Makeup artist CV examples & templates for 2026

Provide your contact details

Keep this section clean and simple. Use an email address you check regularly, and only include social links that reflect your work as a makeup artist. If you use Instagram as a portfolio, make sure it’s managed properly and has well-shot photos showing your skills.

For a makeup artist CV, include:

• Your full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (city and country is enough)
• Portfolio or social media link (common for makeup artist CVs)

Avoid adding personal details such as your full address, date of birth, or photos on your CV for makeup artist jobs. These details do not belong on an English CV.

Makeup artist CV example: contact details

Lead with a stunning personal profile

Your makeup artist CV personal profile (also called a CV summary) is a short intro that tells employers or clients what you do best. Keep this section short and focused. Think of it as the written version of how you’d describe yourself to a new client or salon manager. Avoid buzzwords and focus on your experience and most relevant skills.

In your makeup artist CV profile, include:

• Your job title and level: makeup artist, junior, senior, freelance
• Years of experience
• Your key specialism: bridal, editorial, retail, events, SFX, etc.
• One quantified accomplishment
• 2–3 core skills that match the job description
• Short “promise” that links your value to the role or client

Makeup artist CV profile example

Show your work experience

The work experience section of a makeup artist CV is where you show that your skills translate into real results. Whether your experience comes from a salon, beauty counter, freelance bookings, photoshoots, or on-set work, it all counts. What matters is how you explain the scale of your work and the results you delivered.

For each role or contract, include:

• Job title, e.g., Makeup Artist, Freelance Makeup Artist, Bridal Makeup Artist, etc.
• Salon, brand, client type, or production
• Location
• Dates (month and year)
• 4–6 bullet points with job accomplishments

When writing your bullet points, use the STAR CV method:

• Situation – the context (busy salon, peak wedding season, live event)
• Task – what you were responsible for
• Action – what you actually did
• Result – the outcome (numbers, feedback, repeat bookings)

Always start each bullet point with an action verb (for example: delivered, completed, supported, increased, maintained). This keeps your makeup artist CV dynamic and more interesting to read.

Makeup artist CV work experience example

List your key makeup artist skills

Skills in a makeup artist CV fall into two groups: hard and soft skills. Including a balance of both helps show that you can deliver great makeup results while also working well with clients.

• Hard skills are practical, technical abilities you’ve learned through training and hands-on experience
• Soft skills describe how you work with people and handle your responsibilities.

Aim for a total of 6–12 skills. Try to include as many skills from the job posting as possible. Having these will help your makeup artist CV pass ATS scans. That’s because recruiters treat these skills as keywords, and if your CV doesn’t have enough of said keywords, it may get rejected before a human even looks at it.

Popular skills for a CV for a makeup artist include:

Feature education on your makeup artist CV

The education section of a makeup artist CV shows where you learned your craft and how seriously you take professional standards. For many makeup artists, practical training and accredited courses matter more than traditional academic qualifications.

List your most relevant training first. This might include makeup diplomas, beauty courses, brand-led training, or specialist workshops. If you’re early in your career, this section can sit higher on the CV. If you’re more experienced, keep it concise and lead with your work history.

You can include:

• Makeup artistry diplomas or certificates
• Beauty or cosmetology qualifications
• Brand-led training: for example, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Charlotte Tilbury
• Short courses or workshops (these can also go in a separate “certifications & courses” section)

Makeup artist CV education example

Include bonus sections on your makeup artist CV

Optional CV sections show more than just your job history. Used well, bonus sections help your CV for makeup artist jobs feel complete, credible, and tailored to the role you’re applying for.

Bonus sections for a makeup artist CV include:

• Portfolio / media links – Shows your work visually through a website, Instagram, or digital gallery so employers can see your style and technique.
• Certifications and short courses – Confirm professional training in areas such as hygiene, bridal makeup, editorial work, or advanced techniques.
• Brand and product experience – Demonstrates familiarity with professional makeup brands and product ranges used in salons, retail, or events.
• Professional memberships – Shows commitment to industry standards and ongoing professional development through recognised organisations.
• Foreign languages – Highlights your ability to work with international clients, destination weddings, or diverse customer bases.
• Awards and recognition – Adds credibility by showing external recognition for your work or service quality.

Makeup artist CV example: bonus sections