How to Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist

Hey beautiful, remember how the characters from the Avatar movie looked super realistic and detailed? That’s what SFX makeup can do. And in this blog, you’ll learn exactly how you can become a special effects makeup artist yourself, so that you can create your own designs for a living.

You’re about to learn the best SFX courses you can take so you can land that dream (and high-paying) job in the film or theater industry. As a bonus,  you’ll also learn how to build your dream kit whether you’re a complete beginner or a professional MUA.

But first things first…

What’s SFX Makeup Anyway?

Special effects or “prosthetic” makeup is everything from grotesque zombies to magical fairies. Whenever you see a zombie on Netflix, you’re looking at SFX (or CGI, but that’s not what we’ll talk about today!) When you have a career in special effects makeup, it’s as if it’s Halloween everyday… Just with expensive cameras and movie equipment.

Different Kinds of SFX Makeup

There are lots of ways to use special effects makeup, and each one is made for a specific type of film or show. Whether you’re designing monsters for a horror movie or turning an actor into a fantasy creature, there’s an SFX method for pretty much every transformation.

Here are some examples:

• Horror: gross things like undead creatures, monsters, and injuries.

 

• Aging: making someone look older with wrinkles, sagging skin, and gray hair (horrifying, right?)

 

• Fantasy: beings you usually see in fairy tales like witches or goblins, or other magical creatures (like people who actually read terms and conditions).

 

• Body art: painting the whole body, adding textures, and special paints to get glowing skin (literally).
  

 

• Environmental effects: dirt, grime, sweat, sunburn, or frostbite.

Different Tools and Techniques 

Just like the different types of makeup brushes, there are different techniques & tools you should be familiar with if you plan on doing this full time. Here are some of the more common ones:

• Crepe hair: no, not the delicious kind of crepe you eat, but fake hair used to make beards & wigs. Not very tasty.

 

• Lifecasting: making a mold of someone’s face or body to make realistic prosthetics.

 

• Gel-based makeup: a special kind of texture that’s used to create fake wounds and scabs.

 

• Mechanical parts: yes, really. They’re also known as animatronics and you’ll often find them in science fiction or action films.

 

• Airbrush: you probably know this one, it’s a mini spray gun used to apply makeup.

What Do Special Effects MUAs Do?

As a special effects makeup artist, you’ll be working with actors, directors, and a talented team to help create some seriously wild looks for the screen. Your job will be ensuring zombies look grotesque, fairies look enchanting, and every character feels alive.

Here’s what SFX MUAs do:

• Collaborating with the team.

• Prepping materials like molds or prosthetics.

• Applying makeup to transform an actor’s appearance on set.

• Doing last minute touch-ups on set to make it throughout the shoot.

• Problem-solving any unexpected issues with prosthetics or makeup under studio lights.

However, it’s important to note some common misconceptions with SFX artists. Similar to how mobile MUAs don’t do hairstyling, you won’t be focusing on regular makeup styles for actors.

Here’s what SFX MUAs don’t do:

Wardrobe & costumes.

For most movies or shows, there's a special department for wardrobe and costumes, and they’ll handle everything from selecting outfits to fitting the actors.

Handling props.

While you might be responsible for smaller props that tie into the makeup (like a fake knife or wound detail), larger or more technical props (like animatronic pieces or special effects gadgets) are usually the responsibility of the props department.

Lighting.

While you focus on makeup, the lighting crew manages the light angles and brightness. You may work closely with them though to get the right shot.

Quick note: If you've had extra training, you could also handle hair styling. But we’ll talk more about this later in the blog.

How Much Does an SFX MUA Make?

The big question. 

The answer really depends on your experience, location, and industry demand.

In the UK.

According to Glassdoor, you can expect to make anywhere from £20,000 to £50,000.

• Beginner: at this point, you should focus on getting as much experience as you can and working on your portfolio (which we'll talk about later in this blog).

 

• Mid-level: use this time to expand your skills and take on bigger and more complex projects. It’s when you’re working on larger sets with more complicated makeup effects, like full-body prosthetics.

