You need a makeup artist resume that stands out like Kendall Jenner in a Chik-Fil-A.
You’ve found it. But—
Why is it so hard to find good makeup artist jobs? The ones with low pressure, great clients, and pay you can actually live on?
Everybody writes the same kind of resume. After reading about 50, the salon manager wants to throw a dart.
To get noticed, you need a makeup resume that gets attention like Sir John B or Pat McGrath.
Here's a makeup artist resume template made with our online resume builder app.
One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three . With the same stuff.
Trying to figure out how to put makeup artist on a resume? Moving into another career from cosmetology? Try these guides:
Are you writing an artist resume? Let these guides put you in the picture:
1
What's the Best Format for a Makeup Artist Resume?
Should you care about makeup artist resume format?
Let’s put it this way:
Your resume for makeup artist jobs should scream, “I go above and beyond in everything I do!!!”
Don’t look like lipstick applied on a bumpy road.
Start with the reverse-chronological resume format . It puts your most recent eye-candy up front.
Keep it clean with the best resume fonts , big headings, and lots of white space.
Then save it as a PDF. A makeup artist resume PDF won’t go all trainwreck after you send it. Plus, PDFs are now machine readable.
Worried PDFs won’t fly? Check the job ad. It’ll say “no PDFs” if they’re off limits.
Pro Tip: Need to put makeup artist on a resume for another job? Check out the combination resume format . It’ll blend in your best transferable experience.
Which makeup resume format are recruiters most comfortable with? See our guide: Best Resume Format: How to Choose the One for You [+ Templates]
2
Makeup Artist Resume Summary or Resume Objective
What if a day spa made you read 100 makeup resumes?
You’d find a different day spa.
Guess what?
Hiring managers don’t like it either. They skim an endless pile of resumes and read the couple that look interesting.
So—make yours interesting.
How?
With a makeup artist resume objective or resume summary.
Which one depends how much experience you’ve got.
If you’ve got more brush-time than Dick Smith, use a makeup artist resume summary. It knocks ‘em dead with your impressive work history.
If your experience would fit in a day planner, write a resume objective . It shows the fire inside.
The secret?
Give life to either with measurable achievements.
These two makeup artist resume examples cut the crease.
Makeup Artist Resume Examples [Resume Summaries]
What’s ugly about the first of our makeup artist resume samples?
wrong Highly artistic makeup artist with 5 years of experience. Responsible for all makeup artist duties at HTD, including sales, makeup application, customer service, and training. Skilled in client assessment and product knowledge.
That's not busted, but it won’t haul in the interviews.
Instead, mimic the next of our makeup artist resume examples:
right Passionate makeup artist and licensed cosmetologist with 5+ years of experience and proven skills in sales and product knowledge. Seeking to double sales for Sheshedo Inc. At HTD, sold $5,000+ per week in products and became a regular makeup artist to the Montana Film Office. Trained 5 other makeup artists, one of whom was nominated for a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award.
That’s lit. The perfect mix of adjectives, license, experience, skills, and impressive things you did.
Is your experience au naturel? See the junior makeup artist resume examples below.
Two Entry-Level Makeup Artist Resume Objectives
Has your experience still not been depotted yet? Use a licensed or self-taught makeup artist resume objective.
That used to mean showing your thirst to be the best. This freelance makeup artist resume objectives does that:
wrong Enthusiastic makeup artist, skilled in makeup application, client assessment, product knowledge, and sales. Still looking for my first real-world position and hoping to be the best of the best.
That’s so cool! But what if the other applicants have that plus two years of experience?
Don’t sweat it. Check out the next of our resume for makeup artist entry-level examples:
right Energetic makeup artist and licensed cosmetologist with 11 regular clients and 2,500+ Instagram followers. Give out 10+ business cards a week to people who compliment my look. Fill in 2x per month at River Plains Salon.
That’s the beat down.
Pro Tip: Having trouble getting hired full time? Find a salon that’ll hire you—even as a fill-in. That’ll get your resume for makeup artist jobs noticed.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a professional resume template here for free
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder exactly how to make it better.
Which type of resume introduction is best for uneven career paths? See our guides:
Professional Resume Summary: 30 Examples of Statements [+How-To]
+20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips)
3
A Makeup Artist Job Description that Wins Interviews
Two problems that will make your phone stay silent.
The first? So little experience you probably think a foundation brush paints concrete.
The second? Enough bullet points to give King Kong a word-art tattoo.
Do this instead:
Start with your most recent makeup artist job.
Add 3-5 resume bullets that face tune your makeup consultant resume.
Look at the first of our professional makeup artist resume examples below.
Makeup Artist Resume Examples [Experience]
The first of these sample makeup artist resume experience sections kills it:
right The Hound’s Tooth Door Salon & Spa
Makeup Artist
2015–2018
Sold $5,000+ per week of proprietary products. Became a regular makeup artist of the Montana Film Office. Written up favorably in the Makeup + Me blog. Trained 4 makeup advisors. Performed 30+ client assessments and makeup applications per week.
