Make-up Artist

First things first and in case you didn't know...

A make-up artist is a professional who applies make-up and prosthetics to enhance or alter a person’s appearance for various purposes, including fashion, film, television, theatre, weddings, and special events.

They work with individuals, models, actors, and clients to create looks that align with the desired aesthetic or character.

Make-up artists may also provide skincare advice, use special effects (SFX) techniques, and stay updated on industry trends.

Responsibilities:

Consult with clients to understand their desired make-up look and create a customised look that complements their features and ‘event’ theme. Provide pre-event makeup trials to finalise the desired look.
Apply make-up using appropriate techniques and long-lasting, photo-friendly products.
Collaborate with hairstylists and other beauty professionals to coordinate the overall bridal look.
Stay updated with current make-up trends and techniques.

CHECK OUT RACHEL'S PODCAST

Key skills/talents

The following are a few key skills you should have if you’re looking to become a Make-up Artist:

Creativity and artistry: Ability to create unique and visually appealing looks.
Skin knowledge: In-depth knowledge of different skin types, makeup products, and application techniques.
Attention to detail: Precision in applying makeup and ensuring symmetry.
Communication skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to understand client needs and collaborate with teams.
Time management: Working efficiently under tight deadlines.
Knowledge of products and tools: Familiarity with makeup brands, brushes, and techniques.
Adaptability: Ability to work with different skin types, tones, and conditions.
Portfolio development: Showcasing your work to attract clients or employers.
Sanitation and hygiene: Maintaining clean tools and workspaces.
Business acumen: Managing finances, marketing, and client relationships if self-employed.
Continuous learning: Keeping up with trends, techniques, and new products.
Professional and positive attitude: At all times… Often very stressful times!

Qualifications required

While formal qualifications are not always mandatory, and certainly Rachel talks in the chat about how she has taught herself and learned via sheer experience; completing a recognised course can provide essential skills and credibility.

Beauty and make-up courses are offered in colleges across the UK, but some of the best places to study in the UK include:

London College of Fashion (LCF): Offers courses in makeup and prosthetics: https://www.arts.ac.uk/colleges/london-college-of-fashion
Delamar Academy: Specialises in film, TV, and theatre makeup: https://www.delamaracademy.co.uk
Greasepaint: Offers courses in makeup for media and fashion: https://www.greasepaint.co.uk
The Make-up Academy (TMA): Provides beginner to advanced courses: https://www.themakeupacademy.co.uk
City of Glasgow College: Offers Higher National Diploma courses in makeup artistry: https://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk

Rules and regs

As a make-up artist in the UK, you must comply with several laws, rules, and regulations to ensure professionalism, safety, and legal compliance. These include...

Health and Safety: Maintain high standards of hygiene by sanitising tools, using disposable applicators, and keeping your workspace clean. Follow guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure a safe working environment:

https://www.hse.gov.uk
COSHH Regulations (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health): Comply with COSHH regulations when using chemicals, adhesives, or makeup products that could pose health risks. Refer to the HSE COSHH Guidelines for detailed information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh
Data Protection (GDPR): Protect client information if you store contact details, photos, or other personal data. Follow the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines provided by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

https://ico.org.uk. For small businesses and freelancers, the ICO SME Web Hub offers tailored advice: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/sme-web-hub
Licensing: Some local councils in the UK require make-up artists offering mobile services to hold a license. Check with your local council for specific licensing requirements using the GOV.UK portal: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Insurance: Whilst not a legal requirement, having public liability insurance is highly recommended to protect against claims of injury or property damage. Consider additional insurance like professional indemnity and product liability for comprehensive coverage. See below for links to some companies that specialise in insurance for makeup artists...

The Guild of Beauty Therapists: Offers tailored insurance for make-up artists:
https://www.beautyguild.com/insurance

Balens: Specialises in insurance for beauty and holistic professionals: https://www.balens.co.uk

Remuneration framework

On average, a make-up artist in the UK is expected to earn an average salary of £25k, however this can range up to £40,000 depending on your location and the type of make-up you do.

Salary ranges are heavily influenced by factors such as the makeup artist's qualifications, level of experience, skills, and field of expertise. For example, a bridal makeup artist with 4 years of experience will earn more than a beauty counter makeup artist with just 1-year working experience. The same goes for celebrity makeup artists, who can easily snag 6 figure makeup deals compared to fashion makeup artists...

Beauty counter make-up artists provide makeup consultations, product recommendations, and make-up application services to customers at retail stores and beauty counters. They may represent a specific brand or multiple brands.

These make-up artists typically earn an hourly wage or a combination of base pay and commissions on product sales. The average salary range can be approximately £16,000 to £25,000 per year, depending on factors such as location, sales performance, and the brand they represent.

The earnings of bridal make-up artists in the UK can vary based on several factors, including experience, reputation, and location. As an entry-level artist, you can expect to earn an annual salary ranging from £15,000 to £20,000. With experience and a strong reputation, you can earn anywhere between £25,000 and £50,000 per year or higher.

Bridal make-up artists specialise in creating custom makeup looks for weddings, working closely with brides to enhance their natural beauty and complement the wedding's theme.

