Assist with make-up

URN: SKABT3
Business Sectors (Suites): Beauty therapy
Developed by: SkillsActive
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about assisting a senior member of staff and carrying out a supervised make-up service. You will need to be able to prepare for the make-up, perform the skin analysis and use consultation techniques. You will also need to be able to carry out a basic make-up application. The service will also involve checking the finished effect is to the satisfaction of the senior member of staff and the individual.
To carry out this standard you will need to maintain effective health, safety and hygiene throughout your work.
The main outcomes of the standard are:

  1. maintain safe and effective methods of working when assisting with make-up
  2. plan and prepare for make-up services
  3. apply make-up

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. maintain your responsibilities for health and safety throughout the make-up service
  2. follow the senior member of staff's instructions throughout the service and seek assistance when necessary
  3. set up the work area to meet organisational procedures
  4. position equipment and materials for ease and safety of use
  5. check the environmental conditions are suitable for the individual and the service
  6. ensure your personal hygiene and appearance meets accepted industry and organisational requirements
  7. clean all tools and equipment following organisational requirements
  8. disinfect your hands prior to applying make-up
  9. ensure your own posture and position minimises fatigue and the risk of injury whilst working
  10. consult with the individual to determine requirements and seek confirmation with a senior member of staff
  11. ask the individual questions to identify if they have any contraindications to make-up and record their responses
  12. position and prepare the individual to meet the needs of the agreed service plan
  13. cleanse, tone and moisturise the individual's skin prior to the application of make-up
  14. recognise and record the individual's skin type and skin classification
  15. select and prepare make-up products to suit the individual's skin type and their preferences
  16. use make-up products following manufacturers' and a senior member of staff's instructions
  17. apply foundation and concealer to create an even skin tone
  18. apply powder to achieve the desired finish
  19. apply eye products to enhance the eye area, eyebrows and eyelashes
  20. apply cheek products to enhance the individual's natural colouring
  21. apply lip products to enhance the individual's lips
  22. ensure that the finished result and look is to the individual's and senior member of staff's satisfaction
  23. give the individual instructions and advice on the service provided
  24. ensure the individual's records are completed
  25. dispose of waste materials following legal and organisational requirements
  26. clean and leave the work areas in a suitable condition in preparation for the next service

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
  2. why it is important to follow a senior member of staff's instructions and the consequences of not doing so
  3. the environmental conditions required for services and why these are important
  4. why it is important to source, store, and handle products, tools and equipment equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and legislative requirements
  5. how to disinfect tools and equipment for day make-up application
  6. why it is important to maintain standards of hygiene and the principles of avoiding cross infection
  7. how to prepare and position the individual for make-up application
  8. how to avoid potential discomfort and injury to yourself and the risks of poor positioning of individuals
  9. how to dispose of waste
  10. the reasons for completing the application in a commercially viable time
  11. the condition in which the work area should be left and why this is important
  12. how to use different consultation techniques to establish the individual's needs
  13. the questioning and listening skills you need in order to find out information
  14. why it is important to question individuals to establish any contra-indications to make-up and record their responses
  15. how to prepare the skin and carry out a skin analysis
  16. how to recognise skin types and skin classifications
  17. how to select make-up products to suit the individual's skin type
  18. the range of materials and tools required for make-up services
  19. the different types of make-up products and how to apply them
  20. the reasons why make-up products should be applied in a sequence
  21. the results of incorrect make-up selection and application
  22. possible contra-actions which may occur and how to deal with them
  23. the basic structure and functions of the skin
  24. the instructions and advice on products and services
  25. how to complete an individual’s records to meet legal and organisational requirements

Scope/range

Skin type

  1. oily
  2. dry
  3. combination
  4. balanced

Skin Classification

  1. Fitzpatrick scale
  2. Lancer scale

Contra-actions

  1. excessive perspiration
  2. adverse skin reactions
  3. watery eyes
  4. excessive erythema

Instructions and advice

  1. additional services
  2. additional products
  3. products for home use that will benefit the individual and those to avoid and why
  4. the contra-actions that may occur and advice you would give to the individual

Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary

Absolute contraindication
An absolute contraindication is a condition that prevents a service from being carried out and may require referral.
Contra-actions
A contra-action is and ‘expected’ reaction or outcome following a service, i.e. erythema
Cross-infection
The transfer of microorganisms through poor hygiene practices by direct contact with another person or indirect contact by infected tools and equipment.
Disinfection
Inhibits the growth of disease causing microorganisms (except spores) using chemical agents.
Disinfecting hands
The cleansing or washing of the hands to an antiseptic level so as to inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Environmental conditions
These include heating, lighting and ventilation to ensure the correct setting and ambiance for the treatment.
Relative contraindication
A relative contraindication is a condition that requires an assessment of suitability for the service and/or if adaptions are required.
Sterilisation
Cleaning methods for total destruction of micro-organisms


Links To Other NOS

SKAHDBRBNST1, SKAHDBRBNS1, SKABT15, SKABT14, SKABT13,SKAB2


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Tailored

Originating Organisation

SkillsActive

Original URN

SKANSC23

Relevant Occupations

Assistant Therapist, Make-up and Skin Consultant, Make-up Artists, Hair and Make-up Assistant

SOC Code

6222

Keywords

assistant, make-up