12 Best Makeup Artistry Schools in the United States (2023 Updated)
Makeup artistry is a career that is booming. There are many opportunities for people who have an interest in the beauty industry to explore careers in this field. including makeup artistry jobs and even opening their own salon.
But how does one become a makeup artist? The first step is attending a makeup artistry school. There, you’ll receive training in all the different aspects of this career.
There are many makeup schools across America, including well-known institutions like L’Oréal Makeup Artistry Academy and The Makeup Designory College. There are also smaller programs for people who need to stay close to home or work while going to school.
In this article, we will discuss some of the top makeup artistry schools around the country.
Opportunities in Makeup Artistry—Is it a Viable Career Choice?
With streaming services like Netflix rising in popularity, there is an ever-growing demand for new movies and series. That is why many makeup artists who have found the perfect job are the ones that work on these productions. In fact, one major Hollywood producer has even said that streaming services will replace movie theaters in a few years because of this trend.
So, what does all of this mean for people interested in pursuing a career as a professional makeup artist? It means that now is the perfect time to become a makeup artist because there is an enormous demand for them.
The mean annual wage in 2020 was $99,990, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even if you were in the bottom 10% earners of the field, you’d still bring home a respectable annual salary of $38,010, which is nothing to scoff at.
As for jobs growth, bls gives a rough estimate of 16% from 2018 to 2028. But we think this statistic is misleading. First, it’s based on a pre-pandemic investigation. Second, it couldn’t take the exponential growth of streaming platforms. Third, the number of people who were employed as makeup artists wasn’t high to begin with, so any change is going to have a tremendous impact on the number.
We expect the number to grow way higher than 16% in the coming years.
Makeup Artistry Schools: What You Need to Know
There are many schools for people who want to enter this career path. Picking the right one can feel daunting. And that’s why we compiled this list.
What Do You Actually Want to Do?
Do you want to work as a professional makeup artist who works on photo shoots and movies? Do you want to specialize in prosthetics, which include creating fake body parts for actors? Or do you think it would be cool to learn how people create their looks every day with the products they use?
No matter where your interests lie, there is a makeup artistry school for you.
If you are not sure which program is the right choice for your particular interests or needs, there are ways to figure it out. Think about yourself. What do you want to achieve? Where do you want to live? What is your vision?
To find the perfect school for you, start by looking at Google for reviews of different makeup artistry courses in your area.
Doing this research will help ensure that you get all the information you need about each program and that it is the perfect fit for what you want to do.
Accreditation
Make sure the school where you want to attend is accredited. Accreditation means that it has met a set of standards put in place by an outside body. This ensures that the institution’s students will meet industry requirements for employment.
This doesn’t mean other unaccredited institutions aren’t worth looking into. It just means that you should do some research before enrolling in a program.
How Long Is the Program?
One major factor in deciding which course of action to take for your education is how long it takes. Some programs last for three months, while others can be as short as six weeks or even a few weeks. The length of the program is something you must consider depending on your situation and how much time you can dedicate to studying, because it will determine which type of school to choose from.
The Cost of Schooling
Another factor that should be considered before enrolling is the cost of attending makeup artistry schools. Tuition fees can range from $15,000 to over $100,000 for some more prestigious institutions.
And yes, you get what you pay for, but you don’t want to go into debt you can’t repay. So, weigh your options before deciding.
Real-World Experience Opportunities
Picking a school that is going to give you access to of real-world experience is going to be crucial. It’s one of the best ways for students who are newbies in their field to learn the craft.
Make sure that the school has connections with professionals and companies who can give you these opportunities. This will ensure that you can get the most out of your education and won’t have any trouble finding a job after graduation.
What Are Your Chances of Getting a Job When You Graduate?
Some schools make it easy for their graduates to find a job, others don’t seem to care. This depends on your situation. Do you know someone who could employ you after your studies? Then you won’t care much for this. Others don’t have the necessary connections, so they should pick a school that will help them find a job.
