Job Description

What: Make-up artists are experts at giving people a desired look through the use of makeup, wigs and other tools of the trade. There are several areas of work. The job of show business makeup artists is to apply make-up to performers according to the specific needs of the person or show. They may also use make-up to increase or decrease the age of the person. Otherwise, the job involves simply hiding blemishes and making the performer look as beautiful as possible before the audience. These artists must be good at analysing a script to make sure the characters end up looking the way they are described. Make-up artists should also have the skill to give performers realistic looking scars, make them look sick or give them other unusual physical characteristics as necessary. A make-up artist must understand colour and skin tone to match each customer with the right make-up. The most important traits of a successful make-up artist are creativity and visualisation. Also keep in mind that make-up sessions can be very time-consuming and hence make-up artists end up working around the clock. At initial stages for freshers, the expected salary is 5000 – 7000 Rs per month, but with experience the salary could range from 2000 – 3000 Rs per day. How: The work of the artists also involves getting people ready for special occasions. Make-up artists are present on studio sets during the filming of movies or television programmes. Their primary task at the studio sets is to see to it that the actors’ hair and makeup are done correctly and touched up when necessary. They are also responsible for wigs, whiskers and special effects. For special effects, especially those needed for mythological or futuristic characters, the makeup artist has to be imaginative. Make-up artists can specialize in many fields including model make-up, old-age make-up, fantasy make-up and much more. Many make-up artists work for stage productions while others apply make-up for television and film. Some make-up artists put lipstick and mascara on department store customers in order to help sell mass market make-up products. Cosmetic companies employ makeup artists as consultants. Make-up artists are also hired for one-time events like fashion shows or weddings. Career in make-up artist do not require any specific educational qualification as anyone can choose for this profession. Various make-up colleges provide cosmetology courses to enrolled students. Students in these institutes get good training by professional as well as expertise of this field. Courses for short and long duration are available in these institutes with fair fee structure. Students pursuing courses at VLCC institutes get full industry exposure to shape up their career and achieve success. Where: A professional from this field can find job in beauty parlour, cosmetic agencies as well as magazines. This profession does not have any limitation for growth as entrainment industry always demand them. The starting salary package of this profession is not much as a make-up artist only gets three to five thousand rupees for a single month. It may not be worthwhile for many people but once the artist gain experience in this field, he or she can earn big money. Career as make-up artist is now preferred and many institution of repute offers multiple cosmetology courses for aspirants. Institutions: