KUALA LUMPUR - Many makeup artists or MUA build their career out of passion, which eventually turns into a lucrative business venture.
Hence, it is unsurprising that society stigmatises makeup artists as a 'low class' job, as it often gets viewed more as a hobby despite its potential to be regarded as a highly esteemed professional career.
MUA Yuslinaniza Mohd Hanafiah, 40, believes that educational institutions should play a key role in acknowledging the profession in order to help makeup artists in the country advance.
"The field of makeup artistry is broad, but no makeup courses are offered or recognised at the university level in this country, as there are for music, dance, film, or theatre courses through the study of performing arts or creative industry programmes. This will prove that makeup artist is not a futile profession.
"Makeup courses are usually organised by MUAs, cosmetic companies, beauty centres, or through short courses offered at vocational colleges or GiatMara," she told Bernama recently.
Yuslinaniza, who has been working as a makeup artist at Istana Budaya since 2017, said that the acknowledgement could help makeup artists in the country boost their professional careers as a profession with its own prestige based on the skills and level of education earned.
"If you go abroad, makeup artist is a professional career, the longer you've been in the industry, you will become more respected, admired and appreciated," she said.
Freelance MUA Dinie Awalluddin, 47, is of the view that community colleges, vocational colleges and GiatMara should enhance and broaden the makeup courses they offer in order to meet the demand of the industry.
"This field requires highly trained individuals with the right makeup techniques and skills, particularly among the younger generation who do not do well in academics.
"It has also become a career option for those who come from various educational background as it is able to help you earn a lucrative income,” said Dinie, who has more than 20 years of experience as a make-up artist.
Meanwhile, another MUA, Zamzuri Ali, 52, said that those who are new to makeup service should keep learning about it to improve their skills and creativity.
"Instead of being easily content with their current skill set, makeup artists must consistently experiment with new techniques to avoid falling behind," he said. - BERNAMA