California Makeup Artist School and Licensing
To become a makeup artist in California, you must attend beauty school to earn an esthetics or cosmetology license. California's esthetician programs may be more directly related to makeup, but cosmetology schools should also be investigated.
There are two exceptions to the license requirements: working in makeup sales and demonstration or film, TV, and theatre. However, those fields have their own needs, too.
Browse our directory of makeup artistry schools in California, or skip ahead to learn about the state's makeup artistry licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Makeup Artistry Schools in California
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305 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
111 West St. John Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy
Downey, CA 90240
Divina Cosmetology & Barbering Academy – Accredited
Vacaville, CA 95688
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Makeup Artistry Schools Near Me
Check out the Make-Up Artist Training schools these cities in California have to offer.
Makeup Artist Licenses in California: What Type of School to Go To
You have to choose between esthetician and cosmetology school to become a makeup artist in California. To figure out which one, you should figure out what you want your career to look like and how long you can commit to school.
Many makeup artists go through esthetician school rather than cosmetology school because estheticians focus strongly on facial structure, skin science, and appropriate skincare products. They also spend more time learning about makeup than cosmetology students do.
However, makeup artists may choose cosmetology programs because that would allow them to give people a whole look, including makeup, hair, and nails. This is especially important if you want to work in special events, such as providing beauty treatments to wedding parties.
When it comes to time in school, California cosmetology programs run for at least 1,000 hours, while esthetician school lasts for at least 600. As a result, cosmetology classes may cost more than esthetician ones. However, you learn a wider variety of things in cosmetology school than in esthetics.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours!
READ MORE: Learn About California Cosmetology School
READ MORE: Learn About California Esthetician School
What Can California Makeup Artists Do Without a License?
If you want to work in makeup without a license in California, you can do makeup demos and sales or work in theatre and film.
Makeup artistry for sales and demonstration requires talent, but you don't necessarily need specialized training—you may even get some on the job! Typically, you can apply for these jobs like any retail position. If you're on the fence about a makeup artist career, this could be a good way to test the waters.
Theatre and film makeup may not require special training, but that can give you an edge in this highly competitive field. You certainly need an excellent portfolio and, most likely, connections in the industry.
Makeup Artist Salary in California
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups makeup artists under the esthetician career umbrella. Estheticians in California earn an average of $51,340 per year as of 2022.
California's theatre and performance makeup artists made about double the amount that an esthetician did as of that same year! But that's based on a significantly limited number of positions—especially since many makeup artists in this field are self-employed, and the BLS doesn't include self-employed professionals in its data.
Contact the California State Board of Cosmetology
- PO Box 944226, Sacramento, CA 94244
- Website: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
- Email: barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov
- Call: 800-952-5210
- Fax: 916-575-7281