Education & Training Needed to Be a Makeup Artist 1.Makeup artists give people a desired look using makeup and other tools. They have a wide array of career options, including working in salons, photography makeup and special effects makeup, according to Learn4Good. Media and theater makeup also are other potential fields. With their average salary in 2009 being about $35,000 a year, makeup artists have several avenues for acquiring the skills they need to become successful in their careers. Formal Education in Field 2. Although no formal education requirements exist beyond high school to become a makeup artist, training is necessary to be competitive in today's market. Artists can improve their skills by attending a makeup school, which will increase their career opportunities, according to Makeup-artist-world. Makeup artist schools allow students to experiment and even learn a specialty area, as they teach courses in theory, history, tools and practical makeup. Some makeup schools also have special film classes. In addition, these schools can help artists search for jobs and promote themselves. It's important that a school's teachers have current working experience and that the curriculum is in vogue---covering topics such as airbrushing---because the field continues to evolve along with popular clothing styles and colors. A good school also has a low student-teacher ratio so that students can get one-on-one attention. Artists also have the option of completing a program at home, such as through Elite Makeup Schools of Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, which offers training in both Spanish and English. In addition, artists can get their associate degree in cosmetology, which will train them not only in makeup, but also in hair design, nail and skin care, according to DegreeDirectory. Another option is taking a certificate course in general cosmetology at a beauty school. These options make them even more marketable when they apply for stage or film jobs. Additionally, cosmetology students can gain business administration and customer service skills for running their own business. Cosmetologists usually require hours of training and written exams to be licensed. Other Formal Education 3. Obtaining a degree from a four-year college or graduate school also helps to prepare students for the makeup artist business. Many artists have their bachelor's or master's degrees in fields such as art, theater, film history or other subjects linked with arts and entertainment. Classes that are important to take include drama, painting, makeup and drawing. Other courses such as photography, and even chemistry and anatomy, are very relevant for making the best use of the products and faces artists work with. Personal Training 4. Besides obtaining formal education, it's important that makeup artists educate themselves about the industry through magazines and other media that display new products, styles and application techniques. Work experience through a part-time or freelance job with a professional makeup artist or in the theater or film production setting can help build a portfolio. These settings include high school or community dramas, or student or local films. In addition, artists can benefit by taking makeup courses from companies such as Avon and Mary Kay. Working at boutiques, fashion shows, salons or department stores are other options. Any type of volunteer or apprentice experience is a must to become a makeup artist.

Education & Training Needed to Be a Makeup Artist

1.Makeup artists give people a desired look using makeup and other tools. They have a wide array of career options, including working in salons, photography makeup and special effects makeup, according to Learn4Good. Media and theater makeup also are other potential fields. With their average salary in 2009 being about $35,000 a year, makeup artis

ts have several avenues for acquiring the skills they need to become successful in their careers.

Formal Education in Field

2. Although no formal education requirements exist beyond high school to become a makeup artist, training is necessary to be competitive in today's market. Artists can improve their skills by attending a makeup school, which will increase their career opportunities, according to Makeup-artist-world. Makeup artist schools allow students to experiment and even learn a specialty area, as they teach courses in theory, history, tools and practical makeup. Some makeup schools also have special film classes. In addition, these schools can help artists search for jobs and promote themselves. It's important that a school's teachers have current working experience and that the curriculum is in vogue---covering topics such as airbrushing---because the field continues to evolve along with popular clothing styles and colors. A good school also has a low student-teacher ratio so that students can get one-on-one attention.

Artists also have the option of completing a program at home, such as through Elite Makeup Schools of Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, which offers training in both Spanish and English. In addition, artists can get their associate degree in cosmetology, which will train them not only in makeup, but also in hair design, nail and skin care, according to Degree Directory. Another option is taking a certificate course in general cosmetology at a beauty school. These options make them even more marketable when they apply for stage or film jobs. Additionally, cosmetology students can gain business administration and customer service skills for running their own business. Cosmetologists usually require hours of training and written exams to be licensed.

Other Formal Education

3. Obtaining a degree from a four-year college or graduate school also helps to prepare students for the makeup artist business. Many artists have their bachelor's or master's degrees in fields such as art, theater, film history or other subjects linked with arts and entertainment. Classes that are important to take include drama, painting, makeup and drawing. Other courses such as photography, and even chemistry and anatomy, are very relevant for making the best use of the products and faces artists work with.

Personal Training

4. Besides obtaining formal education, it's important that makeup artists educate themselves about the industry through magazines and other media that display new products, styles and application techniques. Work experience through a part-time or freelance job with a professional makeup artist or in the theater or film production setting can help build a portfolio. These settings include high school or community dramas, or student or local films. In addition, artists can benefit by taking makeup courses from companies such as Avon and Mary Kay. Working at boutiques, fashion shows, salons or department stores are other options. Any type of volunteer or apprentice experience is a must to become a makeup artist.