Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your unique skills and artistic flair can be a daunting challenge for any makeup artist. By utilizing our comprehensive guide, you will discover strategies and tips to create a standout CV that perfectly highlights your expertise and appeals to prospective employers.
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Structuring your makeup artist CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your makeup artist CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a makeup artist CV
- Personal Statement demonstrates individual style and philosophy in makeup artistry, capturing the recruiter’s interest.
- Professional Experience showcases actual work history, emphasising diversity and expertise in makeup services.
- Education & Qualifications highlight formal training and certifications relevant to makeup artistry and beauty industry standards.
- Portfolio of Work provides a visual representation of skills and creativity, which is crucial for a makeup artist role.
- Key Skills & Techniques section indicates mastery of specific makeup applications and familiarity with various tools and products.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your creativity by including a portfolio link or QR code directly on your CV, showcasing your best makeup artistry across various styles and projects.
- Detail your experience with different makeup products and techniques, emphasising any specialty areas like prosthetics, airbrushing, or period makeup.
- Include any relevant certifications or education in cosmetology or makeup artistry, emphasising your commitment to professional development in the field.
- Mention your experience working in different settings, such as photoshoots, television, film, theatre, or bridal, to demonstrate your versatility and ability to adapt to various clients' needs.
- List any notable clients, productions, or publications you've worked with to establish your reputation and expertise within the industry.
Recommended reads:
What information should you include in your makeup artist CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their makeup artist CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for makeup artist:
- Senior Makeup Artist | Bridal & Editorial Specialist | NVQ Level 4 | 10+ Years Experience
- Creative Lead Makeup Artist | Fashion Shows & Photography | BTEC Diploma | 7 Years’ Expertise
- Junior Beauty Technician | TV & Film Makeup | Level 2 Certificate | Passion for SFX
- Expert Makeup Consultant | Celebrity Clients | Advanced Makeup Artistry Certificate | 15 Years in Industry
- Professional Makeup Designer | Theatrical & Opera Makeup | BA (Hons) | 5 Years Professional Practice
- Skincare & Makeup Innovator | Vegan Beauty Advocate | ITEC Certified | 3+ Years Experience
Choosing your opening statement: a makeup artist CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a makeup artist job:
- With over 10 years of dedicated experience in high-end fashion and bridal makeup artistry, I have mastered the art of transformative beauty techniques and developed a robust clientele through exceptional service and artistry. Notable career highlights include head makeup artist for London Fashion Week and personal makeup consultant for several celebrity photo shoots.
- Seasoned professional photographer transitioning into the world of makeup artistry, bringing a unique perspective that integrates visual composition and styling. Having worked extensively in fashion editorial shoots for 5 years, I possess an acute understanding of colour theory and facial aesthetics, culminating in a newfound passion for cosmetic creativity.
- Accomplished graphic designer with 7 years' experience, seeking to apply my creative flair and keen eye for detail to makeup artistry. My background in digital design has equipped me with a deep understanding of colour, texture, and symmetry, all of which are transferable skills that will enhance my makeup application expertise.
- Eagerly anticipating the opportunity to begin a career as a professional makeup artist, I am committed to leveraging my 2 years of self-taught proficiency in makeup application and my enthusiasm for the beauty industry to create personalized and captivating looks for a diverse clientele.
- Having recently completed a comprehensive course in professional makeup artistry, my objective is to apply the techniques of beauty and special effects makeup I have learned to craft unique visual stories. With zero formal industry experience but a portfolio that illustrates a natural talent for cosmetic application and design, I am ready to embark on a professional journey in makeup artistry.
- Passionate about fashion and beauty, I seek to start my career in makeup artistry following a structured apprenticeship. With a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, I bring a strong foundation in creative expression and design principles, coupled with my excitement for learning the nuances of professional makeup application from seasoned artists.
The best formula for your makeup artist CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Provided bespoke bridal makeup services for over 50 weddings, creating unique looks as per the client's vision while ensuring longevity and comfort throughout the event.
- Collaborated with photographers and stylists on fashion editorial shoots, contributing to concept development and executing makeup looks that complemented the overall theme of the project.
- Managed makeup artistry for theatre productions with casts of up to 25 actors, designing and applying both character-specific and period-accurate makeup while working under tight performance deadlines.
- Conducted one-on-one makeup consultations and tutorials, educating clients on skin care, product selection, and application techniques tailored to their individual features and preferences.
