Home Complete List of Side Hustle Ideas Makeup Artist
$10-$30 per hour
Provide makeup services to clients for photoshoots, events, or special occasions, either in a studio or at the client's location.
| Time to First Earnings | 1 month to 1 year | |
|---|---|---|
| Work Location | In person | |
| Startup Costs |
$1,025–$6,375
|
|
| Licenses & Certifications |
RequiredNone |
Optional
|
If you’re interested in doing makeup on the side, there are some things you need to know first. Although a license isn’t always required, you will need some education, hands-on experience, and a proper business setup before you get started.
We’ll explain what it takes to start a freelance makeup artist side hustle and help you decide whether it’s worth it for you and whether a makeup business is a good side hustle.
A makeup artist specializes in applying cosmetic products and other superficial enhancements to people’s faces and bodies. Although makeup artists are often associated with those who use cosmetics to improve clients’ looks, some also apply wigs, prosthetics, and more, depending on the clientele.
Unlike employed makeup artists, who often work at salons and spas or on film sets, freelance makeup artists can work wherever and whenever they want.
Freelance makeup artists can run their own businesses, providing services out of their home studios, at their clients’ homes, or at event sites (like wedding venues). They can also provide contract services to other companies and travel for events like runway shows, beauty pageants, professional photoshoots, and more.
In most cases, you don’t need a makeup artist license to start a makeup side hustle. That said, there are cases where a license is required, depending on what types of services you want to provide. Additionally, some states have specific licensing and experience requirements for makeup artists.
In most states, a license isn’t required for doing makeup. However, some have stipulations regarding which kinds of jobs or environments you can work in without a license.
For example, in Oregon, you need a makeup artist license unless you’re doing makeup for an exempt purpose, such as a photo shoot, film production, or charitable event. Idaho is another state where makeup artistry is a regulated field, and you need to get a makeup artist certificate before you can practice.
A makeup license wouldn’t normally be needed for retail jobs like working at a makeup counter where you help customers apply different products. Other kinds of makeup jobs, like mortuary services or government-related work, are sometimes also exempt. However, different rules often apply to people running their own makeup business.
Each state is different, so it’s important that you search your local makeup artist license requirements before you begin your makeup side hustle.
Makeup artistry strictly involves the application of makeup. While you may be tempted to offer related services, it’s important to understand when you might be branching into government-regulated domains.
Failing to get the proper licensure required could put your clients at risk and expose you to legal issues. We’ll give a brief breakdown of where the legal line is between makeup artists and other beauty professionals to help you figure out whether you need another type of license for your makeup business.
If you plan on offering services related to hair styling, skincare, or nails, then you’ll typically need to get a cosmetology license. While a cosmetologist can be well-versed in makeup application as well, their focus is on those specific areas of the body.
Because of the delicate nature of this type of work as well as the chemicals involved, cosmetology requires certification. Cosmetologists usually have to complete an approved cosmetology course or apprenticeship to get certified. The entire training process can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years to complete.
Another case where you would need an additional license is if you plan to provide skincare services or treatments that alter the chemistry or long-term appearance of the skin, such as laser hair removal, facials, or permanent makeup application. In this case, you would need an esthetician license.
An esthetician is someone who deals with the appearance and treatment of the skin. Their work goes beyond simple makeup application, requiring deep knowledge of skin health and maintenance and safety protocol for skin care procedures.
One way to gain this knowledge is by attending a vocational program and completing a few hundred hours of hands-on training. In some states, estheticians have the option to skip the program and instead complete their training as an apprentice. All in all, it can take a year or longer to get certified.
If you decide that beauty school or a makeup artist certificate program isn’t for you, there are plenty of ways to learn the skills of makeup artistry on your own.
You don’t need to spend money on a makeup course to learn how to professionally apply makeup. The self-taught route can work just as well. Watching video tutorials is one of the best ways to learn how to do makeup without getting certified.
Search for foundational videos created by professional makeup artists or beauty influencers. These can help you learn all kinds of new skills, get inspiration for creative looks, and stay current with the latest trends in the makeup and beauty industry.
Focus on videos that cover these topics:
You can use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to find plenty of free videos teaching these skills, including video demonstrations and step-by-step tutorials.
Some self-made makeup artists got their start by just jumping into the field headfirst. This can be an excellent way to learn, but there are a few things you need to know to do it right.
For starters, you can’t just practice on yourself. Applying makeup to someone else’s face requires different movements and techniques than applying makeup to your own face.
There are a few ways to get this hands-on practice:
When choosing models, try to get a good mix of ages, genders, ethnicities, and skin types. The more varied and comprehensive your training is, the more skilled of a practitioner you’ll become.
Hands-on experience is a must before you start working with paying clientele, so going this bold DIY route can help you fast-track the process of getting your business up and running. In addition to helping you strengthen your skills and techniques and potentially land a few referrals, your subjects may give you permission to take photos of your work that you can include in your portfolio.
Makeup isn’t cheap, and you should be prepared for your startup costs as a freelance makeup specialist to be pretty high. Even without the cost of certification, you’ll likely still need to spend around $1,000 or more to get going.
