WHO COULD YOU BE WORKING WITH (AND WHERE) AS A MUA?
Being a makeup artist is an extremely diverse profession.
Particularly if you are a self employed freelance artist who ends up doing a bit of everything. Not to mention sometimes being required to do hair styling and/or nails too!
If you want to dabble in all sectors of makeup, you could find yourself working with everyone from models to brides, actors, singers and dancers, prom goers, retail customers, corporate professionals, members of parliament, royal family members, reality stars to A-listers.
Places could be working:
Photoshoot studios (or outdoors)
Fashion shows
Celebrity events / gigs
TV / Film sets
Theatres
Wedding venues
People’s homes / your home
Salons
Makeup retail counters
Corporate settings
You might be curious about the qualifications needed to get into this role.
The truth is - there are many different routes, and nowadays a lot of makeup artists are actually self taught from all of the online tutorials out there to learn from.
Ways to get into the industry include:
College courses such as Level 2 Diploma in Media Make-up & Hair, Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up & Hair, Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Make-up Techniques.
University courses such as a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma or a Degree in; make-up for media & performance, media make-up artistry, theatrical, media & special effects make-up.
Apprenticeships such as a beauty therapy intermediate apprenticeship.
Work experience towards this role.
Specialist courses run by private training providers.
Entry requirements:
Minimum of 2 GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a Level 2 course.
4 / 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Level 3 course.
For an intermediate apprenticeship, you’ll need some GCSEs, often including English and Maths, or equivalent.
1/2 A levels, or equivalent, for a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma.
2 - 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a Degree.
No matter what route you take to break into the industry, It's crucial to get practical experience as soon as you can, in order to create a portfolio of work to show employers and clients.
Don’t worry if you’re not the best to begin with, all artists look back at their first work and cringe. It just takes time and practice.
Besides, with a career like this, your work will be forever evolving - so don’t stress about it!
You can build up portfolio content and experience through:
Doing makeup for your friends and family and capturing it.
Working TFP (Time For Print - working free of charge in return for photos to use for your portfolio) with models and photographers through facebook pages/talent websites etc.
Amateur theatre work.
Student film, theatre and photography projects.
Charity or student fashion shows.
Assisting established make-up artists and photographers.
Working in related areas such as retail cosmetic counters, wedding and events make-up.
You can even volunteer for charities such as Changing Faces - as part of the Skin Camouflage Service. Which involves using specialist, highly pigmented creams and powders that provide effective, waterproof cover for a wide range of skin conditions. The role of a Skin Camouflage Practitioner requires somebody who’s empathetic as well as possessing good verbal and listening skills.
Experience like this not only looks good on your CV, but it gives you the skills to work with specialist heavy-duty products, and develop application techniques and social skills - all of which are key for a successful career in makeup.
I hope this has given you an insight into who you can expect to work with in this role, including the locations, as well as inform you of all the different routes you can take!
Get in touch if you have any questions, need more information or help researching any particular roles.Useful Links:
Changing Faces - https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/services-support/skin-camouflage-service/what-is-skin-camouflage/