- Led a team of junior makeup artists at a busy city-centre salon, overseeing scheduling, quality of work, and client satisfaction, resulting in a 20% increase in repeat business.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and advancements, regularly attending workshops and integrating new technology such as airbrushing for a flawless finish.
- Established and nurtured relationships with suppliers, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality products while negotiating better pricing to manage costs effectively.
- Developed a comprehensive portfolio showcasing a wide range of makeup styles, successfully utilising it to secure contracts with local television stations for on-air talent.
- Built and maintained an active social media presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, demonstrating makeup techniques and engaging with a combined following of over 10,000 fans and potential clients.
- Spearheaded makeup design for high-profile weddings, consistently receiving a 5-star client satisfaction rating across 50+ events.
- Collaborated with fashion designers to create inspired looks for fashion week shows, achieving media recognition for originality and technique.
- Designed and conducted makeup workshops, increasing customer engagement by 40% and contributing to a rise in product sales by 35%.
- Managed a team of 5 makeup artists, driving professionalism and skill development, which resulted in a 30% increase in repeat client bookings.
- Established a strong client base, including local celebrities, enhancing the prestige and market position of the studio.
- Implemented a stock management system for makeup supplies, reducing waste by 25% and optimising budget use.
- Executed makeup for editorial photoshoots featured in leading fashion magazines, directly contributing to the magazines' increased circulation by 20%.
- Coordinated with photographers and stylists to ensure seamless aesthetic alignment, thereby enhancing brand consistency.
- Curated a vlog series on makeup trends, amassing over 100k subscribers and solidifying the studio's online presence.
- Pioneered the development of an eco-friendly makeup line, responding to market trends, which captured a 15% market share within the first year.
- Provided makeup services for TV personalities, often under tight deadlines, whilst upholding high standards of work.
- Orchestrated a creative team during film shoots, ensuring continuity and character integrity, recognised by the director for precision and efficiency.
- Crafted unique SPFX makeup for indie horror films, seeing a viewership increase of 40% for the studio's productions.
- Conducted in-depth research and material sourcing to create realistic prosthetics, consistently staying within budget constraints.
- Streamlined the makeup department's workflow, reducing makeup application time by 25% without compromising quality.
- Crafted bespoke makeup looks for high-end advertising campaigns, contributing to campaigns' successes, with a 50% increase in consumer engagement.
- Served as a personal makeup artist for a leading recording artist on an international tour, praised for creative versatility and speed.
- Launched a limited-edition makeup line in collaboration with a major brand, which sold out within the first month of release.
- Developed curriculum for a makeup artistry certification program, successfully certifying over 200 students, many of whom secured employment in the industry.
- Led a digital transformation project for the academy's portfolio, resulting in a 60% increase in online engagement.
- Orchestrated makeup for large scale theatrical productions, earning positive reviews for artistic direction and team leadership.
- Expertly crafted digital content for a virtual makeup application platform, driving user downloads by over 500,000 within six months.
- Advised on the integration of AR technology for virtual try-ons in a mobile app, resulting in a 40% increase in user engagement.
- Designed makeup for avatars in a top-grossing mobile game, attracting partnerships with influential makeup brands due to the game's popularity.
How to ensure your makeup artist CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your makeup artist CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your makeup artist CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your makeup artist CV:
Cosmetic Product Knowledge
Colour Theory
Facial Analysis
Skin Care Expertise
Makeup Application
Hairstyling
Airbrush Techniques
Special Effects Makeup
Photography Makeup
Fashion Makeup
Creativity
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Customer Service
Communication
Adaptability
Patience
Stress Management
Problem-Solving
Teamwork
PRO TIP
If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Listing your university education and certificates on your makeup artist CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
Impressing recruiters with your experience, skill set, and values starts with your professional makeup artist CV. Write concisely and always aim to answer job requirements with what you've achieved; furthermore:
- Select a simple design that complements your experience and ensures your profile is presentable;
- Include an opening statement that either spotlights your key achievements (summary) or showcases your career ambitions (objective);
- Curate your experience bullets, so that each one commences with a strong, action verb and is followed up by your skill and accomplishment;
- List your hard and soft skills all across different sections of your CV to ensure your application meets the requirements;
- Dedicate space to your relevant higher education diplomas and your certificates to show recruiters you have the necessary industry background.
