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.
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- 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.