The Top 12 Makeup Artistry Schools
There are tens of excellent makeup artistry schools in the United States. Picking just 11 proved to be a challenge. All the schools on this list will prepare you for a rewarding career in the field. It’s a matter of picking the one that suits you the most.
Editor’s note: The perfect school doesn’t exist. Consider price, location, and your lifestyle before enrolling. Make the environment work for you.
L’Oréal Makeup Artistry Academy
- Type: Private
- Location: Hudson St, New York, NY 10014
- Tuition: Between ~$5,000 and ~$10,000 depending on how many classes you take
The L’Oréal Makeup Artistry Academy is a superb choice for anyone who wants to focus on their artistic eye. The program lasts about six weeks, with students learning different techniques and tricks of the trade during this time frame.
This program offers hands-on training in makeup artistry, but there is a higher price tag than you might want to pay. The tuition for this program would be over $15,000. With the extensive curriculum, this may be worth it for some people.
Another thing that sets this school apart from others is the three months after graduation in which students can work with mentors and make connections in the industry, which can lead to future jobs.
Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry
- Type: Private
- Location: 3440 N Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
- Tuition: $9,550
Cosmix is a school for people who are looking to learn how to become makeup artists in the entertainment industry. It offers programs that last from three weeks up to six months, depending on your needs and what you want out of this career path.
It was founded by experienced Hollywood professionals who have worked with some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
This school offers a comprehensive program that includes courses on makeup artistry and beauty, fashion and celebrity hairstyling.
Elegance International Beauty
- Type: Private
- Location: 6767 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, 90028 CA
- Tuition: Not available (currently closed)
Elegance is a school for people who are looking to learn more about makeup artistry. It offers programs that last six months and provide students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience in this industry by giving them access to professional artists they can shadow while attending courses at the school.
It was founded by a group of people who have been in the industry for years and want to help others advance as well.
The Private Career Training Institutions Agency—which ensures that students will receive a high-quality education from qualified professionals—accredit this school.
Warning: The school is currently closed until further notice.
Cinema Makeup School
- Type: Private
- Location: 3780 Wilshire Blvd Study Room, Los Angeles, CA 90010
- Tuition: $30,950 (includes lab fees and materials)
Cinema Makeup School is another option for anyone who wants to focus more on the artistic side of makeup, but might also want some hands-on training. This school focuses on teaching students how to make their clients look like movie stars rather than just ordinary people, giving them an edge in the industry.
Cinema Makeup School provides three diploma programs for people who want to become makeup artists. Diploma programs allow students to pursue a curriculum that is relevant to their professional goals. All activities are led by top industry professionals in a fun, creative atmosphere that encourages pupils to collaborate.
Cinema Makeup School also offers a Makeup Artistry and Hairstyling program, which can help you get your foot in the door of this industry.
Douglas Education Center
- Type: Private
- Location: 130 7th St, Monessen, PA 15062
- Tuition: $37,875 (for all 4 semesters)
Douglas Education Center is a makeup artistry school that offers programs for both beginners and advanced students. Students here learn the technical and artistic side of the trade, which can lead to more options later on in life.
This is a great school to consider if you’re looking for versatility. This makeup artistry program teaches both the artistic and technical sides of the business, so students can decide how they want to do their job later on in life.
This school offers an extensive curriculum that includes teaching clients everything from applying cosmetic products correctly to designing costumes. The complete cost of the program is over $15,000.
One thing that sets this school apart from others is the three months after graduation in which students are able to work with mentors and make connections in the industry, which can lead to future jobs.
Makeup Designory (MUD)
- Type: Private
- Location: 65 Broadway, 15th floor New York, NY 10006
- Tuition: $9,408.00
MUD is another great option for those who want to learn how to become professional makeup artists. It was founded in 1987 and since then has helped thousands of students break into the entertainment industry by providing them with high-quality courses.
