What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (2024)

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What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (1)

Mary McMahon

Mary McMahon Last Modified Date: February 19, 2023

A fashion makeup artist is a makeup artist (MUA) who specializes in doing makeup in fashion settings. This can include magazines, the fashion runway, and video promotions for the fashion industry. People who work as fashion makeup artists can train in a number of different ways, ranging from attending a school which offers classes in makeup artistry to apprenticing with an experienced makeup artist to learn the tricks of the trade. Pay in this field is generally low, except for makeup artists with a well established reputation.

Fashion makeup is a unique field within the larger career of makeup artistry. Makeup for fashion settings is usually designed to be high impact, and is meant to show the model and the design being modeled to the best effect. However, it can also be highly experimental; runway shows can include a variety of looks from relatively plain makeup which allows the clothes to be clearly seen to elaborate prosthetics which become part of the overall display on the catwalk.

A makeup artist is knowledgeable about various cosmetic products, trends, and techniques.

Fashion makeup artists need to be proficient in creating looks which will function well on the runway and at creating looks for magazines. The needs of these settings are very different. Runway makeup often needs to be bold in addition to durable so that it will be seen from the audience and hold up under the lights and heat. In magazines, by contrast, more subtle makeup effects are utilized because the viewer is not distanced from the subject, and the makeup artist has numerous opportunities to adjust and spruce up the makeup between shots to get the perfect look.

Fashion makeup artists help provide a variety of looks at a fashion show.

On a typical shoot or fashion event, the fashion makeup artist is one among a crew of supportive personnel who prepare models for the event. A separate hairstylist is usually used, along with a dresser. The makeup artist works with the designer to determine what kind of look and feel is wanted when the model is fully dressed and styled. Especially at major fashion shows, the work of the fashion makeup artist can be key to determining which models will stand out from the crowd, and by extension, which designers will receive acclaim.

A good makeup artist should have an array of eyeshadow colors.

Working as a fashion makeup artist can be demanding. Travel is usually required to reach fashion events and on location shoots, and the makeup artist sometimes needs to be able to work very quickly. A model might walk for multiple designers, for example, and require quick makeup changes between events. The makeup artist also needs to be prepared for variables like heat on location which could compromise makeup. Someone who wants to work as a fashion makeup artist should plan on putting in long hours to gain experience before major jobs will fall her or his way.

What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (6)
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced theexciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College andspends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (7)
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced theexciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College andspends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (16)

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Discussion Comments

MrsPramm

@bythewell - It's one of the reasons I'd prefer to be a celebrity makeup artist rather than one involved with the fashion industry. It seems like the film and TV industry almost always has guilds and unions sorted out so that young people getting into the business don't end up having advantage taken of them.

The fashion industry almost seems to be built around taking advantage of everyone involved, from the models to the hired help.

bythewell

@Ana1234 - The thing about the fashion industry is that there are so many people willing to do almost anything to get into it, they don't have to worry about paying them much. Which is why it is such an impossible dream for a lot of people. In order to become a high fashion makeup artist you've got to be able to afford to intern without pay for a long time. And most people just can't afford those hours without pay.

Ana1234

It's always surprised me how little money is involved in paying the people who work on fashion shoots, and I guess the fashion make-up artist is no exception.

I read an article the other day where a model explained that fashion shoots were almost always done for free with the hope that they will become well known enough to start getting paid assignments.

It kind of makes me wonder where all the money goes, but I guess maybe a few of the people involved are famous and they are the only ones getting paid. I'm not sure what you'd have to do to become a famous fashion makeup artist though.

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    What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures) (2024)

    FAQs

    What is a Fashion Makeup Artist? (with pictures)? ›

    On a typical shoot or event, a fashion makeup artist is part of a crew of personnel who prepare models for the event. The makeup artist works with the designer to distinguish the specific look and feel that is wanted when the model is fully dressed.

    What is a fashion makeup artist? ›

    On a typical shoot or event, a fashion makeup artist is part of a crew of personnel who prepare models for the event. The makeup artist works with the designer to distinguish the specific look and feel that is wanted when the model is fully dressed.

    How much do fashion show makeup artists make? ›

    Fashion Makeup Artist Salary in New York
    Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
    Top Earners$206,989$17,249
    75th Percentile$57,400$4,783
    Average$62,708$5,225
    25th Percentile$38,200$3,183

    Does fashion design include makeup? ›

    Being a Fashion stylist, your job is to select the right pieces from the designer's collection or wardrobe to pick the best outfits with respect to clients' body types, preferences, and tastes. A stylist takes care of makeup, accessories, and hairstyles to the overall look of a person.

    What is high fashion makeup? ›

    Fashion makeup is generally used by professional makeup artists for catwalk models, collection look books or clothing advertisem*nts. It is all about the full body shots to show off the clothing.

