Interested in Becoming a Makeup Artist?

Information on becoming a Makeup Artist

Job title: Makeup Artist
Job description: (be detailed)

A Makeup Artist's specific job is to design and add makeup or prosthetics to Actors and Actresses for movies, television shows and theater. They are also responsible for creating specific looks for runway, commercial and editorial models that will be suit their campaign. Makeup Artist may also be hired for weddings, proms and other special events. On the job they will usually create the hair, makeup and sometimes nails and brows. This will depend on how each individual makeup artist was trained. Each makeup artist must bring their own supplies and be extremely sterile as they will be working on many different people.

Working Conditions: (where do people work in this occupation? Are there physical demands for this job?)

The main physical demand for this job is being able to stand for long periods of time. Films makeup artists may sometimes work shifts as long as 14 hours. The most common areas for a makeup artist to find employment would be at makeup counters in department stores, salons, theatre, film, television, and fashion (runway or editorial). A lot of makeup artist will also work freelance mainly working on weddings and special events. Depending on the area of interest a makeup artist's location may vary from job to job. They may find themselves setting up at hotels, backstage, or at a movie/television set. They may potentially be at

Average Salary: 

an exotic location or find themselves setting up under a tent through extreme whether conditions.
This again would really depend on the area the makeup artist chose to specialize in, and also their level of success. According to the bureau of Labour Statistics, the average salary for a makeup artist in 2011 was $50,980. Makeup artists in the film industry on the other hand made over 100,000.

Education or Training Needed:

Depending on the industry you wish to partake in, there are many different options in this field as it is only growing as far as the number of students and makeup professionals. You may decide to complete a Makeup Artistry certificate program in a year or less at a public college or university like the ones offered by George Brown college or Ryerson university through their continuing education departments. You may also decide to go through with one of the many programs offered by the private beauty schools specializing in makeup across Canada. You have options from schools like Canadian Beauty college, Marvel Beauty School or Complections College of Makeup Art and Design. All of these schools offer shorter programs for students looking to become editorial or wedding makeup artists and longer programs for students looking to work with prosthetic and special effects makeup. The programs offered by private schools are usually a bit shorter than others, for those who are in a hurry and may already have a "nack" for makeup but are just looking for a formal post secondary certification. For those who are even more eager to learn, and are looking for a real college experience studying what they love, you can take a two year diploma program like the one offered through Sheridan college. Once you have graduated you can take your education with makeup at Sheridan a step further and study a third year with their Advanced Special Effects Makeup, Prosthetic and Props graduate certificate. Some other options for someone looking to break into the beauty industry may be a Cosmetology licence, or an Esthetics certificate. These do not go into makeup as deep as you would with the others. You will mainly cover day to night and bridal makeup. From there i would recommend either becoming self-taught to teach yourself further or take an additional short Makeup artistry course.

What can you do with this job/career training?

After earning a certificate or diploma you may start out with the most common options which would be starting work in a Salon or department store. After gaining some experience and a client base you may have the confidence and ability to either start working in film, television, fashion or maybe even start marketing yourself as a freelance makeup artist going off on your own to run your own business. Your education/ training will give you the confidence, skills, expertise, and credibility to do so.
Related Occupations: Describe to other occupations that are similar to this one that you could also pursue.
Occupations that may be considered relative to Makeup Artistry may be, working as a body painter, tattoo artist, esthetician, nail  technician, hair stylist, fashion stylist. Each of the occupations i chose are related in different ways. If you were looking to take up a similar career you would first decide which area of makeup you're passionate about. For example if you were intrigued but the art of makeup and enjoy working with people then you may consider body painting or tattoo artistry. If you are more interested in the beauty industry then you may consider Esthetics or hair styling. If you're interested in the fashion industry then you might want to consider something that is still creative and something where you are still getting to experience working backstage and still are in the fashion industry like a fashion stylist or fashion hair stylist.
Sources of Information:
theartcareerproject.com
Bureau of Labour Statistics.
Georgebrowncollege.ca
sheridancollege.ca
ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce/default.aspx
A lot of the information i gave in this assignment were learned through long term research on the subject.
If you have any further questions feel free to ask.