Choosing to be a makeup artist is a big decision. Once you have chosen that, the next important decision is to choose the school where you will learn this profession. Nowadays, makeup artist schools have multiplied like mushrooms after rain and many of them are very expensive.
Not all schools are the same. Some are very good and some are very bad. Finding the right makeup artist school for you and getting the most and the best information for the money you are willing to give takes a little time. After all, this will be the start of your career; and you want this start to be as good as possible.
First of all, doing a make-up course does not make you a make-up artist. Nor does it guarantee you a long and happy career. Secondly, most people who take a basic course quickly give up this career due to:
- the time they have to spend practicing; finding people to leave their hands and not paying you
- buying products that currently do not bring profit
- thinking of a profit during this time; if they do not already work and have a stable income that will ensure their transition to this career.
What is a makeup artist?
A makeup artist is someone who applies cosmetics and even prosthetics, using the human body as a canvas. Although artistry is only one aspect of cosmetology, they perform a wide array of different techniques that make this career challenging as well as fun and exciting. From Special Effects Makeup to Fashion, Theatrical, and Bridal Artistry, there are many opportunities for versatile make-up artists in today’s world and a makeup artist’s salary isn’t too shabby either. For these people, makeup is art, and there are a lot of makeup artist schools.
Who was the first makeup artist?
A little bit of history first, the first make-up artist can be traced 5000 years back wherein oils adorned early Egyptian women’s features; Romans using chalk to make their faces white and Victorian women who use nightshade to enlarge their eyes. So, these people can be considered the very first makeup artist. Over time, makeup evolved into the kind of luxury it is today.
In what year women started wearing makeups?
It cannot be traced back to any specific year. But, technically, it started when early royals from different civilizations used makeup tools to beautify their features further.
How to Choose the Best Makeup Artist School for You
Once you’ve decided that you want to pursue this career, you’ll have to find a school that meets all of your educational needs. Good programs will be affordable, conveniently located, accredited, and will provide the classes for makeup artists needed to prepare you to take your state licensing exams. Most programs take less than six months to complete.
It’s up to you to decide what your priorities are. We suggest locating some programs in your area and taking campus tours, as well as talking to representatives about their programs to learn more about each one.
With your list of priorities in hand, you can narrow the list of beauty schools down to just a few. You can also search for beauty schools by state. The decision will be much easier to make from there. We will provide a list of the very best makeup artist programs below to help you get started.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Makeup Artist School
How much does the makeup school cost?
A makeup school is not cheap, but neither inaccessible. In addition, it can be paid in installments many times. To set a budget, you need to think about what it will help you with.
If it’s just passion, then you can choose a medium-budget make-up course, but if you want to work professionally then you have to invest more in your education. You will surely get your money back later.
Who are the trainers?
It’s important to know who will learn you to put on makeup, so read about those who will train you.
How many students are in a group?
The fewer they are, the better for those who attend the makeup school because they receive more attention from the trainers. In general, an optimal number is 10-15 people. Anything beyond it means you are less likely to steal trade and be truly prepared for your future career in the beauty industry.
What employment opportunities does the make-up school offer you?
It is very important to choose a makeup school, which is also involved after completing the makeup classes. Does the company post jobs on its Facebook page or website? Does it organize events dedicated to future students to familiarize them with this field? Does it create a community united by a passion for makeup? The greater the involvement of the school, the more chances you have to find a job through it.
What do ex-students think?
When researching your makeup school, pay attention to the feedback provided by your graduates. It is important to keep in mind that in the online environment anyone can vent their frustrations, so you need to be selective. Read as many opinions as possible and weigh them carefully before making a decision.
Best Makeup Artist Schools
With so many options out there, how will you know which ones are worth your time and which ones aren’t? We’ve searched everywhere for the best of the best in programs; narrowed them down to a handful of programs that you won’t want to pass up.
CMC Makeup School
Where is it Located?
The CMC Makeup School has several locations across the state of Texas in metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.
What Curriculum is Covered?
Here, students learn the basics of the trade, as well as more advanced techniques like Special Effects or FX Makeup, Bridal Makeup, Hi-Def Makeup, HD Airbrush and Equipment Training, Airbrush Tanning, Beauty, Glamour, Fashion, Film, Runway, Body Painting, Retail, Photography, and Event Makeup, as well as many other tricks and techniques. In addition, students will also gain a firm grasp on the marketing and business aspect of being a freelance artist.
What are the Benefits of the CMC Makeup School?
- At CMC, all students will receive full Professional Makeup Kits to use during courses and after graduation.
- This makeup artistry program delivers smaller class sizes of between 8 and 12 students to provide easier communication with instructors. So the learning process is easier and more efficient.
- Courses are shorter and require less time, so students don’t have to rearrange their entire lives to attend school here.
- You will receive a certificate of completion which can help you land job opportunities in the future.
E.I. School of Professional Makeup
Where is it Located?
The EI School of Professional Makeup is located in the center of Hollywood, California.
What Curriculum is Covered at this School?
Classes at EI covered consist of Salon: Beauty and Corrective Makeup; Beginning Prosthetics; Theatrical/Live Performances Makeup; Television and HDTV Makeup; High Fashion and Photographic Makeup; and finally Film Makeup and Special Effects. Courses include field trips, guest speakers, and practical workshops to help students learn through different methods.
What are the Benefits of the EI School of Professional Makeup?
- The EI School is the world’s premier school of makeup.
- This school is considered the very best LA makeup school.
- This makeup school provides students with the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment.
- The courses can be completed in as little as one year.
- EI can provide financial aid to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents through Pell Grants, Student Loans, SEOG, and Federal Work.
- Alumni are able to take seminars and single courses for free.
