Thomas Watkin wrote:
A license to put makeup on a model at a photo shoot? That borders on insanity.

Do I need a license to take pictures?

I don't want to hijack this, but depending on your state and city/county you may.

Clearly shooting for fun and never charging for photography, you don't need a license.  But the moment you go into business, the rules change.

In Florida, you have to apply for a tax id to collect sales tax.  If your business name is not Your Name, Photography (in my case Rob Miracle, Photography) but if you want to use a fictitious name, like Bubba's Rock Star Studios, you have to run an ad in the local paper stating that your doing business as that name, clip it, and pay a fee to the state to get use of the name.  After that you can get a business bank account.  You also have to get a county occupational license and possibly a city one as well.

When I moved to NC, I had to get a photographer's license from the state, pay a fee, no tests.  I'm pretty sure I saw cosmetology types on the list.  But so are doctors, lawyers, etc.  Then with the license, you could get your tax-id.    As long as I wasn't in a commercial building, I needed no further licensing.   But if I were to have a physical studio and not my home, I would have to have an occupational license.

So in NC there is definitely a photographer's license.

Roshar wrote:
What Im curious about is do most of the major MUAs have one?

I mean Kevin Aucoin would tweeze and bleach brows as do many others.
He never went to school.

I hope there is some loophole cause my dream of being the cocky barista at Starbucks looks near.

I dont believe they do...I know that some of the really big makeup artists bleach brows and are not hair certified

Roshar wrote:
What Im curious about is do most of the major MUAs have one?

I mean Kevin Aucoin would tweeze and bleach brows as do many others.
He never went to school.

I hope there is some loophole cause my dream of being the cocky barista at Starbucks looks near.

Don't worry too much. Some of this is *why did I have to get a license and you didn't* blah blah.

People are so into seperatism now days.

Miracle_Man wrote:

I don't want to hijack this, but depending on your state and city/county you may.

Clearly shooting for fun and never charging for photography, you don't need a license.  But the moment you go into business, the rules change.

In Florida, you have to apply for a tax id to collect sales tax.  If your business name is not Your Name, Photography (in my case Rob Miracle, Photography) but if you want to use a fictitious name, like Bubba's Rock Star Studios, you have to run an ad in the local paper stating that your doing business as that name, clip it, and pay a fee to the state to get use of the name.  After that you can get a business bank account.  You also have to get a county occupational license and possibly a city one as well.

When I moved to NC, I had to get a photographer's license from the state, pay a fee, no tests.  I'm pretty sure I saw cosmetology types on the list.  But so are doctors, lawyers, etc.  Then with the license, you could get your tax-id.    As long as I wasn't in a commercial building, I needed no further licensing.   But if I were to have a physical studio and not my home, I would have to have an occupational license.

So in NC there is definitely a photographer's license.

Why would you need a seller's permit to do makeup? (Note: tax ID's are used for state/federal income if you are incorporated or run a partnership. They have nothing to do with sales tax). You do not need a seller's permit in Florida to do makeup. You do need a local business license, just like every other business, but it's not for sales tax purposes. As in most states, you would need a seller's permit only if you are selling tangible goods. Makeup artistry is a service business, not a sales business - unless you actually sell makeup to your clients. Many of us don't.

Sorry, but I'm posting under my modeling port tonight. I'm tired after getting back in from a job at 9:30 tonight. I can't be bothered switching back and forth tonight.

Andrea Acailawen wrote:
Why would you need a seller's permit to do makeup? (Note: tax ID's are used for state/federal income if you are incorporated or run a partnership. They have nothing to do with sales tax). You do not need a seller's permit in Florida to do makeup. You do need a local business license, just like every other business, but it's not for sales tax purposes. As in most states, you would need a seller's permit only if you are selling tangible goods. Makeup artistry is a service business, not a sales business - unless you actually sell makeup to your clients. Many of us don't.

Sorry, but I'm posting under my modeling port tonight. I'm tired after getting back in from a job at 9:30 tonight. I can't be bothered switching back and forth tonight.

Well makeup isn't selling a tangible product.  Photography though is.   Even sole proprietors need a tax ID.  You can use your SSN for the Feds, but the state is going to give you a tax-id number.  In my case, my state tax ID was used for sales tax, my SSN was used for income tax.

Florida doesn't have state income tax, so the tax ID there is just for collecting sales tax on sales.

The important thing for the main thread:  Florida no Photographers License, but a royal pain to setup a business.   NC Requires a photographers license and easier to setup a business.

