Mirror, mirror on the wall; blemishes, burns, warts and all.
Loosely referred to as medical make-up artists, the clinical make-up artist is one of the lesser-known types of make-up artists around. This line of work is devoid of the glitz and glamour, and fashion and trends usually associated with the make-up artistry world. Instead, it is concerned, first and foremost, with the concealment of flaws – natural or accidental.
Clinical make-up artists are typically found in hospitals, plastic surgery clinics, dermatology centres or anywhere their specific skills are in demand. They wield make-up to help affected individuals conceal unpleasant scars that may be due to the effects of chemotherapy or birth defects such as accidents, surgeries, vitiligo, deformities, stretch marks, skin disorders, burns or birthmarks. Their work enables these individuals to appear as close to normal as possible while also making them feel less insecure about their appearance. The clinical make-up artist could be termed as the real MVP of make-up artistry as the work is aimed at giving clients a better quality of life, improving their self-image and making them look good.
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What Differentiates the Clinical Make-up Artist
Tools
The clinical make-up artist’s work equipment differs from those of other make-up artists. Medical make-up, a type of camouflage cosmetic range developed by dermatologists, is the tool of trade for the clinical make-up artist. Medical make-up specifically hides imperfections that are beyond the capability of regular make-up. The medical make-up range is thicker in nature, non-comedogenic, usually fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and lasts longer than regular make-up items; it can be found as powders, concealers and foundations.
Work environment
While their counterparts shuffle from elaborate wedding ceremonies to high-powered red-carpet events, from photoshoots to fashion shows, clinical make-up artists showcase their unique skills mostly within rather sedate surroundings – in healthcare centres. Here, they effectively and naturally mask blemishes without running the risk of worsening said conditions.
Clients
Most make-up artists work with individuals for one special occasion or the other, highlighting, contouring, and enhancing their features for optimum exhibit; while the goal of the clinical make-up artist is to cover up flaws for the physical and positive psychological well-being of individuals who need it for a better quality of life.
What it Takes to Become a Clinical Make-up Artist
A large helping of compassion for clients in different unwanted conditions and learning the art of clinical make-up. In other words, the clinical make-up artist must possess the soft skills to deal with individuals combined with the hard to improve their physical appearance.
Attending a make-up artistry school offering specific clinical make-up courses, or online courses, is a good start for aspiring clinical make-up artists. Tutoring will include (among others) lessons about the skin, techniques of corrective and camouflage make-up for the skin, and knowledge of cosmetic products appropriate for various skin types.
Practising everything gleaned from make-up artistry school on family and friends to hone the skills of the clinical make-up artist.
And not forgetting to approach each job with empathy.
