Make-up artists prepare hair and make-up for presenters, performers and models appearing in front of a camera or a live audience. This could be for film and television, theatre, music concerts and photographic shoots.

They could create anything from a natural look for a presenter, to complex period make-up and wigs or special effects make-up.

Make-up artists can work alone, as an assistant to a more senior colleague or as part of a make-up design team. The work can include:

• researching and designing make-up and hairstyles to suit the production
• working to detailed notes or a rough design brief
• applying 'corrective' and full make-up
• hair tidying and styling
• fitting wigs, hairpieces and prosthetics
• keeping notes and photographs to maintain continuity
• standing by on set to re-do make-up and hair
• keeping their areas and equipment clean and tidy.

Make-up artists work closely with production designers, costume designers, camera and lighting crew and performers.

Hours and Environment

As a make-up artist you will often work long, irregular hours, depending on the job. You may begin work in the early morning long before shooting begins, or work in the evenings on live TV, theatre or concerts.

You will have to concentrate and be on your feet for several hours a day. You are also expected to build up your own make-up kit and take it to each job.

You could work indoors in studios or dressing rooms, or in temporary cabins on location. You may sometimes have to work outside in all weather conditions.

Location work could be anywhere in the UK or overseas, so you may need to travel and stay away from home for long periods.

Skills and Interests

To be a make-up artist you need:

• creativity and imagination
• good 'people' skills 
• confidence and tact
• stamina, patience and concentration
• the ability to work under pressure
• accuracy and attention to detail
• willingness to work long hours when necessary
• good teamworking skills
• an interest in current and historical fashions.

Entry

To become a make-up artist, it can be useful to start with NVQs/SVQs in hairdressing and beauty therapy, but you should also ideally take a specialised media make-up course, such as:

• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Production Arts (Make-up)
• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Theatre and Media Make-up
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Fashion, Theatre and Media Make-up
• foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs and degrees in media make-up
• intensive courses at private make-up schools.

Check with colleges and universities about entry requirements.

For information about training in general hairdressing and beauty therapy, see the Beauty Therapist and Hairdresser profiles and the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website. (HABIA does not supply lists of course providers).

As well as taking a relevant make-up course, it is also a good idea to gain practical experience and develop a network of contacts in the industry.

You can get experience through:

• amateur theatre
• student film or theatre productions
• work experience with established make-up artists
• building a portfolio of your work.

Contact Skillset Careers for more advice on finding work experience (see Further Information section).

Training

You will usually develop your skills on the job by assisting experienced make-up artists.

Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2) runs a two-year apprenticeship-style New Entrant Technical Training Scheme for make-up and hair assistants. Places are strictly limited and the selection process is tough. You must be:

• aged 18 or over
• qualified to at least NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
• prepared to live in London during training
• able to prove that you are committed to finding work in the film and TV industry.

See FT2's website for more details.

Regional screen agencies may sometimes offer other new entrant schemes. Contact Skillset Careers information.

You should keep up-to-date with new skills and materials throughout your career. Short courses in specialist and prosthetic make-up are available at private make-up academies, film schools and some universities.

Skillset and the British Film Institute jointly provide a database of media courses - see Skillset’s website for this, and for information about how to fund your training as a freelance in the media.

Opportunities

Competition is fierce for jobs in the film and TV industry. When starting out you will often have to work for free or for little pay.

Most make-up artists are freelance and work on fixed-term contracts for each production or fashion season. Some TV broadcasters may offer longer-term renewable contracts.

As a make-up artist you could work for:

• television broadcasters
• independent TV or film production companies
• producers of commercials, music videos or corporate videos
• theatre companies
• magazines and fashion shows.

Some jobs are advertised in the trade press and websites, but it is common to get work through networking and contacts.

Over half of the TV and film workforce is employed in London. The rest of industry is mainly based in the south east and north west of England, and major regional cities in the UK. Much of the magazine publishing and fashion industries are also based in London.

You will increase your chances of a building a successful career if you are prepared to work anywhere in the UK or overseas.

With experience or specialist skills, you could progress to chief make-up artist or make-up designer.

Annual Income

Freelance make-up artists are paid a fee for each individual contract or project. They may experience gaps between contracts.

Freelance rates within the media vary widely and may be calculated on a daily or weekly basis. You could negotiate your own fees based on your experience and track record, the type of production and the budget available, or you may be paid according to Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) guidelines.

See BECTU’s website for current minimum rates (details in Further Information section).

Further information

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