Makeup artists can transform a person from plain to beautiful. In Michigan as well as in other states, makeup artists may be called upon to work with professional models or everyday clients. Their clientele includes top names in the fashion industry as well as ordinary working women looking to improve their appearance.
For example, makeup artist and Michigan native Tammy Pore works on a freelance basis, for clients including brides as well as famous people. She has worked with the Michigan Lottery, HGTV, Maxim and Glamour magazines, as well as on celebrities including Cheryl Burke and Tommy Lee.
Makeup artists tend to be concentrated in major cities, such as Detroit, Warren, Livonia, Troy, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Saginaw. The number of makeup artist jobs in Michigan is expected to increase by almost 14 percent through 2020.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Michigan
Becoming a makeup artist in Michigan begins with licensure as a limited cosmetologist/esthetician under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Once you have achieved licensure, you’re free to follow your career to wherever it takes you, from the salon and wedding industries, to performing arts and film production.
Makeup Artist Schools in Michigan
Under state law, Michigan’s makeup artists must meet minimum requirements before they may become licensed to work in the state. This includes being 17 years of age or older, completing at least the ninth grade, gaining training through an esthetician school or by working as an apprentice in a licensed cosmetology establishment, and passing two examinations.
If you choose the school route, you must complete at least 400 hours of esthetician training in a licensed school of cosmetology. Michigan licensed cosmetology schools that include an esthetics program are located in the following cities:
- Alpena
- Hudsonville
- Detroit (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Brighton
- Auburn
- Warren (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Flint (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Waterford (has 3 licensed esthetics programs)
- Royal Oak (has 3 licensed esthetics programs)
- Dearborn Heights(has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Ann Arbor (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- East Lansing
- Troy (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Clinton Township (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Spring Lake
- Grayling
- Bad Axe
- Grand Rapids
- Roscommon
- Livonia
- Ishpeming
- Marysville (has 2 licensed esthetics programs)
- Monroe
- Norton Shores
- Pontiac
- Ferndale
- Redford
- Standish
- Escanaba
- Port Huron
- Battle Creek
- Traverse City
- Holland
- Saint Joseph
- Petoskey
Classes that you can expect to take in a 400-hour esthetician education program in Michigan will teach you:
- Facial and skin care techniques
- Sanitation and client protection
- Anatomy and skin disorders
- Mechanical and electrical equipment and safety
- Temporary hair removal
- Chemistry
- Occupational safety and health
- Make up and artistic principles
- Administration and business
Should you decide upon the apprentice route in lieu of school, you must complete at least six months of an apprenticeship in a licensed cosmetology establishment. You must accrue 480 hours of practice time, pass two exams, and complete 120 additional hours of practice time before you will be allowed to work on the public as a licensed esthetician. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs must approve your apprentice program. If you are interested, complete the New Student and Apprentice Registration Application.
Achieving Makeup Artist Licensure in Michigan
Once you have completed your esthetician training, either in the form of formal education or an apprenticeship, you are ready to take the two examinations required by the Michigan board prior to licensure. These examinations, administered by PSI Exams, will test your knowledge of esthetician theory and practice. You may take the written theory esthetician exam at test centers in:
- Holt
- Marquette
- Gaylord
- Grand Rapids
- Southfield
Your esthetician training in Michigan should have you well prepared for the theory portion of the exam. It will test your knowledge of:
- Applied anatomy
- General concepts such as infection control and client protection
- Hair removal
- Skin treatments
- Makeup
- State laws and regulations
The practical esthetician exam is administered at test centers in:
- Southfield
- Grand Rapids
- Marquette
You must bring a pre-approved model who is at least 18 years old with you to the practical portion of the esthetician exam in Michigan. You will also be asked to bring your own supplies, a list of which may be found here. Your knowledge of these procedures will be tested:
- Skin cleansing
- Face steaming
- Face massaging
- Mask application and moisturizing
- Eyebrow services
- Disinfection
If you pass both parts of the esthetician exam, you will receive your esthetician license (limited cosmetology license) at the testing center that day, and can begin working immediately. You must renew your license every two years, but do not need to complete continuing education
Makeup Artist Jobs in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Labor projects that job opportunities for personal appearance workers, including makeup artists, will grow by 13.6 percent between 2010 and 2020. This is great news for those considering employment in the burgeoning personal appearance industry. There are other industries in which makeup artists in Michigan work, including video production, medical facilities, and retail sales.
Spas and Salons
- Salon Heat – Macomb
- Five Star Nails and Spa- Farmington Hills
- Gallery Collection Salon – Livonia
- Sola Salon Studios- Birmingham
- Aphrodite’s Secret – East Lansing
Video Production
- W. Scripps Company- Southfield
- Fox Television Stations- Detroit
- X-Rite Video Production – Grand Rapids
- Jacobs Technology – Warren
- Aisle Rocket Studios – Saint Joseph
Medical Facilities
- Dermatology at Midtowne – Grand Rapids
- Mirabella Med Spa – Schoolcraft
- Hospice of Michigan – Oakland, Gaylord
- Hummingbird Medical Spa- Rochester Hills
- David Fivenson, M.D. Dermatology – Ann Arbor
Retail
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance, Inc. – Royal Oak
- The Estee Lauder Companies – Novi, Grand Rapids
- Makeup Geek, LLC – Jackson
- Aveda Institute – Royal Oak
- gloProfessional – Grand Rapids