To know the makeup artist salary range, first we should be familiar with the kind of work that a makeup artist does. A makeup artist is a person who is an expert in giving the desired look to a person who needs to appear on TV, fashion shows, concerts, etc. The type of makeup to be applied on the performer mainly depends upon the specific needs of the person or the show. So, just applying normal makeup on the models and performers is not the only thing that a makeup artist is expected to do as the requirements may vary from simply hiding blemishes to applying special effects make up that can be anything from showing aging to creating a monster. The most important attribute that makes a makeup artist successful is his creativity and ability to visualize a specific image and then bring it to life by using makeup, wigs, prosthesis, etc. But the artist has to be responsible enough to understand the color and skin tone of the person and then apply the appropriate make up. The kind and amount of makeup to be applied varies from person to person as makeup that looks good on a bartender may not look appropriate on a business executive. Read more on make-up artist: career description.
Along with having good knowledge of the makeup applying techniques, a makeup artist has to also be well versed with other necessary parameters regarding the setting or field he is working in, like, if the artist works in a show business, he has to be knowledgeable about the effects of stage lighting or costumes on the performer’s appearance and accordingly apply the make up. If working in a theater or performance environment, the makeup artist has to be wise enough in analyzing the script to ensure that the characters end up looking the way they are described. However, these decisions should be made in collaboration with directors and costume designers. Read more on:
Now let’s get on to the more interesting part of the makeup artist salary range or how much does a makeup artist earn after a brief look at the qualifications and job prospects of a makeup artist.
Qualification and Job Prospects
Education or training in the necessary artistic skills for this field cannot be acquired from normal schooling. Though some college preparation may help you, quite often it is the trade school type of education and on the job training that can help you to excel in this field. The aspiring students can specialize in this field at schools of cosmetology and can acquire or improvise their skills by participating in amateur community theater or other performance environments or learn from others having more experience. Apart from studying or learning general hair and makeup techniques, students should also take up specialized makeup courses, like, course in media make up, production arts, etc.
The best route to a job in this field is to volunteer with smaller organizations in order to build an impressive and attractive portfolio containing a collection of photographs of work samples. In some television stations, theater companies or fashion design houses, internships are available which can help students in implementing what they have learned and enhancing their talents. Students having certificates in beauty therapy, make up, fashion, etc. can start their career by being an assistant to an experienced makeup artist or by working in some beauty salons. Makeup artists, if so inclined, can also work in departmental stores to sell mass-market makeup products or work as consultants for some cosmetic companies.
Makeup Artist Salary Range
The makeup artist salaries primarily depend upon the type of client and the project and also the popularity of the makeup artist. Prior experience and nature of the job are also important factors that affect the average salary for a makeup artist. For example, a shoot for an editorial piece in a magazine will not pay the makeup artist as much as an ad (shoot) for the same magazine. However, salary of makeup artists during the initial struggling stages tends to be low and in some cases, they may have to work on a freelance basis. Makeup artists who have established careers in network television, the Hollywood film industry or the Broadway theater business may command substantially higher salaries ranging somewhere between $45,000 to $75,000 annually. Along with these high wages, artists working full time for large companies usually receive other benefits, like, health insurance, paid vacation, retirement plans, etc.
Average makeup artist salary ranges from $400 to $2000 on a daily basis and annually it is somewhere around $35,000. Although the make up artist field is exciting and can be highly profitable, quite often it is difficult to prepare for it and then find a suitable job in it. Many makeup artists have to relay on other related jobs to slowly gain experience and make a successful career in this field. But if you have the talent, patience and self confidence, you can do wonders in this field and live a happy and gratifying life.
