Occupation Details
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$100,300.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$138,440.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$153,900.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
60,540
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
97,290
+3,675 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
12,018
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.6%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Fine Arts
Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Communications and Media
Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Airbrushing tools
- Chisel brushes
- Colored contact lenses
- Contour brushes
- Digital still cameras
- Eye shadow brushes
- Eyebrow combs
- Foundation brushes
- Laptop computers
- Makeup application spatulas
- Makeup blending spatulas
- Makeup pencil sharpeners
- Mascara brushes
- Mixing palettes
- Oval brushes
- Personal computers
- Smudge brushes
- Spritzer bottles
- Tablet computers
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Appointment scheduling software
- Autodesk Maya
- Blogging software
- Bookitlive
- Clear Books
- Client databases
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- DatInf DigiMakeup
- Email software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- SavingFace
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use hair, cosmetic, or nail care instruments
- compile historical data by consulting sources
- determine styles worn during historical period
- confer with client or staff regarding theme
- assess script quality
- review script to determine costumes required
- fit patients for prosthetic device, using static or dynamic alignment
- dress wigs
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- dress hairpieces according to instructions, samples or sketches
- confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
- distinguish colors
- select desired make-up shades
- determine locale or period of story
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- study examples of period clothing
- apply make-up
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.
- Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.
- Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.
- Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
- Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
- Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.
- Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.
- Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.
- Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.
- Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
- Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.
- Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.
- Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.
- Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
- Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.
- Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.
- Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files.
- Wash and reset wigs.

