Makeup Artist - Career Advice - Retail and Hospitality

Careers in Makeup Artistry
Mortuary Makeup Artist

Make-up artists apply make-up to fashion and photographic models; actors and other performers involved in stage, film and television productions; brides; and other clients for special occasions. They may also work for cosmetic companies applying makeup, advising customers about the most suitable Future Growth Static products and selling products. They may be involved in preparing skin for makeup, applying makeup, giving advice about makeup, maintaining makeup during photo/film shoots, and liaising with hairdressers about hairstyles and makeup. They may also use makeup to produce special effects such as ageing or injuries (bruises and scars) or for specialised characters in a movie. They may need to work with wigs, false beards or masks and artificial body parts to create the required look for a character.

Careers in Makeup Artistry

Here are various career paths related to makeup artistry, categorized by field:

Film, TV, and Performance

Special Effects & Prosthetics Artist - sometimes called Make-up Artist (Performing Arts)

Theatre Makeup Artist

TV/Commercial Makeup Artist

Movie Makeup Artist

Creates prosthetics for film, TV, and theatre, transforming actors into creatures or applying realistic injury simulations.

Specializes in dramatic, long-lasting makeup for stage performances.

Focuses on airbrushing, high-definition makeup, and grooming for on-screen talent.

Need to create different looks, including special effects. This type of work could take hours, and makeup artists will be expected to work long shifts to ensure that the actors look authentic in their roles.

Heath Ledger
(Source: Wikipedia)

What a difference to "The Joker"!

Heath Ledger as the Joker
(Source: UKAT)

Fashion and Editorial

Editorial Makeup Artist

Runway Makeup Artist or Fashion Show Makeup Artist

Fashion Stylist

Bridal Makeup Artist

Works on photoshoot sets for magazines, advertising, and fashion campaigns.

Works in fast-paced environments to create specific, thematic looks for fashion shows.

While focused on clothing, often works closely with makeup artists or combines styling with beauty services.

Works with individual brides to provide makeup services on wedding day

Beauty Retail and Product

Retail Cosmetic Consultant/Advisor

Brand Consultant/Ambassador

Makeup Product Developer

Cosmetic Chemist

Works in shops (e.g., Mecca, Sephora) to help customers select products, offering product education and application advice.

Promotes specific cosmetic brands, often doing PR, social media, and training.

Uses industry experience to formulate and design new products for cosmetics brands.

Works in a laboratory researching and testing new makeup formulations.

Salon and Specialized Services

Beauty Therapist/Technician

Nail Technician/Artist

Eyelash Technician

Cosmetic Tattooist

Mortuary Makeup Artist

Offers a wide range of services including skin care, waxing, facial treatments, and makeup.

Specializes in manicures, pedicures, and intricate nail design.

Specializes in eyelash extensions and lifting.

Performs semi-permanent makeup applications like eyebrow feathering.

Specializes in applying makeup to the deceased for funerals.

Education and Business

Makeup Artistry Trainer/Educator

Beauty Writer/Editor

Business Owner/Freelancer

Teaches, trains, and mentors new artists in beauty schools or workshops.

Creates content, reviews products, and reports on trends for blogs or magazines.

Manages their own bridal or editorial business.

OSCA Codes

ANZSCO Codes

OSCA ID & Description: Community Personal Service Worker x60 461232 Designs and applies make-up products and techniques to transform or enhance the features of individuals.

Alternative names: Makeup Stylist, Make-up Artist,

Specialisations: See above

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A makeup artist needs:

to be creative and artistic
to understand bone structure
good hand-eye coordination
a good eye for colour
good communication skills
to be able to work under pressure.

Duties and Tasks

Make-up artists may perform the following tasks: Make Up Artist at work

prepare the skin for make-up application and remove make-up as required/li>
demonstrate cosmetic products to clients
instruct clients about make-up application
apply a wide variety of professional make-up products
design wigs, beards, masks and prosthetics (artificial body parts) and apply them to achieve an appropriate character appearance
use make-up to produce effects such as ageing, illness, scars and bruising
alter or maintain make-up during productions to ensure the continuity of a performer's appearance
advise hairdressers on the hairstyle required for character parts.

Working conditions

Make-up artists usually work indoors and are often required to work long hours with super early starts, in what can be stressful situations. They may also be required to travel to different locations for photo shoots, movie productions or to clients’ homes. Many make-up artists are self-employed. It may be necessary to move interstate or overseas to gain experience and earn a higher income in this competitive industry.

Tools and technologies

Make-up artists need to be creative and have a good understanding about different bone structures. They also need to be proficient with a wide variety of make-up products as well as wigs, beards, masks and prosthetics (artificial body parts) to help enable them create a required appearance.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a make-up artist without any formal qualifications and get training on the job. However, entry into this occupation may be improved by obtaining a qualification in make-up and skin care, or beauty services.

The Certificate II in Retail Make-Up and Skin Care and the Certificate III in Beauty Services are offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a traineeship. The retail cosmetic assistant and beautician (make-up artist) traineeships usually take 12 to 18 months to complete. The retail cosmetic assistant traineeship is available as a school-based traineeship.

Employment Opportunities

Employment for makeup artists is expected to remain relatively steady.

Makeup artists will continue to be needed for film and TV productions, film and modelling shoots. Growth is likely to be seen in special events work such as weddings, as more people employ professionals instead of doing their own makeup.

However, this may be offset by a decline in opportunities in live productions, as funding for smaller theatre companies and amateur productions continues to come under pressure, and they may increasingly choose to rely on volunteers rather than paid workers.

