IBMC Articles

Intriguing Career Choices for Hair and Makeup Artists

Do you like the idea of working with hair and makeup but aren’t really crazy about the thought of begin employed in a traditional salon environment? Fortunately, there are many opportunities for talented hair and makeup artists that don’t involve working in a commercial salon. For instance, if you live in a large city or one with a significant theater presence, you could possibly find work doing period makeup and hair. Some large department stores in urban areas also employ licensed hairdressers and cosmetologists to work as a part of their consulting team. If you decide to relocate to an area such as Southern California or New York City, you may be able to find a job in the film or television industry. Even if you reside in a relatively small city, you may be able to get a job at your local news station prepping the anchor and weather people before they go on air.

Working as a private stylist for a celebrity or politician is another way for hair and makeup artists to work outside of the traditional salon box, provided that you have the necessary temperament to work with people who are generally demanding and have large egos. The travel perks can be awesome with this type of work, though, and you’ll probably have the chance to meet a variety of interesting people.

You can also consider becoming a teacher in a cosmetology and hairdressing school. Many of those who teach at beauty schools in Fort Collins do so because they love the quality of life that they are able to have in states like Colorado. They also enjoy the job stability that comes from having a teaching position at a stable, well-respected educational institution. Here at IBMC College, we believe in equipping our students with the type of education that enables them to pursue out-side-the-box jobs, as well as traditional options within their chosen occupations.

Freelancing is another great alternative for those who don’t want to work in someone else’s salon. You could specialize in a certain demographic — for instance, you could do in-home or in-office visits for busy parents or professionals. Working with freelance photographers, in the fashion industry, is also a consideration, and you might also think about contacting retirement homes and offering to visit residents on a weekly or monthly basis.

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