Although a large number of makeup artists in Massachusetts work in privately owned salons and spas, many of Massachusetts’ makeup artists work in the hospitality industry, as resort spas and salons abound in the Cape Cod and Berkshires areas of the commonwealth. Because Massachusetts has just legalized gambling and plans to build three casinos (possibly with resorts) in the next five years, if you are a prospective makeup artist in the commonwealth, you can anticipate even more job opportunities in the near future. With jobs for makeup artists in Massachusetts expected to increase by almost 25 percent over the next decade, the sky’s the limit if you are interested in aesthetics and makeup.
Massachusetts currently has the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for makeup artists in the nation, as well as the fifth-highest employment level for makeup artists of any state in the Union. In May 2013, the state employed 1600 makeup artists, earning an average annual salary of $39,010 – and this doesn’t even include tips, which could add as much as 25%. This salary makes Massachusetts’ makeup artists as the fourth highest paid in the nation. Over half of the state’s makeup artists work in the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy metropolitan area. These makeup artists earn an average annual salary of $41,390 before tips, higher than the state average.
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Massachusetts
Makeup artists in Massachusetts must be licensed as aestheticians under the rules of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology. Earning a license involves satisfying requirements for education and training, then passing an examination.
Education for Massachusetts Makeup Artists
All would-be makeup artists must complete an aesthetician course consisting of 300 hours of training and at least three months in duration. The course must be offered by an aesthetics school that is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Cosmetology. While the Board does not maintain a list of approved schools, it follows the recommendation of the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS) and approves their accredited schools.
In Massachusetts, there are 11 such aesthetic programs at schools located in:
- Boston
- Ludlow
- Lowell
- Plymouth
- Westborough
- Worcester
- Ipswich
Many approved aesthetics schools in Massachusetts offer both 300-hour and 600-hour aesthetics courses. This is because, although Massachusetts requires just 300 hours of training, most other states require a minimum of 600 hours of training. It is up to you which program you choose, however, and largely dependent upon your time and monetary constraints.
A 300-hour minimum aesthetics training course in Massachusetts will teach you the following classes, knowledge, information, and skills:
- Skin disorders and diseases
- Anatomy and physiology
- Sterilization, bacteriology and sanitation
- Cosmetic chemistry ingredients
- Massage
- Depilation and waxing
- Applying makeup
- Clinical practice
- Record keeping
- Treatment procedures
- Electricity and aesthetics machines/equipment
- Management communication, laws and ethics
Pursuing Makeup Artist Licensure in Massachusetts
After completing a minimum 300-hour aesthetics training course in Massachusetts, you must pass the state-mandated written and practical examinations prior to licensure. Massachusetts’ licensure exams for makeup artists are administered through Pearson Vue testing centers. They are located in Framingham, West Springfield, and Malden. You must bring an adult model over 16 years of age with you for the practical examination.
Both exams will test your proficiency and knowledge of aesthetic skills such as:
- Infection control
- Facials
- Manipulations
- Masque application
- Exfoliation
- Extraction
- Tweezing
- Waxing
- Makeup application
- Safety rules and regulations
- Electricity and electrotherapy
- Science and skin analysis
If you pass both sections of the exam, you will be issued your aesthetician license at the testing center. Your first license is valid for one year, and afterwards, licenses are renewed every two years on your birthday. No continuing education is required to maintain an aesthetician license in Massachusetts.
After working for at least two years under your entry level Type 7 aesthetician license, you may wish to apply for a Type 6 license, also attainable through examination. If you obtain a Type 6 Aesthetician license in Massachusetts, you may supervise Type 7 aestheticians in addition to performing your other duties.
Makeup Artist Jobs in Massachusetts
Jobs for licensed aestheticians in Massachusetts are expected to grow by 23.2 percent from 2012 through 2022, per the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This means that it should be fairly easy for newly-licensed makeup artists to find jobs in a variety of industries. According to Massachusetts Labor Market Information, the top industries for makeup artists in the commonwealth include the retail trade, personal care services, traveler accommodation and offices of medical professionals.
Becoming a makeup artist in Massachusetts often means working in one of these industries:
Health and Retail Stores
- Nordstrom- Natick, Burlington and Peabody
- Laura Mercier Cosmetics- Burlington
- Dermalogica – Boston
- Space NK Apothecary – Newton
- Clarins – Boston
Personal Care Services (Spas, Salons and the Like)
- Elizabeth Grady Salon – Acton
- Nails & Co. Spa – Beverly
- Kendra Salon & Spa- Dedham
- West End Salon & Spa- Gloucester
- Salon Vicaro- Milford
Traveler Accommodation
- Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Inc. – Boston
- Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa- Lenox
- Stonehenge Inn & Spa – Tyngsboro
- The Ritz-Carlton Salon Marc Harris at Equinox Sports Club- Boston
- Blue Water Resort- Cape Cod
Medical Offices and Facilities
- MetroWest Framingham Union Hospital- Framingham
- Tufts Medical Center Medical Dermatology Clinic- Boston
- All Care Visiting Nurse and Hospice – Andover
- Smile & Skin Aesthetics- Waltham
- Genesis HealthCare- Lawrence