Makeup artists in Rhode Island work with celebrities, performing artists, not to mention clients preparing for events such as wedding parties. Once you have acquired the necessary education and skills you too could be working with the next big celebrity, artist, or simply your favorite clients at locations throughout the state.
The field of makeup artistry continues to offer an expanding base of clientele as well as a flexible work schedule. While earning a living that allows you to be free and independent, you may also have time to practice your craft at the state’s annual arts and film festivals.
To work as a makeup artist in Rhode Island you will need to become licensed by the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering in conjunction with the state’s Department of Health. Once you have earned this license you will be legally able to begin your new career as a makeup artist.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Rhode Island
To work as a makeup artist in Rhode Island you must hold either of the following licenses:
- Esthetician License
- Hairdresser/Cosmetologist License
To earn either of these licenses you will need to complete an approved education and pass two examinations.
Makeup Artist Education in Rhode Island
Whichever license you choose to pursue, the makeup artistry classes you take will have similar content:
- Methods and techniques of makeup application
- Eye shadow techniques of application
- Blush and rouge application
- Foundation makeup
- Corrective makeup
There are a number of academic programs located throughout Rhode Island that offer the requisite curriculum in esthetics or hairdressing/cosmetology. To be eligible for licensure by the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering, you must earn your education from a teacher who is licensed as an instructor in their field of expertise by the Department of Health. You can check your instructor’s status on the state’s Department of Health Licensee List by selecting “Cosmetology/Barbering” as the Profession or Facility type, and then choosing “Esthetician Instructor” or “Hairdresser/Cosmetologist] Instructor” as the License Type.
Once you have completed makeup artist school you can submit an Application for Licensure to the Rhode Island Board of Hairdressing and Barbering. For a detailed understanding of the licensing guidelines you can consult Rhode Island’s Cosmetology Rules and Regulations.
Unless you are licensed as a physician or tattoo artist, you are not permitted to apply permanent makeup in Rhode Island.
Esthetician License
To earn this license you will need to complete an esthetician course of education that is at least 600 hours in length. Then you must pass a practical and a written esthetician exam.
In addition to makeup artistry, with an esthetician license you can also offer the following services:
- Skin beautification and cleaning
- Skin stimulation and manipulation
- Treatment of skin problems such as clogged pores, oiliness, temporary capillary dilation, and dehydration
Hairdresser/Cosmetologist License
Because of the consolidation of cosmetology regulations in Rhode Island, the Hairdresser/Cosmetologist License may also be referred to as a Cosmetician License or simply a Hairdresser License.
To earn the hairdresser/cosmetologist license you will need to complete a hairdresser/cosmetology course of study that is at least 1,500 hours. Once you have completed this you will also need to pass hairdresser/cosmetologist practical and written examinations.
As a hairdresser/cosmetologist, in addition to working as a makeup artist you can also offer these services:
- Hair arrangement, dressing, curling, cutting, and coloring
- Nail manicures
- Removal of superfluous hair
- Application of tonics, antiseptics, lotions, oils, clays, or powders
- Cleansing, massaging, beautifying, or manipulating the neck, face, or arms
Working as a Makeup Artist in Rhode Island
As a makeup artist you may be interested in working in Rhode Island’s long-established film industry, as an event makeup artist serving wedding parties, or any number of film, theater and commercial production companies.
Rhode Island – A State that Attracts Makeup Artist Business
If Rhode Island was considered to be scenic enough for John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier’s wedding, it is no surprise that couples are still choosing the state’s natural and historic scenery to say, “I do.”
Weddings can make up a significant portion of your clientele, in addition to everyday clients who want you to work your magic. Once you have established your own reputation and built up a loyal following of customers, you may find yourself working in one of the state’s top salons and makeup boutiques, which include names like:
- MAW Beauty Hair and Makeup Studio in Lincoln
- Luminous Salon and Spa in Providence
- Christiaan Salon and Day Spa in Providence
- Blue Sky Spaworks in Warwick
- Shimmer Salon and Day Spa in East Greenwich
As a makeup artist you might also be more geared to look for employment in the arts. Makeup artists provide essential services for performance artists. In Rhode Island you can check for opportunities with troupes like:
- Trinity Repertory Company
- Festival Ballet Providence
- Ocean State Theatre Company in Warwick
You will also appreciate that Rhode Island continues to allocate resources to support the arts, which in turn support makeup artists.
- Each year the Rhode Island International Film Festival is held in Providence
- Each September the Pawtucket Arts Festival attracts a variety of artists from around the world
Film Industry and Broadcasting in Rhode Island
Since the 1956 release of High Society starring Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Grace Kelly, internationally known films have been set in the state’s scenic backdrops and historic cities. Rhode Island’s film repertoire includes:
- Amistad
- 1974 version of The Great Gatsby
- Dumb and Dumber
- True Lies
- Meet Joe Black starring
- There’s Something About Mary
- Dan in Real Life
- Almost Human
You can find several locally-based film production studios in Rhode Island:
- Animus Studios in East Providence
- Aloris Entertainment in Warwick
- The 989 Project in Cranston
- Rhode Island Multimedia in Smithfield
In addition to the state’s film industry, you may be interested in looking into makeup artist jobs with some of Rhode Island’s major television network production companies:
- NBC’s WJAR in Cranston
- CBS’s WPRI in Providence
- PBS’s WSBE in Providence
- Telemundo’s WRIW in Providence
- Fox’s WNAC in Providence