Silver Immersion wrote:
There is no union for mua and hairstylists first of all(I wish there was!). Second of all, to style hair you do not need a license(ex; you can braid hair w/o a license, but you can't cut or shampoo), but to do chemicals you do have to be licensed. In MD there is a mua license that only requires 40 classroom hours to be licensed. No test.
Some mua are great at creating a beautiful illusion, but have no idea about sanitation and disinfection rules to protect them and their model. A cosmo license(like I have) gives you the ok to do makeup, all chemicals, waxing, apply makeup......you get the idea. Guess in the end its your call....

One more correction on this. In many states you can't even touch hair without a license. In the state of Florida, you can get a specialist license in hair wrapping, or hair braiding, or both. These limited licenses allow you to do hair styling without a full cosmetology license, but without them, you are not legally allowed to style hair.

Miracle_Man wrote:

Well makeup isn't selling a tangible product.  Photography though is.   Even sole proprietors need a tax ID.  You can use your SSN for the Feds, but the state is going to give you a tax-id number.  In my case, my state tax ID was used for sales tax, my SSN was used for income tax.

Florida doesn't have state income tax, so the tax ID there is just for collecting sales tax on sales.

The important thing for the main thread:  Florida no Photographers License, but a royal pain to setup a business.   NC Requires a photographers license and easier to setup a business.

Yes, but this thread had nothing to do with photographers or selling pictures. It was about makeup. It's generally best to stay on topic so folks don't get confused as to what point you're attempting to make. Because again, as I said, you do not need a seller's permit to do makeup, which is what this thread is about.

Roshar wrote:
What Im curious about is do most of the major MUAs have one?

I mean Kevin Aucoin would tweeze and bleach brows as do many others.
He never went to school.

I hope there is some loophole cause my dream of being the cocky barista at Starbucks looks near.

I watched Billy B. bleach a model's eyebrows at a workshop (ooo lots of witnesses, lol), and there was even a hair guy there too. They looked much better, though, afterwards. Yup. But hey, Starbucks would be sort of fun. I'll come work with ya.

Lisa Johnson MUA wrote:
I do wonder of the OPs intent in this post, to be honest.  I mean...deal with reputable makeup artists for crying out loud.  AND if you need to know what that means, ask!  It's not rocket science, right?  RIGHT?     DO WE need to make photography licensed??  Well, DO WE?

Lottie wrote:

I dont believe they do...I know that some of the really big makeup artists bleach brows and are not hair certified

See- thats what I thought.
So in that regards it makes me wonder exactly how strictly its enforced.
As Lisa pointed out too many of them even bleach brows and such in public classes- bleaching would be even more of a reason to have a license than just putting makeup on.

Ive never been asked (knock on wood) and Ive worked from NY to Asia and inbetween.

Oh My Sian! We would look so cute in those green aprons!

Decadence Dernier wrote:
Lately, I've been coming into connection with MUA's that do not possess cosmetology licenses.  Now, I was always concerned about feeling I was pretty sure that was a requirement and if not should be.  We're talking about dealing with people's skin here.  Since I am asked to find MUA's for client projects often I was very curious to know. I was told by a MUA that one wasn't required in this state to do make-up and left it alone until recently a photographer was very hesitant, almost reluctant to tell me if his MUA of choice for our shoots had a license.  When I found out she didn't I went on ahead and finally did the research.

In my state, it IS unlawful to do make-up without a license unless you are applying the make-up as a brand purveyor, ya know like a MAC associate, Estee Lauder counter girl, or even Mary Kay salesperson. Otherwise, you are falsely presenting yourself as a cosmetologist.

I am a makeup artist not a cosmetologist.  In  most cosmotology schools they spend very little time on makeup or makeup application--a majority of it deals with hair cutting and coloring.  Estaticians usually deal with skin and skin treatments, however makeup still a very little covered area in that line of profession as well.

While I do have an actual Masters Diploma many states to not require a license to apply makeup unless you are doing so in a salon.  Though I live in California I"ve practiced in Illinois as well without a problem.  I do have wavers that I have that are signed stating what I'm using and libability forms to protect myself and my clients.  Though it can be scary -- there are those makeup artists that aren't as "experienced" as they'd have you believe.

Lisa Johnson MUA wrote:
I do wonder of the OPs intent in this post, to be honest.  I mean...deal with reputable makeup artists for crying out loud.  AND if you need to know what that means, ask!  It's not rocket science, right?  RIGHT? 

Decadence Dernier wrote:
So with that said, I'm curious to know what the laws are for cosmetologist licenses in other states. Also just thoughts of some of the MUA's on this topic.

I don't see what wasn't clear about the statement from my original post in this thread.  Im sure that's not rocket science as well.