That’s on fleek. The achievements and numbers will turn heads so fast the manager will need a Reiki treatment.
But mask those achievements, and:
wrong The Hound’s Tooth Door Salon & Spa
Makeup Artist
2015–2018
Responsible for all makeup artist duties and responsibilities. In charge of selling and upselling proprietary products. Performed regular client assessments and makeup applications. Responsible for training.
Yuck. Like dark lipliner with light lipstick.
But what if you have no experience at makeup artist jobs?
See our next beginner makeup artist resume examples.
How to Write a Resume for Makeup Artist with no Experience
So you don’t have experience for your resume for makeup artists?
Maybe you haven’t held makeup artist jobs. But—
I’ll bet a pound of caviar concealer you’ve got accomplishments .
Have you:
Done makeup for friends or family? Volunteered your makeup skills? Done makeup for a couple weddings? Filled in at a salon? Performed non makeup-artist jobs that use skills like product knowledge, customer service, sales, or good communication? Put pictures of your work on Instagram and gotten shares and likes?
You can use those to put ring lights on a weak resume for makeup artist jobs.
Our next self-taught makeup artist resume samples give a walkthrough.
Two Beginner Makeup Artist Resume Samples [No Experience]
The first of these two freelance makeup artist resume examples has overplucked eyebrows.
wrong Makeup Artist Experience: None yet, but I promise I’m talented and I’ll work really hard!
Other Experience:
Running a cash drawer Waitress
Eek. White lipstick.
So—add highlights to get this make up artist resume example:
right Makeup Artist Experience
2017–2018
Freelance makeup artist with 10+ regular clients. Gave out 10+ business cards per week to people who complimented my look. Filled in as makeup artist at River Plains Salon 2x per month. Handled makeup for 3 weddings for bride and all bridesmaids with overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Gorgeous.
Pro Tip: Always look like a makeup artist. Create some business cards and give one to anyone who compliments your look. You’ll build experience for your resume for makeup artist jobs.
Don’t make the salon manager pass out in the shampoo bowl. Beautify your makeup artist manager with action words instead. See our guide: 240 Resume Action Words & Power Words to Make Your Resume Shine
4
Is Your Education Section Running? It Might Be
It’s makeup, not rocket science. You don’t need education on a makeup artist resume. Right?
Dead wrong.
Every resume needs education.
You can use the space to make the hiring manager say, “Wow,” or make her yawn.
Start with:
School Name and Location Years in School Degree
Then match your education to the job ad like the right foundation.
The next makeup artist resume examples show how:
Makeup Artist Resume Examples [Education]
Both these makeup artist resume samples are for a job that needs skills in bookkeeping, makeup application, and working with people.
right Cosmetology Program, Bitterroot School of Cosmetology
2013–2015
Excelled in sales and bookkeeping coursework. Pursued a passion for client assessment and makeup application. Commended by 2 professors on interpersonal skills.
That’s no generic facepainter. It’s a proto-Hrush Achemyan or Mario Dedivanovic.
Want to add accomplishments from high school or college? Put those next.
Now let’s look how the drones do it:
wrong Cosmetology Program, Bitterroot School of Cosmetology
2013–2015
Completed program. GPA 3.3
Ouch. Lee press-on nails, anyone?
Pro Tip: Show customer service skills in the other sections on your resume for makeup artist jobs. Experience upselling rewards cards helps too.
How should you put a G.E.D. on a makeup advisor resume? See our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]
5
How to Put Skills on a Resume for a Makeup Artist
Convince the salon manager you’ve got the skills.
*Poof* You’re hired.
Easy, right?
Well, not so fast.
Putting makeup artist resume skills on your resume is easy.
Convincing the hiring manager? That takes a little thought.
Do it like this:
First, read the job offer like it’s an email from Bobbi Brown.
Highlight all the makeup artist skills you see.
Then prove you’ve got those skills with the right achievements in your bullet points.
The professional makeup artist resume examples below show right from wrong.
Makeup Artist Resume Examples [Skills]
Let’s say these skills are in the makeup artist job description:
Required Makeup Artist Skills: (1) Customer Service, (2) Sales
So—put them in your makeup artist resume skills list, with a few more.
Then do:
Provided full-range (1) customer service to 30+ regular clients. Maintained 95% positive (1) client satisfaction rating. (2) Sold $1,500/week of salon products to clients.
If you do that, you’ll need rolling storage for all your interview requests.
List of Skills to Put on a Makeup Resume
Need some makeup artist resume keywords ?
Use the list below.
But the best advice?
If you’re writing a makeup artist resume for MAC Cosmetics, look in the MAC the job offer to find your skills list. Writing for Bobbi Brown? Look in the job offer for that.
Makeup Artist Resume Skills Soft Skills
Hard Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Makeup
Customer Service
Waxing
Communication
Skin Care
Listening
Facial treatments
Creative Thinking Skills
Retail
Detail Oriented
Sales
Physical Fitness/Stamina
Product Knowledge
Patience
Training
Time Management
Booking Appointments
Perceptiveness
Inventory Management
Pro Tip: Are you writing a skincare advisor resume? Talk up your product knowledge. In a makeup advisor resume, tell about your technique, artistry, and selling skills.