 

• Experienced: after a few years, you'll be handling bigger gigs and working with big industry names from movies or shows you've probably watched on Netflix before!

In the USA.

If you’re based in the USA, the annual salary ranges from $40,000 to $75,000.

• The good news: according to official sources, there are more makeup artist jobs in the USA now, going up from 3,400 in 2019 to 4,130 in 2023. While there’s no recent data on how things have grown since then, it’s likely that there are more job opportunities nowadays.

 

• The bad news: the average salary has dropped, from $81,600 a year to $68,590.

Data taken from the USA Bureau of Labor.

In other countries.

In other countries like Australia or Canada, salaries can vary widely but typically range between $30,000 and $60,000, depending on the local market and demand for special effects artists.

Special Effects Courses You Can Take as a Makeup Artist

If you’re a beginner looking to land your dream job in the film industry, you need the right training and qualifications. And if you’re in the UK, there are many courses to help you get the skills you need for a career in special effects. Below, we’ll be sharing some of the best SFX makeup courses you can take:

• The Complete Special Effects Makeup for Film and TV Short Course, by University of the Arts London.

This 10-week SFX masterclass at UAL is perfect if you’re a beginner or want to sharpen your skills. Their page includes an impressive review from a previous student who shared how the lessons helped her secure her first job, opening doors to networking, IMDB credits, and future opportunities.

• Make-up Artistry and Special Effects, by UCEN Manchester.

For those in the Bolton, Birmingham or Bristol areas, UCEN offers you access to state of the art facilities where you'll learn everything from advanced makeup to wig work. With multiple courses to choose from, you’ll have the freedom to pick what interests you most, like SFX, advanced makeup skills, or even prosthetics.

• Special Effects And Prosthetics Application, by Iver Makeup Academy.

This intensive course by IMA is designed to fast-track your career in SFX makeup. In just 3 weeks, you’ll gain expertise in everything from prosthetic applications to skin texture effects. Their page also features videos that show the techniques being done in practice. The class combines hands-on practice with expert guidance so you’ll gain a wide variety of skills.

• Prosthetic Effects MA, by Gorton Studio.

Created by Neill Gorton, an award-winning artist who worked on Doctor Who, this course by Gorton Studio is taught by film industry professionals so you can pick up all the latest tricks and get real world experience for a successful career in special effects. 

• Casualty SFX Makeup Artist Course, by Seventa Makeup Academy

This 5-day course is for you if you want to learn how to create realistic wounds and prosthetics. You’ll work with real SFX makeup tools (which you get to keep) and learn everything from burns to scars. And if you want to progress even further, Seventa also offers prosthetic flat moulding and bald cap application classes.

If there are no SFX makeup universities near you, you can always look for online classes, which are also a great option. Whether you study online or in-person, one thing’s for sure: having the right makeup kit is key to turning your investment in education into a profitable career.

Which leads us to our next point…

Best SFX Makeup Kits

Your kit will depend a lot on your level of experience and the type of work you’ll be doing. Here's a summary for each stage:

Beginner.

For beginners, a great starter kit would include a basic set of tools to help you practice and build foundational skills:

• Basic face paints and latex.
• Makeup brushes (shocking, right?)
• Wax for creating simple scars or injuries.
• A basic prosthetic set (for wounds, scars, etc.)
• Small sculpting tools for practice (things like spatulas or clay tools).

While some of these are definitely not your average everyday makeup products, you can find most of them available at a cheap price on websites like Amazon or Alibaba.

Experienced.

As an experienced artist, your kit should evolve to include more advanced tools and materials for creating detailed effects. This is the stage to invest in specialized products like:

• Gelatin for realistic wounds and textures.
• High quality crepe hair for beards, wigs, etc.
• Lifecasting materials (like plaster bandages).

You can find these all over Amazon or in specialized SFX stores like Camera Ready Cosmetics or Ben Nye.

Professional.

