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Occupation Details

Make-up Artist



Fact Sheet

Selecting the right colour to enhance a person's features

Make-up artists apply make-up to fashion and photographic models, actors and other performers involved in stage, film and television productions, as well as brides and other clients for special occasions.

Duties and Tasks

Make-up artists may perform the following tasks:

  • prepare the skin for make-up application and remove make-up as required
  • demonstrate cosmetic products to clients
  • instruct clients about make-up application
  • apply a wide variety of professional make-up products
  • design wigs, beards, masks and 'prosthetics' (artificial body parts) and apply them to achieve an appropriate character appearance
  • use make-up to produce effects such as ageing, illness, scars and bruising
  • alter or maintain make-up during productions to ensure the continuity of a performer's appearance
  • advise hairdressers on the hairstyle required for character parts

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
School subjects that include some aspect of the PERFORMING ARTS provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a performing arts subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake. Jobs requiring full use of hands/fingers are excluded.\par
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs in the visual and graphic arts, in the crafts and in the performing arts, such as music, theatre, radio, film & television, as well as general entertainment and sporting jobs.
Included are jobs providing services in the hospitality and tourism industries, in areas such as accommodation, and food and beverage preparation.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS, to creatively express, present or perform them. An appreciation of design, style, form, beauty or related concepts used to develop or interpret an idea are important. Activities include writing, painting, singing, dancing, decorating, designing and performing.
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.

Personal Requirements

  • artistic ability
  • good colour perception
  • patience and tact
  • good communication skills
  • good hand-eye coordination
  • able to work under pressure

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Applying lipstick to a model for a photographic shoot