The state of Mississippi expects a tremendous increase in opportunities in the next decade for skincare specialists working as makeup artists. Between 2010 and 2020, job opportunities are expected to increase by a remarkable 33.3 percent, according to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. The most growth will be seen in Mississippi’s larger cities, including Jackson, Biloxi, West Gulfport, Hattiesburg and Gulfport.
This is great news if you enjoy skincare and makeup, and are looking for a stable career in Mississippi’s beauty and wellness industry. Achieving such a goal is easily attainable if you work hard and complete the requirements.
One of the most renowned fashion icons to emerge from Mississippi is Billy Brasfield, known better as Billy B. Aberdeen’s own Billy B has received acclaim for creating Lady Gaga’s signature looks, and for his work on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” He recently launched his own line of makeup brushes, Billy B Beauty Paintbrushes, and has also worked as a consultant for L’Oreal.
He tells young wanna-be makeup artists in Mississippi to follow their talents and passions, and he also credits social media for helping develop him into a “star” in his own right.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Mississippi
In order to work as a makeup artist in Mississippi, you must become a licensed esthetician by meeting requirements put in place by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology (MSBC).
Makeup Artist Schools in Mississippi
If you want to become a makeup artist in Mississippi, the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology requires that you complete at least 600 hours of esthetics training at an accredited, MSBC-approved school. At least 100 hours of this training must e in theory, and the remainder (500) must be in practicing esthetics skills.
Esthetics schools that are approved by the MSBC are found within the following Mississippi cities and towns:
- Ocean Springs
- Ridgeland
- Jackson
- Clinton
- Meridian
- Tupelo
- Aberdeen
Classes that you can expect to take in your 600- hour esthetics training program as required by the MSBC include:
- Theory courses:
- Theory demonstration classes
- State cosmetology law, regulations and rules
- Safety precautions
- Using and maintaining electrical machines and implements
- Hair removal
- Chemistry
- Physiology and anatomy of the skin
- Professional ethics
- Salesmanship
- Personal hygiene
- Disinfection and sanitation
- Practical skills:
- Conditions and treatment of the skin
- Safety precautions
- Salon management
- Salesmanship
- Eye beautification
- Hair removal
- Professional makeup
- Skin care – machine
- Skin care- manual
- Sanitation and disinfection
- Client consultation
An official from your esthetics program must complete the Esthetics Final Report to be submitted with your MSBC licensure application. This report will attest that you have completed the necessary coursework required by the MSBC.
Makeup Artist Licensure in Mississippi
When your esthetics training has been completed, you are ready to take the two-part Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology Exam. You must complete and submit the Examination Approval Form before sitting for either the Theory or Practical parts of the exam. Once the MSBC has approved you to take the exam, you may register with Professional Credential Services.
The MSBC examination will test knowledge that you have learned in your esthetics program. The written theory exam will test your knowledge of, among other subjects:
- Electricity
- Electrotherapy
- Makeup
- Hair removal
- Skin science
- Facials
- State laws, rules and regulations
- Safety
The practical portion of the MSBC exam will test your skills in:
- Applying and removing makeup
- Removing hair
- Applying and removing masques
- Manipulation
- Skin analysis
- Facials
- Infection control
- Safety
Once you have passed both parts of the Esthetician Exam, you should expect to receive your license via mail in six to eight weeks.
You may wish, at some point, to upgrade your license to a Master Esthetician. Becoming a Master Esthetician in Mississippi can help you advance in your career and earn higher wages. To do so, you must meet certain requirements:
- Hold an esthetician license for at least one year
- Complete 16 hours of MSBC-approved continuing education in the previous two year licensing period
- Complete and submit the Master License Application to the MSBC
If you earn your Master Esthetician License, you must complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain it.
Job Opportunities for Makeup Artists in Mississippi
Makeup artists in Mississippi have a wide variety of career opportunities available to them, as jobs in the field are expected to increase by more than 30 percent in the coming years.
In addition to the traditional salon/spa industry that many think of when the words “makeup artists” come to mind, licensed estheticians in Mississippi also work in many other exciting industries within the state. These include the recreation and amusement industry, medical esthetics, and retail sales.
Examples of employers of makeup artists in Mississippi in each of these industries include:
Spas and Salons
- Vitality Skin & Spa – Starkville
- Bella Derma – Columbus
- Massage Envy Spa- Jackson
- Epicure Day Spa- Oxford
- Mon Ami Spa- Jackson
Recreation and Amusement
- Boyd Gaming Corporation – Biloxi
- Silver Star Pearl River Resort – Philadelphia
- Harrah’s Tunica Bellissimo Spa- Tunica Resorts
- Senses Salon & Spa at IP Casino Resort- Biloxi
- Spa at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino- Biloxi
Medical Esthetics
- Dominic Hospital – Jackson
- Spring of Youth Medical Group – Ocean Springs
- The Runnels Center- Flowood
- Skin by MD- Jackson
- North Mississippi Medical Center Tupelo Wellness Center- Tupelo
Retail
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. – Southaven, Tupelo, Madison, D’Iberville and Flowood
- Revlon – Hattiesburg
- Allergan, Inc. – Jackson
- Dillard’s Cosmetics- Ridgeland
- Lancome- Jackson