The Nebraska Department of Labor projects a huge 32.11 percent increase in jobs for skincare specialists statewide between 2012 and 2022. This is great news if you want to become a makeup artist in Nebraska.
Nebraska has two options for aspiring makeup artists: becoming a registered cosmetician or becoming a licensed esthetician.
As both jobs are regulated by the Nebraska Board of Cosmetology, the major difference between the two is that registered cosmeticians are only permitted to apply cosmetics, while licensed estheticians may do that plus perform a variety of skincare and hair removal services.
Jobs are plentiful, and are expected to remain plentiful, for both classifications of makeup artist in Nebraska. While jobs for makeup artists are available statewide, the larger cities of Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island often have the most demand for these types of jobs. Many cosmetology schools are located in Nebraska’s larger cities as well.
Nebraska’s makeup artists aren’t simply applying cosmetics or taking care of clients’ skin. Those who work in the performing arts industry often study characters, trying to determine the best makeup to help portray each character’s traits on the stage. They must be able to adapt a performer’s makeup to the changing lighting on stage, and determine how much makeup to use on each performer so that his or her features are clearly seen from even the back of the theatre.
A keen eye for detail and being able to distinguish between colors and shades are two innate qualities that a potential makeup artist should have – regardless of the field they work in.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Division regulates the practice of two types of makeup artists: estheticians and cosmeticians.
Estheticians must meet certain education and exam requirements for licensure with the Nebraska Board of Cosmetology, while cosmeticians must be registered with the Board and meet specific training requirements.
The training required to become a cosmetician or esthetician in Nebraska is outlined below.
Makeup Artist Schools in Nebraska
Cosmetician – A registered cosmetician must have received some instruction on the chemical properties of cosmetics and potential client reactions. This training may come from employers or from cosmetic manufacturers or distributors. The would-be registered cosmetician must also know what to do in case a client has a chemical reaction, and must be currently employed as a cosmetician or plan to get a cosmetician job in Nebraska.
Esthetician – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Board of Cosmetology requires that you complete a minimum of 600 hours or 600 credits. These credits must be earned in an approved school of cosmetology or as an apprentice in a salon. You must not have a lapse during your esthetician education or apprenticeship of more than two years, or all of your hours and credits will be forfeited.
If you choose the school route, approved cosmetology programs are found in the following Nebraska cities:
- North Platte
- Fremont
- Kearney
- Grand Island
- Lincoln
- Hastings
- Beatrice
- Norfolk
- Omaha
Your esthetic coursework will give you knowledge and proficiency in the following areas:
- Light therapy
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
- Aromatherapy
- Hair removal
- Makeup application
- Spa and body treatments
- Skin analysis
- Facial massage
If you gain your esthetics training at a salon as an apprentice, there will be a portion on your examination application form for your supervisor to sign attesting that you have completed the basic knowledge in the above areas.
Makeup Artist Licensure in Nebraska
Cosmetician – Before you can become a registered cosmetician in Nebraska, you must be able to provide proof that you are employed as a cosmetician or plan to become employed. You must complete the Cosmetician Registration application and submit it along with necessary documentation and fees. Once the Board receives your application, you should receive registration papers by mail within 150 days. Cosmetician registration renews every two years, with no continuing education required to maintain the registration.
Esthetician – After completing your makeup artist education or training in Nebraska, you are eligible to take the state-mandated licensure examination. Use the Esthetician Licensure by Examination Application. Have a school representative or your apprenticeship supervisor complete the pertinent section. When you have mailed the application, fee and all requested documentation, the Board will send you an eligibility letter authorizing you to schedule the test. Nebraska requires you to pass a Theory Examination and a Jurisprudence Examination.
The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) sponsors the Theory Examination used by Nebraska. The exam is administered by computer through PSI Exams located in the following cities:
- Sidney
- Omaha
- Kearney
Information that is tested on the Theory Examination includes:
- Science and scientific principles
- Skin services/skincare such as:
- Skin analysis
- Cleansing
- Exfoliation
- Extraction
- Steaming
- Massage
- Hair removal
- Makeup application
- Equipment usage
Next, you must pass the Nebraska Cosmetology Jurisprudence Exam, which is given online. It covers Nebraska state rules and regulations pertaining to cosmetology in general. After passing both examinations, the Board will mail your esthetician license to you and you may begin your career as a makeup artist in Nebraska.
Your esthetician license in Nebraska expires in even-numbered years. You must complete eight hours of continuing education each renewal period to maintain your license.
Jobs for Makeup Artists in Nebraska
Congratulations on becoming either a Registered Cosmetician or Licensed Esthetician in Nebraska! Now that you are a makeup artist, many jobs and industries are available in which you can work.
Job titles for makeup artists in Nebraska include, but are not limited to:
- Beauty advisor
- Product designer
- Retail distributor
- Department store promotional consultant
- Esthetician
- Cosmetic sales representative
- Salon manager or owner
There are many exciting industries in Nebraska for cosmeticians and estheticians working as makeup artists, which include salons, retail, the performing arts (dance/theatre), and film and television.
Examples of employers of makeup artists in Nebraska in each of these industries are:
Salons
- Skincerely Yours Salon & Spa –Omaha
- Bella Skin Care and Massage Therapy – Lincoln
- Massage Envy- Omaha
- Blondies Skin & Nail Studio- Lincoln
- Clear Springs Day Spa – Crete
Retail
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. – Lincoln, Omaha and Papillion
- Lancome – Lincoln and Omaha
- Estee Lauder – Omaha
- Marianna Industries- Omaha
- Bare Escentuals- Gretna
Performing Arts
- The Merryman Performing Arts Center- Kearney
- Omaha Performing Arts- Omaha
- Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts – Lincoln
- Pear Tree Performing Arts- Omaha
- The Tassel, Phelps County Center for the Performing Arts – Holdrege
Film and Television
- North Sea Films, Inc. – Omaha
- Torchwerks- Omaha
- KGIN, KGHI and KHNE Television Studios — Grand Island/Kearney
- KNOP and KPNE Television Studios- North Platte
- KDUH and KSTF Television Studios – Scottsbluff