As a professional makeup artist in Georgia you will have your choice of working in many exciting fields that range from the performing arts to broadcast entertainment to beauty salons.
In 2014, television and film productions produced by Georgia-based companies generated an estimated $5.1 billion in revenue, according to the state’s Department of Economic Development. This figure also represents a significant windfall for occupations affiliated with the TV and film production industries, including makeup artists. In fact, according to Georgia’s Workforce Statistics and Economic Research, the state’s makeup artists working in the theatrical and performance arts earn an average annual salary of $67,921.
Outside the fields of theatrical and performing arts, makeup artists in Georgia also work in large numbers in the beauty industry at neighborhood salons and local retail outlets.
To legally work as a makeup artist in Georgia, you will need to become licensed by the Georgia Board of Cosmetology by meeting training requirements and demonstrating competency through an examination process. Once you complete this process you can start your exciting career.
Meeting the Requirements to Become a Makeup Artist in Georgia
Before you will be allowed to enroll in a makeup artist school in Georgia you need to have at least a high school education, be at least 17 years old, and demonstrate that you have a moral character.
As a prospective makeup artist, you will need to meet the licensing requirements for either of the following two professions, both of which will allow you to work as a professional makeup artist:
- Master Cosmetologist – requires the completion of a 1,325-hour course of study or a 2,650-hour apprenticeship from an approved cosmetology school
- Esthetician – requires the completion of a 1,000-hour course of study or a 2,000-hour apprenticeship from an approved cosmetology school
Once you complete the required training, you will also need to pass a practical and written exam for your professional area of practice.
Makeup Artist Schools in Georgia
You will need to complete your required hours of study from an approved school. You can find a list of approved schools by searching for cosmetology or esthetician schools that have a current license on the state’s Professional Licensing webpage.
There are nearly 40 cosmetology schools located throughout Georgia, which may offer separate classes for would-be estheticians in addition to master cosmetologists. There are two specific esthetician schools in Georgia, both located in Atlanta.
You can find cosmetology schools in cities like:
- Atlanta
- Columbus
- Augusta
- Macon
- Savannah
- Athens
- Sandy Springs
- Roswell
The courses you will study on the topic of esthetics and makeup will be similar whether you are pursuing an esthetician license or a master cosmetologist license. These will include subjects like:
- Makeup application techniques
- Makeup blending and styles
- Corrective makeup
- Skin physiology, cells, and tissue
- Ultrasonic techniques
- Anti-aging theory and treatments
- Fundamental and advanced skin care
- Microdermabrasion
Services You Can Offer as a Makeup Artist in Georgia
As a master cosmetologist you will be able to offer your clients services that are associated with any of the following professions:
- Esthetician
- Hair designer
- Nail technician
As an esthetician you will be able to offer your clients services such as:
- Makeup artistry
- Cosmetic skin care
- Stimulation or beautification of your client’s face, legs, neck, or arms with a cosmetic preparation
- Massaging of the face or neck
- Trimming of the eyebrows
- Eyelash extensions
- Dyeing of the eyebrows or eyelashes
- Waxing of the hair on a client’s face, neck, legs, or arms
Career Opportunities and Jobs for Georgia’s Makeup Artists
You can choose from a variety of fields to work in as a makeup artist. The following fields represent the largest employers of makeup artists in Georgia:
Movie and Television Production Industry
There are over 1,000 support vendors and production suppliers who work with film and television production in Georgia. As a makeup artist you can be a part of the action in an industry that currently employs over 30,000 professionals. Communities throughout the state sponsor film festivals to encourage this industry, whose recent cinematic productions are significant:
- Atlanta Film Festival
- Macon Film Festival
- Savannah Film Festival
- You may recognize any of the following movies, which have all been shot in Georgia:
- Cape Fear
- Endless Love
- Flight
- Footloose
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Several series in The Hunger Games
- My Cousin Vinny
- Need for Speed
- The Vampire Diaries
Beauty Salons and Day Spas for Makeup Artists in Georgia
One of the largest employers of makeup artists in Georgia are professional beauty salons and day spas. You may recognize some of the following heavy hitters located across the state:
- Blushbaby Makeup Studio in Atlanta
- Make-Up By Tierra in Atlanta
- Maraz Makeup and Hair in Atlanta
- Mimi J in Atlanta
- Alicia’s Artistry in Columbus
- Karen Marie in Columbus
- Beauty Shop in Columbus
- Halo in Augusta
- Bella Faccia in Augusta
Beauty Supply Retailers in Georgia
Professional beauty salons are often seeking qualified makeup artists:
- MAC Cosmetics in Atlanta
- Saks Fifth Avenue in Marietta
- Ulta Beauty in Valdosta
- JCPenny in Mcdonough
- Nordstrom in Atlanta
- Groupe Clarins in Duluth
- Bare Escentuals in Alphretta
- Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in Atlanta
- SmartStyle in Alpharetta
- Tropical Essence in Augusta
- Kelly Services in Rome
Theatre and Performing Arts in Georgia
Makeup artists working in the theatre and performing arts earn some of the highest average salaries in their field. Some of the major theatres and companies in Georgia include:
- Alliance Theatre in Atlanta
- Atlanta Opera
- Atlanta Ballet
- RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus
- Springer Opera House in Columbus
- Douglass Theatre in Macon
- Macon Little Theatre
- Savannah Children’s Theatre
- Savannah Dance Theatre
- Little Theatre of Savannah
- Lucas Theatre for the Arts in Savannah
- Savannah Community Theatre