Job of a makeup artist for fashion
The main job of a makeup artist in fashion is to apply makeup and style hair on models for different fashion related settings. This doesn’t just refer to runways; it also refers to red carpets, photoshoots, as well as advertising.
Duties
Application of makeup and hair styling.
Working with other departments: stylists, designers, photographers. Sometimes hairstylists as well depending on the budget of the show/shoot but now in the industry it’s better if 1 person can do both.
Time management: runways and editorial shoots are very fast paced, often with multiple models.
Choosing the right products that work well on all skin types and skin tones, both for skin care and the makeup itself.
Creating and designing looks that fit the brief and what the creative director/ designer/ photographer wants.
Health and safety is important for any makeup jobs to protect the model’s skin and prevent the spread of infections- clean brushes, clean work area, products in date, etc.
Makeup artists for fashion need to adapt with different styles for lots of models, as well as adapting to any challenges on the day such as lighting or the weather if it’s an outdoor fashion event.
Makeup artists need to be knowledgeable of trends and how the industry is changing.
Precision is important for fashion so the look stands out whilst also being polished and cohesive.
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/fashion-makeup-artist
Workplace environment for fashion shows
According to a Fashion United article from 2015, there can be a team of ’50 hairdressers and 35 makeup artists’ working on a single fashion show. This depends on the size and budget of the show, but still gives a good idea of how busy a fashion show can be to that everything is perfect. Precision is extremely important as anything could go wrong and any minor mistake can affect the designer or brand’s career for years.
Sometimes fashion shows are sponsored by certain makeup brands, so only products from that brand should be used.
Makeup tests
Makeup tests are usually done a few days before the show where multiple looks are done on a model to decide on the look wanted for the show. These aren’t always done on professional models, usually an assistant that’s available, but it’s better to test on the model since they’ll have a better perspective if anything feels wrong to them. After the test, the key artist should take photos and list the products.
Salary
The average salary for a freelance makeup artist for fashion is between £18,000- £40,000 depending on the projects they’re involved in.
Other factors that affect pay for makeup artists are: location; education;
https://www.hollywoodmirrors.co.uk/blogs/news/makeup-artist-salary-guide
Editorial
Editorial refers to any makeup for print, including magazines, social media posts, album cover.
Fashion and editorial makeup artists
Pat McGrath
Dame Pat McGrath is one of the most well known makeup artists in the fashion industry. McGrath is widely known for her use of colour and innovative techniques, such as the glass skin from Maison Margiela’s 2024 artisanal show, where she mixed multiple face masks and airbrushed the mixture onto the models’ faces in layers to build up the shine. McGrath has worked with many magazines for editorials, such as Vogue, W, and Harpers Bazaar, as well as working for commercial campaigns, celebrities and catwalks, of which she is mostly known for. She gained her knowledge of makeup and fashion from her mother at an early age, who would look at old Hollywood films and look at how the makeup inspired trends after they were released. Her mother encouraged her to mix pigments from scratch to create the perfect colour, which would later be useful for her career in the 90s when the makeup available was more limited and artists like Pat McGrath had to be creative in how they used products.
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/aug/06/beauty-queen-how-pat-mcgrath-revolutionised-makeup
Peter Phillips
Peter Phillips is a Belgian fashion makeup artist and has been creative director for Dior Makeup since 2014, and was previously creative director for Chanel Cosmetics. Since becoming creative director for Dior Makeup, he has worked on all Dior runway shows. Phillips studied fashion design at Royal Academy Antwerp. He decided he wanted to pursue a career in makeup while working as a dresser for a fashion show and seeing the makeup artists backstage. He was very specific with who he worked with early on his career.
https://www.businessoffashion.com/people/peter-philips
Chiao Li Hsu
Chiao Li Hsu is a makeup artist and face painter mainly known for her editorial work, originally from China, but raised in the Netherlands but now based in London. She has worked on global editions of Vogue, Dazed, Beauty Papers, Re-edition, and W, as well as commercials for Marc Jacobs, H&M, Prada, Loewe, Balmain and Bryedo. Chiao Li Hsu was interested in makeup from childhood when she would draw makeup over magazines. In an article by models.com, she describes her style as ‘very minimalistic with just gorgeous skin’ with more creative elements. She took some classes at a makeup school to learn the basics, but is mostly self-taught.
https://artandcommerce.com/artists/chiao-li-hsu/
https://www.thepeacockmagazine.com/makeup-artist-chiao-li-hsWhat is the difference between fashion, editorial and commercial?