High-profile fashion make-up artists who work with renowned brands or celebrities can earn substantially more than other roles. Fashion make-up artists collaborate with photographers, stylists, and models to create captivating makeup looks for editorial shoots, runway shows, and fashion events.

To succeed in this career, you need to stay current on the latest trends and possess a strong creative eye.

The majority of fashion make-up artists are freelancers, and their annual earnings can range from £20,000 to £50,000 depending on the projects they take on. However, high-profile makeup artists working with well-known brands or celebrities have the potential to earn significantly more.

The job of a make-up artist in film and television varies greatly, but centers on collaborating with directors, costume designers, and production teams to create make-up looks that fit the characters and fulfil the requirements of the script. Bringing the writer's vision to life is a key part of this role.

Entry-level make-up artists may start around £18,000 to £25,000 per year. More experienced artists can earn between £30,000 and £60,000 per year, with top-tier professionals earning even higher salaries.

As a theatre make-up artist, you'll design and apply make-up for stage productions. You'll create looks that enhance actors' features, help portray characters, and ensure makeup durability under stage lights.

While theatre may share some similarities with Film and TV makeup, the major difference is that for theatre make-up, you'll have to work in real time as there are no cutbacks or edits.

Theatre make-up artists often work on a freelance or project basis. The average salary range can be around £25,000 to £50,000 per year, with experienced artists earning more. Pay rates may also vary depending on the size of the production, theatre company, and location.

SFX make-up artists specialise in creating realistic prosthetics, wounds, scars, and other special effects using make-up techniques. People who venture into this type of make-up often work in the film, television, or theatre industries to bring fictional characters or creatures to life.

SFX make-up artists who work in the film and television industry often earn higher salaries compared to other make-up artists. Entry-level SFX make-up artists may earn around £22,000 to £35,000 per year, while experienced professionals can earn between £60,000 and £80,000 per year or more, depending on their skill level and demand.

High-profile celebrity make-up artists can earn well into six figures annually. The job of a celebrity make-up artist involves working with (and regularly traveling with) public figures like actors, musicians, models, and influencers to design make-up looks for various public events, including red-carpet events, photoshoots, and music videos.

Although the work can often come in big chunks (of time), followed by gaps, many celebrity make-up artists have diverse income streams, including fees for services, contracts, and brand partnerships. Their annual salaries can vary greatly depending on factors such as reputation, clientele, and the frequency and scope of their work.

Highly sought-after celebrity make-up artists can earn substantial incomes exceeding six figures annually.

How to get started

To get started as a make-up artist, the first step is to practice on yourself and friends and family - lots! Make sure you love doing it, and are good at it/have an aptitude for it.

If qualifications help with your confidence, then enroll in a professional make-up artistry course to learn the foundational skills and advanced techniques.

Building a strong portfolio is essential, this can include photos of diverse looks you’ve created, such as bridal, editorial, or special effects makeup. And this portfolio needs to be searchable online (via a website), and via a strong, visual social presence, particularly instagram.

Gaining hands-on experience is equally important; consider assisting established artists either near you, or that you follow on social media (potentially FOC as work experience to start). Other experience can be garnered from working/supporting student plays and films, or volunteering for events to build your confidence and your network.

Networking is key! Attend industry events, connect with photographers, models, and stylists, and join professional associations to expand your opportunities. Rachel got recommended to TWWork founder, Chops, via a photographer who was booked to shoot her.

With dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach (not least to your social media presence), you can establish yourself as a successful makeup artist relatively quickly.

Job site links

There are several avenues to find jobs as a make-up artist in the UK. Job boards like Mandy specialise in film and TV roles, while general platforms such as Indeed and Totaljobs often list opportunities in fashion, retail, and bridal make-up...

https://www.mandy.com

https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=make+up+artist

https://www.totaljobs.com/jobs/makeup-artist

Freelance platforms like Freelancer and Bark can also help you connect with clients seeking make-up services for events or photoshoots...

https://www.freelancer.com

https://www.bark.com

By combining online job searches with proactive networking, you can find a variety of roles to kickstart or grow your career as a make-up artist

Associations or official bodies to register with

The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC): Offers support, insurance, and accreditation: https://www.babtac.com
The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild (MUAHS): A professional body for makeup artists in the UK: https://www.muahs.co.uk
The Freelance Hair and Make-up Association (FHMA): Provides resources and networking opportunities: https://www.fhma.co.uk

Progression pathway

As you can see in the salary section, there are numerous avenues to go down with his career, or indeed shift between, which means you have options at any stage of your career, and we would suggest you try more than one route, to ensure that your skillset is varied and versatile.

Beyond that, progression really comes down to experience (and this means hours worked and clients worked), to demonstrate experience as well as skill.

... Because experience is key in this industry. You might be a crazy talented 18yo make-up artist, but to land some of the bigger roles and contracts we have discussed above, those employers will need to know you are a safe and effective pair of hands, aside from your skill. So take your career seriously and put the hours in to get where you want to go.

Additional Information/links

Make-up Brand Websites: