11 Makeup Artist Resume Examples for 2024

Crafting your resume as a makeup artist calls for a blend of personal flair and professional precision. This article provides resume samples that have caught the eye of industry pros, complete with tips to shape your own experience and skills into a strong job application. Whether you're fresh to the field or looking to brush up your profile, you'll find essential guidance tailored for the unique demands of makeup artistry.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the top resumes for makeup artists.

  • Quantifying Your Impact: Strong resumes show your impact with numbers. Include clients served per day with clients served, hours saved through efficient techniques with hours saved, percentage of return customers with customer retention rate, and products sales increased with sales growth.

  • Matching Skills With Job Descriptions: You should include skills you have that are also in the job description. Add skills like airbrushing techniques, special effects makeup, color theory knowledge, high-definition makeup, and makeup artistry certification if you have them and they're mentioned.

  • Understanding Industry Trends: Keep up with makeup trends and product innovations. On your resume, phrases like follows industry trends or knowledge of new products show that you're current in your field.

Get feedback on your resume

Want to know if your makeup artist resume stands out? Our resume scoring tool gives you a clear picture of how your application looks to employers. It checks for key elements that hiring managers in the beauty industry look for.

Upload your resume now. You'll get a quick, unbiased assessment of its strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback can help you create a resume that gets noticed in the competitive world of professional makeup artistry.

...
Drop your resume here or choose a file.
English resumes in PDF or DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
   100% privacyWe're committed to your privacy. Your resume will be scanned securely to give you confidential feedback instantly. Your resume is completely private to you and can be deleted at any time.

Organizing your education section

As a makeup artist, your education and training are keys to success. If you are new to the industry or have recently finished a makeup artistry course, highlight your education at the top of your resume. This will show your dedication and latest knowledge in the field. Include the name of the institution, the type of course or certification, and the completion date. For more experienced artists, feature your work experience first, but keep your education details clear and concise on the page.

Always make sure your most relevant training for the role you are applying for is easy to find. If you have attended specialized workshops or seminars, include these to showcase a broad skill set.

Showcasing soft skills and personality

Soft skills are vital for makeup artists. Your resume should reflect your ability to work well with clients and teams. Include achievements or roles where you have demonstrated good communication and customer service. This can help show that you are personable and professional.

Also, use your resume to express your creativity. Mention any times you have contributed unique ideas or styles in previous jobs. A good makeup artist needs to be both creative and technical, so displaying this balance is crucial.

Ideal resume length

Keep your resume to one page, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience in makeup artistry. This length makes it easy for hiring managers to review your qualifications quickly. Use a clear template that presents your information in a neat way.

For those with a longer career, focus on the most relevant and recent jobs. This will help keep your resume within two pages. Remember to avoid including outdated education or irrelevant work experiences that don't support your current career goals.

Highlighting relevant experience

In the makeup industry, practical experience is very important. Include photos or links to a portfolio of your work. This gives employers a clear idea of your style and technique. List your most impressive jobs first, such as work on film sets or fashion shows, to grab attention right away.

Detail any unique makeup skills you have, like special effects or airbrushing, as these are valuable in the field. Also mention any experience with diverse skin types and tones, as this is crucial for a makeup artist.

Optimize for applicant tracking systems

When you apply for a job as a makeup artist, your resume might first be read by a computer program called an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a person sees it. To get through this first step, make sure your resume can be easily read by these systems.

  • Use standard headings like 'Work Experience' and 'Education' to help the ATS understand your resume.
  • Include keywords from the job description such as 'cosmetic techniques' and 'customer service' that are relevant to makeup artistry. This helps the ATS see that your skills match the job.

Personalize your resume

To stand out as a makeup artist, tailor your resume to show how your skills match the job. Focus on relevant experience, creativity, and customer service to catch a hiring manager's eye. Show them you're the right person for their team.

  • Highlight makeup techniques you've mastered and products you've used, like airbrushing or HD makeup.
  • Showcase your leadership by sharing events or projects you've led, such as managing a makeup team for a theater production.
  • If you're coming from a different career, link past job skills, like customer service or sales experience, to makeup artistry tasks.

Highlighting your makeup skills

When you're applying for a job as a makeup artist, it is important to show your range of technical skills. Think about the skills you use every day and list them clearly. Here's a guide to help you.

  • Color theory: Understand how to pick the right shades for different skin tones.
  • Contouring and highlighting: Show you can sculpt and define features.
  • Blending techniques: Demonstrate your ability to create flawless transitions.
  • Special effects makeup: If this is your area, highlight your ability to create looks for different themes or characters.
  • Knowledge of skin types: Know what products work best for various skin conditions.
  • Brow shaping: Ability to enhance natural brows or create a specific shape.
  • Airbrushing: If applicable, show your skill in this sophisticated makeup application.
  • Sanitation and hygiene practices: Crucial for customer safety and trust.
  • Product knowledge: Be specific about the brands and types of makeup you are experienced with.
  • Photography makeup: If relevant, include your skill in preparing clients for photo shoots.

You don't need to include every skill, but choose those that best match the job you want. Put your skills in a dedicated section of your resume. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which many employers use to scan resumes. If you have certifications or have taken courses in any of these areas, make sure to include them as well. Remember, a good resume shows what you can do and how you can contribute to a potential employer.

Show success with numbers

Using numbers to show your impact as a makeup artist can make your resume stronger. It shows hiring managers the value you bring. Common metrics in this field include client satisfaction rates, repeat customer rates, and event or session completion times.

Think about how you can estimate these numbers from your experience:

  • Estimate the number of clients you served each month. Were most of them happy with your work? You can say something like, "Achieved a 95% client satisfaction rate based on feedback from monthly surveys."
  • Consider how many clients came back for more services. You might write, "Maintained a 70% repeat customer rate over 12 months."
  • Reflect on how quickly you complete your work. For example, "Reduced average makeup session time by 15% while ensuring high quality."

Numbers show that you know how to meet goals and improve. Think about your achievements and find ways to measure them.

Highlighting leadership in makeup artistry

When you apply for a makeup artist position, showing your growth and leadership skills can be as important as showcasing your creative talent. If you've ever taken charge of a project or been promoted, make sure to highlight this on your resume.

Think about times when you were responsible for leading a team or project. This could be during a fashion show, a photoshoot, or even while working at a cosmetics counter. Did you train new artists? Did you manage a team for a special event? These are both good examples of leadership.

  • Managed a team of makeup artists for a local fashion week, coordinating looks and schedules.
  • Trained five new artists in bridal makeup techniques, improving the service quality of the salon.

If you received a promotion, it's a clear sign of trust from your employer. Include any titles you've held that show you moved up, like 'senior makeup artist' or 'team lead'. Remember, the goal is to show that you can take on responsibility and succeed.

Tailoring your resume for company size

When you're applying as a makeup artist, think about the size of the company. For large companies like Sephora or M.A.C., focus on your ability to work with diverse clients and handle high-volume appointments. You might say, 'Skilled at creating personalized looks for a wide range of clients in a fast-paced retail environment.'

At small companies or startups, your role might be more varied. Show you're flexible and can take on multiple tasks. Mention any experience with social media or creating content, as smaller brands often need artists who can promote their work online. For example, 'Experienced in providing exceptional client service and engaging with audiences on social media platforms.'

Need more resume templates?

Quick links

Samples


Insights

Today only: Get a free resume critique from an expert. Find out what hiring managers think of your resume.