Makeup Artistry Schools in Hawaii

Browse our directory of makeup artistry schools in Hawaii, or skip ahead to learn about the state's makeup artistry licensing requirements and job outlook.

How to Become a Makeup Artist in Hawaii

As a makeup artist, you get to create looks for people that make them look glamorous, well-dressed and well-groomed, and natural-but-better, depending upon the look your client is seeking and the venue in which you are applying the makeup. Makeup artists in Hawaii work in a number of different locations. They work for cosmetics companies in department stores, using the company's merchandise to create "makeovers" or freshen a customer's look. The work in hotels, offering makeup services to hotel clients attending a big event.

They work in spas and beauty salons, putting the finishing touches on a clients face after a day of beauty. Makeup artists also work in television studios and with stage production, applying makeup to look good under the lights, or to depict a character or role. In short, a career as a makeup artist is a very versatile career, and if you enjoy people, have a good eye for color and design, and love to help people look and feel great, a career as a makeup artist in Hawaii just might be a great choice for you!

State License Requirements

Makeup artists in Hawaii do not need to be licensed in order to practice. However, if you work in a salon or spa, you may want to be able to provide other services as well, such as skin or hair care services, and to provide these services you do not to be licensed. For an aesthetician's license you will need 600 hours of coursework at an accredited institution. For a cosmetologist's license you will need 1800 hours of coursework or 3600 hours of apprenticeship. These will prepare you to take the licensing exam.

Education Details

There are many avenues for studying makeup artistry. Private companies, salons, and spas may offer classes open to the public. Schools of cosmetology offer makeup artistry programs. And community colleges may offer courses in the subject as well. In a typical program, you will watch videos of trained makeup artists applying makeup, and learn how to choose colors for different client skin, eye, and hair color and shape of the face. You will practice on each other and on real clients. You will also be instructed in the use of tools and pigments, and how to sterilize and sanitize them in accordance with local regulations. You may also receive instruction on specialized uses of cosmetics, such as for stage and television, or to provide the best appearance for individuals whose looks are marred by illness, injury, or surgery. Depending upon what you study, a program in makeup artistry can last anywhere from a weekend to six months or longer.

License Renewal

In Hawaii, there isn't a formal makeup artist license. To gain the kind of credentials that employers and the state expect, you should pursue esthetician training. By earning your esthetician's license, you can learn the makeup and facial skincare skills that salons and spas look for. You can also develop the professional qualifications that your clients will expect when they pay for quality services. If you take this route, you will need to renew your license by December 31st of odd-numbered years for $100.

Hawaii Makeup Artistry Careers

Specialty makeup artists, such as those who provide services for stage, television, film, and other types of performance, are able to command a premium in salary. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for all makeup artists across the state in 2020 was $53,580. Salaries and wages in Hawaii tend to be somewhat higher than on the mainland generally speaking, and this may also be the case in makeup artistry. If you open your own makeup studio or salon, or your own business, you stand to earn even more. Also, once you have built a reputation and a client base, you can charge higher fees.

There are many job options open to trained, professional makeup artists. You may choose to specialize, for example in makeup for weddings, or fashion and photo shoots, or offer cosmetic services in physician's offices for individuals whose appearance has been compromised by disease, injury, or surgery. You may work in department stores, freshening women's looks and offering makeovers, or in a salon or spa. In all these situations, your work will be one-on-one with individual clients, so you will need to be available when your services are needed which can be almost any time of day or evening, including weekends. In between seeing clients, you will need to clean and sanitize your equipment and your pigments, and make your work station presentable for the next client you see. You may have to travel to different venues to provide your services. Still, this is a career with great scheduling flexibility, meaning you can work part time or fulltime as you choose, and work around other commitments that you might have.

Contact the Hawaii State Board of Cosmetology