What Do Theatrical Makeup Artists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Theatrical Makeup Artists apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role. They also apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.

Other tasks include:

• Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.
• Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters’ appearances on a daily basis.
• Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
• Assess performers’ skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.
• Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
• Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.

We asked Theatrical Makeup Artists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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80% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 54% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Theatrical Makeup Artists assess performers’ skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations. They confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.

• Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.
• Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
• Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character’s appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.
• Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.
• Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.

We asked some Theatrical Makeup Artists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	64% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	73% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	82% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Theatrical Makeup Artists also create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files. They may also analyze a script, noting events that affect each character’s appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Theatrical Makeup Artists Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits. They might also Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers’ appearances.

In addition, they Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.

To some Theatrical Makeup Artists, it is also their responsibility to Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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