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The enormous popularity of the complete-makeover television shows has given rise to a new revered status for makeup artists. They are key to turning a tired or insipid face into a vibrant and more youthful look. One needs only to observe the drastic change in the makeup of newscasters to be aware of the importance of the new look. The ladies who relay the daily news now appear as if they are ready to step out of the studio into a party. Smooth, flawless skin can be created by the brushes and the artistic eye of these magicians. I was recently mesmerized by the transformation of an already very attractive talk-show hostess into an absolutely glowing golden appearance. She is a big proponent of the makeover and has single-handedly made the public aware of the artistry of makeup. The makeup artist learns his or her trade one face at a time. Many products are used on each face, but it is how they are combined that creates the final portrait. A trace amount of multiple textures and hues is required, and the wizardry of the makeup artist is well renowned. Balance is everything.
Like the hair colorist, you will have to develop visual acuity and comprehend mixes with subtle yet different tones. In bygone days, the fair of face really had little competition, but today, the makeup artist is enhancing those less fortunate faces with corrective color, shading, and thus new presentability.
The pay scale for the aesthetician is notoriously high. This is the luxury end of the cosmetology world. Everyone needs to have their hair groomed and some, perhaps because of their jobs, are forced to keep coloring it to present a younger image. But professionally applied makeup is prohibitively expensive and thus remains an extremely high-salaried position. Lavish weddings, modeling shows, movies, and video productions hire the makeup artist. The locations are always changing, unless you work for a makeup company, and even then you are often moved from store to store. The very finest makeup artist hired by the cosmetic company could land a position in a high-end boutique, where you would find yourself applying your artistry to clients who are expected to make serious purchases from the myriad of products used. As Americans, we are starting to become aware of facial treatments to keep our skin younger and healthier. We used to be consumed with the idea of makeup only, but the preparation of the skin itself has become very much a part of the aesthetician's goal.
Facial treatments also are quite expensive, so if you should decide to enter this area of cosmetology, your salary would be quite high. Some cosmeticians combine the two services and will do the preliminary cleansing to prepare the face and then apply the makeup to complete the procedure. It would depend on the size of the salon where you would be employed as to the feasibility of such a position. The cost of facial treatments is, unfortunately, prohibitive for the mainstream to take advantage of. So if you opt to work in this category, you are quite well guaranteed of luxurious surroundings and of a compensatory salary. Most women and men who avail themselves of facial treatments and massages do so on a rather sporadic schedule, say once a month.
Makeup artists can enhance your color, hide scars and discolorations, give you expressive eyes, correct imbalances through illusions created, and transform you into an unrecognizable being. This end of aesthetics is the fashion arena of ever-changing looks. The creative challenge is always present. Makeup artists are so highly paid for their skilled work that they are hired per hour rather than per day. The best areas with the highest demand for really great makeup artists are New York City and Los Angeles. Being a makeup artist means that you will have to be a trendsetter, as the world of cosmetics at that level is always desirous of the "new" and more daring. Sometimes the person being made up needs to look very old, sick, ghoulish, angelic, innocent, romantic, or weathered. Your job would be the challenge of any or all of these effects manifested through pencils, brushes, and colors.