Makeup Courses
Now that many places in the world are starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the makeup industry follows. It’s one of the leading areas of the beauty industry in terms of market growth and is still a promising place for employment. Whether you’re providing home services, working in a salon, or running your own business, studying a makeup course is key to your success. So, to give you a thorough understanding of what you should expect from the program, here are the important details you need to know.
What Is Makeup?
Makeup is primarily a subset of cosmetics. It refers to the colored products used to enhance or change people’s appearances. Beauty products can be made of organic or synthetic ingredients and include those for the eyes, brows, eyelids, eyelashes, cheeks, lips, and so many more.
Makeup has evolved over the years and continues to explore more styles and looks that fit the needs of different industries. Stage makeup, for example, looks different from natural-looking makeup. This also means each style requires a different set of makeup products to achieve two separate looks.
What Is a Makeup Artist?
A makeup artist is an expert at using makeup products to color, conceal, and beautify faces. They work on improving, transforming, and doing makeovers on customers’ faces. This means they remedy issues, highlight positive attributes, and correct imperfections for beautification purposes.
What Do You Learn in Makeup Courses?
Studying makeup courses allows you to learn how to work with people from different industries and to know various beauty techniques and products. However, courses vary by country, provider, and program structure.
If you’re a beginner, you can enroll in a basic course, but if you already have a background in makeup, you can study advanced programs. To give you an idea of what to expect from the courses, here are the types of makeup programs:
Basic Makeup
This is considered to be a beginner’s course as it teaches you the basics about makeup, such as the proper foundation application and ideal color combinations. Some programs make this a prerequisite to advancing to creative makeup. It covers everyday, evening, and special occasions makeup looks. Aside from beginners, this program is recommended for those who are interested in providing private consumer makeup services and those who want refresher training.
Bridal Makeup
A bridal makeup course focuses on teaching you how to expertly apply makeup to people at weddings. You’ll know what look is great for the bride and which style fits those who are part of the entourage. You’ll also learn the makeup techniques that work with people of different ages, facial structures, and skin tones in a wedding setup.
Stage or Photographic Makeup
If you want to work with people in the entertainment and fashion industries, taking a stage or photographic makeup course is best. The program covers looks for films, television, theater, and photography. You’ll know how to match makeup looks with the directors’ or photographers’ concepts in a film, television, theater, or photoshoot setting.
Special Effects (SFX) Makeup
In an SFX makeup course, you’ll know the techniques about applying makeup in the lab and classes for both the body and face. Prosthetic sculpting, painting, and casting are all taught in this course. You’ll be dealing with foam rubber, latex, and silicone most of the time. The program aims to teach you how to achieve effects with makeup, prosthetics, and hair to match a specific production concept.
Airbrushing
Airbrushing is basically a method of applying makeup. Some courses may not offer this advanced skill, but programs that provide specialty curriculums may provide this type of makeup training.
Here, you’ll know how to use the pre-applicator device used to spray the foundation onto the skin. The good thing about using an airbrush is the foundation stays all day, so clients won’t need to retouch. The makeup product used in the spray is silicone-based, which explains why it lasts longer and is water-resistant.
The course also teaches you the correct foundations to use on different people on various occasions. You’ll also learn how to clean, sanitize, and maintain the device.
Hairstyling
Becoming a makeup artist will need you to learn hairstyling because hair and makeup usually work together. This is especially true if you’re interested in working with people in the entertainment or fashion industry. In this course, you’ll learn different hairstyles for various face shapes, occasions, and production demands. You’ll also practise using hairstyling tools, such as blow dryers, hair irons, and hot rollers.
What Are the Different Ways to Study Makeup?
Learning makeup techniques can be done in different ways. But as much as possible, use the methods that give you the opportunity to get a license to become a makeup artist. With that being said, let’s discuss the ways to learn makeup techniques.
Online Courses
Due to the convenience of online classes, many course providers are offering makeup training using the Internet. You can check out online courses and see which program is more suited for your interest. Ideally, it’s best to pick a program that you can commit to for some in-class discussions or lab work within the provider’s school or business premises from time to time. It’s also important to enroll in a course that’s accredited by your local government.
School Learning
This is probably the first place you want to check out if you want to study makeup courses. Community colleges and vocational schools usually offer specialty courses like that of makeup. Check the schools in your area for makeup courses, and try to visit campuses as much as possible to get the feel of the institutions.
Video Tutorials
YouTube is a huge place for getting video tutorials. Many licensed makeup artists are creating their channels to post tutorials for their viewers and subscribers. Pick the artist who has the same makeup style you want to learn. The only disadvantage to this is you won’t get any certification for learning the tutorials.
