While it may not be the kind of thing a city would want to be known for, in a recent poll Forbes magazine ranked Salt Lake City the most vain city in America. This playful poll was based on what residents spent on cosmetics and plastic surgery. This is the kind of bad press makeup artists are happy to hear about. Salons, day spas, and beauty parlors are among the biggest employers of makeup artists in Utah. You will find some of the state’s hottest places in hip locales like Salt Lake City’s Avenues and Sugar House districts, with additional boutiques and high-end establishments tucked in neighborhoods across the state.
Besides helping Utah’s residents look radiant and feel good about themselves, as a makeup artist you will also have the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the film industry – thanks to the Sundance Film Festival, held every year in Park City and Ogden.
Makeup artists are defined as professionals who provide any of these services:
- Application of esthetic procedures to a client’s head or face
- Arching or tinting eyebrows
- Applying extensions, tinting, or perming eyelashes
- Skin care procedures done to the head or face for cosmetic purposes
- Superfluous hair removal by means other than electrolysis
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Utah
Becoming a makeup artist in Utah starts with becoming licensed in either esthetics or cosmetology through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. You can decide which license to pursue based on the services you want to provide for your clients:
Basic Esthetician License
This license requires 600 hours of approved classes or 800 hours of an approved apprenticeship. An esthetician license allows you to offer all the services of a makeup artist, plus the following:
- Skin care procedures for cosmetic purposes that are performed on the neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet
- Cleansing, stimulating, manipulating, and exercising any of these areas of the body
- Limited chemical exfoliation
Cosmetologist License
This license requires the completion of 1,600 hours of approved classes or 2,500 hours of an approved apprenticeship. A cosmetologist license allows you to offer all the services of a makeup artist, plus the following:
- Any services associated with basic estheticians
- Any services associated with nail technicians
- Services associated with hair styling and hair cutting
Approved Schools and Apprenticeships
Whether you choose to pursue your education through a school or apprenticeship, the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing must recognize the makeup artist school you attend. You can find a list of approved cosmetology or esthetician schools and internship providers (instructors) by conducting a search under “Cosmetology” on the Division’s license verification webpage.
Doing this search will reveal there are numerous esthetician and cosmetology schools that have the proper recognition located in the following cities:
- Salt Lake City
- West Valley City
- Provo
- West Jordan
- Orem
- Sandy
- Ogden
- St George
- Layton
- Taylorsville
Once you have completed your education you will need to pass written and practical exams specific to the license you are pursuing.
Career Opportunities and Jobs for Makeup Artists in Utah
Becoming a makeup artist in Utah can lead to a career in everything from the salon and destination resort industry, to cosmetics sales and media production.
Salons, Spas and Beauty Parlors
Some of the most regarded establishments located in Utah include:
- Amara Day Spa Salon & Boutique in Orem
- Mark Anthony Salon and Day Spa in Springville
- Aura Hair & Body Studio in Salt Lake City
- Malstrom Salon in Salt lake City
- Salon Bela in Ogden
- Stewart Palmer Studio in Provo
Commercial Cosmetic Industry
As a makeup artist you may also find employment opportunities with well-known cosmetic companies located across Utah, including:
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance in Salt Lake City
- Splendor Beauty Emporium in Park City
- Nordstrom in Salt Lake City
- Bare Escentuals in Murray
- Glymed Plus in Provo
- Sherry K’s Salon in West Jordan
Utah Film Production Companies
In addition to the big Hollywood companies that shoot on-location in Utah, the state also has a number of locally-based film production companies. Makeup artistry is an essential part of television and film production, and you can inquire about opportunities with companies like:
- Avalanche Studios in Salt Lake City
- Dreams Film Studios in Salt Lake City
- Park City Film Studios
- Mirmont Pictures in Salt Lake City
Performing Arts in Utah
Theatre and ballet companies are reliant on makeup artists to make sure their performers look their best on stage. This field is a significant employer of makeup artists, and in Utah includes companies like:
- Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City
- Plan-B Theatre Company in Salt Lake City
- Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company in Salt Lake City
- Ballet West in Salt lake City
Utah: Supporting Events that Support Makeup Artists
Utah is also a great place to work as a makeup artist because the state supports many events that encourage business for makeup artists. Some of these events include:
- Utah Arts Festival
- Provo Fashion Week
- Sundance Film Festival
- Red Rock Film Festival
- Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival
- Utah Shakespeare Festival