How do I become a make up artist????? Makeup artist professional opinion is preferred.?

I would like to become a make up artist but don't know how to go about it. I can put on my own make up fairly decent, however I want to learn how to professionally apply make up. Shoul I go to a beauty school? What type of money is there to be made in this profession and whats the best way to get into it?How do I become a make up artist????? Makeup artist professional opinion is preferred.?
Hello! I am a makeup artist myself and I absolutely love it. I started out working for a makeup counter at a department store. That's a great place to start out. You don't need experience, just an ambition to learn and work. Any cosmetic line is good especially Clinique (which is where I started), Lancome or Chanel. They send you to schools to learn about skin physiology and all about makeup and application. While working at the department store you make your hourly plus commission which is nice. Once you build a client base they will ask you to come to their houses and do their makeup for weddings and special occasions. This is nice because you can set a rate to charge for your services. When I started out, I charged my wedding parties $75 for the bride and $50 per bridesmaid. Working for a cosmetic line is also great because they give you free product for yourself too :-) After you gain experience you can also work freelance. Freelance is great because you can work for different cosmetic lines doing events. Freelance work lets you make your own hours and pays at least $25/hour. I love being a makeup artist because I can still have my Monday thru Friday job and do this on nights and weekends. You meet great people and make great money. I say go for it!! It's a great opportunity. If you have any more specific questions, shoot me an email. I'd be happy to help you out! Good luck!How do I become a make up artist????? Makeup artist professional opinion is preferred.?
Do not go to a beauty school. Beauty schools are for people who would like a license in hair, nails, or skincare. They don't teach makeup. You need to go to a professional makeup artistry school. Makeup artists are certified, not licensed.


Some reputable schools are:


Complexions (Canada)


Westmore Academy (California)


MUD (New York and California)


Vancouver Film School (Canada)


Makeup Forever (Paris)





The schools will teach you what you need to do to get into makeup but going to makeup school is the first step. Many people try to avoid it and it's much harder for them to be taken seriously. The ones you hear about who get into makeup with no training are the ones who are rare and gifted with unusual artistic ability. You hear about them because they are so rare.





The pay really varies by what you want to do. Movie makeup artist make anywhere from $250-$1000 a day. That's union rates. To join the union you have to do a certain number of low budget films and pay union dues. You'll start at doing low budget films for anywhere from $20-$100 a day. For TV artists you can make anywhere from $1000-$5000 a week. TV is VERY hard to get into and you normally have to be represented by an agency. Agencies require very well put together professional portfolios to sign you. You can also just do local bridal makeup and make a living doing that. Typically for bridal makeup on a professional level you can make anywhere from $500-$1000 a day. There are no definitive amounts you can make in makeup artistry because the market varies by state and by the type of work you are doing. It also varies by how good you are and how much you work to get jobs. Jobs are high competition. You need to network with other artists (you'll get most of your first jobs from fellow artists you are friends with) and you need to check job boards like craigslist.com and your makeup school job board. You have to stay focused and really want it to be successful. Artists potentially make a lot of money but they also have long spans between jobs so you have to be able to budget accordingly. You may make $5000 in one day but you'll have to make that last until you find your next job and that could take a month or more. It's a fun job but it's hard work. You are on your feet all day and most days consist of 12-14 hour work days with only 2-3 hours of sleep in between. You work in all sorts of conditions and have to be pleasant and easy going the entire time. Movie shoots are the most grueling. TV is pretty cushy but hard to break into. Photo shoots are fun but exhausting and you have a lot of hot lights melting your makeup while the photographer is barking orders at you. Runway work is fun but very rushed and very stressful. The backstage stress could be cut with a knife. You have to really love the industry to succeed.
yes you have to go to cosmotology school.. aveda and paul mitchell have great schools..pricey at that... moneys good if you are
some makeup stores are willing to train their employees for free. Search around an ask if experience is required
The first thing that you have to do...is go to cosmetology school...My cousin is a beautician / makeup artist. that is what she did, and then got her foot in the door at a local salon...and on terms of money, she is my age (23) and drives a BMW z4 (2006), and has a house of her own....so the money is there.
I have two answers for you. I used to work on a TV show where they had make-up artists. Intern with one if you can! Great way to get a foot in the door. Also, there are make-up classes offered in many theater schools across the country. You can learn more than just cosmetic make-up, but how to do special effect make-up, cuts, brouses, and scars as well as old-age make-up. Theaters always need make-up artists (great volunteer oppurtunity and way to take pictures and build a portfolio)!