New Hampshire Makeup Artist School and Requirements

To become a makeup artist in New Hampshire, you must earn an esthetics or cosmetology license. You can even apply makeup without a license in certain circumstances, but you can't accept money for your services unless you're licensed.  

Read on to learn more about earning your cosmetology or esthetics license to work as a makeup artist in New Hampshire, how much money you can make, and resources from the state board. Browse our directory of makeup artistry schools in New Hampshire, or skip ahead to learn about the state's makeup artistry licensing requirements and job outlook.

How To Become a Makeup Artist in New Hampshire

Your first step towards becoming a makeup artist in New Hampshire is choosing between an esthetics or cosmetology program. It's more common to take the esthetician route since the state board requires 600 hours of training in a board-approved program rather than the 1,200 hours needed for cosmetology.

Both esthetics and cosmetology programs cover the information and treatments needed to pass state licensing exams.

In esthetics courses, you'll learn about sanitation, state esthetics laws, the anatomy of the skin, and more. You will also learn to perform treatments like facials, hair removal, and makeup application (of course!).

READ MORE: Learn More About Esthetician School in New Hampshire

After completing your esthetics program, you take a practical and written exam. Once you have your passing score, you can submit your license application along with a fee set by the board. Your esthetician license is valid for two years, at which point it needs to be renewed.

Although you learn about basic skincare treatments and makeup application in cosmetology programs, the curriculum focuses much more on hair. In the classroom, you learn about sanitation, state laws, and chemistry as it pertains to cosmetology products, among other theoretical topics. The school salon teaches you to cut, color, and style hair, as well as apply makeup and give manicures.

READ MORE: Learn More About Cosmetology School in New Hampshire

After completing the required 1,200 hours of instruction and training, you take a written and practical exam. After you pass, you submit your cosmetology license application and fee to the board. Your license must be renewed every two years.

To develop your makeup skills, consider taking some continuing education or independent courses after or during school. A simple Google search should help you find online or local training.

Makeup Artist Salary in New Hampshire

Based on recent job postings, ZipRecruiter calculates the hourly pay for makeup artists in New Hampshire as of March 2024 as $23. ZipRecruiter updates the figures monthly, so check their website for the latest estimates.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, cosmetologists in New Hampshire earned an average of $34,690 in 2022, while estheticians, referred to by the BLS as skin care specialists, earned an average of $40,750 in 2022.

Salary reports vary significantly from site to site, so the best way to find out how much you could earn is to talk to other makeup artists in your area.

Contact the New Hampshire State Board of Cosmetology