The school has two locations–one in Los Angeles and another on the East Coast, so you have multiple options in choosing where to study depending on your location, schedule, etc.
MUD focuses on beauty makeup but also teaches students how to do special effects make-up and hair styling for photo shoots and the entertainment industry.
The Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education granted the school approval to operate.
The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing (FIDM)
- Type: Private
- Location: 919 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Tuition: $32,732
This is another popular school for those who want to learn how to become professional makeup artists. It was established in 1969 and since then has helped thousands of students find jobs by providing them with high-quality courses that teach everything you need to know about this career path.
This school is unique because it offers programs not just for makeup artist but also costume design, fashion merchandizing, illustration & animation and interior design.
Besides courses that teach you how to do makeup in the entertainment industry, FIDM also provides students with opportunities for internships and apprenticeships. These give students real-world experience, which they can use later when trying to find a job or start their own business.
Montclair State University
- Type: Public
- Location: 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
- Tuition: $13,073 (local), $21,033 (domestic)
This is another option that you can consider if you want to learn how to do makeup for the entertainment industry. It offers programs in fashion merchandizing and graphic design which students can take depending on their interests and career goals. The school was established back in 1908, so it has a lot of experience in helping students break into the entertainment industry.
The school has campuses across New Jersey, so you can attend classes no matter where you are located. This also gives students access to a lot of opportunities for internships and work opportunities in nearby cities/states because they will always be close enough for someone who lives on campus to travel to.
CMC Makeup School
- Type: Private
- Location: 9535 Forest Ln, Dallas, TX & Online
- Tuition: $1200
CMC Makeup School is another option that you can consider if you want to learn how to do makeup for theater, film and TV. A group of professional industry experts who understand exactly what it takes for someone new to break into this competitive field established it in the early 2000s.
This school has two locations–one in New York City and another in Los Angeles.
CMC provides students with high-quality courses taught by professionals who are passionate about what they do because this is the only way for them to ensure that their students receive all the knowledge and skills that they need to become professional makeup artists.
Shenandoah University
- Type: Private
- Location: 1460 University Dr, Winchester, VA 22601
- Tuition: $33,180
If you want to learn how to do makeup for theater, film and TV, you can’t go wrong with Shenandoah University’s programs. It offers programs in various career fields, including Digital Media Arts (DMA), Game Art & Design, Visual Effects/Animation and Graphic Design. This allows students to choose a program based on their interests and career goals, which is great for ensuring that they receive the most value from their time at this school.
The courses are taught by professionals who have experience working in various entertainment fields knowing that all of your professors will be more than qualified to teach you everything I know about makeup artistry.
Shenandoah University has several campuses across Virginia, so you can attend classes no matter where you are located. This also gives students access to a lot of opportunities for internships and work opportunities in nearby cities/states because they will always be close enough for someone who lives on campus to travel to.
The Art Institute of Washington
- Type: Private
- Location: 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road N. E., Atlanta, GA 30328
- Tuition: $17,796
This is another great option for those who want to learn how to do makeup in the entertainment industry. It offers programs in Game Art & Design, Visual Effects/Animation and Graphic design, so graduates will be qualified for a wide range of jobs across various fields depending on their specialization. This school has two campuses–one in Virginia and one in California, so students will attend classes no matter where they are located.
The courses at this school provide a firm foundation for anyone who wants to learn how to do makeup. Even if they don’t have any prior experience or qualifications. This is because the teachers understand exactly what it takes to become successful in the entertainment fields. They provide students with the knowledge and skills that they need to perform their job well.
Conclusions
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a lot of jobs growth in the beauty field over the next few years. With this article, I hope to provide some insight on what study if you want to pursue makeup artistry as a profession.
There are many reasons makeup artistry is cool, including its versatility, creativity and ability to collaborate with different departments in film/stage/television.
Who knows, maybe you’ll work on the next huge commercial TV success. Getting in close contact with the actors while they’re not performing is always a significant experience.
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