As a makeup artist, your portfolio and client list will play a big part in securing you a new makeup role. In such a creative and visual profession, your technical skills and eye for creativity set you apart in your field. While an online website can display your portfolio and a resume will do a good job of conveying your technical credentials, the purpose of a makeup artist cover letter is to share your personal touch. That’s why your interpersonal skills should not be underestimated.
Makeup artists spend a lot of time with their clients, so hiring managers are naturally going to be interested in you as a person. This is where the cover letter comes into play.
Makeup artist cover letter example
Dear Mrs. Welsch,
I am thrilled to submit my application for the position of Make-up Artist at MAC Cosmetics. As a highly creative and passionate professional with over six years of experience in the beauty industry, I am confident that my skills, expertise, and dedication to creating stunning looks make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in a wide range of makeup applications, from natural and subtle looks to bold and avant-garde styles. My deep understanding of color theory, skin tones, and facial structures has enabled me to create personalized looks that enhance each client's unique beauty and confidence.
In my current role as a Senior Make-up Artist at Sephora, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele and collaborate with a talented team of beauty professionals. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to stay up-to-date with the latest makeup trends, techniques, and products, and have used this knowledge to provide exceptional service to our clients. Additionally, I have experience in conducting makeup tutorials and workshops, helping to educate and empower others to express their creativity through makeup.
One of my notable achievements was being selected to participate in New York Fashion Week, where I had the opportunity to work alongside renowned designers and create stunning runway looks. This experience not only challenged me to push the boundaries of my artistic abilities but also showcased my ability to work efficiently under pressure and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
I am particularly drawn to MAC Cosmetics' reputation for creativity, innovation, and quality. I have long admired the brand's commitment to celebrating diversity and self-expression, and I believe that my passion for makeup artistry aligns perfectly with these values.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills, experience, and enthusiasm can contribute to the continued success of MAC Cosmetics.
Sincerely,
Kourtney Stone
Sections of a makeup artist cover letter
The makeup artist cover letter should follow a particular pattern. When you are telling a career story, it is worth following a tried and tested formula. There is no reason to be unnecessarily creative here. Leave the creativity for your professional portfolio.
Here is a structure to follow for a makeup artist cover letter:
- Cover letter header. The header is a functional space on the cover letter for contact details such as your full name, email, mobile, and link to your portfolio. This information should be copied from the resume.
- Greeting. When you work in such a people-oriented industry, personalizing the greeting is important. Look at the job description or phone the company to ask who will be interviewing you.
- Introduction. Lead with an unusual makeup story that highlights some of the key behavioral qualities that will be in demand in your next role. Don’t just parrot the role responsibilities. Offer an insight into who you are at work.
- Body. The body of the cover letter should contain a few client stories. Name-dropping is not inappropriate if your clients are not confidential. Your future employer will need to understand the types of work you have done and whom you have worked with. Try to avoid being boastful. It is the quality of the work that matters, not the fame of the client.
- Conclusion. Passion is everything when you work in a creative profession, so do not hesitate to end on a positive note and mention that you cannot wait to find out more in a potential interview. Be hopeful rather than expectant.
- Signature. End the cover letter with a professional sign-off.
Every section of your cover letter works together to tell the tale of your career. Ideally, you need to write parts of your story that will complement your resume rather than repeat it.
A one-page cover letter is more than enough for you to convey your personality. That is not to say that you should rush it. Every line will be carefully analyzed. Imagine the hiring manager sitting in your makeup chair and hearing you say these words.
Need more inspiration? View our other related cover letter examples from this sector:
For more cover letter advice, read our guide on how to write a cover letter.
After designing the header and addressing the hiring manager, it is time to think about what exactly makes you such a fantastic makeup professional.
Introduction of a makeup artist cover letter
It is worth spending a little time to think about how to start a cover letter. That first paragraph needs to grab the attention and get to the heart of what you do. What matters to you at work? Why do you think your makeup clients keep coming back to you?
While it is important that you pick a story that you wish to continue at interview, make sure that it is from a relevant industry and reflects the sort of makeup work that you will be doing for your future employer. Relevance is everything. Look beyond the job description to understand the challenges of the role. Do you have what it takes to meet them?
Dear Mr. Whittle,
With 8 years of experience as a professional makeup artist, I have completed over 500 client projects, including 50 editorial shoots and 30 bridal parties. My expertise has contributed to a 40% client retention rate. I am confident that my skills in creating flawless and innovative looks will add significant value to your team and enhance your brand's visibility in the industry.
