How to become a makeup artist?
Mishellay
Please post or e-mail me directly any info on becoming a makeup artist.
I'm posting this request for a friend who would like to look into it as a
career option. She would like to work with MAC and similar-line products,
and is based in the Southern California area.
Specific questions:
1. Schooling involved? classes?
2. Are there any apprenticeships available? If so, how does one apply?
3. What types of jobs are available? Entertainment industry,
fashion/beauty industry, etc. Is there a large demand for these skills?
4. Is there a large "investment" cost to get started? I.E., stocking up
makeup kit.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Michelle
Neroli 4
Post the reply to this group; I'm sure the info would be appreciated by
all who are equally curious ...
mp...@pipeline.com
I'm a makeup artist in NYC , doing mostly fashion print and commercial
work. I'll give my two cents:
If your friend wants to work with photographers, my advice would be to just
start doing it. If she has talent and is working to get better, people will
encourage her. And it doesn't involve signing up for an expensive program.
You can always find photographers who need makeup artists for testing - art
schools are a good place to start; there's young talent there and if you
know anything at all about makeup, they're grateful.
Another way to get started is to take a job at one of the counters. They
usually give training in both makeup and sales (more sales than makeup, by
the way), but if it is a chance to work on live faces who aren't all
friends. And, once again, if you're good, you'll get encouragement.
As for makeup school, it can help if your friend wants to work in film,
especially in special effects, but if she's not sure it might not be the
best thing to start out with ( I don't work in feature films, so I'm not
sure)
Hope this helps!
Good Luck!
Elke VonF
Hello all...let's see. Well, for the makeup companies, some require that
you be licensed, some don't, and all provide their own training, mostly
towards the sales aspects......
For photo work, no you usually aren't licensed, most of them
aren't..unless you're with an agent like Cloutier or Celestine.. (here in
LA), and for schools, there really aren't any for photo work. Alot of
hands on experience can be had at community colleges for the photo
department, the best being the Pasadena Art college of Design.....ask for
their model departent, and sign up as a makeup artist,and you'll get calls
from their students who are working on their portfolios as well. You'll
be able to get pictures from them for your work.
Schools here to check out are: Cinema Secrets, and Joe Blasco. They offer
alot of choices, their expereince being mostly film/TV/video work, ect.
Pretty expensive, but if that's the area you want to get into......it's
wise to get schooling first, and then you apprentice with someone through
one of the studios, such as Warner Brothers, ect. The schools usually
have a career placement section as well for their graduates...
UCLA ADult Division also has classes for makeup in film/video/ ect, at a
great price...........
As far as stocking up a kit, some schools have you purchase one with the
class (maybe $100-200). But you'll find out through experience what you
like to use. Movie and Film work tends to have their own favorites like
Blasco, Cinema Secrets, Ben Nye, the more of the pancake, panstick
variety...while photo work is more personalized, what works best for you
through trial and error and word of mouth. SInce I do both hair and
makeup, I quess I have about $800-1,200 worth of stuff in my makeup
bags....... YOu add on as you go, and are always buying more....I spend
about $300 per month if not more on supplies...
As far as demand for makeup artists....I believe the bottom line is that
if you're good, no great at what you do, you'll do doubt work. There's
always a demand for really good makeup artists out there, and you always
hear about the ones that aren't. Just have a great attitude, work on your
talent, and don't ever get an attitude. In this town, everyone's sick of
working with "the bitchy makeup artist". Be true to yourself......
good luck!!!! and don't hesitate to look me up....Elke
Elke...@aol.com
M0lly TS
Hi
I would really apreciate if that info could be sent to me as well.
ThanX in advance.....
Molly ;-]
aa...@onramp.net
mish...@aol.com (Mishellay) wrote:
:Please post or e-mail me directly any info on becoming a makeup artist.
:I'm posting this request for a friend who would like to look into it as a
:career option. She would like to work with MAC and similar-line products,
:and is based in the Southern California area.
:
:Specific questions:
:
:1. Schooling involved? classes?
First, your friend should decide which area she wants to work:
Commercial or Theatrical. Commercial relates to such things as
cosmetic company reps, salon work (those areas that you are
dealing directly with the public) Theatrical relates to Film,
television and stage.
:2. Are there any apprenticeships available? If so, how does one apply?
Todays makeup artist industry has changed a great deal from when
I started. Before, the studios had good apprenticeship programs
(I was at Universal Studios), but after the studios changed how
they work many of the old departments were closed. There may be
some and I don't want to sound negative but they are very
difficult to get into (as far a film and TV are concerned.
