Makeup Artist resume examples & templates

Put down the makeup brush and pick up a pen: it’s time to write your makeup artist resume. If you’re a creative professional who knows their way around the cosmetics aisle, there are plenty of opportunities for you. But how do you prove you have what it takes?

Sure, you know which lipsticks complement different skin tones. You know your primer from your setting spray, and your BB cream from your moisturizer. However, that’s only half of the job here. You also need to have the vision and technical knowledge to create jaw-dropping looks. As if that wasn’t enough, you will need on-point people skills. 

Think that you have what it takes? Here at Resume.io, we have everything you need to help you climb the career ladder including a library of 350+ resume examples. In the following writing guide along with the makeup artist resume example, we will cover these topics: 

• What makeup artists do and the industries in which they work
• The job outlook for makeup artists in the coming years
• Who the most famous makeup artists and beauty influencers are
• What to include in each section of your resume (with a resume sample)
• How to create the right look for your next application.

What does a makeup artist do?

Makeup artists are exactly that — artists. You use a variety of cosmetics and makeup to create different looks for your clients. Of course, there’s a wide range of opportunities. You may find yourself dabbling in theatrical makeup, wedding makeup, or everyday looks. 

The day-to-day life of a professional makeup artist is highly varied. The work you will find yourself doing depends largely on the type of makeup artist you are. However, here are some common tasks that you may have to undertake: 

• Promoting your makeup artist services to a wide range of clients
• Communicating with clients and ascertaining what they need
• Reading briefs or scripts to understand what a certain look demands of you
• Creating brief sketches and designs to show clients before getting to work
• Getting to know new cosmetics and products when they hit the market
• Liaising with beauticians, hair stylists, and a wider creative team
• Taking all of the proper precautions when it comes to beauty products
• Showcasing an understanding of the photographic process and its needs
• Using special effects makeup to create theatrical looks for your clients
• Creating a budget and sourcing all of the products that you need
• Working quickly in high-pressure environments, such as backstage
• Collaborating with hairdressers to create looks or undertaking hairdressing
• Understanding how long a specific project will take and scheduling well
• Keeping tight accounts, paying invoices, and invoicing clients

Now, it’s worth noting that there are many different types of makeup artists out there. However, the tasks we have outlined above may cross over into many of the job roles. Before you take the leap and launch your career, ensure you are well-versed in the duties.

Think you have what it takes to go solo? If you’re a professional makeup artist, you may decide to become self-employed. If you choose to become freelance, you can dictate your own time and rates. However, you will have to keep on top of your taxes too. Luckily, Keeper Tax has a complete guide to paying taxes for makeup artists that you can use. 

Makeup artist job market and outlook

Ready to dip your toes into the world of makeup artistry? To give you the inspiration that you need, you might want to take a look at the job outlook. The good news is that the future is relatively bright for budding young creatives who want to make their name here. 

While not a whole lot has changed in the last decade, there has been a slow boost in jobs. The number of makeup artist vacancies in the US has grown by over 162% in that period. The sector is expanding. There has also been an average growth of just over 10% per year. 

If you’re thinking that now is the time to shoot your shot, you may well be right. New roles are rearing their ugly heads all of the time — ready for you to make up with the latest cosmetics. The report suggests that there will be roughly 2,420 new jobs filled by 2029. 

Landing your next makeup artist job may well depend on the state in which you live. The states with the highest employment level among makeup artists, and theatrical and performance workers are California, Florida, New York, the District of Columbia, and Illinois. 

If you’re struggling to find a job, it may be worth thinking outside of the box. Consider alternative industries in which you could work. For example, makeup artists can find work for magazines or publications, in beauty salons, at funeral parlors, and even online. The more potential avenues you delve into, the more likely you are to find a job that suits you. 

While you may not become famous overnight, the truth is that makeup artists have a wealth of opportunities at their fingertips. The more you practice your art and get your name out there, the more likely you are to get noticed by all of the right people. No matter where you are starting from, you can be sure that there are plenty of ways to make it big. 

How to write a makeup artist resume

Before you start writing your makeup artist resume, you’re going to need a plan. Rather than throwing everything onto a page and hoping for the best, it’s important to follow a structure. With that in mind, your CV should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Using the above format means that your resume will tick all of the recruiter’s boxes. It is the structure that they expect to see and you don’t want to give them any nasty shocks. Later in this guide, we will cover the content you need to include in each of the sections. 

