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Useful experience for make-up artists includes:

• work as a beauty therapist, beautician or hairdresser
• work at a cosmetic counter, or other customer or retail work
• paid or voluntary make-up work for theatre or film.

Make-up artists may do some or all of the following:

• consult with clients about the look they want
• read scripts and research the background to historic film or television productions
• write make-up sheets explaining what make-up look should be applied
• put make-up on clients and style their hair for special occasions and performances
• clean and sanitise their brushes and equipment
• make facial and body moulds (prosthetics) for actors to wear
• sell cosmetics
• create social media make-up demos, or give make-up lessons in person.

Chances are good for make-up artists

Demand for make-up artists who have completed a full film, television, fashion and SPFX (special effects) course is increasing as more commercials, films and television programmes are being shot in New Zealand.

Network and volunteer to improve your chances of finding a first job

Networking, and having work experience can help you find a job.

You can network and market yourself by:

joining industry organisations such as WIFT NZ (Women in Film and Television) or Ngā Aho Whakaari (Māori in screen production)

• attending industry events and introducing yourself, particularly to make-up designers (who create the overall make-up look for films or other productions)
• checking industry magazines and websites for new productions and contacting their make-up designers directly
• reading and advertising on networking websites and social media pages for the arts
• being professional on social media when you showcase your make-up work, and in personal pages.

You can gain work experience by:

• training at make-up schools that offers internships and job placements
• volunteering for amateur and drama school productions.

It's also useful to have experience in hairstyling, hairdressing, beauty therapy and customer service.

According to the Census, 540 make-up artists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Types of employers varied

Make-up artists may work for:

• hair and beauty salons
• television, film, magazine and theatre productions
• department stores, cosmetic stores and pharmacies
• fashion design companies and magazines.

Some make-up artists work freelance or run their own business.

NZ Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation (HITO)

(04) 499 1180 - info@hito.org.nz - www.hito.org.nz

Make-up artists may progress to:

• set up their own business
• become make-up designers, who create the overall make-up look for films, television commercials, fashion shows or make-up collections.

Make-up artists who work in retail stores and hair and beauty salons may move into managerial or training roles. 

Make-up artists may specialise in:

• hairdressing and wig application
• prosthetics – casting facial and body moulds for costumes
• video tutorials
• body painting.

Make-up artists need to be:

• able to relate to people from a range of cultures and backgrounds
• adaptable and good at solving problems
• good listeners
• accurate, with good attention to detail
• reliable and organised
• able to work well in a team 
• motivated, with initiative.