If you’re in New York City, you’re exactly where you need to be to attend one of the top makeup artist schools in the country! In the following post, you’ll find a list of the best makeup schools in NYC.
I’ve also completed a complete cheat sheet to becoming a makeup artist in NYC. Interested in something very specific regarding the best makeup schools in NYC? Hop on down to the Table of Contents below!
Best Makeup Schools in NYC Overview:
- New York State Board of Cosmetology Requirements for Makeup Artist Certification
(Bonus: Esthetician State Board Exam Study Guide Practice Questions) - How to Become a Professional Makeup Artist in New York
(Find The Best Makeup Schools in California Near You in Less Than a Minute) - Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Artist Classes in NYC
- How Much Do Makeup Artists Make in NYC?
- The Top Special Effects Makeup Schools in NYC
- In the Spotlight: The 7 Best Makeup Schools in NYC for License
New York State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements
Like most other states, New York doesn’t have a separate “makeup degree” license. Like California, you’ll need to pursue your dream of being a professional makeup artist by obtaining your esthetician license.
In order to get your esthetician license in NYC, you must finish 600 hours at an accredited makeup artist school. Once you graduate, the next step is to pass the New York Esthetician State Board Exam. This consists of two smaller exams – the written (theory) and hands-on (practical.)
Since everything in NYC costs you something, I’ll break it down to prepare you:
- The test fee is $15.
- It costs $50 to get your actual license.
- In order to renew your makeup artist license (esthetician license), you’ll need to pay $40 every 4 years.
All things considered, this is pretty cheap compared to almost everything else in NYC!
Esthetician State Board Exam Practice Questions & Study Guide
Rest assured, the accredited beauty school you attend in NYC will prepare you to pass the Esthetician State Board Exam.
However, here are some tools to help you review what you’ve learned:
- ProProf’s Preparation for Esthetics State Board Exam Practice Test
- Quizlet’s Practice for Esthetics State Board Exam V.1
- Mometrix’s Free Esthetician Practice Test Questions
Some people learn better through videos, so check out these YouTube esthetics exam practice videos:
- What You Need to Know to Pass Your Esthetics State Board Exam
- Cosmetology Test Questions: Skin & Its Disorders (60 questions)
Sometimes, it’s good to step away from a computer and do it the old fashioned way: with a book. Here are some great choices from Amazon’s selection:
How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist in NYC:
Attend the Best Makeup Schools in NYC + Satisfy State Board Requirements
As discussed above, becoming a professional makeup artist in NYC is far more than just attending one of the best makeup schools in California. Although that is a good start. But passing the exam, getting your license, and keeping it renewed are huge tasks on their own.
How to Be a Makeup Artist in NYC, Step #1:
Is This Really Something You Want?
Before you even enroll in one of the beauty schools in NYC, give yourself time to really think about it deeply.
The best makeup schools in NYC have rigorous curriculums and demand a strong work ethic and passion from their students. In exchange, they’re ready to meet your enthusiasm with the best beauty school education on the planet!
Ready to do some digging, but not sure where to start? Here are some relevant makeup artist school articles with oodles of helpful videos, links, and information:
- The Ultimate Guide to Becoming an Esthetician in NYC
- How to Become a Freelance Makeup Artist
- The Best Special Effects Makeup Schools in the US
How Do You Become a Certified Makeup Artist in NYC, 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 artist school 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.
The best part? There are no strings attached. In other words, you can unsubscribe at any time.
I’m confident that you’ll eventually find the best makeup artist school near you. When that moment comes, it’s time to reach out to admissions. Begin the enrollment process as soon as you have found your passion!
How to Become a Makeup Artist in NYC, Step #3:
Graduate from Makeup School
Once you’ve been accepted to an accredited makeup school, it’s time to begin your makeup artist certification classes. Whether you go to a small makeup college or a large cosmetology makeup school, the classes will follow the same structure.
You’ll take traditional classes to learn the theory behind makeup artistry. Additionally, you’ll perform a lot of hands-on learning on models and manikins.
The best makeup classes in NYC will include topics such as:
- Television & Movies
- Special Effects/Character
- Bridal
- Daytime & Evening
- Male & Senior
How to Become a Certified Makeup Artist in NYC, Step #4:
Pass the State Board Exams
After graduation, it’s time to take the state board exams. Once you pass, you can become a practicing makeup artist! Just remember New York’s state cosmetology board requirements, and renew your license every four years.
Makeup Artist Career & Salary Info:
How Much Do Makeup Artists Earn in NYC?
To get a better idea of how much makeup artist careers are worth in NYC, let’s first look at the average makeup artist salary in the United States as a whole.
What is the average makeup artist salary in the United States?
One thing to remember is that 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, there are a few statistics of varying categories across the US:
- 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.
Now let’s see how salaries in New York compare. The news is good for professional makeup artists in NYC!
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York State has the highest employment level in this occupation.
- Furthermore, New York is the 3rd highest paying state for makeup artists, falling just behind Illinois and the District of Columbia.
- In contrast to the national statistics, the average salary of makeup artists in New York is $77,980.
Special Effects Makeup Schools in NYC
If you aren’t afraid of (and, let’s be real, very excited by) the idea of using makeup to make someone look scarier or more dangerous, then you might feel right at home at a special effects makeup school in NYC.
Make-Up Designory Beauty Academy in NYC
The Make-Up Designory is a makeup school with various locations both internationally and in the United States. In the U.S., the Make-Up Designory has notable locations in Los Angeles and New York City. As part of their makeup artistry program, the school offers two special FX makeup classes: Special Effects Make-up Lab Techniques and Character Make-up Artistry.
The tuition is just shy of $25,000 at both locations, and each program is 812 hours long. For more information about financing your education, check out the school’s Financial Aid page.
In the Spotlight:
The 5 Best Makeup Schools in NYC
And now, without further ado, here’s a list of the top 5 makeup schools in NYC:
- Empire Beauty School in Manhattan
- American Beauty School, Inc. in the Bronx
- Nina Mua Makeup Classes NYC in Manhattan
- Academy of Freelance Makeup NYC in Manhattan
- MAKEUP FOR EVER Academy in Manhattan
The Best Makeup Schools in NYC:
Your Turn!
Now that you’ve learned the basics of becoming a licensed makeup artist in NYC, it’s your time to take action! Whether you just want to learn more, or you’re ready to start searching for the top beauty schools with makeup classes, TFC is here to help.
But what if you already know, right in this moment, that you want to go to makeup school in NYC? Start your search immediately! It could be one of the best decisions you ever make. Use the handy-dandy, safe search toolbar to receive a custom list of the best makeup artist schools in NYC near you!
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