Difference Between Makeup Artist and Cosmetologist (With Table)

In today’s world scenario, outer beauty and presentation surpass inner beauty and innocence as well. Thus, cosmetologists and makeup artists are very important to everyone in the limelight. People sometimes get confused between the two similar terms, cosmetologist and makeup artist. As both the makeup artist and cosmetologist work in the glamour and beauty industry, they are seen as one, although different.

Their education and training overlap a lot. Thus, it can be justified why people mix these two terms up. However, there lie some key differences between these two terms as well. In this article, we will discuss the two professions and also how a makeup artist differs from a Cosmetologist.

Makeup Artist vs Cosmetologist

The difference between a makeup artist and a cosmetologist is that a makeup artist does makeup only. However, a cosmetologist knows about hair, skin and nails too and thus can meet the demand of the customer regarding the same. Any layman can become a makeup artist if he or she learns the makeup tutorials. However, only educated people having a minimum educational qualification, finishing their past courses from a recognised institution can study Cosmetology.

To become a makeup artist, no formal degree or education is required at all. Any layman having no educational qualification can also avail of the makeup course. They do not have the authority to do anything else, like hair or nails. No such eligibility is required to be a makeup artist. To avail of a makeup artist course, no perquisites required. Completing makeup courses do not provide people with a degree. Rather it just teaches them the basic makeup tutorials.

A cosmetologist needs to finish the course of cosmetology. A Cosmetologist works not only on makeup but also works on nails, hair and skin too. One can become a Cosmetologist if he completes a degree and thus is eligible. A minimum qualification needs to be achieved before going for the Cosmetologist course. A Cosmetologist gets a recognised degree only after completing the cosmetologist course.

Comparison Table Between Makeup Artist and Cosmetologist

Parâmetros de comparaçãoMakeup ArtistCosmetologist
Requerimentos educacionaisLower educational requirements.Educational requirements are highly rigorous.
Job opportunitiesLimited job opportunities.Job opportunities are plenty and possibly higher earning as well.
EducaçãoNo formal degree or education is required.A course in cosmetology needs to be done.
Area of workMakeup.Makeup, hair, nails, skin.
ElegibilidadeNo such eligibility is required.Eligibility of completing a degree is required.
Minimum QualificationNo perquisites required.One needs to get a minimum qualification to study Cosmetology thereafter.
GrauIs not a degree holder, knows basic makeup tutorials.Is a recognised degree holder.
Job OfferHave a basic job after completing the course.Can begin his own business or practice.

What is Makeup Artist?

The make-up artists are well versed with the recent and latest trends in the market related to fashion and glamour. However, they would prove insufficient when issues on skincare, nail care, or hair care arise. Makeup artists generally stick to makeup only. They do not even switch to hair styling also. For makeup artists, other courses are also available. They focus on practical knowledge and tries to fetch people with a basic job.

No prior experience or education is required for the same. Those completing makeup courses get a certificate, but the certificates are not recognised by any institution as an educational qualification. But it provides the candidate with a chance to join a basic job or start one. A makeup artist can get a decent job with basic pay at a salon, spa or parlour. Makeup artists with extraordinary skills can be picked up by film units as well. Makeup artists can have a basic job at a salon or beauty spa after they finish the course.

What is Cosmetologist?

Cosmetologists are well versed with the therapies, treatments and amazing practices related to nail care, skincare and hair care. They take up other works such as nail maintenance and hairstyling as well. The cosmetology courses are generally tough and very intense. It requires a person to have a minimum school education. Completing the course provides the candidate with the license to start practising in any existing institution or the start of its own.

Cosmetology courses are also recognised by the central and state boards. The candidates would not be well versed with the latest trends in fashion and style after finishing this course. Particular field to work with need to be selected by the candidate himself. State board examinations can be cleared by the candidate, and the main purpose of these courses is to educate the candidate and fetch him a degree and later a decent and secure job.

Main Differences Between Makeup Artist and Cosmetologist

  1. No formal degree, education is required to become a makeup artist. However, to become a cosmetologist, one has to finish a course in cosmetology.
  2. The area of work of makeup artists is only makeup. However, cosmetologist works not only on makeup but hair, nails and skin too.
  3. No such eligibility is required to become a makeup artist. However, particular eligibility for completing a degree is required to become a cosmetologist.
  4. To do a makeup artist course, no perquisites required. On the other hand, one needs to get a minimum qualification to finally do a Cosmetologist course.
  5. Makeup courses do not give people the degree but rather basic makeup tutorials. However, finishing a cosmetology course fetch you a recognised degree.
  6. Makeup artists can have a basic job after they finish the course. On the contrary, a cosmetologist, with the help of his degree, can start his own business and practice.


As both cosmetologist and makeup artists are seen in the beauty and glamour industry, they are sometimes confused as one. However, the key difference being, a cosmetologist requires higher educational qualification, but a makeup artist requires basic educational qualification. Having basic schooling is required by the Cosmetologist but not by the makeup artist.

Cosmetologists are well prepared when setting the businesses are concerned. To run a large cosmetics or beauty-related industry, a licensed cosmetologist is required. However, most of the times, cosmetologists supervise makeup artists. Thus, next time you get confused between the two similar terms, check this article as a reference.


  1. http://jpk.ppj.unp.ac.id/index.php/jpk/article/view/768
  2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-319-68617-2_142.pdf