Makeup Artist Job Description Template

An office clerk.

Makeup artists transform people’s appearances using a variety of mediums, such as makeup, prosthetics, and hairstyling. Whether you’re looking for a professional who can glam up a wedding party, enhance an actor’s features for television, or create larger-than-life characters for a Broadway production, the first step is to write and advertise a makeup artist job description.

Use this job description template to quickly find the right-fit makeup artists for your open position. Also, browse Monster’s makeup artist job listings for inspiration about which details you’d like to include that you might have missed.

An office clerk.

Makeup Artist Job Description

Intro Paragraph: Your introduction paragraph should let job searchers know what the position entails and what characterizes a good-fit candidate. This helps candidates understand whether they’re interested in learning more before digging into the details.

For example, you could write something like:

Our organization is hiring a creative makeup artist who can work with our [team/clients] to create custom looks based on the project’s needs. We are looking for someone who has extensive experience working with different types of makeup and application practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong sense of how to use color, texture, and design to enhance the visual appearance of our [clients/actors/models] in a way that reflects the latest [industry] trends and techniques. If you’re a makeup artist who is eager to use their talent creatively and appreciates a professional, communicative work environment, we’d love to hear from you!

About Our Organization: Candidates appreciate working for organizations that appeal to their personal interests and values. A great way to attract talent with your makeup artist job description is to show how your company and team stand out.

For example, you might share interesting projects your team has worked on or awards they’ve won. You can also include information about:

  • your company values, mission, and culture
  • how your organization rewards standout employees
  • training and career advancement opportunities

These details show candidates more about how working for your organization might align with the type of company they’re looking to join. It’s also a great way to share what your employees love about their team and culture.

Makeup Artist Job Responsibilities: The type of makeup artist you’re searching for and what they’ll be responsible for on a day-to-day basis will vary. Use this list of common responsibilities to get you started and edit them as needed:

  • Use the principles of makeup application and design to ensure the proper colors, textures, and tools are used.
  • Work to enhance the client’s skin tone, eye color, and hair color per current beauty trends and best practices.
  • Collaborate with costume designers and stylists to maintain project consistency.
  • Assist the team with applying and removing prosthetics.
  • Troubleshoot makeup issues and provide alternate recommendations when applicable.
  • Acquire, maintain, and sterilize makeup equipment, such as brushes, applicators, and organizers.
  • Stay up to date with the latest tools, techniques, and trends in the [specific] industry.
  • Maintain a strict standard of hygiene.

Work Hours and Benefits: No job description is complete without information about which hours the candidate would be expected to work and how you reward them with benefits and perks. This means you need to note whether the position is a full- or part-time role and if you’d require the candidate to work 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or if the workday varies depending on client needs.

Some benefits and perks that organizations commonly offer include:

  • healthcare coverage
  • retirement planning
  • paid time off
  • commuting stipends

Including this information shows candidates how you reward employees for all their hard work. Also, consider including salary information. Not only do candidates appreciate clarity, but it also saves time during the hiring process. Some states require you to disclose the salary upfront, so check the salary range transparency laws to be sure you’re following your state and local mandates.

Makeup Artist Qualifications and Skills: Edit this list of skills to match what you’d like to include in your makeup artist job description:

  • Ability to alter appearances and tell visual stories with makeup and hair.
  • Strong understanding of technical makeup artist skills, such as the creative use of shading, blending, and building to achieve a finished look.
  • Ability to work independently and with others.
  • Great communication and leadership skills.
  • Working knowledge of makeup preparation, application, and removal.
  • Excellent attention to detail.

Education, Experience, and Certification Requirements:

  • Three years’ experience as a makeup artist or similar role.
  • Certification from a cosmetology or trade school.
  • Associate degree in film, art, or a related field preferred.

Call to Action: All job descriptions need to end with a specific call to action, such as “learn more” or “apply here.” Candidates need to know how to get in touch or submit their resumes and work experience, so be sure the instructions are clear.

Find a Skilled Makeup Artist Today

Once you’ve edited your makeup artist job description, you’re ready to post it where candidates search for open positions in your industry. Sign up for a free trial with Monster to gain instant access to our extensive database of qualified candidates in your field.