Jump to content

Menu

Daughter wants a career as a make-up artist


Recommended Posts

My dd (a junior) thinks she would like to have a career as a make-up artist.  She is not interested in doing hair or nails so going to cosmetology school doesn't make sense to her.  What kind of jobs can she get in this field?  I am out of my league here and really don't know how to advise her on what steps she needs to take.  Any ideas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Check out this website for a start in your research: MakeUpArtist.Edu

Is she thinking one of these areas:
- theater or film make-up artist?
- fashion industry make-up artist?
- doing make-up for local clients for special events, weddings, portrait photography, etc.?
- demonstrating make-up application and selling cosmetics through a store or small "in-home parties"?
- working at a spa or clinic, giving facials, applying "permanent make-up", or doing special skin or laser treatments, etc.?

Be aware: she may still need to attend a cosmetology or beauty school for special courses and to earn a (possibly required) license, and pursue some sort of apprenticeship or mentorship under a qualified professional.

Also, your location makes a huge difference in how much you can earn, or what is even available as far as make-up artist jobs. That website I linked makes it sound like it is a lucrative field -- and for some people, I'm sure it is. We live in a city of about 1 million people, and the daughter of a dear friend went through aesthetician courses and licensing -- and really could not find a full time job in the field. Her real passion is theater make-up, which she does very part-time for minimum wage for occasional local theater productions. (Most actors apply their own make-up, as the production can't afford full time professionals.)

Good luck! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited by Lori D.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/3/2019 at 7:05 PM, Lori D. said:

 

Also, your location makes a huge difference in how much you can earn, or what is even available as far as make-up artist jobs. That website I linked makes it sound like it is a lucrative field -- and for some people, I'm sure it is. We live in a city of about 1 million people, and the daughter of a dear friend went through aesthetician courses and licensing -- and really could not find a full time job in the field. Her real passion is theater make-up, which she does very part-time for minimum wage for occasional local theater productions. (Most actors apply their own make-up, as the production can't afford full time professionals.)

 

Yes, it seems that the make-up industry looks so glamorous, but I think very few people can actually earn a decent wage especially, as you say, if you are not in the right location. I don't want to be a dream killer, but I want her to be realistic about a future career.

 

As several of you mentioned, after looking into it more, I believe she would have to go to cosmetology school, get some hours in, and then pass a test.  

Thanks for all the suggestions that were made.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, carlosthecat said:

...I don't want to be a dream killer, but I want her to be realistic about a future career...


Having DD do the research will help her be realistic about what is required to become a make-up artist, what the job actually consists of, and whether it would make a sustainable wage for her or not. 🙂 Also, by doing the research herself, that could lead to stumbling over some other related (or not!) field that might really grab her interest. 😉

These websites are really fun and helpful for career exploration:
- CA Career Zone  -- a good starting point website -- 
- Career Clusters -- take the interest survey and then looking at possible careers in the clusters of high interest might be a fun way to explore
- Occupational Outlook Handbook -- good search engine for suggesting occupations by salary, by future growth, by degree needed, etc.
- Career One Stop -- so huge that it can be overwhelming, so I don't usually recommend *starting* with this one, or if you do, start with their Get My Future page which is a helpful way of guiding you through the process

BEST of luck as your DD and you do career exploration!

Edited by Lori D.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...