Make-Up Artist Personal Service Workers
SaveWhat Does a Make-Up Artist Do?
Make-up artists assist and support artists before, during and after the performance and filming of movies or television programs to ensure the make-up is in line with the artistic vision of the director and the artistic team. They create images and characters through make-up and prosthetics. They maintain, check and repair prosthetics and assist with quick changes.
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Where Do I Start?
Art History
The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Make-Up Artist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialArt History knowledge
The history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCosmetics knowledge
The various types of substances used to enhance the appearance of the human body.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSkin Types knowledge
The different skin types, such as dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMake-Up Techniques knowledge
The various techniques and tools for applying make-up.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdapt To Artists' Creative Demands skill
Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse A Script skill
Break down a script by analysing the dramaturgy, form, themes and structure of a script. Conduct relevant research if necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAnalyse The Need For Technical Resources skill
Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialContextualise Artistic Work skill
Identify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDefine Artistic Approach skill
Define your own artistic approach by analysing your previous work and your expertise, identifying the components of your creative signature, and starting from these explorations to describe your artistic vision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFinish Project Within Budget skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Directions Of The Artistic Director skill
Follow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialGather Reference Materials For Artwork skill
Gather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Personal Professional Development skill
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Personal Work Environment skill
Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSafeguard Artistic Quality Of Performance skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTranslate Artistic Concepts To Technical Designs skill
Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUnderstand Artistic Concepts skill
Interpret an artist's explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Ergonomically skill
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork Safely With Chemicals skill
Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork With Respect For Own Safety skill
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDetermine Skin Type skill
Determine what type of skin a person has in order to use the right make-up for that particular skin type.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Continuity In The Styling Of Artists skill
Ensure that artists are consistently styled during the production of a motion picture. Make sure that their look remains the same.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMake Up Performing Artists skill
Use cosmetics on artists for stage performances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Quick Make-Up Changeovers skill
Quickly apply changes to a performer's make-up during the performance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRepair Prostheses skill
Repair damage to prostheses for stage performances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest Make-Up skill
Perform routine tests to determine if make-up products are adequate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 27 displayed)
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OptionalLighting Techniques knowledge
The characteristics of techniques used to create atmospheres and effects on camera or on stage; the equipment required and appropriate setup to use.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPhotography knowledge
Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAdvise Client On Technical Possibilities skill
Recommend technical solutions, including systems, to the client within the framework of a project.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAttend Rehearsals skill
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Artistic Project Budgets skill
Developing artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Educational Activities skill
Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Educational Resources skill
Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Professional Network skill
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDocument Your Own Practice skill
Documenting your own work practice for different purposes like assessment, time management, job application etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalKeep Personal Administration skill
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Consumables Stock skill
Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalParticipate In Artistic Mediation Activities skill
Participate in cultural and artistic mediation activities: announce the activity, give a presentation or talk related to a piece of art or an exhibition, teach a class or a group, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Art Educational Activities skill
Plan and implement artistic facilities, performance, venues and museum-related educational activities and events.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPresent Exhibition skill
Present an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrevent Fire In A Performance Environment skill
Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote Yourself skill
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With The Camera Crew skill
Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With The Director Of Photography skill
Work with the director of photography on the artistic and creative vision that needs to be followed during production of a movie or theatre production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWork With The Lighting Crew skill
Work with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Body Paint skill
Apply special paint on parts of or on the whole body.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Lifecasts skill
Use specialised products such as silicones to create moulds of a person's hand, face, or other body parts in a process called lifecasting. Use moulds or other materials to create …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDecide On Make-Up Process skill
Define the make-up materials and methods you willl use.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDesign Make-Up Effects skill
Develop and apply special make-up including effects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDraft Styling Schedule skill
Draft the schedule to indicate where, when, and how the actors should be styled.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDraw Make-Up Sketches skill
Sketch make-up designs to develop the concept and share with others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Prostheses skill
Maintain performance prostheses to keep them in good condition for as long as possible.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRepair Wigs skill
Maintain and repair damaged wigs for use in stage performances.
Course recommendations coming soon.