In Focus Makeup Art wrote:
In Texas you don't have to be liscenced to do makeup but you can't apply moisturizer  or do skin care before hand. You also can't cut or color hair but the loophole here is you can dry style on set but not in a salon. Thats the reason I rent my studio out to photographers...I'm always in a photography studio

I will say though that having a liscence doesn't make you talented.

Having a license  certainly doesn't make me talented>

I haven't perused the  Cosmetology regulations since the commission was absorbed by the Texas board of Licensing and regulations a couple years ago (I probably should).

As of the time I was in Cosmo school (10 years ago) MUA's could not charge for the application of product, only for the products them selves, or a "cosmetics lesson". That was the loop hole. Again, I haven't looked over the info in ages, so who knows what it is now.

Also at the time I was in school, to do ANYTHING with the hair you had to be licensed. This was changed because of the demand of African Braiders. I understand them not wanting to go to school if all they are doing is braiding, but I really think the sanitary education should be mandatory for any one who is going to touch another person, whether they use chemicals or not.

I've seen some pretty dirty MUAs and stylist out there. It sucks, but just because they went to school and got a license, doesn't mean they are clean. Just means they don't have a license to be revoked when they get busted.

Lottie wrote:

I dont believe they do...I know that some of the really big makeup artists bleach brows and are not hair certified

Not sure about other states, but in Oregon Aestiticians are trained to do brow and lash tinting (brow bleaching, or coloring with permanent dye, or dye that is red is against the law here) not exactly sure why. But aestiticians also do waxing, and that's hair, maybe it has something to do with that.

It all seems very silly to me. And while I do believe that anyone dealing with the public should have safety and sanitation training, I think it is ridiculous that I had to pay thousands of dollars and spend months and months in school to get my aesthetics license, just to do free lance makeup. I think instead of needing a license, there should be a class that one could take for safety and sanitation for styling hair and applying makeup (for those of us that have no interest in cutting and coloring or facials and waxing) maybe the equivalence of a food handlers card? (need one of those here in OR to touch food).

But I would say that it is always best to check with the state you live in, since the law in regards to this subject seems wildly different from state to state. Better safe than sorry.

Compass Rose Beauty wrote:
Not sure about other states, but in Oregon Aestiticians are trained to do brow and lash tinting (brow bleaching, or coloring with permanent dye, or dye that is red is against the law here) not exactly sure why. But aestiticians also do waxing, and that's hair, maybe it has something to do with that.

This is standard esthetician training, because that is the face.  The products used on the face, and protections from dribbling product are different.

Kenia Mishelle wrote:
In FLORIDA the REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS for COSMETOLOGY states;


(f)  Persons whose practice is limited to the application of cosmetic products to another person in connection with the sale, or attempted sale, of such products at retail without compensation from such other person other than the regular retail price of such merchandise.

(2)  A license is not required of any person whose occupation or practice is confined solely to shampooing.

(3)  A license or registration is not required of any person whose occupation or practice is confined solely to cutting, trimming, polishing, or cleansing the fingernails of any person when said cutting, trimming, polishing, or cleansing is done in a barbershop licensed pursuant to chapter 476 which is carrying on a regular and customary business of barbering, and such individual has been practicing the activities set forth in this subsection prior to October 1, 1985.

(4)  A photography studio salon is exempt from the licensure provisions of this chapter. However, the hair-arranging services of such salon must be performed under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist employed by the salon. The salon must use disposable hair-arranging implements or use a wet or dry sanitizing system approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

(5)  A license is not required of any individual providing makeup, special effects, or cosmetology services to an actor, stunt person, musician, extra, or other talent during a production recognized by the Office of Film and Entertainment as a qualified production as defined in s. 288.1254(2). Such services are not required to be performed in a licensed salon. Individuals exempt under this subsection may not provide such services to the general public.

(6)  A license is not required of any individual providing makeup or special effects services in a theme park or entertainment complex to an actor, stunt person, musician, extra, or other talent, or providing makeup or special effects services to the general public. The term "theme park or entertainment complex" has the same meaning as in s. 509.013(9).

Is a License currently required in the state of Florida for a out of salon MUA?

Melissa Rachelle wrote:
And beyond that I really am sick and tired of models blaming makeup artists when they get sick.  Especially when MANY of them share makeup with their friends.I've seen many models use their friends lipstick tube directly on their lips and pass it on. 

Models share brushes with each other all the time.  They even share mascara.  But if they work with a makeup artist the next daxt day, they'll say that the makeup artist's bad sanitation made them sick.

I'm not a model.  So when I get sick who should I blame it on since I can't blame it on the makeup artists that I've worked with.  Who's to blame?  My doctor, my dentist, the person that kissed me on the cheek the day before, who?

People get sick.  And just because you're a model, it doesn't mean that your makeup artist made you sick.

ha ha.  so true.
speaking of this reminded me of this set in ZINK that Lottie did the makeup for.  It was gorgeous.  Some girl wrote a letter that was in the next issue about how she had tried to do it on herself and it hadn't looked as good AND she'd gotten pink eye.  Her whole letter was in a blaming tone that implied that it was somehow NOT her fault that she gave herself pink eye.  People get sick.  Life is dirty.  If it wasn't and we didn't doctors wouldn't have a job and pharmaceuticals wouldn't be such a lucrative industry.

Roshar wrote:
Well looks like if I move to NYC I will have to quit makeup and work at Starbucks then.

welcome to my life as of august 2009.
but their regulations for hairstylists are a lot more strict than for makeup. i have to either take my state board tests again or wait 5 months until ive had a license in cali for 5 years to be able to transfer my cosmo license into a NY license. seriously sucks ass.

MsHeidi wrote:
In regard to the other contries around the world you do not need anything exept make up to "be" a MUA...

all countries i dont think so,here in australia,here u do I no there out there those's (faker's) (wanna be's) but if i was to look for other's mua's to work with i would be asking r thay qualified.

christi wrote:

Is a License currently required in the state of Florida for a out of salon MUA?

Way to bump a two year old thread...

Roshar wrote:
Well looks like if I move to NYC I will have to quit makeup and work at Starbucks then.

not just that Ro.. but since we're not licensed..  our work.. artistry.. and sanitation practices are all nullified !!

I'd only need a license if I was working in a salon or spa..  and since I'm NEVER gonna do that.. (as well as ever working retail again.. not that you need a licensed to do mac makeovers on prom girls).. I can honestly tell you that anyone that looks at my work.. and listens to my references and STILL won't hire me because of a piece of paper that I don't require..  is someone I don't need to work for in the first place.

Silver Immersion wrote:
There is no union for mua and hairstylists first of all(I wish there was!). Second of all, to style hair you do not need a license(ex; you can braid hair w/o a license, but you can't cut or shampoo), but to do chemicals you do have to be licensed. In MD there is a mua license that only requires 40 classroom hours to be licensed. No test.
Some mua are great at creating a beautiful illusion, but have no idea about sanitation and disinfection rules to protect them and their model. A cosmo license(like I have) gives you the ok to do makeup, all chemicals, waxing, apply makeup......you get the idea. Guess in the end its your call....

----------------------
I'm in Maryland too and Maryland did have a license just for makeup and you it use to be a requirement for working in a salon.  But it's no longer required, I believe since Oct. 2008.

So in Maryland you no longer need a license to do makeup only.  I became licensed before they stopped it and at the school I went to, it was more hours than required, and we were tested on both written and application for us to be licensed, so we did have tests.  On the Licensing Board's site it says you no longer need a license, someone introduced a bill to stop the need for the license because there are so many doing makeup without a license and no one is keeping up with it.  I'm glad I have it anyway since it varies depending on where you're doing it.

MUA Kelly Ferguson wrote:
I'm glad I have it anyway since it varies depending on where you're doing it.

It does vary.  However, Maryland was the only state with a makeup license.  Now there are none.  But, there are plenty of states that require, at a minimum, an esthetics license.  So while you got the makeup license, it doesn't matter.  If you plan to work in other states, you need to be aware of the laws in those other states.  Your makeup license will not be covered under reciprocity, because you didn't learn esthetics.

Kelly Oswalt wrote:
I am a makeup artist who recently spent about 10 months going to school to get my aesthetics license. I had been doing makeup with Chanel as a freelancer for 8 years prior to that. Well this is a heated debate right now, and I suggest that if you are working as a MUA you check w/ the state board of cosmetology in you particular     state. Yes I agree the schools don't teach much about makeup application, but they do teach sanitation which is a big thing right now w/ all the viruses and diseases floating around . It is not their job to teach advanced makeup techniques that is for continuing education classes.  In my state which is Indiana you can apply makeup if you are selling the makeup(demonstration) purposes only. But I think a lot of people don't ask don't tell. Most likely no one will call you out on this if you are un-licensed, but beware because your competitors who have a cosmetology license may bring it up and cause you grief at some point in your career. That was not worth it to me because I wanted to be a professional and I figured I must make some sacrifices to show that I am a serious MUA is this business. Good luck figuring out this MUA enigma!