How to become A Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists are wizards who use makeup and cosmetics to invite their clients’ charm and pizzazz to come out and play…to enhance their inherent beauty with a magic touch.

• Hair & Makeup Designer
• Commercial Makeup Artist
• Prosthetic Makeup Designer
• Special Effects Makeup Artist

What do Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists do?

A Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist would typically need to:

• Apply makeup and prosthetics to aesthetically enhance the appearance of celebrities, performers, or entertainers, or individuals for special events such as weddings or dates
• Communicate with clients to clarify visual requirements; use photographs or models for reference when consulting with clients on the ideal look
• Work independently or with a team; cooperate with clients to create various looks; apply touch-ups as necessary
• Apply makeup to clients using a color palette and different tools such as mascara, sponges, eyebrow shapers, lip liners, brushes, and applicators
• Style hair according to makeup; fit and maintain wigs and hairpieces; cast facial and body molds and sculpt latex foam, known as prosthetics
• Wipe off makeup and reapply if the client is unsatisfied; teach makeup application to clients; suggest skincare routines
• Keep up to date with available make-up and beauty products; source, budget, and order materials & equipment from specialist suppliers
• Work quickly and accurately under pressure; practice time management by estimating accurately how long a client will take to be made up
• Maintain awareness of health and safety issues and legislation
• Take detailed notes and photographs of work to maintain an up-to-date portfolio of work
• When working on theatrical productions, movie sets, photography shoots, backstage at concerts, or on television shows, read scripts to ascertain the materials and look required; assess budget implications; identify areas where research is needed
• Produce and sketch design ideas for hairstyles and make-up that ensure continuity in hair and make-up; liaise with other members of the design team to ensure a consistent and coherent overall look/effect
• Demonstrate and implement a practical understanding of lighting, the photographic process, colors, and the impact of special effects/make-up processes on the skin
• Ensure that appropriate action is taken to minimize unpleasant side effects from the use of specialist make-up/hairdressing techniques

The type of makeup they wish to do determines where Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists work. Even then, there is usually considerable variety about where and when you will perform makeup services. The work environment varies according to your job - you could be working in comfortable indoor dressing rooms, stuffy and warm studios, or cold outdoor locations.

Travel within a working day, frequent relocation, absence from home at night, and longer travels are frequent. Make-up artists may also travel overseas for film work on location.

Your dress code must be in sync with your environment, whether a film set, backstage at an international fashion show, or on location up on a snowy mountain.

On a film set, your clothes may be casual but practical and discreet, preferably in dark colors. On location, dress for the weather. For work at a theater, smart, comfortable clothes in black are preferable. A head torch and waist pouch are handy. Work with private clients may allow more freedom of choice, still following general guidelines.

In all cases, given the long hours, dress to be at ease and opt for boots or trainers to support your feet through extended periods of standing.

Critical details are avoiding skin exposure (even in summer), jangly jewelry that snags or gets in the way, and flashy clothes. Ensure your hair is neat and out of the way, your nails short and clean, polished if desired. Makeup should look fresh, well-applied, and refined but not overtly glamorous or fussy. If working for a private client, let it reflect their taste to reassure them of your skill.

A typical working day includes long and unsocial hours, and Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists will find that shifts and weekend work are standard. A film or television project requires you to be on set before filming commences and remain on set for the length of the filming to re-apply make-up. Advance fittings are often required, and you will work as part of a production team

The majority of Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists work on a self-employed or freelance basis. Employers are located mainly in metropolises, particularly those with independent regional TV companies. Freelancing is often an essential pre-requisite for the minimal number of permanent jobs. Professionals get contracts for short-term projects, either directly or through an agent. Competition is tough. Word-of-mouth, networking, and speculative CVs are a standard method of generating work.

If you have a portfolio of experience, go ahead and make speculative applications to production companies or approach make-up directors directly. Produce a website to showcase some of your work. Many candidates use a photographic portfolio demonstrating the range of skills they offer. Contacts made through work experience will come in handy.

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists are generally employed by:

• The Motion Picture Industry
• Network & Independent Television
• Video & Advertising Companies
• Personal Care Services
• Performing Arts Companies
• Commercial & Fashion Photographers
• Portrait Photographers
• The Wedding Industry
• The Fashion Industry
• Cosmetics Companies
• Hairdressing Salons
• Educational Institutions
• Healthcare/Medical Settings

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. The IAPO International Association of Professional Makeup Artists offers discounts on certificate courses and professional certification, allowing members to use its membership seal.

Organizations like the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) offer their members protection against discrimination in hiring. They also ensure penalties for missed meal breaks, overtime pay for extended hours, guaranteed rest between calls, holiday pay, and compensation for canceled calls. They make sure that their members have access to safety committees, new technology training, employer-paid health, retirement benefits, and the ‘just cause’ requirement for any discipline or termination.

• Physically demanding work as most make-up artists carry their equipment along with them
• The need to focus hard to achieve the desired results amid highly distracting surroundings
• Highly competitive jobs where experience and enormous talent are essential
• Long sprints of unemployment in between jobs
• Frequent and long periods of travel, within the country or overseas, required by specific fields of makeup artistry or assignments

Forward-looking Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists opt for those programs which include hands-on training in student clinic environments. Professional-level programs offer internship opportunities at local or school theaters to gain experience and make connections.

Informal training is just as important as formal qualifications. Whether paid or unpaid, industry experience is vital to secure a job and pursue professional development. Working backstage at amateur dramatic productions or working in a beauty or hair salon and any work placements or relevant unpaid work will help build an attractive portfolio.

