Searching

Career Exploration

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Also called: Hair and Makeup Designer, Makeup Artist, Special Effects Makeup Artist, Special Makeup Effects Artist

What they do:

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

On the job, you would:
  • Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
  • Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
  • Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language
  • music, dance, visual arts, drama, or sculpture

Engineering and Technology

  • design

Communications

  • multimedia

Basic Skills

  • talking to others
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • create new and original ideas
  • group things in different ways

Artistic

People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk Maya

Web page creation and editing software

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $96,370

Education

Certificate after high school or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.