It should come as no surprise that there’s an art to creating an engaging resume. While your portfolio will do a lot of the work here, you need to ensure that your resume supports it properly. If you’re completely new to applying for jobs, don’t panic. We’ve got you here covered with some of the most effective tips to use when writing your application. 

Get the tone just right 

The tone of your resume shouldn’t be too formal or too personal. No, you need to take a leaf out of Goldilocks’ book and get it just right. As a makeup artist, you need to be a people person since you work closely with clients. However, keep in mind that this is a professional role. When you’re writing your resume, you will need to find a balance. 

Do your research first! 

If you’re using a one-size-fits-all approach to applying for jobs, this is your sign to stop. You will increase your chances of success by tailoring each resume to the company at hand. Before you apply for a specific role, do some research. Learn as much as you can about the business or agency to which you’re applying and make changes accordingly. 

Include keywords and phrases 

Want to beat the bots? Many recruiters now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to rank incoming resumes. The software determines how well your application fits the criteria of the position. Including the right keywords on your resume is a shortcut to success. Look at the job advert and pick out words and phrases. By ensuring your language matches that of the hiring manager, you boost your chance of landing that all-important interview. 

Choosing the best resume format for a makeup artist

For most makeup artist resumes, you can use the standard reverse chronological format. That means that your most recent qualifications, training, and education sit at the top of each section. As you work your way downward, you travel back in time. Recruiters are used to this structure as it allows them to quickly determine what experience you have. 

However, if you want to emphasize your artistic abilities rather than your experience, there is another way to go. A functional resume format highlights your skills over the work you have previously completed. So, should you be new to the sector, you can show off the talents you have. Read more about what structure to choose in our complete guide here.

Resume header

The resume header is right at the top of the page. It is a chance to visually set yourself apart from the competition. This section includes your contact details so that a recruiter can get in touch. Make sure that your information is easy to read. You can afford to be creative with this part of your resume — add a splash of color or a cool design. 

Resume summary example

Next up, you need to write your resume summary. Also known as a personal statement, this is a 3-4 line bio about you as a professional. You don’t need to write an entire memoir about why you became a makeup artist. Instead, include your top achievements. 

Struggling to know what to write? Here’s an exercise you can try. Imagine that you’re in an elevator with Jennifer Lopez’ tour manager. It’s your only chance to win him over and become the singer’s new MUA. You have a matter of seconds to “wow” him and explain why you’re a star-worthy professional. What would you say? Get that down on paper now.

Employment history sample

As a makeup artist, you may well be self-employed. Many professionals in this circle move from gig to gig… project to project. If that is the case, pick out your three-to-four most recent projects and lay them out as you would jobs. If, on the other hand, you are in full-time employment, you can use a standard structure for this part of your resume. 

You should use the reverse chronological order for this part of your resume. In each case, you need to include the company or client, the dates of employment, and the location. Beneath that information, you can add bullet points that emphasize your achievements. 

CV skills example

Makeup artists need a varied selection of skills on their professional CVs. Sure, there are the technical skills — such as product knowledge, dexterity, and specific looks, like wedding makeup. However, since this is a people-facing role, you will also need a load of interpersonal or soft skills too. We’re talking about communication and collaboration. When deciding what CV skills you want to include in this list, make sure you include both. 

Makeup artist resume education example

Most of the time, you don’t need a degree to become a makeup artist. However, if you have one in a related subject, you should include it on your resume. Feature any makeup artist-specific training you have had in this section. For example, if you trained under a professional or at an academy, you need to shout about it in this part of your resume.

Once again, you should use the reverse chronological order. Put the qualifications that you have gained the most recently at the top of the page and work your way backward. 

Resume layout and design: complete the look 

You already know the value of looking the part — your makeup artist resume needs to do the same job. Follow the below rules if you want to get it right from the offset: 

Key takeaways 

1. The outlook for makeup artists in the US is bright. For that reason, it’s the perfect time to spruce up your resume and start applying.
2. Makeup artists can work in a wide variety of sectors. When you’re looking for your next hot position, make sure that you think outside of the box.
3. Showcase a mixture of both hard and soft skills. Makeup artists work closely with their clients, and you need to have an array of interpersonal talents.
4. First impressions matter. Take all of the trouble out of designing your application by using one of our field-tested resume templates.