If you know your makeup palette like the back of your hand or if you have watched countless contour makeup tutorial videos, then you might have already asked yourself, “Should I be a makeup artist?” Even with creativity running through your veins, you might still be at the cusp of deciding whether you should jump into this artistic industry or not.

Makeup artistry allows people to take their passion for art, design, beauty, or cosmetics and create a career.Whatever mainly motivates you, it pays to make an informed decision especially when it comes to vital matters such as your career. Heed these eight reasons why you might want to traverse the path towards becoming a makeup artistry technician.

1. Limitless Options

Makeup artistry offers various career paths and creative directions depending on your specialty. It is not a one-size-fits-all career.

According to Heather Rose, Makeup Artistry Technician Instructor at Eastern College, the different specializations in the field include:

• beauty (encompasses bridal and events)
• editorial
• photography
• film and TV
• theatrical and special effects
• retail sales
• brand ambassadors or trainers

A lot of makeup artists specialize in beauty, editorial, and photography makeup, which usually abound in social media. Also, you can find a makeup artist behind the scenes of almost every photo shoot, special occasion, or television show.

Makeup artistry offers various career paths and creative directions depending on your specialty.

2. Flexibility

Working as a self-employed freelancer is common for makeup artists. Freelancing allows them to create their own schedule and control their career in their own terms.

“I find many people who pursue a career in makeup are looking for the ability to not work a conventional job with a 9-to-5 schedule,” Rose noted.

Having this flexibility can give you the freedom to choose when to work, rest, conduct personal errands, or go on a vacation. Hence, maintaining a healthy work-life balance becomes easier.

3. Room for Creativity

“Makeup artistry allows people to take their passion for art, design, beauty, or cosmetics and create a career,” Rose said.

With this creative freedom, you can treat each model or client as your fresh canvas to express yourself as far as your imagination can inspire you. Challenge yourself to enhance other people’s beauty, help them fulfill their character role, or let them enjoy their “fantasy look” even just for a day.

4. Travel Opportunities

With makeup artistry, the whole world can be your studio. You can cater to destination weddings, be the makeup artist of a performer on tour, or travel on assignment to various photo shoot locations. Or you might find yourself joining the special effects team of a movie production that does location filming. The possibilities are endless.

“Makeup artistry is the business of creating art but also making the customer happy. A high level of customer service skills and an outgoing personality will take you further than your talent.” – Heather Rose, Makeup Artistry Technician Instructor at Eastern College

5. Enjoyable Work Atmosphere

Working at different events or locations contrasts the monotony of working daily inside an office cubicle. Vibrant events can keep you pumped, inspired, and challenged to concoct new styles or methods.

If you love being around people, then you will have fun being a makeup artist. “I think the most successful makeup artists are passionate about their art and have a desire to work with people,” Rose stated. “Makeup artistry is the business of creating art but also making the customer happy, so a high level of customer service skills and an outgoing personality will take you further than your talent.”

6. Networking Opportunities

Each gig presents a chance to work with other people: clients, models, actors, photographers, directors, agents, event organizers, editors, product managers, etc. Make sure you build your connections and treat each job as an opportunity to shine. If you are great at what you do and you possess a strong work ethic, people would naturally pass along your good reputation to their own networks. Referrals would then ring your phone in no time.

“Professional reputation is as important as talent and ability. A career as a freelance makeup artist allows the combination of creativity with the engagement of customer service,” Rose explained.

7. Constant Learning

You will incessantly develop your craft as a makeup artist — becoming more than just someone who knows how to highlight cheekbones or fix cakey makeup. You will encounter new faces, new requests, and new challenges. There will be always something new that you would have to adapt to perhaps by improving your technique or trying a new look. Through continuous practice, you can crank up your skills by several notches and perfect your artistry.

8. Low Start-Up Budget

As a freelance makeup artist, you can immediately kick off your own business at a minimal cost. Just ensure you start with the proper basic tools in your makeup kit then grow your arsenal as you earn more money.

If you are ready to become a makeup artist, enroll in Eastern College’s Makeup Artistry Technician program. This 27-week diploma program is the only dual-licensed program in Atlantic Canada that offers both a Makeup Artistry and Eyelash Technician license. It also includes a 4-week internship, where you can hone and demonstrate your skills through real-world experience. To learn more, visit our Makeup Artistry Technician program page.