In short: A hair and make-up artist applies the looks the designer has planned for each actor, then keeps them consistent from take to take and touches them up between takes. They work as part of a team led by the hair and make-up designer. On a small shoot, a presenter's own kit often covers a talking head.
A hair and make-up artist applies the looks the designer has planned and keeps them intact through the day, from the first set-up to the last. They work under the hair and make-up designer and alongside the other artists, prosthetic artists and trainees in the team.
What a hair and make-up artist does on a shoot day
The day usually starts with the call sheet, which tells the team which actors are working and which looks they need. The artist applies the looks, checks them against the continuity notes and keeps them matched as the schedule moves on. Between takes they touch up hair and make-up, which is where a lot of the skill shows.
They also work with the actors directly. ScreenSkills lists putting actors at ease among the core skills for the role.
Who they work with
The artist works to the hair and make-up designer, who recruits, briefs and supervises the team. They work alongside other hair and make-up artists, prosthetic artists and assistants, with trainees on larger productions. They also work with the actors and with supporting artists, who are the non-speaking performers in a scene.
Kit and skills
ScreenSkills lists these skills for the trainee and artist roles:
- Basic hairdressing and make-up application, and a clear idea of how a look reads on camera.
- Knowledge of period and current styles, and how to research them.
- Close observation, and asking the right question at the right moment.
- Reliability and punctuality, since the call time does not move.
- Communication, including putting actors at ease.
Products applied to skin and prosthetics need a competent person to check each application. This page is general guidance only.
How to become a hair and make-up artist
The routes are the same ones that lead to the designer. ScreenSkills describes these options:
- Level 3 qualifications. Examples include the VTCT Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up and the City and Guilds Advanced Technical Diploma in Media Make-up Artistry, plus hairdressing, barbering and beauty diplomas.
- Apprenticeships. The hair, make-up, prosthetics and wigs apprenticeship standard is aimed at film, TV and theatre. ScreenSkills notes these roles have been hard to find in production companies.
- Trainee schemes. The ScreenSkills Trainee Finder lists trainee positions.
- Experience. Part-time work in salons or barbershops, or on a make-up stand at a concession, and volunteering on student or amateur productions.
- Short courses and portfolio. Specialist courses in prosthetics, barbering, wig fitting or period hair styling, some with the ScreenSkills Select award. ScreenSkills calls a portfolio essential.
Networking helps. ScreenSkills suggests its events, local film offices, community arts organisations, LinkedIn and ScreenSkills profiles. Bectu, the union for workers in the creative industries, offers career development support to members and publishes a ratecard for hair, make-up and prosthetics.
Do you need one on a small shoot?
- A talking head or a podcast: an artist for an hour before the cameras roll is often enough, and a presenter can often manage a touch-up with a powder and a comb.
- A product or beauty shoot: one artist for the day, working to a planned look, with a test under the actual lighting before the shoot starts.
- A drama with several looks, wigs or prosthetics: yes, as part of a team led by a designer.
Do we need a make-up artist helps you decide for a particular shoot, and a presenter's five-minute make-up kit covers the do-it-yourself end.
Related roles
Sources
- ScreenSkills, Hair and make-up designer (film and TV drama), read 5 November 2026
- ScreenSkills, Hair and make-up trainee (film and TV drama), read 5 November 2026
- Bectu, home page, read 5 November 2026
Related guides
Questions we get asked
What does a hair and make-up artist do on a film set?
They apply the hair and make-up that the designer has planned, keep each actor's look consistent from take to take and touch up between takes. They work to the designer, who recruits, briefs and supervises the team.
How is a hair and make-up trainee different from an artist?
According to ScreenSkills, a trainee packs the kit bags from the call sheet, helps with the looks, cleans equipment and keeps continuity records and photos. Trainees may do basic looks for crowd scenes, and under supervision some minor characters.
How do you get into hair and make-up on a film?
Many people come from hairdressing, barbering, beauty work or theatre. ScreenSkills lists Level 3 diplomas, trainee schemes through its Trainee Finder, apprenticeships, and experience on student or amateur productions as ways in.
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