Professional Make-up Artistry Career

Myth: If I want to start a career as a make-up artist for the entertainment industry, I have to move to L.A. or New York.

Fact: Local, regional, and national projects are shot in cities across the U.S.. Los Angeles and New York are the most competitive and flooded markets for make-up artists in the country. Trying to get work in L.A. or New York with an empty resume will be very challenging, indeed.

Myth: I have to work as an assistant when I'm getting my start.

Fact: If you begin your career as an assistant to another make-up artist, chances are you will remain an assistant for years to come.

Myth: You should never underbid the going rate to get a job.

Fact: Are you crazy? If a producer has the option to hire an established make-up artist or someone just starting out for the same rate, who do you think they're going to choose? Get the job. Be flexible with your rate, be loyal to the people who hire you, and you will be called again and again.

Myth: I have to go to make-up school and be certified before I can work as a professional make-up artist.

Fact: There is no certification required to work as a make-up artist in the entertainment industry. Make-up schools, workshops, seminars, and books are all vehicles you can use to prepare for work as a make-up artist. Choose the method(s) that fit your learning style and budget. Nothing replaces just doing it. If you want to be a make-up artist, start doing make-up and don't stop. You just might get pretty good at it.

Myth: Graduating from a make-up school will make me a more desirable hire.

Fact: Any single or combination of factors will get you hired for a project:

They know you exist.
They like your work.
You are available.

Get out into the community. Attend and/or volunteer at local film festivals and events, intern with your local or state film commission, local tv stations or film and video production companies, etc. There's a lot of free education and contact making opportunities out there for those who recognize and pursue them!

Myth: To get started, I'll have to invest a lot of money in a portfolio and make-up kit.

Fact: Get your portfolio started by doing TFP work and you'll spend nothing more than the cost for prints and the book you carry them in. There will be a still photographer on any film shoot you work on. Take the initiative to get copies of your work!

You don't need a huge arsenal of make-up when you're starting out. You should know who you're working on and the make-up requirements for each project ahead of time. Start out with a few basics and let your kit grow with the projects you do.

Even the low budget shorts and features you'll work on early in your career will give you a small budget to buy supplies. Use every dime of it and not a penny more!

Myth: I have to be proficient in every aspect of make-up artistry to work as a professional make-up artist.

Fact: Well, depends on what you want to do.

Most print make-up artists' only training is in beauty make-up (Note: It is beneficial to be a licensed cosmetologist as many print artists do both hair and make-up. Some agencies require both for signing).

Most work for film make-up artists is reality based. Most film projects require only minimal special make-up effects, if any.

Most film make-up artists who work on set apply prosthetics made by SFX artists at a lab.