How to Stand Out in The Competitive Field of Makeup

Let’s take a look at the ever-evolving landscape of the film and TV makeup industry. Whether you’re an emerging artist or an experienced pro, struggling with how to get known, find your feet, or just get that first gig, you’ll find actionable advice on how to find your niche, build a standout portfolio, and navigate networking with confidence. So, if you’re ready to carve out your unique space and take your makeup artistry career to the next level, let’s dive right in.

how to stand out like a bright shiny star in the competitive field of makeup

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In This Episode We Cover:

• Identifying your niche and strengths is essential to set myself apart.
• Building a strong portfolio and having an online presence can attract potential clients and industry professionals.
• Networking and staying adaptable to industry changes are vital approaches, yes, networking!

Episode 81: Show notes

The tide is turning in the film industry – newcomers take note – and yes, of course, it’s always changing, and constantly. And because of this, I wanted to take a deep dive into just how the industry is changing – and how being good is not enough anymore.

I hear you asking, “What do I have to do then?”

Keep reading my friend, I can help you 🙂

Breaking into a makeup department within the movie makeup industry, especially when it’s saturated, requires a strategic approach to set yourself apart. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started and identify what makes you unique:

1. Identify Your Niche and Strengths – and truly know yourself

The first step in standing out is simply be, know yourself. Find out what you like, what you love, and what you do well. And hopefully, a certain skill (or three) can be all of those things.

Focus on a Speciality

Whether it’s special effects, creature design, beauty makeup, perhaps even intricate hair work, or being a film makeup artist,  find what excites you the most. Your passion will fuel your growth and make you stand out.

highlight unique skills

For instance, if you’re great at realistic wound creation or hair punching, emphasize that. Being known for a specific skill can help you carve out a niche.

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2. Develop In-Demand Skills

Special Effects (SFX) Makeup

With the rise of sci-fi and fantasy films, SFX makeup artists are often in high demand.

Learning techniques like prosthetic application, creature design, and blood effects are all different aspects of being a special effects makeup artist that can allow to find your wings, grow them and then learn how to fly.

hair work

Skills like wig-making, hair punching, and styling are highly sought after, especially with the demand for realistic characters in period pieces or fantasy films. And this is because there are very few who are incredibly highly-skilled and proficient in these specialized niches.

And guess what?

These people are almost NEVER out of work! So if any of these specialized fields take your fancy, start learning, and get into it. And then, get BETTER.

digital makeup integration

As the lines between practical effects and digital enhancements blur, it is only going to be beneficial for you to open up your interest in all things digital, as a makeup artist.

This is an ever-evolving and still emerging field that I believe will grow exponentially: digital makeup and design. Knowledge of how makeup integrates within CGI, visual effects and digital design can be a game-changer.

Familiarity with tools like Zbrush, Nomad Sculpt and Procreate can lend a very powerful new dimension to your skill set. And there truly are no limits to how much you could think outside the box with these tools.

Imagine transforming your bridal makeup business by showcasing realistic designs through digital illustrations you could create on something like Procreate — that’s the kind of versatility that will set you apart.
It also acts as a time-efficient tool.

cultural and historical accuracy

Understanding makeup styles from different cultures and historical periods can set you apart, especially in films that require authenticity.

So, in a really big way, it’s as vital to know about the looks and styles of all manner of time frames, historical figures and cultures as it is the latest trends. And having this knowledge already when you walk into a job, can only help you be viewed as an asset on any team.

This doesn’t have to come by way of a formal education either. A simple reading schedule can prove invaluable for keeping your knowledge in check, and always active to learn a new decade or culture each week or month.

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3. Build a Strong Portfolio

collaborate on indie projects

Work on student films, indie projects, or short films to build your experience and portfolio. This might even mean stepping on your very first film set for the very first time.

There are so many advantages to doing this, if you’re drawn to the field of film production. And these projects often allow you more creative freedom, give you a solid foundation of exposure to on set etiquette and how things work on a film or television production.

They can also often give you the chance to experiment depending on the theme, of course.

document your work

Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your work, even if you’re still in makeup school. A well-curated portfolio or Instagram feed can attract industry professionals.

And yes, this means you should have a website – but this doesn’t have to be a massive time and money investment – you can use the wonderful resource that is Canva and simply create a one or two-page website via a couple of simple landing pages that just display a few of your strongest images to create a tight portfolio of work, your work history, a little about you and a contact email address and links to your social media professional social media pages

4. Network and Build Relationships

attend industry events

Go to film festivals, makeup conventions, special events and workshops to meet other professional makeup artists, make-up designers, directors, and producers. Networking is key to finding opportunities in this incredibly competitive industry.

leverage social media

Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to share your work and connect with the community. Engaging with others’ content and participating in trends can increase your visibility.

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5. Stay Educated and Adaptable

continuous learning

The makeup industry evolves rapidly. Take advanced courses or workshops to stay current with new techniques, tools, and trends. Or to simply expose yourself to a brand new technique that might not even be literally related to makeup. By keeping your mind active with new educational info from time to time, you stay stimulated, and your brain will want to keep learning! It’s true.

be adaptable

Similarly, being open to learning new skills or adapting to new trends, like the resurgence of practical effects or the use of eco-friendly products, can set you apart.

It’s funny how things go around in the film and television industry. I guess in the entertainment industry as a whole.
In the last decade or so, everyone thought practical effects were gone. Done.

Why would you create complicated blood rigs and gags as makeups when they can be so easily created in a little office in India during post-production and not in the time-pressed principal photography schedule?

Well, wouldn’t you know it, practical makeup effects have made a resurgence. And not only in horror films (although I’m definitely not discounting that either).
In recent years, there has definitely been a resurgence in practical makeup effects within music videos, feature films and even on a television show or two.

The hands-on experience is often craved for by the director and principal actors.

And there is something so obviously visceral about physical, real blood and tangible materials on screen than the digital versions.

And, I’m sorry (and surely not the first to say), blood VFX still doesn’t look that great.

They definitely have a way to go with computer-generated imagery before it looks “more real” to the eye.

6. Emphasize Your Unique Perspective

Personal story and vision

This circles very much back to the opening point. So you may have to really do some would searching to truly ask yourself the big questions and get to know yourself.

What do you really want? What truly makes you happy? How important is money to you? Because you’re definitely not going to be Richard Branson on your own private island as the average makeup artist.

Your background, experiences, and vision can differentiate you and shape exactly what makes you you.

Share your journey, inspirations, passions and why you do what you do. This personal connection can attract clients and collaborators who resonate with your story.

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7. Consider Mentorship or Coaching

Seek a mentor

A mentor with industry experience can provide guidance, help you avoid common pitfalls, and introduce you to valuable connections. It is also just a beautiful way to learn to trust someone else, that can provide objective, entirely non-judgemental advice and gently guide you with their own knowledge-based thoughts on your challenges.

Whether you do this through this most excellent and enlightening program (I know, I was a mentor this year!) or simply by reaching out to someone you admire and opening up the conversation, this can be a wonderfully enriching experience for both mentor and mentee.

offer your expertise

If you have a specific skill or insight, consider coaching or mentoring others. Teaching can reinforce your knowledge and position you as an expert in your niche.

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To stand out in a saturated industry, authenticity and specialization are key. By honing in on what makes you unique and staying adaptable to industry changes, you’ll be better positioned to make your mark in the movie makeup world.

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