The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions projects that jobs within the personal care industry will grow by more than 30 percent from 2010 through 2020. This includes jobs for makeup artists, who are licensed as estheticians in New Mexico.
Professional makeup artists are not limited to one industry, however. New Mexico’s makeup artists find work in many other settings and locations, such as the film industry, resorts and medical spas. Health care jobs, in which medical estheticians can be found, are projected to increase by more than 21 percent during this ten-year period. And this doesn’t even include the salon, bridal, theatrical and film industries in which most makeup artists work.
Regardless of your eventual career aspirations, this is a great time to pursue the necessary education if you’ve been considering becoming a makeup artist in New Mexico.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in New Mexico
New Mexico Administrative Code spells out the requirements you must fulfill to become a makeup artist in the state. The New Mexico Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists recognizes two types of licenses for makeup artists in the state: estheticians and permanent makeup technicians:
Estheticians – Under New Mexico state law, licensed estheticians in New Mexico may perform only prescribed duties:
- Removing unwanted hair by any means except electrolysis or invasive technology
- Tinting eyelashes and eyebrows
- Applying makeup and other cosmetics
- Using facial machines in performing facials
- Using high frequency and light therapy in performing facials
- Using manipulation and massage via hands or machines
- Using cosmetics on the skin to cleanse and stimulate
Permanent Makeup Artist Technicians – Permanent makeup technicians are only permitted to practice the application (tattooing) of permanent makeup under strict guidelines. Procedures may include eyeliner/eyelash enhancer, lip color, lip liner and eyebrow simulation.
Makeup Artists Schools in New Mexico
Prospective makeup artists in New Mexico must complete 600 hours of esthetics training at a Board-approved school to qualify for an esthetician’s license.
Board-approved esthetics programs may be found in:
- Albuquerque
- Roswell
- Las Cruces
- Alamogordo
- Santa Fe
Instruction that you will receive in your esthetics training must, by law, include:
- 75 hours of theory courses
- 75 hours of sterilization, bacteriology and sanitation courses
- 350 hours of facials
- 50 hours of salon business and retail sales courses
- 50 hours of miscellaneous courses
- Electricity/machines
- Chemistry (skin care)
- Superfluous hair removal
- Structure/functions of skin
- Anatomy, nutrition and physiology
- Bacteriology, sterilization and sanitation
- Professionalism, health and safety
- State laws, regulations and rules
Permanent makeup technicians must complete 100 hours of training in eyebrow simulation, lip liner, lip color and eyelash/eyeliner enhancer techniques and procedures.
Licensing of Makeup Artists in New Mexico
Both permanent makeup technicians and estheticians in New Mexico must pass examinations after completing their education before licensure can occur. These consist of a written, practical and jurisprudence exam.
You can consult with your makeup artist school to find out what the exam(s) for Permanent Makeup Technicians entail.
Estheticians in New Mexico must pass the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology Written and Practical Exams. These are administered through Professional Credential Services, Inc.
The Practical Exam will test your knowledge of:
- Core domain services:
- Facial makeup
- Facial mask
- Hair removal (eyebrows)
- Manual extraction (forehead)
- Face massage
- Cleansing and steaming face
- Set up/client protection
- Mannequins – you must bring your own to the exam, along with a supply kit
The Written (Theory) Exam will test your knowledge of:
- Scientific concepts
- Skin services and care
The Jurisprudence Exam is on New Mexico state laws, rules and regulations relating to esthetics. You may download it when you are ready to take it.
Once all three exams are passed, you will be issued an esthetician license, which allows you to legally work in New Mexico. Licenses are valid for one year, and continuing education is not required unless you wish to become an instructor.
You may wish to establish a booth in which you can practice on a freelance basis. Use the Board’s Booth Establishment Application to do so. To establish a salon or shop of your own, use the Establishment Application.
Jobs for Makeup Artists in New Mexico
Congratulations! Your hard work has paid off and you are now a licensed makeup artist in New Mexico! There are many different industries in which you may choose to pursue jobs, including personal care (the traditional salons and spas), medical esthetics, resorts, and film/television production.
Some of New Mexico’s top employers within these industries include:
Personal Care and Salons
- Gold Elements- Albuquerque
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. – Santa Fe and Albuquerque
- Sonja’s Skin Salon – Taos
- Advanced Skin, Hair and Body – Las Vegas
- Brittney’s Skin Care Studio- Rio Rancho
Medical Esthetics
- SkinMedica- Albuquerque
- Mary Ann’s Medical Esthetics & Spa- Santa Fe
- Aesthetic Boutique Medspa, LLC- Albuquerque
- Oak Street Clinic- Albuquerque
- Eden Medispa- Santa Fe
Resorts
- Sandia Resort and Casino – Albuquerque
- Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs- Santa Fe
- El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa – Taos
- Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa- Santa Ana Pueblo
- Ten Thousand Waves- Santa Fe
Film and Television Production
- Vahlsing, Inc. – Albuquerque
- Binary Studios- Santa Fe
- Tasty Dirt Productions- Deming
- Burrage Productions, LLC – Mesilla Park
- Slant Productions- Albuquerque