According to the Washington Employment Security Department, 1,596 new beauty industry jobs will be created in Washington between 2012 and 2022 just to meet the growing demand for personal care services. From Bellevue’s high-end day spas to Seattle’s many hip neighborhood salons, Washington’s beauty and wellness industry provides a stage for those skilled in makeup artistry.
Washington’s picturesque landscape has also drawn the interest of many film and television production companies. This has created diverse job opportunities for makeup artists in Washington’s entertainment and media production industry. In fact, according to Washington Filmworks, there have been 101 production projects in Washington between 2007 and 2013, including 47 commercials, 5 television projects and 40 feature films.
These projects have generated more than $232 million for Washington-based companies working within the industry, including freelance makeup artists with formal schooling. The Northwest Production Index, which helps production companies source local talent, currently endorses 30 local makeup artists. By completing formal training at one of Washington’s makeup artist schools, you could be the next one to make this prestigious list!
Qualifying to Become a Makeup Artist in Washington
You can pursue one of two licenses through the Washington Department of Licensing Cosmetology Division to become a professional makeup artist in Washington:
- Cosmetology licenses, which requires 1,600 hours of training
- Esthetician license, which requires 750 hours of training
The first step you must take in getting either of these licenses is to complete a training program from a makeup artists school or general beauty school approved by the Washington Department of Licensing Cosmetology Division to include training in all the aspects of makeup artistry:
Cosmetology License
The basic requirements that you must complete for your cosmetology license are as follows:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Complete a minimum of 1,600 hours of education, including:
- 100 hours of manicuring and pedicuring services
- 100 hours of esthetics services
- Training in shampooing, styling, and coloring hair
- Apply for a licensure exam through Ergometrics
- There is a written and practical portion to the licensure examination
- You must score at least a 75% on each section to pass the licensure examination
While earning a cosmetology license does include training in many more areas than simple makeup artistry, such skills will nicely supplement your makeup training and allow you to broaden your career opportunities after earning your licensure.
Esthetician License
If you would prefer to pursue an esthetician license, you must fulfill these requirements:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Complete a minimum of 750 hours of education and training covering:
- Care of skin
- Temporary removal of hair
- Diseases and disorders of the skin
- Apply for a licensure exam through Ergometrics
- There is a written and practical examination that you must pass
- The minimum passing grade for both portions is a 75%
Career Opportunities for Makeup Artists in Washington
If you are drawn to Washington’s burgeoning film scene, there are a myriad of companies that you can find work with, including:
- August Island Pictures
- Chambers Productions
- Area 51 Productions, LLC
- Victory Studios
- Furman Pictures, LLC
- Emerald City Pictures
- B47 Studios
However, film production is not the only entertainment avenue that is available to you. The trio of Paramount, Moore, and Neptune theatres, operating under the Seattle Theatre Group can serve as an excellent career opportunity if you are interested in theatre makeup artistry.
Other theatre companies throughout the state include:
- The Magenta Theatre Company – Vancouver, WA
- The Kirkland Performance Center – Kirkland, WA
- The Capitol Theatre – Yakima, WA
If the entertainment world doesn’t appeal to you, there are a number of other career choices that you can pursue. Working in retail cosmetics, especially early in your career, will allow you to develop your customer service skills, while also allowing you to become an expert in makeup and other cosmetic products.
You may also consider working at a spa or salon that offers makeup application as one of their services. The salon industry will allow you to express your creativity in makeup application while simultaneously dialoging with other excellent makeup artists about their own personal experiences in the field.
Just a few of the salons that support jobs for makeup artists in Washington include:
- Allure Salon and Spa – Oak Harobr, WA
- Zazen Salon Spa – Bellingham, WA
- Shanti Salon and Day Spa – Seattle, WA
- Bella Luna Salon and Day Spa – Kennewick, WA
If you are looking for the utmost flexibility and independence in your work, you can always become a freelance makeup artist. As a freelance makeup artist, you can concentrate on any aspect of the business you choose. If you only want to work as a bridal makeup artist, photographic makeup artist, entertainment makeup artist, or any other subset of artist that you’d like, then you have the ability to do just that.