To work in a professional makeup artist's job, you will need
- a high school diploma
- experience in cosmetology or the theater
- a good eye for detail
- good artistic skills
Informal experience with makeup is just as important as formal qualifications from a makeup school; so industry experience, whether paid or unpaid, is critical to professional development and to the ability to get makeup artist jobs.
Self-education
Regardless of whether you pursue a formal make up school education or not, you should always be learning as much about makeup as possible. Read and learn about new products, new uses for products, and new application techniques and styles constantly.
Makeup and clothing fashions change with the seasons. Colors change in popularity, too. You will need to know what's hot and what's not, both in terms of colors and clothes. You must be prepared to adapt and change your looks constantly to keep up with the latest styles. That way, your makeup will always be evolving and improving.
Courses
Courses will vary greatly and can usually be judged by the CVs of the tutors. Find out when and where the lecturers last worked in the business. Makeup is progressing as quickly as any technical aspect in the industry and the best tutors should be teaching by example.
Portfolios
Hopefully your closest ally at college will be somebody on a photographic course. It is never too early to start a good portfolio of work; you may well need to present one at your college interview. However when it comes to your professional portfolio it should include decent-sized, well-lit evidence of your work, including research material rather than snapshots mounted onto pieces of A4 coloured card. It is this portfolio, or 'book', that becomes your calling card in the industry.
Work experience
Work experience is going to be the best training any artist is likely to get. Don't wait until your careers officer sends you for your required two weeks. Make contact with every theatre group in your area and offer your services free-of-charge for as long as the pressures of your curriculum allow.
Unquestionably London's West End offers a practically unending source of volunteer opportunities but be warned, the big theatres are extremely busy environments and placement may be very difficult. Remember there are a countless source of theatrical make-up 'models' in fringe theatre. Or, if you are keen to work on a film set then try offering your services as an artist on student films and shorts. Very often, the budget restrictions on these ventures will stretch the artist's imagination and make them think how to achieve the best results on very limited resources.
One of the best ways to find out more about training and apprenticeship is by talking to people who have been in the business for a while.
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