Makeup Artists
Official O*NET title: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance (39-5091.00)
Also called: commercial makeup artist, hair and makeup designer, makeup artist, prosthetic makeup designer, special effects makeup artist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing makeup artists work
6 of 19 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Amber (some AI use) — 32%. 1 newer task is not in the data yet and left out.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Study production information (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Evaluate environmental characteristics (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Clean supplies such as makeup brushes (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Talk with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Assess performers' skin type to make sure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts — no recorded AI use
- Wash and reset wigs — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene”. Try the prompt for: “Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and makeup artists
Will AI replace makeup artists?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 6 of the 20 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Amber rating (some AI use). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 15 of the 22 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which makeup artist tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene; examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction; provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.
Which makeup artist tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis; apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies; alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 46% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a makeup artist start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Makeup Artists ranks #257 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #2 of 23 in Personal Care & Services.
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