Makeup artistry is a very versatile field, and there are several career options available to professionals in this space. Once you have your degree, the world is your oyster, and you can choose any opportunity that suits your skills and professional preferences the best. Here’s a look at what you can do as a makeup artist after you have earned your degree.
1. Become an Apprentice
Experienced makeup artists, especially those that work on big shows and productions, often have a team of assistants and apprentices working with them. Working under a professional is often the starting point of this career. It allows you to get hands-on experience, learn vital makeup skills from your boss, and even develop industry connections. Becoming an apprentice is a great place to start if you are fresh out of college.
2. Freelance Makeup Artists
Another way to get started in your career might be to start as a freelance MUA (makeup artist). As a freelancer, you are self-employed rather than working for a company. To do this, you can start marketing online through different job sites and social media. You can also ask your friends and family for opportunities.
It might take some time for your business to gain traction, but it is possible to earn a substantial income as a freelance MUA. Successful freelance MUAs get the chance to travel to exciting destinations, hold classes and lectures, participate in big events, and even work with celebrities. They can lead a reasonably glamorous lifestyle if they can establish a good reputation in the industry.
3. Special FX Makeup Artists
Special FX, or special effects, is probably the most creative career path you can take as a makeup artist. It requires specialized training and a great deal of skill because the work goes beyond applying eyeshadow and lipstick. As a special effects makeup artist, you should be able to create realistic wounds, alien features, know how to work with cosmetic prosthetics, and transform the client completely through makeup.
Special FX artists are responsible for everything from the Elvish ears from the Lord of the Rings movies to the horrifyingly realistic radiation poisoning depicted in the Chernobyl television series. Being a special FX artist is a highly demanding and exciting job.
4. Performance Makeup Artists
Performance makeup is very different from regular makeup because it needs to show up on cameras and be visible from a distance. Makeup artists use various techniques and solutions to ensure their client has the right look on camera. Different artists require distinct kinds of makeup. For example, an artist working on Lady Gaga will employ other products, techniques, and strategies than an artist working on Ariana Grande. Performance makeup artists may also require some skill in Special FX makeup and should know how to create attractive everyday looks. Being a performance artist is a demanding but stimulating job because it involves a lot of traffic and long days on set.
5. Celebrity Makeup Artists
Celebrities have to be presentable at all times and need an excellent MUA on hand. Most have makeup artists who they work with regularly. Celebrity makeup artists handle everything from casual, everyday looks to concert or awards show function looks.
Celebrities are some of the most demanding clients. They are always on the move and are often involved in dozens of different projects simultaneously. They can be temperamental, stressed, and in a hurry. If you are doing a celebrity’s makeup, you should adapt to different situations on the fly.
These are just some of the many career paths open to you. If you get a bit tired and want to take a break, you can also settle into a career of being an online beauty influencer or editor.
L Makeup Institute can help you achieve your goals as a makeup artist.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a makeup artist, why not look into enrolling in makeup school training? Becoming a professional makeup artist is an exciting and rewarding career that can take you to many places. The first step is to earn your education.
At L Makeup Institute, our goal is to help the makeup artists of tomorrow perfect their skills and gain hands-on experience to help them with their makeup careers. We offer a wide variety of training, including focused beauty makeup and special effects makeup classes, to help you explore your talents and learn impressive techniques.