Hair & Make-up Artist

About the role

At NEXT we’re looking for a talented and proactive Hair & Make‑Up Artist to join our in‑house Photo Studio team at our Head Office in Leicestershire. You’ll play a vital role in bringing our creative vision to life through flawless hair and make‑up that complements our styling, photography, and brand identity. This is a fast‑paced, hands‑on role covering both menswear and womenswear shoots, working closely with stylists, photographers and the Creative Leads to deliver consistent, high‑quality results.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone with excellent technical skills and a passion for fashion and beauty, looking to further their career in a dynamic, creative environment.

At NEXT we’re looking for a talented and proactive Hair & Make‑Up Artist to join our in‑house Photo Studio team at our Head Office in Leicestershire. You’ll play a vital role in bringing our creative vision to life through flawless hair and make‑up that complements our styling, photography and brand identity. This is a fast‑paced, hands‑on role covering both menswear and womenswear shoots, working closely with stylists, photographers and the Creative Leads to deliver consistent, high‑quality results.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone with excellent technical skills and a passion for fashion and beauty, looking to further their career in a dynamic, creative environment.

• Deliver high‑quality hair and make‑up in line with Next’s brand and creative direction.
• Be the lead artist across one or multiple studio sets, responsible for the complete hair and make‑up look.
• Research and stay informed on fashion, beauty, social media, and cultural trends to bring fresh ideas to shoots.
• Work collaboratively with stylists, photographers, and freelance talent to ensure cohesive visual output.
• Create mood boards and briefs to reference current trends by model, season, product category, and campaign style.
• Understand model requirements and apply appropriate treatments while ensuring consistency with brand identity.
• Prepare, maintain, and manage all necessary equipment, products, and stock for efficient on‑set performance.
• Maintain the cleanliness and organisation of hair and make‑up stations and studio space.
• Support the smooth running of menswear and womenswear shoots by being present, proactive, and reactive to creative needs.
• Communicate regularly with Senior team members to align on direction, feedback, and improvements.
• Take initiative to suggest creative improvements, processes, or approaches to elevate content.
• Follow studio style guides and production briefs with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Be flexible and available to work at other Next studios, external studios, or on‑location shoots when required.

• Strong technical knowledge of make‑up application, hair styling, and industry‑standard products.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a commercial or editorial hair and make‑up role.
• Experience working across both e‑commerce and editorial shoots in a fast‑paced studio environment.
• Up‑to‑date with current trends in fashion, beauty, and styling, and able to translate these into commercial looks.
• Ability to create hair and make‑up that complements product styling and lighting direction.
• Excellent planning, time management, and organisational skills.
• Comfortable taking ownership of shoot prep and execution independently.
• Strong team player with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proactive, innovative, and eager to bring creative ideas to life.
• Commercially minded with an eye for detail and consistency.
• Competent using MAC OS and G Suite.
• Able to remain calm, professional, and solution‑focused in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
• A strong communicator and listener who can take and apply feedback effectively.
• A strong supporting portfolio or website showcasing relevant work.
• Full UK driving licence required.

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE‑100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market…