How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist: The Ultimate Guide

How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist: The Ultimate Guide

Wondering how to become a certified makeup artist? Makeup artistry is the career for individuals who love expressing their artistic creativity through makeup application.

If you want to learn more about how to become a makeup artist, then this blog post is just for you!

You’ll find tips on how to be a successful makeup artist, as well as profiles of some of the top makeup schools in the country!

How to Be a Makeup Artist: Table of Contents

• Becoming a Makeup Artist 101
• How to Get Into Makeup School
• How to Become a Makeup Artist: FAQs
• What to Expect in Makeup Artist Classes
• Makeup Classes Online
• The 3 Best Makeup Schools in the US
• How to Be a Good Makeup Artist: Bonus Tips

How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist
Becoming a Makeup Artist in 4 Steps

Attending makeup artist school is a crucial part of becoming a makeup artist, but there’s a lot more to it than just going to school. Below, you’ll find a brief outline of the steps you need to take in order to become a licensed makeup artist.

How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist Step #1:
Do Your Research

It’s important to learn as much as you can about being a makeup artist before you take the next few steps. Many of the top makeup artist schools will even say something along the lines of “make sure you want to be here.”

They want commitment and passion, and they’re ready to meet your enthusiasm with top-notch education!

The videos and tips in this post, alongside the list of helpful articles at the bottom are all here to help you! The following are 4 steps for what you need to do to become a makeup artist.

How Do You Become a Certified Makeup Artist Step #2:
Start Searching for Makeup Classes Near Me

After you’ve made the decision to go for it, it’s time to start looking for “makeup classes near me.” In order to make your search a little easier, we have this safe school search bar below. Just enter your information, and you’ll receive a customized list of the best makeup schools near you.

When you find one of the top makeup artist schools that feels right for you, reach out to admissions today!

How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist Step #3:
Graduate from Makeup School

Once you’ve been accepted to an accredited makeup school, it’s time to begin your makeup certification classes. Whether you choose from the smaller makeup colleges or go to a large cosmetology make up school, the classes will follow the same structure.

You’ll take traditional classes to learn the theory behind makeup artistry. You’ll also do a lot of hands-on learning on models.

How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist Step #4:
Pass the State Board Exams

Once you’ve graduated, it’s time to take the state board exams. Once you pass, you can become a practicing makeup artist! Just make sure to know your state cosmetology board requirements, and keep your license renewed accordingly. Sometimes, continuing education is required during the renewal periods.

How to Be a Makeup Artist: FAQs

Do you need a degree to be a makeup artist?

In most states, yes. You need a makeup degree – or makeup artist license – in order to be qualified as a legal makeup specialist. However, in most states, a makeup artist license falls under an esthetician license or cosmetology license.

Specifically, there are 41 states that issue licenses for makeup artistry.

Of those 41, two have specific makeup artist licenses. (Nevada and Louisiana.) In the remaining 39 states, the cosmetology boards have differently named licenses, but they still cover makeup artist licensure.

What’s the difference between makeup certification vs license?

By and large, you should have an actual makeup artist license if you’re practicing makeup artistry.

A makeup artist license comes from rigorous training at beauty schools. These cosmetology training programs teach you about so much more than just makeup: the science behind cosmetology, safety procedures, and and whole slew of skin and hair care techniques. Because of this, a makeup artist license opens the doors to more high paying career opportunities.

A certification is a lesser type of training, and it’s rare that a specific “makeup artist certification” officially exists in most states. Makeup certification courses will teach you a lot about makeup application, but they won’t dig into more-in-depth education. For example, you miss out on topics like anatomy, physiology, and infection control.

How much does it cost to become a makeup artist and how long does makeup artist school take?

The mean cost of becoming a makeup artist is about $169 in licensing test and application fees. However, it’s different in every state. That is just the average. Check out state by state requirements here.

On average, certified makeup courses run for about 134 days. After that, makeup artist students typically have to pass 2 board exams in order to be licensed in their home state. Expect to pay a little bit out of pocket for the licensing and testing fees.

Since different states cover makeup artistry under various certifications, it’s really difficult to tell you the exact program length. Here are some great examples from makeupartistedu.org that show how wide and varied the requirements can be:

What is the average makeup artist salary?

The average makeup artist salary depends on the type of makeup artistry. Since makeup artistry licensure falls under different categories according to the different states, here are a few statistics of varying categories:

• According to the US Bureau Labor of Statistics, the average salary of Theatrical and Performance Makeup Artists was $69,310.
• The average salary of Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists was $30,490.
• On average, skin care specialists (like estheticians) made a yearly salary of $35,130.

All of these statistics were updated in May 2017.

What are the different types of makeup artists?

• Beauty Make Up Artist for major cosmetology brands
• Theater
• Body & Face Painting
• Fashion
• Television
• Movies & Film
• Personal Care (for weddings, family photos, etc.)
• Freelance Make Up Artist

How to Get Into Makeup School

Typically, all you need is a high school diploma or GED to be accepted into one of the top makeup artist schools.

What Will I Learn in Makeup Artist School?
What to Expect in Makeup Courses

In reality, all schools have different curriculum. As discussed above, you might be learning makeup artistry as part of an Esthetician or Cosmetology program.

However, here are some of the types of things you can expect to learn*:

Additionally, the top makeup artist schools included advanced classes that teach these kinds of techniques:

Makeup Classes Online
Accredited Online Makeup Courses

One way to become a certified makeup artist is to take makeup classes online. Although not all states allow online certification, it is an option to attend accredited online makeup courses online.

