June 24 Holiday: International Makeup Artist Day is celebrated around the world
June 24 is celebrated around the world as International Makeup Artist Day—an unofficial but well-known professional holiday. It is dedicated to the people who work every day with appearances, characters, and visual transformations in film, theater, fashion, and television.
It is a day to thank those who create illusions, shape characters, and help the audience believe in a story even before it begins.
International Makeup Artist Day does not have official state recognition, but it is widely celebrated within the professional community. The date, June 24, is associated with Bud Westmor—a legendary Hollywood makeup artist who died on this day in 1973.
Bud Westmor became one of the key figures in the development of cinematic makeup in the United States. He worked on hundreds of films and television projects, creating looks that have become classics of world cinema. His name is associated with the development of the modern understanding of makeup as an art form, rather than merely a technical craft.
It is precisely because of his contribution to the film industry that the date of his death gradually came to be associated with a professional holiday for makeup artists. This tradition first gained popularity in Latin America, particularly in Cuba, and later spread to the United States, Europe, and other countries. In professional circles, they say: “A makeup artist is someone who creates a character even before they speak.”
Who Are Makeup Artists and What Do They Do?
A makeup artist is a specialist who works with a person’s appearance, not simply for beauty’s sake, but to create a character. Their work can alter a character’s age, personality, emotional state, and even how the character is perceived biologically on screen or on stage. In film, makeup artists transform actors into fantastical creatures, historical figures, or people from another era. In theater, they create looks that must be visible even from the back rows of the auditorium. In the fashion industry, they work with conceptual makeup that enhances the style of a collection.
Special effects is a separate field. Here, makeup artists create wounds, aging effects, fantastical creatures, and complex transformations that look as realistic as possible without the use of computer graphics. Makeup is also widely used in the wedding industry, photo shoots, television, and even in medicine—for example, for corrective makeup after surgeries.
Bud Westmor and the Development of Film Makeup
Bud Westmor was born into a family that essentially shaped the profession of Hollywood makeup artist. His family founded one of the first makeup studios in the U.S., and Bud himself became one of the most famous members of this dynasty. He worked at major studios such as Universal and 20th Century Fox, and his career spans over 450 films and television projects. Among his most famous works are the looks he created for classic horror and science fiction films that have become cult classics.
The film *Creature from the Black Lagoon* holds a special place in his legacy, as it featured one of the first highly realistic monsters in cinema created without digital technology. Such works laid the foundation for the development of modern special effects makeup. Bud Westmor also worked with famous Hollywood stars, including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. His approach combined technical precision with artistic vision, making his work recognizable around the world.
How International Makeup Artist Day Is Celebrated
Despite its unofficial status, this holiday is actively celebrated in professional circles. Makeup schools and theater studios hold master classes, open lessons, and demonstration sessions. In the film and beauty industries, makeup artists share their best projects, post “before and after” transformation photos, and tell the stories behind the creation of complex looks.
Themed hashtags are popular on social media, including #MakeupArtistDay and #ThankYouMakeupArtists. Clients and actors often publicly thank their makeup artists for the work that happens behind the scenes but significantly impacts the final result. On this day, people also discuss the evolution of the profession and new technologies that are transforming the beauty and film industries.
Makeup Artist vs. Cosmetologist—What’s the Difference?
Although these professions are often confused, there is a clear difference between them. A makeup artist works with a character as an artistic figure, creating a complete visual transformation of a person. A makeup artist focuses more on enhancing natural beauty, creating harmonious makeup and styles for everyday life or special events. A makeup artist, on the other hand, works in film, theater, and with complex visual effects, where not only beauty but also the dramatic impact of the character is important.
The Significance of the Holiday Today
International Makeup Artist Day serves as a reminder that behind every striking image on screen lies a great deal of work that often goes unnoticed by the audience. It is a profession that combines art, technology, and the psychology of perception. It is thanks to makeup artists that film, theater, and fashion gain depth and emotional resonance, and audiences are given the opportunity to believe in the story unfolding before them.
And, as is often said in professional circles: “Makeup isn’t a mask; it’s a way to tell a story without words.”
