Choosing a career as a Makeup Artists

A makeup artist is no longer just the lady that runs the beauty salon around the corner. The makeup industry has become a major part of the film and TV, industries. People that specialise in various forms of makeup are highly paid and even receive awards and recognition, both nationally and internationally.

Although beauty salons are very popular in the country, and offer packages and deals in beauty, hair, slimming and a variety of other related fields, makeup has over the years also developed in another industry; almost unnoticed by the masses.

In the theatrical industry makeup has been used to enhance the expressions on actor's and dancers faces, from as long back as these industries have existed. Though the makeup for theatrical actors was very different in previous times, with the development of the film industry, makeup artist have become an essential part of any movie or TV set. Without a makeup crew any amount of shooting will be unthinkable today.

Makeup is not limited to just facial makeup, as is commonly believed by many; but also applied to change or modify the overall appearance of the body.

The type of makeup applied in the movie industry varies from natural makeup to give the actors a more youthful and vibrant look to special effects (FX) makeup used to create monsters, aliens etc. Special effects makeup is among the most challenging forms of make up with new techniques being developed every year to meet the challenge of thrilling and amazing audiences. Some of the techniques used in FX makeup utilise a lot more than just cosmetics. In FX makeup paint and other synthetic materials are commonly used to create extraordinary effects.

Makeup is also a very vital part of the modelling and fashion industry. Especially with the development of the high definition camera the industry has now become absolutely dependant on makeup artists to achieve that close up perfect and flawless look on their models. Makeup is applied on the entire body of models to enhance contours, conceal blemishes and more depending on the creativity of various fashion themes.

Bridal makeup has become a booming industry with brides spending larger amounts of money during marriages, especially in India. Bridal makeup usually covers a full body makeover for the Indian bride and is a very tedious process to get the bride ready for the ceremony.

Other places where makeup is used which is not very well known, is on deceased people in the US mainly before the funeral rites, usually to give the deceased a pleasant appearance.

There are many makeup courses available at various institutes today. The career prospects for fresh, talented makeup artists are a lot better than they were a decade ago. The best way to have a great career in the field of makeup is to complete your regular graduation before doing a course on makeup; nothing will replace a good education. Once you have completed your graduation, take some time to research all the various fields available in makeup from normal beauty enhancing; to FX and everything in between.

The makeup industry is a growing industry and you need to keep in mind a futuristic approach when studying or apprenticing, as mentioned before the career prospects in almost every career field were a lot less a decade ago, and we can assume the career prospects for a talented makeup artist will be tremendous a decade from now.