What Does a Professional Makeup Artist Do? Basic Functions

What a professional makeup artist does is one of the main questions that a person who decides to dedicate themselves to this profession asks.

At first, we must believe that we know the answer to this question, since, obviously, their job is to make up the faces of the people who request their services.

But in reality, the profession of a professional makeup artist encompasses many more functions than the one that we have seen.

Also, we must know that a professional makeup artist can specialize in different fields within this profession.

In this article we are going to see what the functions of a professional makeup artist are, find out what they do in their profession, and thus be able to decide to study to be able to work on what we are passionate about and love.

How to be a professional makeup artist?

To be a professional make-up artist, we must carry out specific training that offers us the necessary knowledge to be able to practice this profession.

In this training, you will learn concepts such as:

• The importance of color and light, and how to apply them in makeup. This includes skin tones and types, basic and specialty colors, and how to mix different shades to create the desired effect.
• Hygiene and safety, to learn how to keep equipment clean and sterile to avoid infection and other health complications. We must bear in mind that these are elements that are used by many different people.
• Makeup application techniques, where you learn how to apply different types of makeup on the face, eyes and lips. You also learn how to apply different types of products, such as concealers, foundations, powders, eye shadows, and eyeliners.
• Skin knowledge to understand the different types that exist, and how to apply makeup to suit each client’s individual needs.
• Advice to the client to know how to work with different types of people, and how to offer advice on the appropriate makeup for each one.

Duties of a professional makeup artist

Let’s see now what are the functions of a professional makeup artist. With this information, we will clear up any doubts that we may have if we are thinking of dedicating ourselves to this profession.

A professional makeup artist does not always do the same. The functions of these professionals will depend on the type of makeup they perform, or in which they have specialized.

These functions will also be different depending on the level and experience they have, and the type of business in which they work.

Here we are going to see the general tasks that professional makeup artists perform.

Treatments and skin care

The skin is the base on which the makeup will settle. If the base is not good, it will be difficult to achieve a satisfactory result.

Although it may not seem so, this is one of the most important points when applying any professional makeup, whatever it may be.

It is essential to cleanse the face, hydrate it, provide nutrients and thus protect it. This importance is even greater if it is about film-focused makeup or special effects since here the skin has to be covered with dense and heavy products.

Apply the appropriate fixes

It is common to think that the function of a makeup artist is only to properly apply colors, products… This is true, but a very important function is to correct facial defects beforehand.

Examples of this are knowing how to hide dark circles, redness or reduce shine.

It is something essential to go on to apply colors later.

Apply color

As we have just said, the professional makeup artist has to apply color, and this is a whole field within this profession since it will be influenced by different elements.

This is where visagism comes into play.

Visagism studies the type of face based on its shape, lines and relief, and thus determines the most appropriate makeup.

If we combine visagism with the study of color depending on the tone of the skin, hair, eyes, lips…

If we combine these two elements, the result will be what is expected from the work of a professional makeup artist.

Knowledge of tools and products

When it comes to applying our usual makeup, we surely know what each brush and utensil we have is for.

In the case of professional makeup artists, this is something necessary and must be applied to the enormous repertoire of tools and products to use.

We can already imagine that we should have a brush for each product and each application; lots of colors, textures…

There will also be products for different skin types and colors.

One of the functions of a professional makeup artist is to know the products in detail and know when and how they should be used.

Know the needs and desires of the customer

We can say that this is the first task that a professional makeup artist should take into account.

Let’s not forget that the professional make-up artist is at the service of a client, and that the most important thing is to meet their expectations.

First of all, you must pay attention to the client’s request and identify the characteristics and needs of the project, however small it may be.

Here it will be important to find out data such as:

• The type of event for which the services are needed. For example, a wedding, a company dinner, a photo shoot…
• The number of people that should be made up and their characteristics. It is common for makeup artists to perform their work on several people, for example, in a cast of a play; or in people of the same family on a wedding day.
• The type of services that are needed, since pre-makeup or skin preparation treatments may also need to be performed.
• The general result that is expected. For example, a simple and discreet makeup, a groundbreaking and daring look, something classic…

Catwalk and fashion makeup protocols

Catwalk and fashion makeup is a very important part of any show, as it helps to complement the design of the clothes and create a complete image of the outfit.

Often the makeup used at these events is more striking than everyday makeup, and is used to emphasize the creativity and style of the collection.

Professional makeup artists work under the guidelines of the designers to ensure that the makeup complements and enhances the design of the clothing.

It will be common to use tones and textures that correspond to the color palette and style of the collection.

Depending on the point of the year in which we are, the makeup will vary.

For example, in the summer you can use brighter and more vibrant tones, while in the winter you can use darker and richer tones.

Current makeup trends

Knowing the current trends in makeup is essential for a professional makeup artist.

Many services that these professionals perform for private clients are related to the fact that the person is looking for a current image for a certain event.

Thus, the professional make-up artist shows his client the most fashionable trends at present, in order to choose the one that best suits the tastes and needs that she presents.

Jobs for advertising

The advertising niche market is, for a professional makeup artist, a job opportunity with many possibilities.

That is why you should know the characteristics of this type of makeup.

Advertising includes both photography and television commercials, and this is something that is managed by a marketing agency, in which professional makeup artists work.

It is, therefore, a sector to be taken into account by professional make-up artists who are looking for a place in the job market.

Styling jobs

Professional makeup artists can work in styling salons, since the work of both professionals goes hand in hand.

A stylist is a professional who is in charge of making a suitable haircut and hairstyle for the client, guiding them on the best skin care products, and identifying the client’s needs based on their characteristics.

As we can assume, the work of a stylist will require adequate makeup in order to obtain a complete set of clothing and personal appearance.

Professional make-up artists have a place in styling salons, intervening in this important phase of the personal image of the clients who come to them.

Advise on any topic related to makeup

Professional makeup artists know perfectly everything related to the world of makeup, and no one better than them to give advice on any aspect that this world encompasses.

Consulting work is becoming common, and it involves advice and small demonstrations that these professionals give to clients who have any questions.

Some examples are the following:

• The type of product to use according to the characteristics of the person (type of foundation, type of lipstick…)
• Which tool will be most suitable for a product (natural or synthetic hair brush, use a sponge or brush, liquid or powder product…)
• How to properly maintain the tools and their cleaning.
• The most appropriate style for the event to be attended.
• And, in short, any subject related to makeup in which a client may have doubts.

These are jobs that are usually hired by people who, for whatever reason, cannot count on a professional makeup artist because they travel a lot, their schedules are complicated, or for any other reason.

In this way, they have the advice of a professional.

Train other professionals

In this case, we are talking about something that a professional makeup artist with experience in this profession does.

To be professional makeup artists, we have already said that specific training must be carried out. As we can assume, these training are taught by make-up artists who know this world perfectly.

Teaching is one of the outlets and functions of professional make-up artists, and that must be taken into account when we have been working for a while doing what we like the most.

Conclusion

As we can see, the functions of professional makeup artists go far beyond putting makeup on a person, covering a wide range of tasks that they can perform in different work environments.

That is why the profession of professional makeup artist has several job opportunities, which means that these professionals can develop their career once they have finished their training.