Do you have visions of the perfect color palette for friends, family members, or passers-by? Maybe you can identify the exact lipstick shade worn by a famous model on this week’s magazine cover. Perhaps keeping up with the latest beauty trends is second nature to you. If so, secure a makeup license and go color your world!
If you have a knack for knowing what colors will best complement an individual’s unique skin tone and facial features, seek further training and licensure and make a living doing what you love. It’s not just about playing dress-up, as a makeup license goes a long way: whether it’s stage makeup or special occasion makeup (and that’s not all), customizing your beauty career is as easy as customizing your color palette.
Makeup artists also perform the important function of assessing clients’ skin types, a key task that confirms no irritations, rashes, or break-outs will develop as a result of using certain types of makeup. Another increasingly popular avenue in today’s beauty marketplace is the world of permanent makeup (for example, eyeliner, eyebrows, or lip treatments). Applications for your makeup license are as varied as the colors at your favorite beauty store counter!
Make Your Future Bright with a Certified Makeup License
This colorful variety keeps the field vibrant and growing for those seeking to fashion the fresh faces of tomorrow’s beauty scene. According to the NACCAS Job Demand Survey, the workplace is calling for new talent, as nearly 75 percent of salons with vacant positions could not find qualified applicants to fill them. In today’s world of high unemployment rates, outsourcing, and ongoing job losses, this level of job security is a beautiful thing.
How do you become that qualified applicant filling an open position in the salon nearest you? First, know that all states mandate a license to practice cosmetology or esthetics, so if you want to work in a salon or spa, a license in either of these areas is necessary. If you aspire to be a makeup artist in the entertainment industry, you do not need to be licensed in cosmetology/esthetics. Applicants eligible for licensure are at least 16 years old, possess a high school diploma (or GED), and have graduated from an accredited cosmetology/esthetics institute. Graduates then go on to take the licensure exam, which is typically part written, part oral, and may even include a hands-on test demonstrating their artistry aptitude.
Prospects are good for the makeup artists and beauty buffs of the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a slightly faster than average growth rate for appearance-based professionals such as makeup artists, with a favorable projection for opportunities in entry level positions. According to the most recent data from the BLS in 2016, makeup artists/cosmetologists make about $11.68 per hour (median pay) while the median annual wage for all workers was $24,300
Educational Requirements For a Makeup Artist School Near Me
If you want to become a makeup artist, you will have to attend a school of cosmetology. Training will take between several months and a year. Most schools require a high school or equivalency diploma for admission.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists must obtain a license in order to work. Qualifications for a license vary by state, but generally, a person must fulfill the following criteria:
- Reached a minimum age of 16
- Received a high school diploma or equivalent
- Graduated from a state-licensed barber or cosmetology school
After graduating from a state-approved training program, students take a state licensing exam that includes a written test and, in some cases, a practical test of styling skills or an oral exam.
In many states, cosmetology training may be credited toward a barbering license and vice versa, and a few states combine the two licenses. A fee usually is required to apply for a license, and continuing education units (CEUs) may be required with periodic license renewals.
Some states have reciprocity agreements that allow licensed barbers and cosmetologists to get a license in another state without needing additional formal training or state board testing, but such agreements are not common. Consequently, people who want to work in a particular state should review the laws of that state before entering a training program.
With your makeup license in one hand and your cosmetics bag in the other, go find the salon that’s hiring near you in 2018!