How to Become a Make-Up Artist
A make-up artist ensures that models, performers, presenters and others have suitable make-up and sometimes hairstyles, before they appear in front of cameras or an audience
A make-up artist ensures that models, performers, presenters and others have suitable make-up and sometimes hairstyles, before they appear in front of cameras or an audience.
Many people assume that this means make-up artists slap foundation on television personalities’ cheeks and if they’re lucky, get to paint faces on modelling photo-shoots. But there are many other sides to what can be a demanding and competitive trade.
Make-up artists are used on films,
Many make-up artists are also accomplished and experienced hairdressers; their job can include sourcing, styling and maintaining wigs for TV dramas and films. Competition in the industry is tough, and you need to possess as many skills as possible to have the best chance of being hired.
Academic qualifications are not as important as creative and practical skills. It is still possible to become a make-up artist without a degree or High National Diploma (HND). However, many make-up artists do take qualifications before going freelance. The London College of Fashion offers a two-year Foundation Degree in Specialist Make-up Design, as well as a range of short courses.
This is a competitive business and you need to be keen to do well. Equipping yourself with the necessary make-up and brushes is expensive, as is getting photographs of your work for your portfolio (a collection of photos of your best work).
Test your commitment by finding as much experience as you can. Work backstage at amateur dramatic productions, or assist a more experienced make-up artist or a photographer. This will give you an insight into how the industry works and help to build a network of contacts.
How do you get paid work? Word of mouth and showing your portfolio to prospective clients is important. Always take your portfolio round in person. This is an industry in which it is vital to get on with people and where self-promotion can get you a long way.
Any contacts you’ve made during your studies are worth pursuing once you’re looking for work. Online media directories such as Skillset will help identify companies to target with a personal call. Professional journals like The Creative Handbook (published by Reed) are also useful.
The BBC provides support for a small number of make-up artists through its Vision Design Trainee Scheme. But the placements are under review, so check the website for further information.
Most make-up artists work freelance, and pay rates vary widely. The minimum pay as recommended by the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) and the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (Bectu) is £100 per day for junior a make-up/hair assistant and £150 for a senior make-up artist.
Commercials pay around £500 a day. Fashion and editorial work ranges from £200 to £2,000 per day, while top make-up artists designing for fashion shows regularly earn more than £3,000 per day.
Artists with published editorial work, known as ‘tear sheets’, can negotiate additional fees for their published work with companies that use them to endorse a product range.
Once make-up artists are established, they often have agents who find them work and take a cut of the artists’ earnings.
Most work is in London and other major cities, where TV companies are based and the fashion industry thrives.
