Makeup Artists: FAQs: What basic skills do makeup artists need to have?

Obviously being graphically/artistically inclined is important for anyone with the word “artist" in their job title.

Makeup artists need to be people-oriented: Enjoy meeting and working with different types of people be tolerant, calm and understanding be able to think independently and creatively, but also take direction and correction when required.

Makeup artists also have to be highly organized to maintain their equipment (makeup and tools) and, since most work for themselves or at least start out that way, their busy schedules and their finances (billing/invoicing procedures).

Now, a little about the physical requirements to be a professional makeup artist.

• Good vision is an absolute necessity. It's okay if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses, but you've got to be able to see minute details way up close as well as the overall affect of your work from afar.
• You also have to have good manual dexterity and coordination – if your hands shake a lot, this is probably not the career for you.
• A strong back is important, as you will be spending countless hours standing and bending during applications.
• Someone who is extremely allergenic or sensitive to cosmetic chemicals and fragrances might have problems as a makeup artist.

If you're not sure if you can handle the physical demands of this field, you might want to take a day-long introductory workshop in makeup artistry before committing to a lengthier course of study.

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Comments on this article:

» left by moriah hill from clarksdale, ms (1 year 16 days ago.)

this article was wonderful and im sure this is the job for me!
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