Did You Know?

Parliament House has a full time makeup artist!

Read about Vicky Hayes and her role..

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Skills and knowledge required to dress the deceased and prepare face, hair and nails for viewing by relatives and friends. It applies to funeral home staff members work autonomously with a reasonable level of responsibility according to work health and safety, relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures.

As the bridge between life and remembrance, a Funeral Home Makeup Artist holds a unique and vital role in the funeral industry, ensuring that loved ones appear serene and at peace for their final farewell. The delicate nature of this profession requires not only artistic skill but also a profound emotional intelligence.

Thus, a Funeral Home Makeup Artist plays a crucial role in the bereavement process, providing a sense of closure and solace to families during a deeply personal and emotional time.

OSCA ID: Community Personal Service Worker x60 461232 Future Growth Static

Alternative names: Cosmetologist, Mortuary Cosmetologist, Funeral Home Makeup Artist, Desairologist,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Artistic Ability: Strong knowledge of colour theory to create natural skin tones.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to styling and makeup to ensure the deceased looks like themselves.
Understanding of grief counselling principles.
Knowledge of various cultural practices regarding death.
Proficiency in the use of airbrush makeup techniques.
Strong communication skills to interact with grieving families
Emotional Resilience & Intelligence: Ability to handle delicate, sad situations with empathy and dignity.
Ability to work independently and manage time efficiently.
Apprenticeship/Licensure: Often requires 1–3 years of apprenticeship or relevant cosmetology qualifications, especially for advanced restorative work.

Duties and Tasks

Mortuary makeup artists (or cosmetologists) specialize in preparing deceased individuals for open-casket viewings, focusing on restoring a peaceful, natural, and lifelike appearance. Their duties include applying specialized cosmetics, styling hair, repairing skin trauma using wax or airbrushing, grooming nails, and dressing the deceased to meet family requests.

Key Duties and Tasks:

Cosmetic Application: Applying specialized mortuary cosmetics to cover discolorations, such as using yellow tints for purple bruising or green for redness. Use special techniques to address any facial imperfections or discolorations. Select appropriate cosmetic products suitable for the deceased's skin type. Apply makeup to facial areas, including eyes, lips, and cheeks, often using airbrushing for a smooth finish.
Hair Styling and Grooming: Styling hair, applying hair products, and painting nails based on family photos or instructions.
Restorative Art: Utilizing wax to fill in sunken eyes, mask trauma, or reconstruct damaged tissue to create a natural appearance.
Dressing and Grooming: Provide suggestions for clothing and accessories to complement makeup. Placing the deceased in their chosen clothing and applying jewellery or glasses.
Hygiene and Sanitization: Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the mortuary area, instruments, and equipment before and after procedures.
Collaboration and Consultation: Work collaboratively with funeral directors and staff to coordinate services. Working with funeral directors and communicating with families to honour specific aesthetic requests. Attend to last-minute requests or changes from family members. Foster a calming environment for families during the makeup process.
Makeup is typically a component of a wider embalming or funeral assisting job rather than a standalone role. It involves dressing, styling, applying specialized mortuary cosmetics, and sometimes restorative art to restore a natural appearance.

Working conditions

Mortuary makeup artists in Australia work in a highly specialized, emotional, and rewarding field, often part of broader embalmer or funeral service roles. They prepare deceased individuals for viewing using specialized cosmetics, adhering to strict hygiene and safety standards. Roles often require long hours including on-call nights.

Environment: Work is performed in mortuary facilities, adhering to strict WHS (Work Health and Safety) regulations for infection control and handling hazardous substances.

Hours: Funeral workers average 41 hours a week, with full-time work being common (50% of the industry), often requiring participation in on-call rosters for after-hours transport and preparation.

Emotional Demand: The role involves managing grief-sensitive situations and, at times, traumatic deaths, requiring high levels of compassion and resilience.

Tools and technologies
Education and training/entrance requirements

Becoming a Funeral Home Makeup Artist requires a blend of artistic skill, compassion, and specialized training. This unique niche in cosmetology focuses on restoring the natural appearance of the deceased, providing comfort to grieving families.

To enter this field, you'll need a solid foundation in makeup techniques, often obtained through beauty school or specialized mortuary cosmetology programs. Alongside technical proficiency, sensitivity and professionalism are crucial as you'll be working in emotionally charged environments. Gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships at funeral homes can pave the way, offering practical exposure and the opportunity to develop a respectful, gentle approach.

to be creative and artistic

High school diploma or equivalent.

Certification in esthetics or cosmetology.

Experience in special effects makeup or theatrical makeup.

to understand bone structure

Employment Opportunities

Career advancement for a Funeral Home Makeup Artist may involve gaining experience in various funeral homes, developing a reputation for high-quality work, and building relationships within the funeral service industry.

Some may choose to further their education in mortuary science, aiming for roles that encompass broader responsibilities such as embalming or funeral directing.

Networking and continuous education in the latest techniques and products in both cosmetology and mortuary services can also present opportunities for growth and specialization. Ultimately, a successful Funeral Home Makeup Artist combines technical proficiency with compassion, helping families find solace in challenging times.

Opportunities are more common in major cities, where the demand for restorative work and funeral services is higher.

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)

Actor	Beautician	Dermatologist	Fashion Stylist
Funeral Director Embalmer	Hairdresser	Prosthetist or Prosthetics Artist	Special Effects Technician SFX or Artist
Tattooist