26 Duties & Job Description of a Professional Makeup Artist

Do you want to know what it take to become a professional makeup artist? If YES, here are 10 most important duties and job description of a makeup artist.

Having carefully considered the following:

1. Definition
2. Makeup Artist Job Description
3. How Much Do Makeup Artist Make?
4. Benefits of Being a Makeup Artist
5. Facts, Figures, Labor Market Situation
6. Tools of the Trade
7. Educational Requirements
8. Professional Bodies and Associations
9. Career ideas for Makeup Artists
10. Skills and Traits You Need to Succeed

I will now highlight the duties and job description of a makeup artist, so that you will know what to expect while pursuing a career as a makeup artist.

26 Duties of a Makeup Artist and their Job Description

1. Prepare the skin before applying makeup, using cleaning, toning and moisturizing techniques for different skin types.
2. They demonstrate cosmetic products to clients
3. Makeup artists also instruct clients about make-up application
4. They also apply a wide variety of professional make-up products
5. Design wigs, beards, masks and prosthetics (artificial body parts) and apply them to achieve an appropriate character appearance
6. They alter or maintain make-up during productions to ensure the continuity of a performer’s appearance
7. Makeup artists advise hairdressers on the hairstyle required for character parts.
8. Make-up and Hair Artists check whether actors have any skin and/or scalp conditions in advance, and make sure that any allergies or sensitivities are taken into consideration.
9. They must also carry out full risk assessments and develop procedures to control risks thereby maintaining awareness of health, safety issues and legislation.
10. They apply make-up, affix prosthetics, wash, cut, blow-dry, style and set hair, apply products and use specialized techniques to create specific designs.
11. They set and dress wigs and hairpieces, and work with facial hair and false pieces, such as beards and moustaches.
12. They may also apply special effects make-up, e.g., grazes, ageing, cuts and bruises, and bald caps.
13. They usually accompany their performers onto set, standing by to touch up make-up between takes, and ensuring that continuity notes are maintained using photographs.
14. When the scenes have been shot, they remove performers’ make-up, washing out products from their hair and conditioning it.
15. They remove wigs and prosthetics, ensuring that they are cleaned and prepared for further use.
16. Ensuring continuity in hair and make-up and liaising with other members of the design team to ensure the overall look/effect is consistent and coherent with the intended desire.
17. Demonstrating and implementing a practical understanding of lighting, the photographic process, colors and the impact of special effects/make-up processes on the skin;
18. Ensuring that appropriate action is taken to minimize unpleasant side effects from the use of specialist make-up/hairdressing techniques;
19. Casting facial and body moulds and sculpting latex foam, known as prosthetics.
20. Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of available make-up and beauty products;
21. Makeup artist deals with sourcing, budgeting and ordering materials and equipment from specialist suppliers.
22. Makeup artist are well grounded in time management, knowing how long a subject will take to be made-up.
23. Working quickly and accurately in time-pressured conditions;
24. Taking detailed notes and photographs of work, maintaining an up-to-date portfolio of work.
25. A makeup artist carry out production study, reading scripts to ascertain the materials and the look required, budget implications and identifying areas where research is required.
26. Lastly, producing and sketching design ideas for hairstyles and make-up.