Are languages like Spanish or French relevant on a freelance makeup artist resume? See our guide: +30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)
6
How to Show Licenses and Certifications on a Resume
Heart attack!
The salon manager hired someone else. Why? You’re not a licensed cosmetologist.
But you are. You just didn’t show it right on your makeup resume!
Put your license:
At the top of your resume, near your name At the beginning of your resume summary In a special “License” section under your summary
Then even if the hiring manager only glances, she sees you’re qualified for cosmetics jobs.
Licenses
Licensed Cosmetologist, Montana State BBC Licensed Nail Technician
Pro Tip: What’s better on a freelance makeup artist resume? An esthetician license or a cosmetology license? Ask around at a couple salons in your area, because the answer depends on the state you’re in.
Where do you put online classes in a resume for makeup artist jobs? See our guide: How to List Certifications on a Resume: Guide
7
Add These Things and Bake Your Resume
Are you hitting pan on material for your makeup resume?
That’s good, because a resume needs more than just experience and education.
It has to show you’re as great to work with as Patrick Ta.
Do it with "other" sections that make you stand out like a mile of glitter.
The sample makeup artist resume sections below show how.
Makeup Artist Resume Examples [Other Sections]
The first of our makeup artist resume examples is like goth:
wrong Clubbing Surfing Traveling to Central America
She sounds fun. Now let’s hire a good makeup artist.
Instead, write extra sections to your resume for makeup artist jobs like this:
right Social Media Following
Instagram: 5,258 Followers. Twitter: 4,317 Followers.
Networking Events
Women in Leadership, Gave presentation on looking professional. Women's Business Accelerator, Gave talk on dressing for success.
Additional Activities
Member, Professional Beauty Association. Regular listener, This Week in Makeup podcast. Teach yoga classes 2x per week for fun & fitness.
She can probably teach the hiring manager a thing or two. That professional makeup resume is double-cleansed.
Pro Tip: Join a networking group for women in your area. You’ll build quick freelance makeup artist resume experience. Not sure how to find a group? Try Meetup.com .
Is there a place for hobbies on a freelance makeup artist resume? See our guide: +20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)
8
What About a Makeup Artist Cover Letter?
Ugh. I don’t really need to send a cover letter with my makeup artist resume. Do I?
Only if you want to nearly double your chance of getting hired.
See, 60% of managers won’t read your makeup artist cover letter. The other 40% won’t read your makeup consultant resume without one.
In your cover letter, prove:
You understand the requirements in the makeup artist job description. You can fill them like Joyce Bonelli.
This short example makeup artist will make jaws drop:
Everyone knows Sheshedo offers the best products and looks in the industry. That’s why I’ve wanted to work for you for years. I finally feel I’m ready, thanks to 3 years as a licensed cosmetologist, selling $5,000 a week in products at HTD Salon. It’s not just that my work has been written up favorably in the Makeup + Me blog, or that...
Always end a cover letter by offering something. Try, “I’m happy to jump on a call to talk about my goals to beat your sales averages by 25%."
Pro Tip: Need to prove your makeup artist skills? Track down a couple models and do their makeup for free. Take lots of pics. Voila—instant proof.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
What’s the makeup artist cover letter secret weapon? See our guide: How To Write A Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps (+12 Examples)
9
Do This Before You Add Contact Info to a Resume
What resume contact info tip can get you hired?
Start with:
Full Name Updated Phone Number Professional Email Address
Like this:
Jimena Ravalli, Licensed Cosmetologist & Makeup Artist, jimena.q.ravalli@gmail.com, 406-915-3366
A "professional email address," is john.doe@gmail.com, not jillycancunlips234345@yahoo.com.
That’s the easy part.
But—
Make sure you add your Instagram account. Pack it full of great looks you’ve done.
Need inspiration? See this Cosmo list of the best makeup artist Instagram accounts.
A great social media presence lets the hiring manager see past your makeup artist resume.
Pro Tip: Check your social media presence before it wrecks your great resume for makeup jobs. One crude beach photo from five years ago could make you go all butterface.
Single spacing? Double spacing? What’s best in a resume for makeup jobs? See our guide: How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide (+30 Examples)
Key Takeaway Here’s a recap of how to write a makeup artist resume:
Write a makeup artist resume objective or resume summary. Show your Hung Vanngo powers by listing measurable accomplishments.Write resume bullet points that tie you to the job like a 10-gauge piercing gun. How? Read the job ad, circle the requirements, and list matching achievements.Write other sections for your freelance makeup artist resume that show you’re great to work with. Add publications, certifications, networking events, and social media wins.Write a makeup artist cover letter. Make it personal and passionate to make salon managers stop breathing.
Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for a makeup artist? Not sure how to apply this advice to a movie or special effects makeup artist resume?? Give us a shout in the comments! We’d be happy to reply.
![Makeup Artist Resume Sample for 2023 [Guide & Examples]](https://cdn-images.zety.com/pages/makeup_artist_resume_example_1.jpg)