Hi, I love it when I do the makeup of famous people. I think that my skills are really good and I know that my clients are happy afterward. I particularly enjoy doing film and television makeup, because I get to hear lots of gossip about the actors.
Talk about client retention and industry recognition. If you are good, people will be talking about you, and you will have plenty of repeat business. A makeup artist who is constantly moving from client to client is not a stable employee. Emphasize your reliability.
Dear Mrs. Welsch,
I am thrilled to submit my application for the position of Make-up Artist at MAC Cosmetics. As a highly creative and passionate professional with over six years of experience in the beauty industry, I am confident that my skills, expertise, and dedication to creating stunning looks make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Makeup artist cover letter body
In the body of your cover letter, consider the following template:
- Focus on your behaviors, motivations, and how you make clients feel.
- Mention your organizational skills, e.g. how you can work with tight deadlines.
- Share a link to your portfolio. Your artistry will speak volumes.
- Maybe mention a client recommendation or two—name dropping is impressive.
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
For the beginning of your makeup artist cover letter, here are a few potential avenues to explore:
- Share a challenging project. Starting with the one story that you wish to tell during an interview is a great way to start. Make sure that there is a wow factor.
- Emphasize how you go about your work. Leave the technical details to your makeup artist resume. The start of the cover letter should focus on how you make your clients feel. What is the experience of sitting in your makeup chair like?
- Explore creativity. Every creative has a process that they fall back on when they do their work. Share a little of the science behind your makeup creations.
Check out the employer’s socials. They will feature plenty of photos of their work. Have a look at your portfolio and share similar sorts of makeup projects. See which parts of this homework you can incorporate into your makeup artist cover letter.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization
One top tip is to get in touch with an employee or two on socials before you apply. The makeup industry is fairly small, so people will likely be happy to give you the low down on the culture. Then you can tailor the tone of your cover letter to match how they go about their work. Trying to align your application with the organization will help to set you apart.
According to the Health and Style Institute, the top four skills are a makeup artist are:
- Active listening. You are going to be doing plenty of chatting with your clients. Understanding and translating their needs is key to a long-lasting relationship.
- Flexibility. There will be times when a client will be insistent on a certain look. Sometimes you just need to go with the flow, even if this isn’t quite what you would have done.
- Adaptability. Makeup techniques and technology are constantly changing—you have to be on a constant learning journey.
- Time management. You will always be in a mad rush to get things done. If you couldn’t handle it, you wouldn’t be in this industry, but it doesn’t hurt to mention it.
Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in a wide range of makeup applications, from natural and subtle looks to bold and avant-garde styles. My deep understanding of color theory, skin tones, and facial structures has enabled me to create personalized looks that enhance each client's unique beauty and confidence.
In my current role as a Senior Make-up Artist at Sephora, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse clientele and collaborate with a talented team of beauty professionals. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to stay up-to-date with the latest makeup trends, techniques, and products, and have used this knowledge to provide exceptional service to our clients. Additionally, I have experience in conducting makeup tutorials and workshops, helping to educate and empower others to express their creativity through makeup.
One of my notable achievements was being selected to participate in New York Fashion Week, where I had the opportunity to work alongside renowned designers and create stunning runway looks. This experience not only challenged me to push the boundaries of my artistic abilities but also showcased my ability to work efficiently under pressure and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
I am particularly drawn to MAC Cosmetics' reputation for creativity, innovation, and quality. I have long admired the brand's commitment to celebrating diversity and self-expression, and I believe that my passion for makeup artistry aligns perfectly with these values.
Call to action & conclusion: finish off strong
Sum up your cover letter in the final few lines and leave a warm and professional impression. Focus on your desire to share your portfolio. When they see you in action, they won’t be able to say no. Enthusiasm for the role is key at this point. Make them feel that they are the only employer for you. Let them know why you want to join them.
Let them know that you are keen to find out more during the interview.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills, experience, and enthusiasm can contribute to the continued success of MAC Cosmetics.
Sincerely,
Kourtney Stone
Conclude by signing off with your name. First name and surname to keep things formal – you can be on first name terms after you sign on that offer letter.
Key takeaways
A creative makeup artist cover letter highlights your relevant skills, experiences, and role fit.
Try our cover letter builder to play with the stories that you wish to tell. Read the cover letter back to yourself and imagine that you are the hiring manager – is this the sort of thing that would make you want to find out more?
