Michigan makeup artist rules
Do you need a license to do makeup in Michigan?
Yes. Applying makeup to a client for pay is a skin care service that an esthetician or cosmetologist license covers. Below: weddings, events and house calls (allowed), makeup for theater, film, television or photo shoots (not stated) and applying makeup to demonstrate or sell cosmetics (not stated), each answered from Michigan's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 30, 2026, with the state's own words.
- Makeup for pay
- Full license
- Weddings and house calls
- Allowed
- Theater and film
- Not stated
- Cosmetics counter
- Not stated
Licensed by LARA.The board's site Hours and fees for each licenseThe state's own words
Makeup for pay
Do you need a license to do makeup in Michigan?
Yes. Applying makeup to a client for pay is a skin care service that an esthetician or cosmetologist license covers.
- License needed
- License needed
- Licenses that allow it
- Esthetician, Cosmetologist
- Shorter makeup license
- None
Michigan is one of 33 states whose official pages put applying makeup for pay under a license.
Weddings, events and house calls
Can a makeup artist work at weddings or in clients' homes in Michigan?
Yes, on conditions. A licensed cosmetology establishment may operate as a mobile salon at a client's home or another temporary location, under LARA's mobile salon rules.
- Work outside a salon
- Allowed
- Conditions
- The work must be done by a mobile salon, which is a cosmetology establishment that LARA regulates under its mobile salon rules.
- Separate permit
- None named
Theater, film, TV and photo shoots
Do you need a license to do makeup for theater, film, TV or photo shoots in Michigan?
Not stated. Michigan's official pages we read do not say whether makeup for theater, film, television or photo shoots needs a license. Ask LARA before you charge for it.
- License needed
- Not stated
Cosmetics counters
Do you need a license to apply makeup at a cosmetics counter in Michigan?
Not stated. Michigan's official pages we read do not say whether applying makeup to demonstrate or sell cosmetics needs a license. Ask LARA before you charge for it.
- License needed
- Not stated
Good to know
What else Michigan asks of makeup artists
- A mobile salon is a type of cosmetology establishment, so the business falls under the establishment licensing rules.
- An esthetician license requires 750 hours of training for an individual who begins training on or after July 1, 2024.
- A mobile salon can be used at a client's home.
- LARA must make rules for mobile salons and for cosmetology services performed at their premises.
Sources
What Michigan's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of Michigan's own statutes, rules or board pages, read on October 30, 2026. Rules change: confirm with LARA before you start charging for makeup or booking work on location.
- Makeup for pay
“Facials, applying removable makeup, eyelashes, or any other application of a preparation or beauty enhancement to the body of an individual, not including permanent makeup or the use of tanning equipment, except for spray tan equipment.”
legislature.mi.gov “Subject to subsection (3), an esthetician or a cosmetologist may perform the following skin care services or combination of skin care services:”
legislature.mi.gov “means an individual who performs or offers to perform skin care services.”
legislature.mi.gov - Weddings, events and house calls
“A business in which equipment used to perform 1 or more cosmetology services is transported to and used on a temporary basis at a location other than the premises of the owner, including, but not limited to, any of the following:”
legislature.mi.gov “(B) A client's home.”
legislature.mi.gov “The department in consultation with the board shall promulgate rules for the operation of mobile salons and the performance of cosmetology services in or at the premises of mobile salons.”
legislature.mi.gov “Cosmetology establishment includes a mobile salon and a cosmetology suite.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“Cosmetology establishment includes a mobile salon and a cosmetology suite.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“for an individual who begins training on or after July 1, 2024, not less than 750 hours of training”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“(B) A client's home.”
legislature.mi.gov - Also good to know
“The department in consultation with the board shall promulgate rules for the operation of mobile salons and the performance of cosmetology services in or at the premises of mobile salons.”
legislature.mi.gov
Questions
Michigan makeup artist licenses, answered
Do you need a license to do makeup in Michigan?
Can a makeup artist work at weddings or in clients' homes in Michigan?
Is theater, film or photo-shoot makeup exempt in Michigan?
Can you apply makeup at a cosmetics counter in Michigan without a license?
What do you need to open a makeup studio in Michigan?
Plan the rest
Ready to fill your calendar
- Hours, exams and fees for each Michigan cosmetology and esthetician license
- What a Michigan esthetician may and may not do
- Lash extensions, brow tinting and waxing rules in Michigan
- Permanent makeup and microblading rules in Michigan
- What Michigan requires to open a salon or studio of your own
- A deposit and cancellation policy for bridal bookings
Makeup artist rules in other states
Ready when you are
Licensed and booked? Fill the calendar next
SalonAI plans the business side of a makeup artistry practice in Michigan: a website with your portfolio and packages where clients check your date and book, deposits, trials and travel fees for weddings, inquiries answered fast, your Google profile and Instagram, and reviews. Founden builds and runs it while you work.
Built with Founden. Review your setup and running costs before activation.