Make-up Artist Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Make-up artist

Hours

Variable
Starting salary

Variable

If you enjoy fashion, hairdressing and cosmetics, and love using your imagination, this could be a perfect career for you.

Make-up artists apply make-up and style hair for anyone appearing in front of a camera or a live audience. They can work in film, television, theatre, concerts, photographic sessions or fashion shows.

Most make-up artists start by taking a specialist course in make-up or beauty therapy and building up their practical experience.

The work

As a make-up artist, you might create anything from a straightforward natural look to one using historical wigs and make-up. You could also create special effects such as scars and artificial pieces (prosthetics).

You could work alone, as an assistant to a senior colleague, or as part of a larger hair and make-up design team. Depending on the job, your tasks might include:

researching and designing make-up and hairstyles to suit the job
working to detailed notes or to general design instructions
hair tidying and styling
fitting wigs, hairpieces and bald caps
applying prosthetic make-up to completely change someone's look
making notes and taking photographs as reference so that you can recreate the look easily (continuity)
standing by on set to redo make-up and hair
keeping work areas and equipment clean and tidy.

You would work closely with production designers, costume designers, camera and lighting crew, and performers.

See the Creative Choices website to read a theatre make-up artist's story.

Creative Choices

Hours

You would often work long and irregular hours, depending on the needs of the job. You may begin work in the early morning long before filming begins, or work in the evenings for live TV, theatre or concerts.

You might work in TV or film studios, in backstage dressing rooms in theatres, or in temporary buildings or vehicles at filming locations (on location). You would be on your feet for several hours a day. Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas, so you may need to travel and stay away from home regularly, sometimes for long periods.

You would be expected to build up your own make-up kit and take it to each job.

Income

Freelance make-up artists are usually paid a fee for each contract. Rates can vary a lot and will usually depend on the type of production and the work you have done in the past.

The Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) publishes recommended pay rates on its website. For example, it recommends a rate of around £200 for a 10-hour day in TV or film. It also recommends that trainees are paid at least the minimum wage (or the London living wage, if in London).

Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)

Entry requirements

Most make-up artists start by taking a specialist course in make-up or beauty therapy and building up their practical experience.

There is a wide range of specialist courses available. College courses include Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at level 3 (and sometimes level 2) in fashion and photography make-up, and media make-up. Some universities offer foundation degrees and degrees in media make-up. You may need a level 2 qualification in hair and beauty to do some of these courses. Check entry requirements with course providers.

Courses in media make-up training are also run privately.

As well as taking a relevant make-up course, you should also try to gain practical experience, build a portfolio of your work to show to employers and get to know people in the industry (networking).

You could get useful experience in various ways, such as:

amateur theatre
student film, theatre and photography projects
charity or student fashion shows
with established make-up artists and photographers.

Once you have built up some experience and made some contacts, your first paid work in film or TV may be as a trainee or assistant to the make-up team. You might also find casual work doing make-up and hair for extras in crowd scenes.

Training and development

You would learn and develop your skills on the job by helping experienced make-up artists.

You may be able to find apprentice-style training at the start of your career on new entrant training schemes. These are sometimes run by:

broadcasters
regional screen agencies
media training organisations.

Competition for places on schemes like this is very strong, and you will need to show genuine commitment and some relevant work experience.

For information on relevant make-up courses and how to fund your training, see the following websites:

You should keep up to date with new make-up techniques and materials throughout your career. Short courses in specialist and prosthetic make-up are available at private make-up academies, film schools and some universities.

You could also join the National Association of Screen Make-up Artists and Hairdressers (NASMAH) for networking and training opportunities.

National Association of Screen Make-up Artists and Hairdressers

Skills and knowledge

To become a make-up artist, you will need to have:

creativity and imagination
good communication and people skills
a tactful manner
stamina, patience and concentration
the ability to work well under pressure
good attention to detail
punctuality and reliability
willingness to work long hours when necessary
good teamwork skills
an interest in current and historical fashions.

More information

Creative Skillset (Opens new window)
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.creativeskillset.org

Skillset Craft and Technical Skills Academy (Opens new window)
Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
The Green
Ealing
London
W5 5EW
info@craftandtech.org
www.craftandtech.org

Creative Skillset Careers (Opens new window)
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)
Tel: 0845 850 2502(Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
www.creativeskillset.org/careers

National Association of Screen Makeup and Hair Artists (NASMAH) (Opens new window)
68 Sarsfield Road
Perivale
Middlesex
UB6 7AG
www.nasmah.co.uk

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) (Opens new window)
3rd Floor
Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
www.vtct.org.uk

International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) (Opens new window)
4 Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
www.itecworld.co.uk

Get Into Theatre (Opens new window)
www.getintotheatre.org

Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) (Opens new window)
www.habia.org

Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) (Opens new window)
373-377 Clapham Road
London
SW9 9BT
Tel: 0845 850 2502
ww.bectu.org.uk

Opportunities

You could work on freelance contracts for a range of employers including TV broadcasters, TV and film production companies, theatre companies, magazines and fashion show producers. Contracts could last from one day to several months, and competition for jobs is strong.

