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Career · Skilled Trades and Technical Work

Beauty and makeup professional

Also called: Makeup artist, Beautician

Provides hair, skin, makeup and nail services in salons, studios, weddings, films and as a freelancer.

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DemandGrowing
Starting pay₹1.5-3.5 LPA
Time to first job1 to 3 months after a course
Who can enterA beauty or makeup course from a Skill India centre or recognised academy
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What the work is

Beauty professionals include hairstylists, beauticians, skin and nail technicians, and makeup artists. They work in salons and spas, at weddings, on film, TV and fashion shoots, and increasingly as freelancers with their own clients and social media following.

India's beauty and personal care market is large and growing, and weddings alone create huge demand for skilled makeup artists. Training ranges from short Skill India courses to advanced academy programmes.

A typical week

  • Consult clients and suggest looks
  • Do hair, skin, makeup or nail services
  • Keep tools hygienic and safe
  • Build a client list and portfolio

It suits people who

  • Love beauty, fashion and creativity
  • Are good with people
  • Have steady hands and patience

Your path to get there

School (Class 8-10)

  1. Any streamPractise and follow skilled artists

Class 11-12

  1. Take a Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council course, or a private academy course

College or fresher

  1. Assist a senior artist at weddings and shoots
  2. Build an Instagram portfolio
  3. Learn advanced skills: bridal, airbrush, hair styling

Working or switching

  1. People from any background start with a short course and freelance
Returning after a break?
  • Refresher courses at ITIs and Skill India centres help returners update their skills and get certified.

Exams and certifications

NameWhat it is forWhen
Skill India beauty and wellness courses ↗Recognised beauty trainingAfter Class 10 or 12

Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.

Job market

Job titles to search

Makeup artistBeauticianHairstylistNail technicianSalon manager

Who hires

Salons and spas (Lakme, Naturals, VLCC and others)Bridal studiosFilm, TV and fashion productionsFreelance

Where the jobs are

All over IndiaMumbaiDelhi NCRBengaluruHyderabadKolkata

These buttons open a live search for "Makeup artist" on each job site. TalentMeter does not list or vouch for the jobs there.

Outlook

Growing with weddings, media and personal care. Top bridal and celebrity artists earn far more than these ranges.

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