Job shadowing and assisting an established makeup artist will help you gain valuable insights, develop your portfolio, build your network of contacts, and demonstrate your commitment to the profession. Many Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists initially work for free or a small fee on low-budget productions or editorial shoots to build up a record of published work and gain experience.

Most Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists undertake an accredited certificate or associate degree in cosmetology or fine arts from a community college, a technical school, or an online program. Besides skills like makeup application, hair cutting & styling, skincare treatments, and nail care, students also learn about government regulations, sanitation, and bacteriology. The programs may take one to two years to complete. Privately owned beauty schools offer more concise programs without a stipulation for general education.

Those who aspire to work as makeup artists for film and theater will do well to earn a bachelor's degree in theater. The programs either incorporate makeup into the curriculum or offer concentrations in makeup. Students learn basic makeup applications, special effects (like wounds and aging), and corrective makeup, which they put to the test during school productions. Distance learning programs in theater studies are also available.

A high school certificate can be the primary academic requirement in some locations where the aspirants learn makeup skills on the job, but this scenario is becoming increasingly rare. In-depth knowledge of customer & personal services, structure & content of the English language, and business & management principles will help Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists build a loyal clientele in a highly competitive industry.

Prospective Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists may require an accredited cosmetology or esthetics license, primarily when they work with chemical treatments for hair and skin. The licensing requirements vary by location, but you may need to pass a written exam and spend about 1,000 hours in education, either in school or on the job.

Voluntary certification in airbrush makeup, special FX, or global beauty from an objective and reputed organization can help you gain professional credibility, stand out in a competitive job market, and become an independent consultant.

Call or contact your local cosmetology or licensing board and find out what you need to work as a Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist in your area.

Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Career development usually means securing more temporary contracts and demanding higher pay, dependent on experience, networking specialist area, and popularity.

The freelance nature of the profession and absence of a defined progression route means that Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists may move between the roles of trainee makeup assistant, makeup artist, chief/key makeup artist, and designer, depending on their experience and confidence within a sector.

Individuals with specific ambitions may aim for the position of Makeup Director, but many freelance artists who do not reach this position still enjoy an autonomous and lucrative career. They might specialize in a particular aspect of the job, such as wigs or prosthetics, body painting, or making contact lenses or teeth.

The job market for Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists is highly competitive. Having experience will highly increase your chances of landing a job, as will internships and online courses.

Given the predominance of freelance work, training is often on the job, with individuals taking responsibility for their continuing professional development (CPD). Most Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists believe that their on-the-job training and experience are just as essential as their professional training, if not more so.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. Successful makeup artists wish to enhance or consolidate existing skills to open up new areas of expertise or to produce better quality work within their specialist area. Further studies provide the opportunity to experiment, diversify, or obtain the specialist knowledge required. Make-up artists may take short courses in specialist areas, such as special effects.

Different Strokes

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists are responsible for creating unique makeup looks and inspiring confidence in their clients. A makeup artist can specialize in one or multiple areas since various fields within the makeup industry have different applications and techniques.

Performance Makeup

Expertise in performance makeup will fetch you regular work in the TV and film industry and theater. You may also choose to zone in on Special FX and create out-of-this-world characters.

TV and movie makeup artists spend considerable time in production studios or travel to different locations, sometimes remote ones in foreign countries. All the opportunities to travel and rub shoulders with the industry’s best make the field highly competitive.

Usually, theater makeup artists work backstage or in an actor’s dressing room. They may also work in production studios helping costume designers develop costumes to match a character’s makeup and vice versa. Large theaters may have a limited number of permanent positions, while most theaters contract freelance artists who also run makeup workshops for performers. When theater performances happen across the country, relocating is common for those who wish to work in this field.

Fashion Makeup

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists most interested in working with fashion makeup may find themselves on photo shoots in the middle of nowhere, or a beach in an exotic locale, rented lofts, or even hotel rooms.

Fashion shoots, also known as location shoots, can happen almost anywhere and are one of the prime reasons makeup artists choose to enter this particular field comprising high fashion, runways, and editorials.

Airbrush Makeup

Specialization in airbrush makeup will also allow you to work in haute couture and retail outlet editorial and photo shoots. Your skills will also be invaluable to brides.

Beauty Makeup

Cosmetic companies, spas & salons, and makeup counters need makeup artists accomplished in beauty makeup, particularly for demonstrations or hairdressing competitions. Such locations allow you to gain experience without worrying about running the business or finding clients, leaving you the time and space to hone your craft and figure out if this is the career for you.

Glamor Makeup

Larger beauty salons, proms, celebrity galas, corporate events, and fundraisers seek glamor makeup experts. These are ideal jobs for makeup artists who want more routine and less travel while practicing their skills and building their professional portfolios.

Bridal Makeup

Bridal makeup has taken off over the past decade. If your passion lies in this area, you will find yourself traveling locally to any number of venues, from churches, wedding halls, hotels, and romantic locales to the bride-to-be’s home.

Teaching the Craft

As consultants and teachers, reputed Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists add value to the accredited certificate courses or workshops of an educational institution's drama or theater studies program.

In the Field of Medical Care

In collaboration with the medical profession, a Makeup Artist may work with patients following an injury or surgery.

A Trick of the Light

Fluorescent lighting does not have the same illumination as other types of lighting. Understanding how to apply makeup in different lighting situations - daytime or evening - is key to achieving success as a Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist.

“The Dark Knight Rises” was filmed in India, England, Scotland, Italy, and the US. Makeup Artists who made Christian Bale look convincing as the Dark Knight spent months overseas with the crew.

Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists are a unique bunch of people; they may not have the classic brain or the traditional training, but they are creative, so they figure it out.

Creativity is your best makeup skill; don’t be afraid to experiment.