Some jobs may be advertised in the trade press and websites. However, it is more common to get work through word of mouth and specialist recruitment agencies, or by advertising yourself in crew directories or with diary services (similar to booking agents).

With experience or specialist skills, you could progress to chief make-up artist or make-up designer.

You may find the following useful for general reading, vacancies and making contacts (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The performing arts industry is part of the creative and cultural industries, represented by the Creative and Cultural Skills Sector Skills Council, which also includes: craft; cultural heritage; literature; design; music; and visual arts. The creative and cultural industries currently employ 678,480, people, of which 24% are based in London. There are 74,640 businesses in the creative and cultural industries, of which 87% employ less than 10 people.

The performing arts comprises venues, employers, small businesses and freelancers in the theatre sector (including classical, contemporary, street arts, carnival arts, circus and physical theatre), dance, opera and the live music industry (including live performances of classical, pop, rock and all contemporary forms of music). The industry workforce includes performers, promoters and those who provide backstage technical input and administration.

Key facts:

There are 101,593 people working in the performing arts, of which:
- 34% are employed in onstage occupations, such as acting or dancing.
Employment grew by 20% between 2006/07 and 2008/09.
45% of the workforce is located in London and the South East.
There are 5,480 businesses, of which 92% employ less than 50 people.
The performing arts industry contributes £4.6 billion to the UK economy.
58% of the workforce is self‐employed.
Men and women are equally likely to have a level 4 or above qualification.
Men are likely to earn less money than women (87% of men earn less than £20,000 per year, compared to 58% of women).
73% of the performing arts workforce earns less than £20,000 a year.
40% of those working in performing arts have at least a level 4 qualification.

Jobs in the industry include: actor, agent, artistic director, choreographer, circus performer, dancer, entertainer, hair, makeup and wigs, props maker, puppeteer, rigger, sound technician, stage manager, studio manager, theatre director, wardrobe assistant.

National and regional data

Northern Ireland – There are 11,640 people working in the Northern Ireland creative and cultural sector. 2% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, it contributes £42 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 86% of the workforce is male.

Scotland – There are 45,420 people working in the Scottish creative and cultural sector. 10% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Scotland. In Scotland, it contributes £143 million to the UK economy. More than 99% of the workforce is white and 86% of the workforce is male.

Wales – There are 24,060 people working in the Welsh creative and cultural sector. 3% of the UK performing arts workforce is located in Wales. The industry in Wales contributes £86 million to the UK economy. 99% of the workforce is white and 58% of the workforce is male.

[N.B. The data for the following regions are for the creative and cultural sector as a whole.]

East Midlands – There are 44,380 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are 3,950 creative businesses in the region, of which 92% employ less than 50 people. 35% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 54% are under 40 years.

East of England – There are 63,700 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 6,710 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 37% of the workforce is self-employed. 66% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

London – There are 164,690 people in the sector workforce in London, representing 24% of the UK sector workforce. There are 21,600 creative businesses, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 51% of the workforce is self-employed. 58% of the workforce is male. 84% of the sector workforce is white and 56% are under 40 years.

North East – There are 19,680 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 3% of the UK sector workforce. There are 1,330 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 38% of the workforce is self-employed. 63% of the workforce is male. 96% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.

North West – There are 59,580 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are 5,660 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 34% of the workforce is self-employed; the majority of who are in arts and music. 62% of the workforce is male. 95% of the sector workforce is white and 55% are under 40 years.

South East – There are 98,170 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 14% of the UK sector workforce. There are 12,300 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 43% of the workforce is self-employed. 59% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 47% are under 40 years.

South West – There are 60,690 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 9% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 93% employ less than 50 people. 47% of the workforce is self-employed in arts, design and music. 59% of the workforce is male. 98% of the sector workforce is white and 46% are under 40 years.

West Midlands – There are 40,300 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 6% of the UK sector workforce. There are approximately 5,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 91% employ less than 50 people. 31% of the workforce is self-employed, which is the lowest regional figure. 58% of the workforce is male. 91% of the sector workforce is white and 49% are under 40 years.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 45,900 people in the sector workforce in the region, representing 7% of the UK sector workforce. There are fewer than 4,000 creative businesses in the region, of which 90% employ less than 50 people. 40% of the workforce is self-employed. 60% of the workforce is male. 97% of the sector workforce is white and 53% are under 40 years.