The thing we love most about the EI School is that they offer evening and weekend courses. This is a big advantage for students with prior obligations like work and family. Not all colleges for makeup artists give this kind of option.
The Make-Up Designory
Make-Up Designory
Where is this School Located?
The Make-Up Designory holds two current locations as schools for makeup artists: one in Los Angeles, California, and the other in New York, both of which are at the epicenter of television and film where artists are more valuable.
What Curriculum will be Covered by MUD?
The Make-Up Designory has specific programs that allow artists in training to select a field they would like to specialize in. Programs vary, consisting of Fashion Make-up Artistry, Film and Television Make-up Artistry, Multimedia Make-up Artistry, and Master Make-up Artistry. Each of these programs gives students a solid foundation upon which to build their makeup artistry skills. Something that is very important in a makeup artist school.
What are the Benefits of the MUD School?
- The MUD accepts financial aid including grants, federal loans, as well as private loans.
- This make-up artist school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
- The Make-Up Designory offers several programs, allowing students to select which sector of artistry they’d like to specialize in.
- Students will learn through lectures, labs work, assignments, as well as demonstrations from highly qualified instructors.
- Once students successfully complete a program at the MUD, they will be awarded a diploma. That diploma can make an excellent contribution to any portfolio.
The element of the Make-Up Designory that we like best is that current students and graduates have the opportunity to receive job placement as well as career guidance.
Furthermore, it is best to check out different makeup artist school reviews before you enroll in one. So that you make sure you’ll like the environment. Enrolling in the best school for makeup artists will look good on your makeup artist application when applying for work in photoshoots as a professional makeup artist. Sample content from your past work would also help.
Online makeup school
There are also classes that you can take in a makeup artist online school.
If you can’t afford to go to an actual makeup artistry school, there are a lot of certified makeup artist schools online. They offer affordable and practical makeup artistry classes. These are certified makeup artist schools that will give out makeup artist certification online.
Advantages
There are a lot of advantages to enrolling in a makeup artistry school online. You can take the makeup artistry classes on your own time, also applicable to freelance makeup artists who want to get certified, and in the comfort of your home. Plus, you can choose what specific makeup artistry training you’d like to undergo without following a specific curriculum; but still, get a legit makeup artistry certificate.
How to Become a Professional Make-up Artist
In most states, artists must first attend and graduate from an accredited college; and must then take and pass the state board licensing exams in order to become licensed makeup artists or cosmetologists. While some states only require a cosmetology license, others will have specific licensure for markup artists.
Begin by selecting the school for the makeup artist you’d like to attend. Contact the school and request more information. Fill out acceptance applications, and get any financial aid paperwork out of the way to make the process faster and smoother. Once you’re accepted, you’ll be able to register for classes and purchase your required materials.
Most Make-up Artist Programs will take around six months in order for you to complete the required 300 to 600 hours. Some schools offer day, evening, and even weekend classes to conveniently fit your schedule. A makeup artist’s schooling schedule is no joke.
Once you’ve graduated from any of the best makeup artist schools, you’ll be eligible to take the exams and get licensed. From there, your school may provide job placement assistance, or you may have to do some searching on your own. It may be helpful to work in a department store as well. Either way, you’ll be ready to begin your career as a licensed Artist.
How much does school cost for a makeup artist?
Schools for makeup artists usually cost around $7,000 to $17,000 or even more.
Makeup Artist Salary: How Much Will I Make?
For those in the theatrical and performance sectors of make-up artist careers, the median pay is over $20 per hour; which equates to an annual salary of over $47,000 per year. Make-up artists in the theatrical and/or performance category work in elements such as Motion Picture and Video Industries, Performing Arts Companies, Radio, and Television Broadcasting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state of California employs the highest number of artists of any state, with 790 currently working there. New York comes in second with 420 currently employed artists.
Makeup Techniques
These are some of the best makeup techniques taught in a professional makeup artist school. Makeup lessons in school include the proper use of these products.
Theatrical Makeup
Theatrical Makeup is used to make performers’ facial expressions clearly visible to audience members who are a sizable distance away.
Bridal Makeup
Bridal Makeup is now a crucial element when it comes to wedding planning; with many artists now including bridal services in their portfolios.
Special Effects Make
Special Effects Makeup, also called FX Makeup incorporates the use of everything from theatrical blood to prosthetics to create enhanced physical features in performers, including non-human characteristics as well as fantasy makeup. The kind of special effect of makeup needs a lot of patience and precision. These are two qualities that a professional make-up artist should possess.
Fashion Makeup is used on runways and in magazine photoshoots, on television, and in film. Sometimes, fashion and special effects makeup are projected at the same time such as in photoshoots for magazines and movies.
Whether you want to make someone feel more beautiful or create an elaborate fantasy character, there are plenty of options for you in the industry but first, you must enroll in a program. There are a lot of makeup artistry schools to choose from. There are tons of different schools and programs available for students; so take the time to consider this life-changing decision carefully.
What are some tools that makeup artist use?
In a professional makeup artist school, these are the tools used most of the time. Well, these are the tools used in makeup application:
- Eyelash curler
- Blush Brush
- Eyeliner Brush
- Makeup Sponge
- Concealer Brush
- Blow Dryer
What Will I Learn as a Makeup Student?
Here is an example of the type of thing you are going to learn in your program.
Final Thoughts on the Best Makeup Artist Schools
Makeup artists have fun and exciting careers working with a wide variety of people; their salaries aren’t too shabby either. With a little effort and hard work, you can achieve your goal of becoming a successful professional Make-up Artist.
We hope we’ve been able to help you determine what it takes to become one, and how to go about doing so. From choosing what area you’d like to specialize in selecting the perfect makeup artist school, we’re here to help you every step of the way.