Massachusetts Makeup Artist School and Requirements

You don't need to attend a specialized makeup artist school in Massachusetts to apply makeup to clients. However, if you want to work in a salon, spa, or similar location in the state, you must get your esthetician or cosmetology license.

Though you don't need a makeup artist license, you may want to consider taking a makeup certification program, even if you plan to work independently.

Here, we talk about what makeup artists in Massachusetts can do, when you might want to consider earning a certification, and what might require you to get an esthetician or cosmetology license to practice makeup. Browse our directory of makeup artistry schools in Massachusetts, or skip ahead to learn about the state's makeup artistry licensing requirements and job outlook.

What Makeup Artists in Massachusetts Can Do

Massachusetts makeup artists without an esthetician or cosmetology license may work for themselves as independent creatives. However, if you want to work in a salon, you must get one of those licenses.

In short, cosmetologists attend school for 1,000 hours and learn about hair, skin, and nails. Estheticians go to 600 hours of classes and focus strictly on skincare.

READ MORE: Learn About Massachusetts Cosmetology School

READ MORE: Learn About Massachusetts Esthetician School

You may also find restrictions on what you can do as an unlicensed makeup artist. For instance, you need a manicuring license to perform nail services or an esthetician license to offer extensive skincare services.

What About Makeup School Classes in Massachusetts?

If you want to work as a makeup artist but don't feel 100% confident in all makeup skills, you don't need to go to a cosmetology or esthetician school if you don't want to! Instead, you can attend a makeup school or individual courses in person or online.

Though this won't result in licensure, you can get certified in various treatments or business skills and use them to your professional advantage. Individual classes may last a few hours to a few days, while complete makeup school programs can last for a few weeks.

Makeup Artist Salary in Massachusetts

Massachusetts makeup artists may find salaries vary greatly depending on their location, type of work and workplace, years of experience, specialties, and more. Here are a few salary estimates:

• ZipRecruiter: $10.24 to $75.35 per hour (December 2023); freelance makeup artists
• Indeed: $13.57 to $90.42 per hour (November 2023)
• Glassdoor: $25.96 to $41.83 per hour (December 2023)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups makeup artists with estheticians and says skincare specialists averaged $24.83 per hour as of 2022.

You can look at tons of sources regarding potential salary and get different answers from each! The best way to get a real handle on your possible makeup artist pay is to talk to other professionals in your area in the types of workplaces you're interested in.

Contact the Massachusetts State Board of Cosmetology