As with any career that requires education and training, the most important thing a person must do when looking at different schools is find one with a positive reputation and solid history. One where both the curriculum and faculty focuses on the very field of the career you are targeting.
After all, a makeup artist could work in a number of fields including department store retail, theater, film and television, fashion and so on.
Following this advice, the next step would be for the person to begin searching for the best makeup artist schools in the US and Canada in relation to the exact type of field most interested in working.
This process might take a little time and effort but would be an investment worth making because of the specific industry knowledge and training.
To help make the journey a little easier, we’re providing some information on a few of the top schools worth consideration.
United States
Cinema Makeup School
With its location in Los Angeles, California, this school has a reputation for being among the best specific to television and film.
All about makeup, the school provides education for beauty, high fashion, professional, film and television, master, photographic, airbrush, character, prosthetics, special effects, digital FX, and creature sculptures.
This would be an outstanding choice for the person interested in learning the dramatic side of makeup.
Keep reading to learn more about this school.
Location
Where is CMS at?
It’s located at the historic Wiltern Theater Building at
3780 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Diploma Programs
There are four diploma programs offered at CMS for aspiring makeup artists. These programs allow students to take a variety of classes that are relevant to their individual career goals.
To encourage students to work together, each class is taught in a nurturing and creative environment. The teachers are all top professional makeup artists ready to guide you in the newest industry techniques and trends.
Master Makeup Program
Film & TV Makeup Program
Professional Makeup Program
High Fashion / Photographic Program
Master Makeup Program
The most popular diploma program at Cinema is the Master Makeup Program and it’s constantly updated to give students the newest industry advances and techniques.
You’ll get a wide range of education that starts with beauty and ends with special effects.
Those who complete the Master Makeup program will be prepared for nearly any career in the makeup industry.
Film & Television
In this exciting area of makeup, students learn skills that will bring to life the ideas created by writers and directors.
This course is 14 weeks and covers topics ranging from basic beauty and lighting coordination to the creation of realistic prosthetic appliances utilizing pros-aide, gelatin, foam latex and silicone gel-filled materials.
Professional
Here students learn techniques used in magazines, fashion shows, video shoots and private client services.
You’ll be taught how to apply corrective beauty and glamour make-up by combining basic principles and theories of make-up artistry with that of lighting and color coordination.
Offering the most comprehensive courses of any makeup artist schools, students will also learn how to create and maintain basic hairstyles and how to work with an airbrush for beauty makeup and body-painting.
High Fashion Photographic
This program teaches different areas of skills that will prepare you to work in the fashion and beauty industries as well as techniques needed for film, television and theater.
Students are taught to create glamour, period and character looks without the use of sculptures, molds or other prosthetics.
This class is ideal for those looking to exercise creativity by creating elaborate styles using only makeup and their imaginations.
Individual Makeup Classes
Cinema Makeup School also offers individual makeup classes in addition to diploma programs.
This school is unique as it gives individual assessment and counseling to ensure that students select courses that are right for their personal skills and interests.
- BEAUTY MAKEUP
- CHARACTER MAKEUP
- PROSTHETIC MAKEUP
- SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP
- CREATURE MAQUETTE SCULPTING
- DIGITAL FX
- ZBRUSH
- ADVANCED BEAUTY THEORY
- ADVANCED LAB TECHNIQUES
- SKETCH & PAINT TECHNIQUES
Workshops & Seminars
CMS has workshops and seminars to attend for those who are still deciding if the field of makeup is for you. They are a nice addition for experienced artists looking for specialized or niche areas of training
The purpose of each class is to teach essential makeup skills that could possibly assist in a shorter and more flexible training calendar.
Even though these workshops do not bestow any sort of certificate or diploma, you can learn many wonderful techniques that will help your makeup career greatly.
Please note that the type of workshops and seminars available may vary as well as how often they are offered.
- SFX Crash Course
- Summer Bootcamps
- Hollywood Master
- Workshops
Make-Up Designory
Also referred to as MUD, this college provides education of professional make-up artistry for film, television, fashion, theater and retail for students from around the world.