Are you already a professional MUA? If you’re looking to focus on SFX or theatrical makeup, you’ll want to make sure your kit is packed with the right stuff for big-budget productions:

• A professional airbrush kit with different pigments.
• LED or UV reactive makeup for special lighting effects.
• Full body prosthetic and FX molding materials like latex or silicone.

These are just some ideas to get you started. Usually, the movie crew takes care of getting all the gear you’ll need, including special items customized for each actor. So you can just concentrate on the makeup and effects.

How to Find Special Effects Makeup Jobs

If you’re wondering how to get a job in special effects, we have good news: it’s not as difficult as it used to be. Like we mentioned earlier in this blog, the amount of SFX makeup jobs has grown a lot in the last couple of years. On top of that, many of the courses we mentioned also help you get in touch with the right people. 

But whether you start with an internship or as a freelancer, you’re going to need a strong portfolio to show off your skills & creativity. 

Building an Awesome Portfolio for SFX Makeup Jobs

For the portfolio itself, there are many simple website builders like Squarespace, WordPress, or Carrd. You can even use Instagram if you don’t have the time or skills to create a full website just yet.

To boost your chances of getting hired, here’s some things you should include:

• Before and after photos.
• Testimonials from your fellow MUAs.
• A list of projects you’ve worked on before.
• Behind the scenes shots to showcase your process.
• Any degrees, certifications or courses you’ve completed during your training.

Finding (And Maintaining) Your New SFX Job

When it comes to job-hunting, you can share your portfolio and network with people who have connections in the industry/companies. You can usually find these professionals in industry-related events like IMATS, film conventions, or theater expos.

When sharing your portfolio, pay close attention to each job description to tailor your application to their specific requirements. This helps increase your chances of getting hired.

And please keep in mind that most people in this industry work as freelancers so the amount of work you get can vary. A lot of jobs are project-based, meaning you could be busy at certain times of the year, and then have more downtime during others. 

Remember:

• That's normal for the industry, and it just means you'll need to stay flexible & proactive about finding your next gig.

And since a lot of SFX artists work on a freelance basis, it’s super important to build long-term relationships with key people in the industry. 

Here are some tips to grow your network:

Keep in touch.

Stay in the loop with people you meet in the industry. If you keep your connections strong, you'll be the first one they think of when a new opportunity pops up.

Be reliable.

If you’re someone who shows up and does what they say, you'll stand out. When people know they can rely on you, they’ll trust you with bigger opportunities down the line.

Get referrals.

Paying attention to details helps you create amazing work that makes you stand out in a competitive industry. Especially if you’re working as an apprentice on your first gigs.

Make sure to go above and beyond on every project. When people see your dedication and skill, they’ll be more likely to recommend you to others.

FAQs About Special Effects Makeup

How do I get started with special effects makeup?

You get into SFX by getting the right products and practicing through a course.

To begin your career in SFX, you’ll need some basic makeup knowledge. Choose one of the specialized courses like prosthetics and go all in. It takes some time to learn, but the experience is fun and rewarding.

What qualifications do I need to become a SFX makeup artist?

You’ll need a degree in special effects makeup from any accredited course before landing your first job in the industry.

Pro tip: if possible, you can also aim for a cosmetology degree or esthetics license to stand out in the industry and get a job in big movie studios.

Who is the youngest SFX makeup artist?

The youngest (and also one of the the most famous) SFX artist is Dakota Patton, who is a certified special effects MUA who began her craft at the age of three.

By six, Dakota was already amazing at special effects and big industry names started noticing her work on social media.

Is special effects makeup a good career?

Absolutely! If you’re the kind of person who loves Halloween and special effects, turning it into a job is pretty easy (and super rewarding) once you’ve got the right skills and network.

How long does it take to become a SFX MUA?

It depends on your training, but most people complete their courses in 1 to 2 years. It’s all about the depth of your training and how quickly you can apply what you learn.

How much do special effects MUAs make?

In the UK, new SFX artists start at around £20,000 a year. Once you’ve got some experience, you might make £30,000 to £40,000. And if you’re working on those huge blockbuster movies, you could be making £50,000 or more.