There are a number of highly diverse opportunities for aspiring makeup artists in West Virginia to consider – from the salon industry and cosmetic sales to media production companies and theatre groups.
West Virginia’s burgeoning bridal services industry allows you to offer makeup services as part of bridal packages, including makeup for the wedding day and bridesmaid makeup services. Another option that you can pursue is to specialize your own personal makeup artist practice in the world of freelance bridal makeup artistry.
From the luxury salons of Morgantown, to the theater troupes of Parkersburg, to cosmetics retailers in Charleston, an education in makeup artistry will allow you to enjoy a career that rewards your appreciation for esthetic beauty and your eye for detail.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in West Virginia
Becoming a makeup artist in West Virginia starts by earning an esthetician or cosmetologist license through the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists:
- If you pursue licensure as an aesthetician, your school must provide 600 clock hours of education
- If you pursue licensure as a cosmetologist, your school must provide 1,800 clock hours of education
The Board has compiled a list of nearly twenty approved schools that you can attend in West Virginia.
When beginning makeup artist school in West Virginia, you must submit a Student Registration Form, including a $25 fee and a passport sized recent photograph of yourself.
Your program will cover the following topics shown here with clock hour requirements:
Aesthetician School Programs in West Virginia
- General Professional Information – 100 theory hours
- The Science of Aesthetics – 117 theory hours, 50 practical hours
- Skin Sciences – 40 theory hours, 90 practical hours
- General Aesthetics – 36 theory hours, 167 practical hours
Cosmetologist School Programs in West Virginia
- General Professional Information – 100 theory hours
- The Science of Aesthetics – 200 theory hours, 50 practical hours
- Professional Cosmetology – 50 theory hours, 400 practical hours
- Chemicals – 100 theory hours, 100 practical hours
- The Science of Aesthetics – 117 theory hours, 50 practical hours
- Skin Sciences – 40 theory hours, 90 practical hours
- General Aesthetics – 36 theory hours, 167 practical hours
- The Sciences Nail Technology – 64 theory hours, 10 practical hours
- Basic Procedures – 12 theory hours, 80 practical hours
- The Art of Nail Technology – 21 theory hours, 113 practical hours
The training regimen for aestheticians and cosmetologists both extend beyond the realm of makeup application, helping you develop skills that will serve as a valuable supplement to your makeup artistry skills.
After completing your education, you must pass your licensure examination. Examinations are proctored by DL Roope Administrations Inc., a third-party testing service. There is a written, practical, and a West Virginia State Law portion of the exam. A minimum score of 70% is required on each section to pass each examination.
Once you have passed examination, you must submit an application for initial licensure to the Board. This application must include:
- $35 license fee
- Transcripts and proof of graduation from your beauty school
- High school diploma or GED equivalency certificate
- Passport sized photo
- Copy of I.D.
- Copy of your social security card
Beginning your Career as a Makeup Artist in West Virginia
There are a variety of careers that you can pursue as a makeup artist in West Virginia, all of which explore different aspects of makeup artistry:
As a bridal makeup artist, you will have the opportunity to help make wedding days perfect by helping the bride and her bridesmaids look their absolute best. Some salons and spas offer wedding makeup services, while other makeup artists offer bridal makeup services exclusively. Some excellent examples of bridal makeup artists in West Virginia are:
- Amy N. McCoy Makeup Artistry – Parkersburg, WV
- Lauren Magruder Makeup Artistry – Parkersburg, WV
- Kiss and Makeup – Charleston, WV
If you are more interested in the entertainment side of makeup artistry, West Virginia has a number of options for you to pursue, both in film and theatrical production:
The Theatre West Virginia has been putting on performances for more than 50 years and the Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg has been doing it even longer – since 1926.
Working as a makeup artist on a film production will require you to have flexible hours, swathes of creativity, and the ability to work in high-pressure situations. Some of the production companies that have done work in West Virginia include:
- Colombia Pictures
- Universal Pictures
- Evergreen Films
- Lionsgate
- Paramount Pictures
Many makeup artists value creativity and flexibility in their work, so they choose to work as freelance makeup artists. Working freelance will allow you the utmost control over your career, including hours, clients, and the type of makeup artistry you wish to practice. Freelance work can be the perfect option for the free spirit who wants to explore as many makeup artist career opportunities as possible.