However the more training and experience that you have the better
your chances.
I do strongly recommend that you get a cosmetology license.
Although there are some that work with out it, it is illegal in
Calif. to ally makeup and charge for the service of that
application with out it. A facialist license is less time and
cost. For theatrical work (to work on a big production) you
usually are also required to be a member of either IA or NABET.
these are the unions which most large production companies are
members of. Theatrical makeup also requires additional knowledge
and training in areas relating to cinematograpgy, latex,
plastics, sculpturing, and production proceedures which are not
covered in education realting to commercial makeup (like script
breakdown and call sheets).
As the author of the first (and I believe still only) accepted
course of commercial makeup by the Texas Education Agency in
Texas, I am enclosing a brief part of the course brochure. It is
not the complete brochure (as I do not want this to be an
advertisment, but it will give you n idea as to the topics
covered..
=======================================
KD-STUDIO
CATALOG
1993-1994
SUPPLEMENT
MAKEUP ARTISTRY
In a response to many requesting additional quality education
for many of the technical aspects in related fields of modeling,
self improvement, advertising and theatrical arts, we are happy
to announce our additional program specifically relating to the
field of makeup artistry. Our intention is to assist potential
students in reaching the best possible decision regarding their
commitment to a course of study focused on the practice of
cosmetic sales and makeup services. This supplement has been
carefully prepared to communicate the philosophy, rules and
general information specific to the institution and its program,
as simply and comprehensive as possible. To our best knowledge
each subject in the supplement catalog is true and correct. If
you have any questions beyond the scope of the information in the
catalog or this supplement, please feel free to contact the
Admission Office at (214) 638-0484.
NOTICE: This is only a supplement to the KD Studio Catalog,
Volume V, Published January 1993, Effective January 1993.
Students should refer to the entire catalog for complete
information. MAKE-UP ARTISTRY
PROGRAM
COMMERCIAL MAKE-UP
ARTISTRY
Commercial Make-Up Artistry Programs are uniquely designed and
arranged by media specialty subjects (semester). Each subject
(semester) offers advanced training and skills without requiring
duplicate education and material except for review purposes. All
subjects (semesters) are taught by Mr. Berns or an instructor
personally trained or approved by him to assure the highest
quality and standards of education.
The program is composed of three separate subjects
(semesters). Students who do not wish to take the entire program
may take each subject (semester) separately providing that they
meet pre-requisites for that subject. Upon the successful
completion of each subject, the student will receive a
Certificate of Satisfactory Completion for that subject. At the
successful completion of all subjects, the student shall receive
a Diploma of Commercial Media Make-Up Artistry.
Administration See Catalog
Advisory Board See Catalog
Memberships See catalog
History See Catalog
Philosophy
Each student possesses unique qualities and by employing these
strengths the student can achieve full potential as a Commercial
Media Make-Up Artist and successful business person.
Objective
The ultimate objective attainable for all makeup artistry
programs is for the student to acquire total application
knowledge and the manual ability necessary to perform all items
taught while providing a strong educational background and
teaching an approach to life and career the promotes success.
Academic Information
Educational Policy
Education is geared to meeting the needs of the student whose
occupational goal is to be a professional cosmetic demonstrator
and commercial make-up artist. Because of the quickly changing
nature of the cosmetic and makeup industry, we reserve the right
to combine, add, delete, cancel and change subject material in
order to maintain high standards of education in this
fast-changing technological and artistic field.
Curriculum
The school's intention is to have the finest training
available to provide strong educational background and to
realistically prepare the student for a career in the competitive
business of cosmetic sales, demonstration and commercial make-up
artistry.
The Commercial Media Make-Up Artistry Program consists of
three separate subjects (semesters).
The first subject (semester) will focus on make-up artistry
and cosmetic products as they relate to the demonstration and
sales of cosmetic and makeup products for the purpose of product
sales.
The second subject (semester) will focus on make-up artistry
and cosmetic products as they relate to make-up application
techniques and sales of application services.
The third subject (semester) will focus on make-up artistry as
it relates specifically to the field of still and print
photography services.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must be high school graduates or be able to qualify
under G.E.D. testing program. It is the responsibility of the
student to furnish proof of high school graduation, or completion
of the G.E.D., prior to beginning classes.
