Anatomy, photography, art, drama, and chemistry are all courses that can help one understand how makeup works in lighting, and how makeup works on skin in general. Taking any kind of esthetics classes can help improve an aspiring artist’s knowledge on skin care and the importance of health (Careers in Cosmetology). As far as furthering an education, if an artist works for a company, they may have a degree from a school designed for learning the art of makeup. If an artist owns their own business, they may have a degree in business and have taught themselves how to do makeup. A makeup school popular in the United States to gain artistry knowledge is the EI School of Professional Makeup located in Hollywood, California. The tuition and fees of this school throughout a 720 hour 12 month program is $19,557, not including the cost of living in Hollywood (Artistry of Makeup Program).
Makeup artists vary in what their specialties are. There is an array of types of makeup that makeup artists can specialize in. Bridal, formal, natural, theatrical, airbrushing and editorial makeup is some examples of what a makeup artist can specialize in. They can also specialize in special effects, also known as Special FX makeup, which is more complex. Any Special FX makeup can involve different types of prosthetics to create an illusion on the actor’s body. These artists mostly work in the field of theater, where prosthetics are needed to strictly transform a character’s appearance