In fact, the United States Department of Education provides accreditation through ACCSC or Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. Classes are available in both California and New York.
MUD Grad Benefits
This one is a pretty amazing bonus offered by the school. If you have already graduated from a MUD program, you can audit courses that you’ve previously taken free of charge, in order to brush up your skills and refresh your memory.
Location
MUD Sales and Corporate Offices
25311 Ave. Stanford
Valencia, CA 91321
MUD Studio Los Angeles
129 S. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
MUD Studio New York
65 Broadway, 15th floor
New York, NY 10006
Programs
There are four programs offered at their Los Angeles and New York campuses.
Fashion
Film and Television
Multimedia
Master
Fashion
The Fashion Make-Up Artistry Program provides students with a strong foundation in the beauty field. Since the elements of beauty form the foundations of all make-up, this is a wonderful starting point.
There are three courses that form MUD’s beauty section with a total of 392 hours over 12 weeks.
Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Make-Up Artistry
Beauty 201: Studio Hairstyling for the Make-Up Artist
Beauty 301: Beauty Lab
Job Opportunities
As a graduate, you’ll have the skills necessary to begin a career as an entry-level make-up artist and will be prepared to find entry-level work in the following areas:
- Make-Up Artists
- Sales Consultants
- Freelance Artists for weddings and social occasions
- Make-Up Artists at a salon (state licensing as a cosmetologist or esthetician may be required)
Film and Television
This program will teach students the necessary techniques to bring characters to life with basic corrective make-up to the intricacies of applied special make-up effects.
Once graduated, students will be prepared to work in the film and television industry. This 420-hour program is taught over a 12-week period.
Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Make-Up Artistry
Special Make-Up Effects 201: Character Make-Up Artistry
Job Opportunities
One will have the skills necessary to begin a career as an entry-level make-up artist in film and television. Graduates from this program are prepared to find entry-level work in the following areas:
- Entry-Level Make-Up Artists in film and television
- Make-Up Artists on student films and small-budget productions
- Sales Consultants
- Freelance Make-Up Artists for weddings and social occasions
- Make-Up Artists at a salon (state licensing as a cosmetologist or esthetician may be required)
Multimedia
The time it takes to complete MUD’s Multimedia Make-Up Artistry Program is 18-weeks and 602 hours. It combines instruction in make-up for fashion and editorial applications with that of film and television.
Students will have a great time as they are guided through the processes of how to make models look their best for print.
Once students are proficient in making models look their best, they are challenged to then make them look their worst – or scariest, creepiest or goriest.
Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Make-Up Artistry
Beauty 201: Studio Hairstyling for the Make-Up Artist
Beauty 301: Beauty Lab
Special Make-Up Effects 201: Character Make-Up Artistry
Job Opportunities
Graduates from this program will be prepared with the make-up artistry skills necessary to work in the fashion, film or television industries and can find entry-level work in the following areas:
- Make-Up Artists
- Entry-Level Make-Up Artists in film and television
- Make-Up Artists on student films and small-budget productions
- Sales Consultants
- Freelance Make-Up Artists for weddings and social occasions
- Make-Up Artists at a salon (state licensing as a cosmetologist or esthetician may be required)
Master Make-up Artistry
Looking for more excitement? MUD’s Master Make-Up Artistry Program will prepare you for work in the worlds of fashion, film, television and a special make-up effects lab setting.
If monster-making and creature-creation is what you’re wild about, this is the program for you. Graduates of this course will also be prepared with beauty, character and lab skills to work in the fashion, film or television industries.
This 812-hour program is taught over a 24-week period.
Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Make-Up Artistry
Beauty 201: Studio Hairstyling for the Make-Up Artist
Special Make-Up Effects 201: Character Make-Up Artistry
Special Make-Up Effects 301: Lab Techniques
Job Opportunities
With this program, graduates can begin a career as an entry-level make-up artist in fashion, cosmetic sales, film and television, or in a special make-up effects lab. One can find entry-level work in the following areas:
- Make-Up Artists
- Entry-Level Make-Up Artists in film and television
- Make-Up Artists on student films and small-budget productions
- Lab Assistants in a special make-up effects lab
- Sales Consultants
- Freelance Make-Up Artists for weddings and social occasions
- Make-Up Artists at a salon (state licensing as a cosmetologist or esthetician may be required)
Individual Courses
If a Make-Up Designory student or graduate is interested in expanding a certain area of expertise, they have the opportunity to take individual courses alone.
These courses can also be taken by individuals in related fields who are trying to build their professional capabilities in their chosen area of employment.
The individual courses are offered during the school day at their Campuses in Los Angeles and New York and are typically 3-6 weeks long. You may also enroll for individual courses at MUD Studios and MUD Partner schools.
Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Make-up
Beauty 201: Studio Hairstyling for the Make-up Artist
Beauty 301: Beauty Lab
Special Make-up Effects 201: Character Make-up
Special Make-up Effects 301: Lab Techniques
Evening and Weekend Courses
If you would like extra schooling but have little time, the evening and weekend Studio Courses might be just the classes you’re looking for.
They’re designed to offer working make-up artists with previous training or experience additional skill sets on a part-time schedule.
Students will receive a certificate of completion upon completion of each class.
Courses offered:
Beauty Essentials
Airbrush
Bridal Make-up
Studio Make-up
High Fashion Make-up Trends
Avant-Garde
Sculpture Course For Make-up Artistry
Financial Aid
They offer various types of financial aid for students. Some include federal student aid, private student loans and outside scholarships.
MUD Financial Aid offices have people ready to help you with the process and forms you need if this is of interest.
Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry
Coxmix is not a Cosmetology or Beauty School. It’s the only specialized makeup school that is licensed and accredited in Florida.
With over 20 years of experience, they have trained thousands of students from around the world.
Location
Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry
3440 N. Andrews Andrews
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Programs
Master Makeup Artistry
Production Makeup Artistry
Fashion Makeup Artistry
Skin Care Program
Special Makeup FX Courses
Character Makeup Course
Individual Courses
Permanent Makeup & Microblading Course
Master Makeup Artistry Program
Beauty – Fashion – Film – Television – Theater – Special FX
900 hours – 6 months
The Master Makeup Artistry program is for those who would like to work in both makeup and special effects.
This is the longest program and is well-rounded training in every media. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level employment in the cosmetic, fashion, film, TV, bridal, salon/spa, theatrical and entertainment industries.
5 modules:
Beauty Makeup
Fashion Makeup
Character Makeup
Makeup for Film, TV & Theater
Special Makeup FX
A Diploma is presented upon completion of a Program.
Production Makeup Artistry Program
Beauty – Fashion – Film – Television -Theater
600 hours – 4 months
Graduates will have great job opportunity with completion of this program. You get training in all medias and will be skilled in all areas of makeup artistry.
One will be prepared for entry-level employment as makeup artists in the cosmetic, fashion, bridal, salon/spa, film, TV, theatrical and entertainment industries.
4 modules:
Beauty Makeup
Fashion Makeup
Character Makeup
Makeup for Film, TV & Theater
A Diploma is presented upon completion of a Program.
Fashion Makeup Artistry Program
Beauty – Fashion
300 hours Days- 10 weeks
This program explores working with models, photographers, and designers. Filling the world with fashion and beauty, designers launch seasonal collections.
Graduates of this program will be prepared for entry-level employment as a makeup artist in the cosmetic, fashion, bridal, salon/spa, and entertainment industries.
2 modules:
Beauty Makeup
Fashion Makeup
A Diploma is presented upon completion of a Program.
Skin Care Program
300 hours -TWTh 6-10pm 25 weeks
Pre-Requisite: The Skin Care program is open to Fashion, Production, or Master Makeup Artistry Program graduates or currently enrolled students
Students who take this program will cover the knowledge and procedures needed to run a successful skin care business.
It also satisfies the licensing requirements for freelance makeup artists practicing in Florida.
