My Dream Job as a Makeup Artist

Recently, Primary 6 have had a World of work week. We had a speed networking morning. In total 14 people arrived. A fireman, Housing Officer, Studio Flowers and loads more! Parents came into the class and did a presentation about their career. Everyone we spoke to were committed and dedicated to their jobs.

When I grow up I’d like to be a Theatrical Makeup Artist as I am very creative and have an artistic flare. I’ve loved drawing since I was 5 and I still do! To be a Makeup artist, the skills and qualities you need are creativity, motivation, time-keeping, communication skills, a tactful manner and much more. The courses you do are, Special FX, Theatrical, Media and photography. It’s great that there’s a photography course as I also have an interest in photography too.

The tools and equipment you need to make fake, realistic stitches are, liquid latex, black thread, a blunt needle, a tissue, foundation, red, white, brown and black face/body paint and fake blood. Pour liquid latex on your finger and apply to skin in a rounded rectangular shape. Before dry, add a layer of tissue in the right shape and then add another layer of liquid latex. Once dry, blend it into your skin with foundation and your finger. With the front of your nail make a deep line in the middle and push out the edges to make it look like a cut. Next, thread a blunt needle through the latex like a normal stitch. Finally, add paint and fake blood to finish.

The qualifications you need to be a makeup artist are 5 National 3,4 or 5’s including Maths, English and Science plus 3 higher grades to do a degree in Media makeup.

The work experience while studying could be, amateur theatre, student film, theatre and photography projects, charity or student fashion shows and working with established makeup artists and photographers.

Theatrical makeup artistry is a very well paid job! If you worked a 10 hour day, 5 days a week you’d get £1,000 a week! (which is £200 a day )

What’s the point in a job anyway? You need a job to pay for food, bills, tax and more. It’s best to choose a job that you’ll enjoy as you will be stuck with it until you’re 60!

I will try my best in school and University to become a makeup artist as it’s a great interest of mine.

Emily Watson

P6