Hair and make-up assistants work for designers, stylists or artists.
Hair and make-up assistants work for designers, stylists or artists. The types of make-up and hairstyles they help with depends on the type of production they are on. They could be helping with the hire or purchase of wigs for a designer, sourcing make-up products for a make-up artist or assisting a stylist with a celebrity’s hair.
The role of a hair and make-up assistant can vary in seniority too, depending on the show. On many productions this is the entry-level role, where you may be required to run errands for your department, clean brushes and prepare make-up kits. Or you could find yourself working as junior stylist, assisting a hair or make-up artist with the appearance of on-screen guests. Assistants with more experience are often given more responsibility for key performers or presenters.
On big-budget shows, hair and make-up assistants may be part of a team ensuring everyone on screen looks ready for recordings. Once shooting starts, they are often on set to touch up make-up or maintain hair, and when filming is over they assist with make-up and product removal, cleaning and storing equipment.
Hair and make-up assistants are usually freelance, unless attached to large in-house art departments. They will often be requested by designers or stylists they’ve worked well with before.