Makeup Artists

in alabama deserve beauty, not barriers

Alabama is tied with just two other states for having the most burdensome training requirements for makeup artists: the state requires MUAs to get 1,000 hours of costly training in a traditional cosmetology program to apply makeup. That’s not fair.

Meanwhile, 13 states do not require a license to apply makeup at all. This has allowed MUAs to design their own careers, forgo debt, seek the specific training they need, and start earning sooner.

There’s no denying that MUAs deserve more flexible training options that cater to their specific needs. They shouldn’t be forced into these outdated 1,000-hour programs—especially those who have already mastered this specific, safe, and in-demand skillset. Plus, it’s 2023: there are so many other ways to learn, outside of a classroom!

let’s create opportunity for muas in alabama.

alabama requires muas to spend 1,000 hours in a costly cosmetology program. the state is tied for having the steepest requirements nationwide.

but the state has a retail exemption – meaning MUAs can earn a living applying makeup from behind a beauty counter, but can’t provide the same service outside of a store.

that’s not fair.
are you interested in getting rid of alabama’s requirement that makeup artists pay for 1,000 hours of training before they can work?

Join us! We are Beauty, Not Barriers, a nonprofit initiative working to make it less costly to work in the beauty industry.

did you know:

13 STATES EXEMPT MUAS FROM COSMETOLOGY LICENSING.

  • This has saved makeup artists money and time and allowed them to focus on seeking tailored training and building their careers based on their talent, passion, and reputation, and not on a state-issued license.
  • In states that don’t require a license, clients are protected by existing consumer protection laws.
  • Alabama already allows those working at makeup counters selling products to apply full makeup to any member of the public without a license. What changes when makeup is applied outside of a mall? Why should talented individuals be prohibited from expanding past retail sales?
  • Cosmetology schools lobby to keep state hour requirements in place and high, because they profit off of every hour you spend in school – and sometimes, twice, when they charge customers for services that students are required to provide for free.

It’s not fair that beauty professionals face steeper and more costly licensing requirements than so many other fields.

Education

Chefs prepare food that is ingested by customers and aren’t required to get a license or go to school. They take a short, simple sanitation course, and the restaurant is subject to inspections. It’s up to the chef whether they want to go to culinary school.  

Time

In Alabama, EMTs – who administer life-saving aid – have to get 180 hours of training to get a license to work. Compare that to 1,000 hours for makeup. That’s not fair.

Regulations

Personal trainers aren’t required to have a license. Tattooing is riskier and more invasive than what makeup artists do, but tattoo artists in Alabama only need to obtain training in bloodborne pathogens.

it’s 2023: It doesn’t make sense to require makeup artists to spend so much time in traditional, costly cosmetology programs, when there are so many other, more affordable training options.
While aspiring makeup artists are in school—spending money and not making money—those in 13 other states are able to determine what training they need and can start providing services sooner, without the added burdens of the cost of 1,000 hours in school and wages lost while in a lengthy program.
We believe that makeup artists deserve better.

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Beauty, Not Barriers is an initiative of the Institute for Justice, a non-profit organization that works alongside beauty professionals and other workers nationwide to change laws that make it hard to earn a living.  So often, state laws require way too much to work in an occupation—like expensive and excessive training, which profits the schools at the expense of students going into debt.  

  • There are better and far more affordable alternatives to these kinds of laws, that allow training to be tailored to the students’ needs.
  • The alternatives would make it easier for existing and aspiring beauty professionals alike to work in the industry.  
  • We support beauty, opportunity, entrepreneurship, professionalism, and safety.  We are against barriers. 
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