Makeup Artist
Apply cosmetics and prosthetics to transform peoples’ appearances.
Job opportunities
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Jobs on SEEK right now
Job growth
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
Job satisfaction
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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
- 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.
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Latest Makeup Artist jobs on SEEK
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Location
AustraliaSkills and experience employers are looking for
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Makeup TechnologyMakeup ArtistrySkin CareHair StylingNeat Personal PresentationStory TellingRetail IndustryCustomer ServiceInfluencing OthersInterpersonal SensitivitySkills listed in your SEEK Profile
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Is Makeup Artist the right role for me?
How do Makeup Artists rate their role?
Average ratings calculated from 12 Makeup Artists surveyed on SEEK.
Work-life balance
3.9
Job satisfaction
4.3
Career progression opportunities
3.3
Job security
3.3
Pay / Salary
3.4
Variety of work
4.0
Job market trends for Makeup Artists
Location
AustraliaProjected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
2021
2026
Source: National Skills Commission. Beauty Therapists
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK role reviews
Latest Makeup Artist reviews
Latest reviews from 11 Makeup Artists surveyed on SEEK.
All
Positive
Negative
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 Qualification
Diploma of Make-up
Experience
5 – 9 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Bridal & 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
Aug 2021
retail makeup artist FANTASTIC for boosting skills for your own freelance business.
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Sales
The good things
Really good to put on your resume and doing a few hours per week (25+) can really help boost your clients in your personal business.
The industry can be quite competitive but it's alot of fun when you...
The challenges
Challenges include competitive nature of industry, favourtism within the business and the lack of pay for high amount of work.
Read more
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Source: SEEK role reviews
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data