Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance

Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Median Annual Wage: $44,310

Education: Post-secondary certificate (36%); High school diploma or equivalent (32%); Less than high school diploma (18%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Makeup Artist; Hair and Makeup Designer; Special Effects Makeup Artist; Commercial Makeup Artist; Prosthetic Makeup Designer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.

More Personal Care and Service Careers

  • Duplicate work precisely in order to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
  • Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
  • Apply makeup to enhance, and/or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
  • Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
  • Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring in order to achieve specific color effects.
  • Cleanse and tone the skin in order to prepare it for makeup application.
  • Assess performers' skin-type in order to ensure that make-up will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
  • Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
  • Write makeup sheets and take photos in order to document specific looks and the products that were used to achieve the looks.
  • Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models in order to obtain desired character image depiction.
  • Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
  • Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup in order to create special features or effects such as scars, aging, or illness.
  • Evaluate environmental characteristics such as venue size and lighting plans in order to determine makeup requirements.
  • Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
  • Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, in order to augment period production files.
  • Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
  • Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations in order to determine makeup requirements.
  • Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
  • Wash and reset wigs.
  • Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.

  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance.

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