What’s more, most costs are recurring. You’ll have to keep your makeup supplies replenished year after year.
Overall, expect to spend at least $1,000 every year to renew your services and keep your tool kit fresh. The table below shows an overview of estimated costs you may face as a freelance makeup artist.
| Tool | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Makeup kit and equipment | $1,000+ |
| Liability insurance | $20–$50 per month |
| Business permit | $45–$100 |
| Bookkeeping and scheduling software | $200+ per year |
| Portfolio website design and setup | $0–$250 |
| Marketing and advertising | $250+ per year |
| Studio space and utilities | $500–$1,000+ per month |
| Travel-related costs | Varies |
| Total | $2,015–$2,850 |
Bear in mind you may not need everything in this list. There are ways to bootstrap your makeup side hustle, like by building your website yourself and using free marketing tools rather than paid advertising. So it is possible to keep costs low.
Once you’ve determined that you want to become a freelance makeup artist, there are certain things you must do before you start marketing your services and booking clients.
If you work at a salon or spa, you might not have your pick of the litter when it comes to clientele. However, as a self-employed makeup artist, you can pick and choose what kinds of gigs you do.
Consider your interests and passions. For instance, if you’re into fashion, you’d probably enjoy working at events like runway shows or beauty pageants.
You could also go after a specific kind of clientele. For instance, you could offer makeup services for bridal parties or drag shows.
While it might seem more economical to offer your services to anyone who needs a makeup artist, you’ll have a much easier time building a portfolio and selling yourself if you have a specific focus. You’ll also find that you’re not as likely to experience burnout if you love what you do.
Your makeup kit includes all of the tools and cosmetics you work with. Having a complete tool kit will ensure that you’re prepared for any job. It will also allow you to impress your clients straight out the gate.
Here are some items to fill your kit with:
Cleaning supplies are also a must. This includes cleaning supplies for your work area, disinfectants for your tools, as well as makeup removers for your clients. In addition, if you’re a traveling makeup artist, you might also need items like travel-friendly stools and mirrors that you can bring to clients’ homes.
In addition to getting a makeup artist license, your state may require you to register your makeup business and get a business license or permit. Depending on where you live, you could need multiple permits.
For instance, you may need to procure a permit at the state level as well as the city level. Also, if you open your own studio, you may need to get a local zoning permit. To find out what your local requirements are, search for “[state name] business permit.”
Even if you’re not legally required to get a business license, you may wish to do so anyway. Having a registered business opens the door to several benefits, including increased credibility as well as access to business bank accounts and funding opportunities.
Liability insurance is a necessity for freelance makeup artists. This type of insurance provides protection in the event that someone is harmed while you’re working. It can also help you deal with potential lawsuits.
For example, liability insurance can help cover the costs of allergic reactions or injuries caused during the makeup application process. It can also provide coverage if someone is hurt or falls in your studio. Both bodily injury claims as well as associated medical costs would be covered.
Liability insurance can also help you deal with costs related to property damage. It could be damage to your tools or property caused by a client, or vice versa. For instance, if you accidentally spill disinfectant on a client’s phone, you’d be covered.
There are other types of scenarios and lawsuits that this kind of insurance covers. For example, if you have a client who blames your makeup for their inability to get an acting job, they could sue you for lost wages.
As a freelancer, it’s incredibly important to have a strong digital presence. While you may find new makeup clients and gigs out in the real world, marketing yourself online will make it much easier to scale those efforts.
To start, you need a great portfolio website. It should explain who you are, your background and training in doing makeup, and your areas of expertise. It also needs to be filled with high-resolution photos and videos of your work, including before and after shots.
One way to get clients is to sign up for an app that helps freelancers and small businesses advertise to the local community. Thumbtack and Bark.com are two examples of this type of lead generation service.
While this can be an effective marketing strategy, beware of the costs involved. You’ll have to pay fees for these types of services.
Social media is essential for makeup artists. First of all, posting on social media sites can be a great way to show off what you can do. But more than that, it’s an excellent free advertising strategy for your makeup artist business.
Here are some ways you can put different social media platforms to use:
You should also set up a Google Business account. Creating a local business page will make your makeup business searchable and allow you to accumulate reviews. You can also use local directories like Yelp to advertise your beauty services.
If you have a passion for makeup and a talent for applying it, then becoming a makeup artist can be a great side hustle. The work can be a lot of fun as you get to flex your creative muscles in different ways.
The work you do can vary greatly from job to job, which keeps things interesting. What’s more, as a freelancer, you can schedule jobs so that they don’t interfere with your other commitments. These are just a few of the benefits of starting a freelance makeup artist side hustle.
In terms of drawbacks, the biggest one may be the high cost of starting a makeup artist business. Although you can become a self-made makeup artist, startup and ongoing costs are high. You’re looking at an upfront investment of hundreds of dollars as well as recurring business expenses.
According to recent data, freelance makeup artists make an average of $10–$30 per hour. If you’re only working part-time or taking the rare gig, it might not be enough to pay off related costs. There’s also no guarantee for work, which can make earnings unpredictable.