    What does a fashion artist do? ›

    Fashion designers sketch designs of clothing, footwear, and accessories. Fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they design.

    How do you become a fashion makeup artist? ›

    How to Become a High Fashion Makeup Artist
    1. Get educated. You'll want to have a credible certification in makeup artistry at the very least in order to work in the fashion industry. ...
    2. Build your portfolio. ...
    3. Get your foot in the door. ...
    4. Start getting clients!

    What type of makeup artist makes the most money? ›

    High-paying makeup artist careers
    1. Cosmetologist. National average salary : $69,634 per year. ...
    2. Film and TV cosmetologist. National average salary: $76,670 per year. ...
    3. Theater and performance makeup artist. National average salary: $134,750 per year.
    Dec 14, 2022

    Who is the highest paid makeup artist? ›

    Sam Fine, for instance, one of the highest paid makeup artists today, commands more than $3,500 a day for his services – and that's before travel and overtime allowances. He has beautified such famous faces as Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, and Iman.

    What is the highest salary for a makeup artist? ›

    Makeup Artist salary in India ranges between ₹ 0.3 Lakhs to ₹ 5.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 3.0 Lakhs.

    What fashion makeup means? ›

    Fashion editorial makeup is a makeup that is not worn on a daily basis, It is a makeup that is used for fashion magazines or runways. This type of makeup has to interpret a story the client, photographer, brand, or the director trying to create.

    Do makeup artists get paid for Fashion Week? ›

    Based on our data, it appears that the optimal compensation range for a Makeup Artist at New York Fashion Week is between $49,064 and $60,277, with an average salary of $53,670.

    What is fashion and photographic makeup? ›

    The course covers basic make-up skills to specialist looks, including bridal, high fashion, decade and creative fantasy effects.

    Who wears the most makeup? ›

    White: The most frequent users of foundation, with 43 percent of Caucasian makeup wearers using foundation every day.

    What is baddie makeup? ›

    Baddie makeup puts a lot of emphasis on having very thick eyebrows, dark eyeliner, and lips (Kylie Jenner's products are popular among the Baddie sect), using makeup to contour the face into an aesthetically pleasing fashion, usage of fake eyelashes, and lots of clear lip-gloss.

    What is fashion and ramp makeup? ›

    On the runway the model should look gorgeous with the latest trend and present the vision of the designer. The ramp makeup is a makeup that can't be worn outside the runway. On runway apart from makeup, hairstyling is also need to be focused. Hair plays an important role in representing the best look.

    What do you call a fashion artist? ›

    "A fashion designer creates clothing, including dresses, suits, pants, and skirts, and accessories like shoes and handbags, for consumers. He or she can specialize in clothing, accessory, or jewelry design, or may work in more than one of these areas."

    What is the difference between fashion designer and fashion artist? ›

    A fashion designer creates the final product, which is a fashion garment or accessory. A fashion Illustrator, on the other hand, creates the illustrations or sketches that are used to create the final product. PRO TIP: Fashion designers and fashion illustrators are two very different professions.

    How do fashion illustrators make money? ›

    Fashion Illustrator draws sketches and sells them to designing companies, brands or glossy magazines. Designers can use sketches to design advertising catalogs, lookbooks, their social networks, and even to print designs on their clothes. Glossy magazines buy illustrations to publish them on the pages of the magazine.

    Can you be a fashion designer and makeup artist? ›

    It is 101% possible to become both , but you should concentrate one thing at a time or else you will be no where. You should start with fashion designing and see your interest and then you can learn Makeup in maximum 6 months.

    Is there money in being a makeup artist? ›

    Makeup artists can earn a very good income, especially if they work in the fashion or entertainment industry. Even if you don't make it to the big leagues, though, you can still do very well for yourself as a makeup artist.

    What is the difference between a professional makeup artist and a makeup artist? ›

    Pro makeup artists never compromise the quality of their beauty products or cosmetics. Since they are trained professionals, they always use premium and expensive products to maintain hygiene, accuracy, and cleanliness. But makeup artist uses inexpensive products and are not highly creative.

    How much do makeup artists charge? ›

    Makeup artists typically charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on their experience and the type of event they are working on. For example, a wedding may require a more experienced artist and take longer than a night out so the price will be higher.

    Can you make 6 figures as a makeup artist? ›

    You may be surprised to know that Makeup Artists are among America's 6-figure jobs! So if you're thinking about taking our courses to become a professional makeup artist, you're in the right profession! :-) Read the full Forbes article right here.

    How much does a celebrity makeup artist make a year? ›

    How much does a Celebrity Makeup Artist make? As of Jun 9, 2023, the average annual pay for a Celebrity Makeup Artist in the United States is $60,846 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $29.25 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,170/week or $5,070/month.

