As a makeup artist, you will have the opportunity to become part of a glamorous world that is often seen as unattainable. But the truth is, makeup artist job openings are on the rise throughout the country, and according to the Kentucky Department of Labor, Kentucky is no different. In the coming years, there is expected to be at least a 5% increase in the number of licensed beauty professionals working in the state, including makeup artists.
By becoming a makeup artist, you will have the opportunity to enter into many different fields, such as freelance makeup artistry, salon employment, cosmetics sales, or even entertainment and media as a theater troupe or production company makeup artist. All of these specific professions have their own merits and can help you push your career as far as you would like to take it.
Complete your Education and Apprenticeship for Licensure
According to the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists, makeup artistry falls within the parameters of both a cosmetologist and esthetician license. Either license will prepare you to become a makeup artist in Kentucky:
Cosmetology License
Kentucky is unique in that it requires cosmetologists to both attend cosmetology school and serve an apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. The full requirements for earning a cosmetologist license so as to become a makeup artist in Kentucky are as follows:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Provide the Board with your high school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
- Complete at least 1,800 hours of training and education from an approved cosmetology school
- After completing your training, you must apply for the apprentice licensure examination
- The examination fee is $75
- After completing your education, you must work as an apprentice cosmetologist for at least 6 months
- You must work under a licensed cosmetologist
- Your apprenticeship must last at least 6 months
- You must work an average of at least 20 hours a week
- Apply for the regular cosmetologist examination
- Include a $75 fee
- Include a 2×2 passport sized photograph
- Examinations are given every month besides July and August
As a cosmetologist, in addition to being instructed as a makeup artist, you will be trained in hair, nail, and skin care. These skills will supplement your makeup artistry training and allow you to work at a wider range of occupations if you so choose.
Esthetician License
Esthetician licensure requirements are not quite as stringent as those for cosmetologists. To earn an esthetician’s license you will be required to fulfill these requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
- Complete at least 1,000 hours of training and education from an approved esthetics or makeup artist school
- Pass a written and practical examination administered by the Board
- Include a 2×2 passport sized photograph
- Include a $125 application fee
- Examinations are given every month besides July and August
Beginning your Career and Maintaining Licensure
After becoming licensed as either a cosmetologist or esthetician, you will finally be able to start your career as a makeup artist. One of the most common first steps for a makeup artist career is to take a job as a cosmetics retailer or sales associate. Working for a cosmetology company will allow you to quickly become experienced selling makeup and working with all sorts of customers, while also gaining vital experience in makeup artistry. Aveda is one makeup company that frequently hires makeup professionals as sales associates throughout the state.
Another option that would combine interpersonal experience and makeup artistry is working for Bobbi Brown cosmetics at any of their locations throughout the state. Working for Bobbi Brown is an excellent opportunity to help instruct women on how to enhance their natural beauty through your cosmetic experience.
One of the unique opportunities that you may want to pursue as a makeup artist in Kentucky is at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. The festival is the oldest free Shakespeare festival in the country and will give you an experience working in entertainment and production that would be hard to come by in many other parts of the country.
While moving forward in your career, it is important that you remember to renew your license annually. All licenses are renewed between July 1st and 31st every year. The renewal fee for cosmetologists is $20, while the renewal fee for estheticians is $50.