Minnesota makes a unique contribution to the cosmetics industry since cosmetic manufacturing is widespread across the state, and many makeup artists find themselves working as consultants or research associates within cosmetics companies. Among these is skincare giant Aveda, headquartered in Blaine; Kapra Cosmetics, in Minneapolis; and local-turned-international cosmetics company Sigma Beauty in New Brighton. The presence of manufacturing in Minnesota presents rare career possibilities for those who take classes to become makeup artists in Minnesota.
In the state of Minnesota, the law permits licensed estheticians to provide medical skin care services in the office of a licensed physician. This opens up another entirely new industry for makeup artists in Minnesota, and one that can pay higher than average salaries. Examples of employers of medical estheticians in Minnesota include the famed Mayo Clinic’s headquarters in Rochester, as well as smaller companies such as Rejuv Skin & Hair Clinic in Eagan.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Minnesota
Starting a career as a makeup artist in Minnesota begins with fulfilling the licensing requirements of the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners. You must become a licensed esthetician, or skincare specialist, before you may legally work as a makeup artist in the North Star State.
The Board of Cosmetologist Examiners Rules defines the licensing process for makeup artists in Minnesota. Estheticians, or those who work on the skin, must complete a minimum amount of education and pass examinations before they may become licensed to work in Minnesota.
Makeup Artist Classes in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners mandates that all prospective makeup artists complete 600 hours of esthetician training classes before they may sit for a licensure exam. This coursework must take place at a Board-approved cosmetology school in Minnesota. They are located in cities including:
- Alexandria
- Blaine
- Plymouth
- Rochester
- Park Rapids
- Brainerd
- Duluth
- Bloomington
- Hibbing
Your 600 hours of esthetician training in Minnesota will involve classes in:
- Applying skin masques
- Massage
- Use of facials
- Application and removal of makeup
- Marketing and business management skills
- Skin chemistry
- Anatomy
- Physiology
Makeup Artist Licensing in Minnesota
Upon completion of your esthetician classes in Minnesota, you are ready to take the state-mandated examinations. Pearson Vue test centers administer these examinations in test centers within:
- Bloomington
- Brooklyn Park
- Paul
- Willmar
- Eagan/Southeast Minnesota
- Rochester
- Hermantown/Duluth
Would-be estheticians in Minnesota must pass a two-part examination, with general and state questions. Total time allotted for the exam is two and a half hours.
The general esthetician examination will test your knowledge of these topics and skills:
- Rules, regulations and safety
- Electricity and electrotherapy
- Hair removal
- Makeup
- Facials
- Skin analysis and the science of esthetics
The state portion of the Minnesota esthetician exam will test your knowledge of state laws and regulations on:
- General information
- Licensing
- Sanitation and requirements
- Enforcement
After passing both parts of the esthetician exam in Minnesota, you may apply for licensure. Complete the Initial Operator license application, notating on the form that you are applying for an esthetician license. Your license will renew every three years. During that time, you must complete four hours of Board-approved continuing education in order to maintain your license. These hours must be in Minnesota laws and rules, safety and sanitation, and health.
Approved continuing education providers are listed here and found within the following cities:
- Brooklyn Park
- Rochester
- Bemidji
- Plymouth
- Rochester
- Thief River Falls
- Bloomington
- St Cloud
- Pipestone
- Jackson
- Winona
- Lakeville
- Shakopee
- Richfield
- Mankato
- Hibbing
- Duluth
- Brainerd
- Minneapolis
- Worthington
If at some point in the future, you choose to open your own salon or spa, you must file a Salon Manager License Application with the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Examiners. You must pass the Minnesota Managers Test and complete at least 2700 hours of work in a licensed salon in the three years before applying for licensure as a salon manager in Minnesota.
Jobs for Makeup Artists in Minnesota
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, as of October 2014 there are 420 skincare specialists employed statewide, earning an average annual wage of $28.704. In certain areas of the state, makeup artists earn salaries higher than the state average. For example, makeup artists working in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area average $29,182; while those in the St Cloud, central and southeast areas of Minnesota average $34,403 annually. These salary figures don’t include gratuity, which, if you’re working in the salon industry, typically adds 15-25% to your take-home pay.
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, jobs for makeup artists in the state are expected to increase by almost 24 percent between 2012 and 2022. In addition to the personal care and service industry (in which salons and spas are categorized), makeup artists can be found working in many and varied industries in Minnesota, including (but not limited to) theatre and photography, retail sales, and manufacturing (as research associates and consultants for cosmetics manufacturers).
Some examples of major Minnesota employers within each of these categories include:
Spas and Salons
- Massage Retreat & Spa – Maple Grove and Minneapolis-St. Paul
- Life Time Fitness- Eden Prairie
- Massage Envy- Blaine, Rochester, Edina, Minneapolis, Golden Valley and Minnetonka
- Sorellas Salon and Spa – Perham
- East 42nd Street Salon- Minneapolis-St. Paul
Theatre and Photography
- Minnesota Theatre Company – Rochester
- Children’s Theatre Company – Minneapolis
- Quaden Productions- Anoka
- Thoen & Associates Advertising Photography, Inc. – Long Lake
- Baker Imaging & Photography- Minneapolis
Retail Sales
- Lancome Cosmetics- Minneapolis
- Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Ltd. – Minneapolis
- The Estee Lauder Companies- Stillwater and St Cloud
- Clinique at Herberger’s – St. Paul
- Bare Escentuals- Bloomington and Edina
Manufacturing Company Representation and Consultation
- Aveka, Inc. – St. Paul
- TMC Industries, Inc.- Waconia
- Birchwood Laboratories, Inc. – Eden Prairie
- Kapra Cosmetics, Inc. – Minneapolis
- Diversified Manufacturing Corporation – Newport