    Who is the biggest celebrity makeup artist? ›

    The coveted title of the most influential celebrity makeup artist will go to none other than Pat McGrath. In addition to creating renowned looks for celebrities, she also has her makeup line.

    Who is the millionaire makeup artist? ›

    Huda Kattan is a self-made millionaire with a beauty company Forbes recently valued at $1 billion.

    What are the pros and cons of being a makeup artist? ›

    There are several pros and cons of being a makeup artist; the pros include the ability to be creative and the need for no formal education, while the cons include salary restrictions and a random work schedule.

    Is makeup artist a good career option? ›

    This is one of the lucrative career opportunities to look out for if you are passionate about makeup. The demand for a makeup artist is increasingly growing as everyone wants to look their best. Makeup artists are required for movies, serials, photoshoots, bridal shoots, and parties almost in every sphere of life.

    What is the highest degree in makeup? ›

    Top Makeup Artist Courses
    • Bachelor of Arts in Body Art.
    • Makeup Artists Certificate.
    • Diploma of Beauty Therapy.
    • Foundation Program in Makeup Artistry.

    What is creative makeup called? ›

    Special effects makeup is also called prosthetic makeup which is used to create advanced effects by using prosthetic sculpting, molding, and casting techniques to make fictional characters like Zombies and Ghosts come to life.

    What is makeup model called? ›

    Beauty modelling, also known as face modelling, is a category of modelling that takes place predominantly in the beauty industry – so skincare, make-up and cosmetics.

    What is glam fashion? ›

    If you're a fan of all things pretty, fancy, and just generally extravagant, glam style may be perfect for you. This style starts with a traditional look and adds some pizzazz through lots of ornamental details — creating a stunning, sparkling, all around elegant appearance.

    Can you make a living in fashion? ›

    You can make serious cash (while doing work you love) as a Successful Fashion Freelancer. Confidently presenting yourself and setting competitive rates is one key to getting there. But beyond confidence, there is another factor that can affect how much money you'll make freelancing in fashion.

    Who pays for fashion shows? ›

    The sponsors input to Fashion Show Finances

    A fashion show is a public event, often with tickets sold to the general public. However, the real money comes from corporate sponsorships. Large companies will pay to have their name associated with the event, and will also provide clothing and other materials for the show.

    What does a fashion stylist do in a photoshoot? ›

    Creating unique looks from head to toe. Picking fashionable outfits, shoes and accessories. Coordinating with photographers, models and hair and makeup artists for specific projects.

    What is fashion image styling? ›

    Fashion styling is the art and practice of styling clothes through their combination to create certain looks that are aesthetically pleasing, which at the same time is appropriate for the occasion that the wearing engages in.

    What is the meaning of make-up in fashion? ›

    1. uncountable noun. Makeup consists of things such as lipstick, eye shadow, and powder which some women put on their faces to make themselves look more attractive or which actors use to change or improve their appearance.

    What is the difference between makeup artist and makeup stylist? ›

    A cosmetologist is trained in the study and application of beauty treatment, and not limited to only make-up. Branches of cosmetology include hair and nail treatment, beauty treatment, and other areas. A make-up artist primarily excels at applying make-up and prosthetics.

    What is the difference between make up make up and makeup? ›

    The alternative spelling make-up is favored by the Oxford Dictionary and thus is often considered to be British, while makeup, being preferred by Merriam Webster's dictionary, is the generally accepted American spelling.

    What is the difference between makeup and makeover? ›

    The main difference between makeup and makeover is that makeup refers to cosmetic products, whereas makeover refers to changing the complete appearance of a person by using hairstyles and clothing. Makeup and makeover are two different terms, but sometimes, we use them interchangeably.

    What is glam makeover? ›

    The infamous “no makeup, makeup look”. There is typically some contour and highlight, but just enough to accentuate your features, and natural looking lashes, long and wispy. Eyeshadow is usually matte tones of browns and neutrals.

    How much do makeup artists make? ›

    The national average salary for a makeup artist in the United States is $31.44 per hour with a salary range between $7.25 and $94.45 per hour.

    What is it called when you do makeup professionally? ›

    A make-up artist, also called a makeup artist, and often shortened to MUA, is an artist whose medium is the human body, applying makeup and prosthetics on others for theatre, television, film, fashion, magazines and other similar productions including all aspects of the modeling industry.

    Does makeup artist make money? ›

    So a makeup artist can earn depending on his or her craftsmanship and dedication to differentiate between faces and skin textures and apply make-up accordingly. Work platform to be decided: A make-up artist can work as a freelancer in the beginning, and he or she can also have an independent makeup studio or salon.

    How much do top makeup artists charge? ›

    Makeup artists typically charge anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on their experience and the type of event they are working on. For example, a wedding may require a more experienced artist and take longer than a night out so the price will be higher.

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