Here’s a list of a few accredited online makeup courses online:

• QC Makeup Academy: This makeup school features an Online Student Center, which has all your necessary learning materials. QC Makeup Academy will send you makeup supplies to work with. Then, you can work at your own speed and practice your skills on people you know. Then you’ll upload your written assignments along with photos of your work to the Online Student Center. The great part about this program is you’ll receive feedback on your assignments from a professional makeup artist, who’s also your personal tutor! Visit the school’s website for more information. (Find the online tuition calculator for QC Makeup Academy here.)
• Online Makeup Academy: Another option is the Online Makeup Academy. As you become a certified makeup artist at this online makeup school, you’ll be learning from the top industry professionals in New York City! There are 4 makeup artist programs from which to choose. First, there’s the basic Essential Makeup Course. This only costs $699. And the next step up is the Advanced Makeup Course, which is $499. Then, you can choose from Master Makeup Course. If you want to extend your skills beyond makeup artistry, then consider their Pro Hairstyling Course.

Bonus Video: QC MAKEUP ACADEMY || HONEST REVIEW OF PRODUCTS || UNPACKING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLxK7YW5DeM

What are the top online makeup schools that accept financial aid?

One thing to be aware of is that not all makeup classes online accept financial aid. In order to make sure that a school has a financial aid program, check to make sure it has the following two things on its website.

• First, it should have tuition cost available right on the website.
• Second, it should have a net price calculator right on the website.

In order to search for a school’s net price calculator, simply visit the US Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator search page. The benefits of using a net price calculator is that it shows you the price you’ll owe after the assistance of Federal Financial Aid.

The 3 Best Makeup Schools in the US
How to Become a MUA

For a complete list of makeup school reviews, see How to Find the Top Makeup School Near Me. Without a doubt, a quality makeup artist education is a must for a successful career in makeup artistry.

Since starting your makeup artist school search early is a must, here’s a sneak peak at the top beauty schools with makeup artist certification courses.

Chic Studios – School of Makeup in New York City & Los Angeles

Chic Studios is a beauty school with locations in NYC and Los Angeles. As a student, you can expect bright, exuberant classrooms with all the complimentary offerings of a makeup school doing it right. For example, these schools offer selfie stations, photo studios, free wifi, and complimentary coffee/tea.

You’ll also receive all-inclusive materials. For example, a complete makeup kit with brush set as well as skin care supplies and essential learning materials.

The average cost per term is $1,695.

If you’re interested in scheduling a school tour, then visit the Schedule a Chic Studios Tour to get started!

Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This is the single accredited and licensed makeup school in South Florida. Cosmix offers makeup courses in beauty, fashion, film, television, stage and special effects.

Since Cosmix is so close to Atlanta, a huge city for film, character makeup and special effects is the school’s most popular training program. This Master Makeup Artistry program takes 6 months to complete and is the longest, most inclusive program. It prepares students to be well-rounded in every aspect, to work in every type of media, including being a Makeup Artist Magazine School Directory.

In order to find out about Financial Aid options, visit Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry’s Financial Aid page.

Video: Character Makeup at Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry

4 Amazing Tips for Makeup Artists
How to Be a Good Makeup Artist

If you’re wondering how to be a successful makeup artist, then this is the section for you! At TFC, we commend you for wanting to be more than “just average.” Many people can complete trade training programs, but it takes extra effort to be truly great.

Practice, practice, practice.

Whenever you can, snatch up those opportunities to practice your makeup artist skills! Even though you’ll probably do it for free in the beginning, practicing on family and friends will give you a good way to apply what you’re learning in makeup school. It will also help get your name out there for when you are a certified makeup artist.

Get to know other makeup artistry students.

As a student, prioritize building relationships with your classmates. There’s always more to learn in the makeup world, and having fellow makeup artist friends can help keep you up-to-date.

Even after you become a makeup artist, you should get to know fellow makeup artists. Rather than seeing them as a threat, look at it as a way to grow and learn. It always pays to have people in your field on your side! Who knows, they might be too busy someday and need someone to whom they can send referrals…and if you play your cards right, that person could be you!

Create a Social Media Presence

Rather than just using social media for your personal use, think of it as a way to advertise your services. This will be especially helpful if you become a freelance makeup artist. Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are all great platforms to use.

If you want, you can even create a separate social media account just to showcase your makeup artist skills.

Become a Certified Makeup Artist

Although it’s possible to be a freelance makeup artist without certification, it really helps to have a license. So check out your state requirements for makeup artists, and fulfill them! Nothing says “professional” like official licensure or certification.

Video: 3 Keys to Building a Successful Makeup Artist Career and Business

How to Become a Makeup Artist:
Your Turn!

Now that you’ve learned how to become a licensed makeup artist, it’s your turn! Whether you just want to learn more, or you’re ready to start searching for the top beauty schools with make up classes, TFC is here to help. If you’re ready to enroll in makeup school, use the search bars on this page to help you find the “best makeup artist classes near me.”

If you still want to learn about makeup school and careers, we’ve got plenty of posts/videos to help you with that, as well! Scroll down for a list of helpful links for aspiring makeup artists.

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Sources:

Occupational Licensing: Makeup Artist
Find a Makeup Artist School
Become a Certified Makeup Artist: Certification & Career Roadmap
Make Up Artist Types
Makeup Artist Magazine School Directory
How to Become a Successful Makeup Artist
*What Will I Learn in Makeup Artist School?
Online Makeup Academy
QC Makeup Academy