How to Become a Celebrity Makeup Artist

For some aspiring artists, working in high fashion and doing makeup for celebrities is the dream. It’s one of those makeup jobs where the artist becomes a celebrity in her own right. It is fun, flashy, and you get to meet a lot of amazing people.

But is it attainable? Some makeup artists believe that working at this level is a right reserved for the privileged few—those who have paid their dues and are makeup masters. There are also those who believe that professional makeup training will hurl open the doors. That a makeup certificate will immediately land them makeup jobs without even trying. Like most things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Keep reading for my tips on how to become a celebrity makeup artist!

Relocate to where the celebrities are

There is no right or wrong in how you pursue your makeup career. But if becoming a celebrity makeup artist or working in high fashion is on your wish list, you will need to live where the celebrities are. In that case, you have three choices.

When I started my makeup career, working on celebrities was not a major goal of mine. My celebrity experience happened as a side effect of working as an actor myself. It happens differently for everyone. All I can say is be prepared. If you do makeup well, you will be equipped to work high-profile makeup jobs.

If a major job does not land in your lap you right away, don’t fret. Keep working on everyone you can. Sharpen your basic makeup skills and learn new ones. As a professional makeup artist, no makeup job is a bad job. Anytime you have a brush in your hand, you have the opportunity to grow as an artist. The more you know, the more you develop. You’ll begin to meet more people. Be sure to always showcase your passion for makeup artistry. Others will see it, and you will be to land the job or client you have been waiting for.

Nathan Johnson as Janky Clown on HBO’s High Maintenance.

Remember that it’s not an overnight process. You may work hard, push yourself on a daily basis, and won’t land a big job for a while. This is not a reflection of your talent. It just means the time hasn’t come yet. If you are not working hard and just waiting for it to happen for you, well, keep waiting (and perhaps consider another career).

Find a job as a makeup assistant

This shortcut can help you to land celebrity clients faster. If you develop a solid relationship with an artist who works with celebrities, you may be able to get a job assisting them.

In most cases, you’ll be in the room assisting the lead makeup artist as they work on the celebrity client. But sometimes, you may be able to directly prep that client’s face. This is valuable experience. You’ll learn how to behave in front of a celebrity. And if the lead makeup artist sees your skill, they may recommend you to their agent, or to a celebrity they cannot see due to another booking. Taking a job as an assistant makeup artist may be one of the best ways to opening the door to celebrity makeup artistry.

What you need to become a celebrity makeup artist

There are two huge things you need to possess if you want to have a career with celebrities.

1. Be great at what you do. Your makeup skills should be finesse and reflect your own unique artistry. Find your voice and work on becoming consistent. That will take you 70% of the way there.
2. If you are a kind person who’s a great listener, you will be another 10% closer to your goal. Treat people with respect, work hard, keep your brushes clean. If you put your best foot forward and network, there will be very little that can stop you from achieving your dream career.

Makeup is an competitive industry. But celebrity makeup artistry is even more high-profile, and thus even more competitive. Everyone started somewhere, though. Pick up your brush, hold your dreams close, and pursue your ambitions!

Don’t count on landing celebrity clients without a stunning portfolio. Check out these 5 looks every makeup artist should have in her makeup portfolio!