Special Makeup FX Courses
Film – Television – Theater
300 hours – 9 weeks
The 210 hours Prosthetic Course is offered TWTh 6-10pm
Students will be educated in design and creation of prosthetic & dental appliances. This involves conceptualization, life casting, sculpting, and molding, and culminates with a photo shoot of their final creature design.
These are the final 2 courses of the Master Program:
Special FX Prosthetics Makeup
Creature Design
A Certificate is presented upon completion.
As a stand alone curriculum, Career Services are unavailable.
For individuals who want to obtain employment in the Industry, Cosmix recommends the 900 clock hour Master Makeup Artistry Program.
Permanent Makeup & Microblading Course
Permanent Cosmetics is an area that fascinates me on how it can help so many people who need help applying makeup.
Women around the world are choosing permanent eyeliner, eyebrows, lipliner and lip color. When done properly, it’ll look natural.
Some who are choosing this include professional women, athletes, those with poor eyesight or unsteady hands, those with sensitivities to traditional cosmetics and those whose work precludes wearing makeup.
This training includes the following procedures: Shaded Eye Brow, Digital Micro-Blading, Defined Eye Liner, Eye Liner Enhancement.
Individual Classes
It’s wonderful to see that Cosmix offers individual classes. This is so helpful for those who want to expand their education in a specific area, those with a different schedule, or for those who would like to pay for classes at a slower pace.
If you want to freelance as a makeup artist, we recommend our first segment – Beauty Makeup.
Courses Available:
Fundamental Makeup Technique
105 clock hours M-F Days 3 Weeks or T/Th Eves 3 Months
Airbrushing Makeup
28 clock hours M-F 4 Days or T/Th 7 Eves
Wedding & Event Makeup
42 clock hours M-F 3 Days or T/Th 5 Eves – pre-requisites Fundamental & Airbrushing
Retail & Marketing
20 clock hours M-F 3 Days
Hairstyling for Makeup Artists
14 hours M-F 2 Days
Makeup for Fashion
91 clock hours M-F Days 4 Weeks or T/Th Eves 4 Months – pre-requisites Fundamental, Airbrushing, Wedding & Event Makeup, Hairstyling for Makeup Artists
Character Makeup
167 clock hours M-F Days 5 weeks
Makeup for Film & TV
98 clock hours M-F Days 3 Weeks – pre-requisite Fundamental Makeup Technique
Theatrical Makeup
35 clock hours M-F Days 1 Week – pre-requisites Fundamental, Airbrushing, Character
Special FX Prosthetics Makeup
210 clock hours M-F Days 6 Weeks
Creature Design
M-F Days 3 Weeks – pre-requisites Special FX Prosthetics Makeup
90 clock hours- pre-requisite FX-2
Summer Camp For Teens
Makeup Classes
How fun that this school offers summer classes for teens. Cosmix has a 4-week series of intensive workshops created for teenagers 14 – 18 years old. This can give you a chance to see if makeup is a passion and be the start of an exciting career.
The classes for teens are no different than the more advanced classes, except they are an introduction to all the areas of artistry. You’ll have the finest teachers and can meet students from all over the world. Now that’s a wonderful summer experience!
Students may choose to attend an individual week or take the whole series. Hours are 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Haunt School
Want to design the makeup for your own costume or help your friends? Maybe you want to work at a haunted house?
For 3 evenings you will train with Special Makeup FX Masters! You will learn painting techniques and prosthetic application.
Payment Options
Cosmix accepts tuition payments from the following programs:
Florida PrePay, G.I. Bill®, Vocational Rehabilitation, 529 College Savings Plan
You also could obtain a loan through a banking institution of your choice or apply for an extended payment plan directly with the school.
All materials must be purchased separately. Kits and supplies are not included in the tuition fees.
Hours given for classes and other information in this article may be different depending on the time of reading. Thank you for your interest in these schools. We hope you are loving this content! If so, please share.
Canada
Blanche MacDonald Center for Applied Design
Located in Vancouver, Canada, this school specializes in one program with endless possibilities. They offer many different areas of study with full and part time training available.
