Skills
Makeup Artist Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in makeup artists, and how to build and show them.
What skills do makeup artists need?
Makeup Artists need technical skills such as makeup application, color theory, and special effects and prosthetics, plus people skills like creativity and teamwork. They also use tools such as Makeup kits and brushes and Airbrush systems.
Technical (hard) skills
- Makeup application
- Color theory
- Special effects and prosthetics
- Continuity
- Sanitation
- Airbrush techniques
People (soft) skills
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Calm under pressure
- Networking
Tools, equipment and technology
- Makeup kits and brushes
- Airbrush systems
- Prosthetic adhesives and removers
- Continuity cameras
- Set chairs and lighting
- Sanitizers
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how makeup artists put their skills to work:
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “Makeup application” and “Color theory.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “creativity,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as Cosmetology or esthetics license near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our makeup artist glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Makeup Artist training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.