
Make-up artists, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, made an average of $39,020 in 2008. However, those in the motion picture industry made almost $80,000 and those working in California and New York averaged well over $55,000 a year.
Make-up artists can look forward to an incredible 40% increase in employment by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This will be spread over the various industries including salons and spas, television and movies, and high fashion and special effects.
Article Resources
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The EI School of Professional Makeup
National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
