How To Launch a Cosmetics Career

Inner beauty is a wonderful thing, but creating outer beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry. Many women and men find they are happiest in a creative career, which includes a wide range of cosmetics jobs. A cosmetics career may be something as simple as working at a cosmetics counter retailing makeup and fragrances, but it can be much more complex.

Many discover when they are young that they have a passion for the cosmetics field. These people likely dug through their mother's makeup bag and applied eyeshadow and lipstick to their siblings. Grown cosmetics fanatics can expand on that love through many channels. One may choose to sell cosmetics through a direct selling program where they receive commission on the products sold and can quickly move up the ranks by recruiting new sales people. By demonstrating the benefits of the products to potential customers and creating a repeat client base, a representative can quickly become successful.

In many states, makeup artists are not required to be licensed if they do freelance work. After mastering basic faces, such as bridal makeup and the smokey eye, a makeup artist may offer to do a makeover on friends or models to build up a portfolio. A makeup artist can build up a strong business through referrals and minimal advertising; however, the key to success is to practice as much as possible. With enough experience, an artist can do makeup on photo shoots for magazines or makeup for runway shows.

A makeup artist may branch out and earn a formal education that will allow him or her to work in a salon. She may choose to be a cosmetologist, which includes hair, skin, nails, and makeup, or an aesthetician, which focuses on skin, makeup, and hair removal. Earning such a degree takes many months of hard work and schooling--hours vary by state. While in school, a student should build a portfolio to show to potential employers upon graduating and earning state credentials.

Cosmetics careers can also mean creating the makeup itself. With basic knowledge of chemistry and color theory, one can begin to create and market their own makeup. The cosmetics can be sold to friends and boutiques, and then eventually be sold on a national level as business increases. Of course, basic health guidelines must be followed, but many companies exist to help guide budding entrepreneurs through the process. Or, those interested in science could research cosmetics ingredients to determine their safety for the public, or even develop new mascara formulas in a lab.

A career in cosmetics can be extremely enjoyable and rewarding, but takes hard work. It means continually perfecting methods while seeking the advice of mentors. It requires keeping up with new trends and researching new products to stay on top of the game.