Many consider South Florida to be a natural place for a successful career in the art of beautification, since the lifestyle here is all about health and wellness, both on the outside and inside. It should come as no surprise that there are more than 20,000 salons located throughout Florida, so you and your makeup brushes should feel right at home performing professional makeup services in the state.
In addition to enjoying near-endless professional opportunities in high-end spas and salons (many of them within Florida’s many vacation destinations and resorts) makeup artists here are finding that cosmetic manufacturers and distributors are also looking for professionals skilled in the art and science of makeup artistry. Many manufacturers have their operations in Florida to position themselves to ship products to markets throughout Latin America.
The Florida Board of Cosmetology (part of the Department of Business and Regulation) is responsible for licensing and regulating all professions within the cosmetology field, including those that perform professional makeup services.
Meeting the Qualifications to Become a Makeup Artist in Florida
Makeup artists working in Florida must earn a specialty registration as a facial specialist. The only exception to registration is if you apply makeup at a makeup counter or for an independent makeup company, provided the makeup application is solely for the purpose of selling the product itself and not the service.
The Florida Board of Cosmetology recognizes a facial specialist as a person who is permitted to massage or treat the face or scalp with lotions, creams, oils, and other preparations. This means that as a registered facial specialist, you will be able to perform not only makeup artistry services on your clients, but facials and facial massages, as well.
To earn a facial specialist registration so as to become a makeup artist in Florida, you must complete a skincare (esthetics) program through a Board-approved school of cosmetology that consists of at least 260 practice/education hours.
You can expect a skincare program to include classes in areas such as:
- Facials without machines
- Facials with machines
- Skin analysis
- Skincare
- Hair removal
- Makeup
- Color analysis
Most programs offer both theory and hands-on study, allowing students to practice makeup techniques on real clients.
Upon successfully completing an esthetics program in Florida, you must complete a facial specialty registration application with the Department of Business and Regulation as to receive your Florida registration and begin practicing makeup artistry.
You must maintain your Florida facial specialty registration by renewing it on a biennial basis through the completion of a renewal application and at least 16 hours of Board-approved continuing education.
Career Opportunities for Makeup Artists in Florida
As a makeup artist in Florida, you’ll enjoy a flexible career with a wide array of professional options. While some makeup artists head to an upscale salon and earn a reputation as an expert in special event makeup, others choose to work in a freelance or independent contractor capacity in Florida’s film, theater, and television industry. Many also choose to work in the cosmetic manufacturing/distributing industry in Florida, serving as consultants, distributing agents, and the like. Many makeup artists in Florida also choose to start their own makeup artistry business.
Makeup artist jobs and other professional opportunities may be found in these diverse industries:
Film, Television, Commercial, and Documentary Production Companies
- Sky Storm, Orlando
- SSP Media, Tampa
- Adrenaline Films, Edgewood
- Litewave Media, St. Petersburg
- Full On Productions, Orlando
- Blackburst Entertainment, Longwood
- The Crawford Group, Lake Mary
- Florida Film House, Miami
- Marcus Productions, Fort Lauderdale
- SFL Productions, Miami, West Palm Beach
Full-Service Salons and Spas
- Divine Designs Salon & Spa, Brandon
- Essentials Medispa & Salon, Viera
- Micheline Salon and Spa, Lakeland
- Xanadu Salon and Spa, Hollywood
- Acqua Aveda Salon & Spa, Holmes Beach
- NUOVO Salon & Spa, Sarasota
- Blue Bamboo Salon & Day Spa, Islamorada
- Essentials Sap, Viera
- Sanctuary Salon and Day Spa, Orlando
- Fusion Spa Salon, Destin
Skincare/Makeup Salons and Spas
- Ocean Beauty Salon and Skin Care Clinic, Coconut Creek
- Petals Skin Spa, Melbourne
- Silvianas European Day Spa, Coconut Grove
- Fringe Salon and Skincare Studio, Pace
- Cameo’s Salon and Spa, Ocala
- Salon 720, Celebration
- Becca & Company Salon, Destin
Cosmetic Manufacturers
- Radical Cosmetics, Lake Worth
- Cosmetic Solutions, LLC, Boca Raton
- Chelly Cosmetics Manufacturing Inc., Miami
- Audrey Morris Cosmetics, Pompano Beach
- B&R Products, Cutler Bay
- Active Cosmetics Manufacturing, Orlando