Makeup Artist
Apply cosmetics and prosthetics to transform peoples’ appearances.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
-
5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Makeup Artist?
- How to become a Makeup Artist
- Latest Makeup Artist jobs
- Top skills and experience for Makeup Artists
- Is Makeup Artist the right role for you?
- Makeup Artist role reviews
What's it like to be a Makeup Artist?
Makeup Artists are creative professionals who apply cosmetics and prosthetics to transform the way people look. Depending on the client, Makeup Artists use different techniques to enhance a person’s beauty, disguise blemishes or create special effects. Makeup Artists specialise in a particular area of makeup artistry, such as theatrical makeup for film, stage or television, fashion makeup for modelling shoots, special events makeup for weddings and other occasions, or working in a retail store, helping customers sample makeup.
Tasks and duties
- Discussing the requirements for each job with clients.
- Assessing a client’s skin type and face shape.
- Researching and recommending appropriate products and techniques.
- Developing concepts and creating customised designs.
- Sourcing products and materials.
- Applying cosmetics and prosthetics using techniques such as airbrushing and painting.
How to become a Makeup Artist
The main qualities you need to become a Makeup Artist are creativity and experience. While you can work as a Makeup Artist without any formal qualifications, enrolling in a course can give you valuable skills and insights into the industry.
- Gain experience by practising on family and friends or even yourself. There are lots of videos online that can teach you the basics. Photograph every design you create so that you can start to build a portfolio to show potential employers.
- Consider completing a Certificate III in Make-Up (SHB30215). A course can give you industry knowledge and teach you different techniques.
- Volunteer or apply for a job. Once you have decided what type of Makeup Artist you want to be and have spent some time practising your skills, you can start to find work, either as a volunteer or a junior Makeup Artist.
- Promote yourself on social media. Most prospective employers will expect you to have an online presence, so posting photos of your work on different sites may be beneficial.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Makeup Artists.Latest Makeup Artist jobs on SEEK
Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Makeup Artist jobs on SEEK right now.Did you find this helpful?
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Makeup Artist employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Makeup Technology
Makeup Artistry
Hair Styling
Retail Sales
POS Software
Product Knowledge
Skin Care
Customer Service
Bilingual
Social Media
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Makeup Artist reviews
May 2021
I LOVE my job as a makeup artist, but it’s a LOT of hard work..definitely not suited to many personalities
Reviewer's QualificationDiploma of Make-up
Experience5 – 9 years
Organisation sizeSmall (1-19 employees)
SpecialisationBridal & editorial
The good things-The industry is constantly evolving, so I’m always learning new skills, techniques etc
-Very fulfilling making clients feel happy, beautiful & confident
-Social environment
-Creative & every day is...
The challenges-The ever changing algorithm of social media
-Doing everything myself incl. admin, advertising, marketing, content creation
-Not being taught adequate business skills, so navigating & making a lot of ...
Read more
May 2025
Amazing journey to make people feel more confident.
Reviewer's QualificationDiploma of Cosmetology
Experience5 – 9 years
Organisation sizeSmall (1-19 employees)
SpecialisationRetail & Consumer Products
The good thingsI get to meet people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and doing the makeup and observing their reactions to the final result is what makes this role extremely satisfying. I feel that with this r...
The challengesSometimes people have huge expectations from the makeup, and it's understandable. However, based on the skin and other factors, sometimes the results may vary, leading to some people getting a bit uns...
Read more
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SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
