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AI exposure Personal care and service

Will AI replace makeup artists?

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance. US occupation 39-5091.

0.0%

of the time makeup artists spend on their work goes on tasks where AI is already being used to do that work.of makeup artists' working hours go on tasks AI has already started taking off their plate.

Ranked 346 of 756 US occupations. No AI use seen in the work yet, along with 410 other occupations.No handover started yet, along with 410 other occupations.

Average US job 7.7%

Among the least exposed jobs there are.Still waiting for liberation.

What AI already does for makeup artistsWhat makeup artists no longer do alone

O*NET lists 21 tasks for makeup artists. None of them shows meaningful AI use at work yet.

What it does not touch, yetWhat still needs a human

21 of the 21 tasks show no AI use at work in the data.

  • Alter or maintain makeup during productions as necessary to compensate for lighting changes or to achieve continuity of effect.Core task
  • Analyze a script, noting events that affect each character's appearance, so that plans can be made for each scene.Core task
  • Apply makeup to enhance or alter the appearance of people appearing in productions such as movies.Core task
  • Assess performers' skin type to ensure that makeup will not cause break-outs or skin irritations.Core task
  • Attach prostheses to performers and apply makeup to create special features or effects, such as scars, aging, or illness.Core task
  • Cleanse and tone the skin to prepare it for makeup application.Core task
Show the other 15
  • Confer with stage or motion picture officials and performers to determine desired effects.Core task
  • Create character drawings or models, based upon independent research, to augment period production files.Core task
  • Demonstrate products to clients, and provide instruction in makeup application.Core task
  • Design rubber or plastic prostheses that can be used to change performers' appearances.Core task
  • Duplicate work precisely to replicate characters' appearances on a daily basis.Core task
  • Establish budgets, and work within budgetary limits.Core task
  • Evaluate environmental characteristics, such as venue size and lighting plans, to determine makeup requirements.Core task
  • Examine sketches, photographs, and plaster models to obtain desired character image depiction.Core task
  • Provide performers with makeup removal assistance after performances have been completed.Core task
  • Requisition or acquire needed materials for special effects, including wigs, beards, and special cosmetics.Core task
  • Select desired makeup shades from stock, or mix oil, grease, and coloring to achieve specific color effects.Core task
  • Study production information, such as character descriptions, period settings, and situations, to determine makeup requirements.Core task
  • Write makeup sheets and take photos to document specific looks and the products used to achieve the looks.Core task
  • Advise hairdressers on the hairstyles required for character parts.
  • Wash and reset wigs.

How that compares

Among the 27 personal care and service occupations, makeup artists rank 20. The group averages 1.9%, and its most exposed job is Concierges at 18.8%. The average US occupation sits at 7.7%.

All 756 occupations, ranked

Level with 0.0%

  1. 346Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service 0.0%
  2. 346Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 0.0%
  3. 346Maintenance Workers, Machinery 0.0%

What this does and does not mean

Exposure is observed use, not a forecast. Anthropic maps work conversations with Claude onto the tasks O*NET lists for each job and asks, of the tasks AI could speed up, which are actually being used for at work. A use that does the task outright counts in full and a use that assists a person counts half. The task scores are averaged into the occupation figure by the share of time spent on each task.

A high figure means AI is already part of how this work gets done. It does not mean anyone has been replaced. Anthropic's own reading of the labour market finds no systematic rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting exposed jobs.No measurable rise in unemployment among exposed workers so far, and about 14% fewer 22 to 25 year olds starting these jobs. Gap years for everyone. Labor market impacts, 5 March 2026.

Task list and titles from O*NET 31.0 by the US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Scores from the Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Checked 1 November 2026. How the ranking works.