Blanche Macdonald believes makeup is more than a creative career. It’s a multi-billion dollar global industry full of exciting opportunities. They invite you to Canada to train with them for a professional career in the fascinating areas of makeup, fashion, nails and hair.
For those who want to learn, they’re ready to guide and will help in any and every way they can. They’ll lead you to develop as a professional in your art while you grow personally. Blanche Macdonald is a globally renowned College that offers world-class training and will provide lifetime support and advice to help you no matter what stage of your career you’re in.
Locations
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Uptown Campus – City Square
100 – 555 W.12th Avenue, Vancouver, Canada V5Z 3X7
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Downtown Campus – Robson
460 Robson Street, Vancouver, Canada V6B 2B5
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Atelier Campus – Robson
201 – 410 Robson Street, Vancouver, Canada V6B 0H3
Programs
Makeup
*Global Makeup – FT
*International Makeup Studio – FT
*Freelance Makeup Artistry – PT
Makeup Foundations – Workshop
Fashion
*Global Fashion Marketing – FT
*Fashion Design – FT
*International Fashion Marketing – FT
Hair
*Professional Hairstyling Advanced – FT
*Professional Hairstyling Foundations – PT
*Professional Esthetics/Spa Therapist – FT
*Nail Studio – PT
About Vancouver
Being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it’s known as the Jewel of the Pacific Rim. The scenery is breathtaking with spectacular landscape of snow-capped mountains, primitive rainforests, and the Pacific Ocean.
Vancouver is a safe and friendly city where you can meet people from different cultures and experience mouth watering cuisines. There are cultural events as well as world class shopping. Yay! It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention the gourmet restaurants with International cuisines.
I do have to say that my favorite would probably be its temperate climate. Vancouver has mild winters unlike the rest of Canada. Our family has lived in areas with frigid cold during the winter making you wonder how you survive.
Campuses and Classes
Blanche Macdonald expands across Central Vancouver with 3 campuses.
Their Makeup, Esthetics and Nails departments are located at the City Square Campus not far from the other 2 campuses on Robson Street.
The Fashion Design, Pro Hair and Global Fashion Marketing classes are held at their Robson Campus in downtown Vancouver.
The other campus on Robson Street, Atelier Campus, compliments with more Fashion and Makeup departments. At this location BMC also has their in-house retail boutique, CurliQue Beauty, and their Q&A Student Salon.
Nice Discounts
Pro Hair students that are supervised by their instructors run the student salon. Students in other programs are eligible for free haircuts and 50% off color services Tuesday to Saturday.
Another wonderful discount is offered to students. On class days at Atelier they can get 20% off everything (excluding The Ordinary) at CurliQue Beauty Boutique. Students also get 20% off Make Up For Ever products on class days at Atelier for the duration of their program.
There will be days when you attend classes at another campus, what then? That’s when you get 15% off the entire store, excluding The Ordinary. This 15% is also offered to those who have graduated. Now that’s very cool.
At Blanche Macdonald the world’s best products will be at your fingertips. You’ll see the best global and local brands in your Makeup Kit. As a student you’ll be around thousands of products. This gives you the opportunity to continually learn about prestige brands, cult brands, organic, paraben free, vegan, clean/ethical beauty, and all the latest trending products.
Payment Options
The Blanche Macdonald Centre values it’s student and offers resources to apply for student loans, student lines of credit, full-time and part-time tuition grants and other forms of financial aid.
This Makeup School has students from around the globe sharing their passion for the art of beauty. You’ll learn from each other as you express your unique cultural heritage and interests.
To be continued...
There are so many amazing schools in the USA and Canada that we can only touch on a few.
We have spent many hours putting this information together and this article seems to be getting a little long.
If you would like to research a couple more schools, click here for more makeup programs in Ontario Canada.
Sources:
https://www.cinemamakeup.com/
https://mud.edu/
https://www.cosmixinc.com/
https://www.blanchemacdonald.com/