Depending on how and where you work, as an independent Makeup Artist, you will need different kinds of business licenses. Many salons, spas, and other businesses may also require their makeup artist employees to have a cosmetology license or one of the other beauty practitioners licenses.

It is also not necessarily true that you are not required to have a professional beauty license to work as a freelance makeup artist in the USA. Please double-check with the governing institution for your state. As in every profession, thorough training is advised to acquire the needed technical skills and knowledge.

Cosmetology is an umbrella term for the beauty profession. Therefore, a cosmetologist is an expert in the care of hair as well as the care of skin and nails and has expertise in beauty products. The following professions are experts who have specialized in one of the cosmetology disciplines:

  • Esthetician / Aesthetician
  • Barber / Hairdresser license
  • Manicurist / Nail Technician license
  • Electrologist

 

Please check below for the detailed beauty license requirements for your state