Credit for Previous Experience and/or Training
Due to the unique nature of this course, its instruction, its
intensity and the importance of continuity, no credit awards
toward completion are granted for previous experience or
training.
Credit Hours See Catalog
Graduation
For a student to graduate the entire program, they must
achieve a passing grade in every subject. Graduates will receive
a Diploma of Completion of Commercial Media Make-Up Artistry.
Maximum Completion Time Allowed
The maximum time frame for completing a program or each
individual subject shall not exceed 1.5 times the time normally
required to complete the program or each individual subject
(semester) if the student attends by subject (semester).
Progress Policy
The following relates to the Commercial Media Make-Up Artistry
course only:
Academic work is evaluated and grades are assessed at the end
of each subject (semester) to indicate a student's level of
performance. Grades are based on the quality of the student's
work as evidenced by performance, written tests, class projects,
and/or outside assignments.
Grading is accomplished by means of practical and/or written
testing at the completion of each phase of the program (by
semester).
If both methods are used, the totals of each score will be
divided by the number of testing methods to arrive at a final
grading point. (Example: Practical (6) + Written (6) = (12)
divided X 2 = (6)
Students enrolled in individual subjects (semesters) may also
be graded and tested under the above method. Students who
successfully complete each individual subject (semester) by
receiving passing scores will be issued a Certificate of
Satisfactory Completion for that subject (semester) and a Diploma
of Commercial Media Make-Up Artistry when all subjects
(semesters) are successfully completed.
First semester - 63 Clock Hours
COMMAK 101 Cosmetic Demonstrator 3.5
Second semester - 81 Clock Hours
COMMAK 201 Commercial Make-Up Artistry 4.0
Third semester - 45 Clock Hours
COMMAK 301 Fashion Media Make-Up Artistry 2.0
Total 9.5
Make-Up Artistry
COMMAK 101
Development of cosmetics throughout history, creating a
"reference file system," basic tools used to demonstrate make-up
and cosmetics, various treatment product types, analysis,
consultation and product recommendation, recognizing various
facial shapes and contours, and create more pleasing facial
contour through make-up application, recognizing various cosmetic
formulation types, developing cosmetic product sales
presentations, effective job search skills, working effectively
as a team member, starting a private label cosmetic sales
business, basic make-up application techniques for daytime and
evening wear, application technique skills unique to ethnic
skins, sales and marketing techniques for fragrances, cosmetic
marketing evaluation techniques, basic hygiene and sanitation.
45/18/0
COMMAK 201
Rules and regulations relating to make-up services in beauty
salons, corrective make-up application techniques, recognizing
the most commonly believed fallacies of cosmetics and beauty
care, recognizing the relationship between proper nutrition and
healthy skin, techniques in blending cosmetic colors, basic
advanced application techniques for daytime and evening make-up
wear, different adverse cosmetic reactions, designing fashion
make-up "looks," conducting make-up service consultations,
effective communication and interpersonal skills working with
plastic surgeons and physicians, starting a make-up application
service business. 59/22/0
COMMAK 301
Application techniques that are specifically oriented to still
photography (film types, project formats, etc.), effective
communication and interpersonal skills with the photographer,
effective job search skills with photographers and the print
media representatives. 23/22/0
:3. What types of jobs are available? Entertainment industry,
:fashion/beauty industry, etc. Is there a large demand for these skills?
Realistically, makeup artist jobs are very similar to any job in
the cosmetetology and fashion industry. It is not easy, high
competitive. It requires taht you are seriously dedicated to
what you want.
:4. Is there a large "investment" cost to get started? I.E., stocking up
:makeup kit.
:
Investment depends on where you work. If you work for a cosmetic
company, there is almost no investment as the companies supply
the products and mostly require you use only their things.
If you are working for as an assistant to an artist, you may be
required to have your own tools (brushes, etc).
As a film production artist, you are expected to have or get
anything that is necessary to do the job required.
As a result of over 35 years doing film makeup, I have
accumulated a garage, storerrom & small wharehouse full of
equipment (mostly comming from Special Effects work).
As for recommendations as to where to start:
1. Cosmetic in-store make-up artist (while studying for salon)
2. Salon commercial artist (While studying print)
3. Print commercial artist (while studying stage, then TV and
Film)
4. TV and film commercial makeup (while studying Production and
Special Effects.
Hope this helps
Jeff
AAEA - American Aestheticians Education Association
(A non-profit professional organization dedicated to generic
and non-biased education, litigation and research for the
Esthetic and Beauty Care Service Provider Industries.)