Blogs
Blogs are also great sources to learn makeup techniques. Like video tutorials, many makeup artists are also publishing written step-by-step processes for makeup applications. You can follow their blogs to keep you updated with their posts. However, like watching videos, you won’t get a certificate for learning makeup by reading blogs.
Government-Funded Vocational Programs
Some countries offer vocational programs to communities as a way to help citizens who can’t afford college or to offer more opportunities for the unemployed. Check with your local government for educational programs like this. You might want to take advantage of this benefit because these programs are government-funded or offer discounted tuition fees. This is especially true if you are on a tight budget yet want to learn makeup.
In-Salon Classes
Many established beauty and makeup brands offer in-salon classes to interested students. The price for the course might be a little bit expensive, but you’ll learn their techniques and how to become successful in putting up a salon business. Programs may offer part- or full-time learning, depending on your preference or the course structure.
What Prerequisites Are There to Study Makeup?
Makeup courses vary and so are the prerequisites for studying them. It all depends on the regulations of your area. But most places may require a high school diploma or any similar certification and have age restrictions. You may also undergo pre-screening tests to qualify for enrollment. Other requirements vary by provider and the program structure.
What Accreditations Can You Get by Doing Makeup Courses?
Completing a makeup course allows you to obtain a certificate for it as proof that you’ve undergone training. You may also become a part of any accredited organization for makeup artists both locally and internationally. This increases your network and helps you build stronger connections with other makeup professionals.
After getting a certificate, you can proceed to taking an esthetics license. This serves as your ticket to finding a great employment opportunity or establishing your own business. In many countries, a makeup artist with a certificate is already sufficient to get a satisfying job. However, it’s always beneficial to get an esthetics license, so you can explore other places with stricter requirements for career opportunities.
What Will All of This Cost?
The cost for taking a makeup course is not the same as it varies by region, provider, program structure, and tools and equipment used. For a full-time course for three to six months, for example, the fee ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 (USD).
You can also opt for learning a short course that lasts up to two weeks. This focuses on a specific skill, such as bridal makeup, and can cost around $500-$3000. Courses for SFX may have a higher price range, which is around $10,000-$35,000.
What Will You Be Able to Do at the End of a Makeup Artist Course?
After getting a certificate for finishing the course, you might need to take a licensure exam for esthetics. This may be required in many countries, like the US. Check with your region’s requirements on how to become a professional makeup artist, so you know what to do next.
If you pass the licensure exam, you’ll get your esthetician license and can start with your makeup artist career. Better employment in salons awaits you if you’re a licensed esthetician. If you opt for starting your own makeup salon, you’ll have a smoother process in putting up a business than those without a license.
You can also provide home service to your friends to gain experience and earn at the same time if you don’t want to take the licensure exam yet. This way, you can build your customer base, so when you take the examination and get licensed, you won’t have trouble looking for clients anymore.
How Do I Find the Best Makeup Course?
Considering the many available makeup courses today, it gets overwhelming which one is best for your interest. To help you out, here are the factors to look for when finding a program:
Course Relevance
Your passion for studying a specific field of makeup is what motivates you to get certified and licensed. However, it’s always important to consider the relevance of the field you’ve chosen if you’ll get plenty of job opportunities after completing it. Do your research, and try to have a few options in case your top choice doesn’t provide many employment opportunities based on the data you’ve gathered.
Provider Reputation
It’s always a wow factor to enroll in a reputable school or course provider. You’ll ensure to make the most of what you’ve invested in it. Check student reviews about the company and courses they offer to know what others say about them.
Class Environment
If you opt for in-class courses, it’s ideal to visit the facility of the program provider and see how it feels. Observe how the staff treats you and how the overall environment feels. It’s also essential to check their tools and equipment if organized and clean.
Course Structure
Review the course’s syllabus if it fits what you want to learn. Doing so also allows you to evaluate if the structure fits your lifestyle. They may offer the areas of study you’re looking for but are not that flexible in terms of schedule.
Aside from that, looking at the syllabus gives you the opportunity to compare program structures. This way, you can assess which one fits you better, which helps in your decision-making process.
Instructor Quality
On top of looking at the facility, tools and equipment, and course structure, the quality of instructors of the course is crucial. They will be teaching you the skills and theory of makeup, and it’s important that you learn these from quality and trusted educators.
Try to do a background check for each instructor, and see their academic achievements. It helps in your decision as well if you know who your mentors are. You’ll ensure to know expert and professional tips they use to achieve quality makeup results.
Provider Location
Provider location is also important in finding the best makeup course despite getting an online class. Courses should require on-campus visits for lab work and hands-on activities to help students learn the techniques effectively. So, always consider schools or provider facilities near you for easier access.
Course Accreditation
Never enroll in a course provider not accredited by your government. If you do, you’ll have requirement issues later on when looking for a job or taking the licensure examination. It’s always safe to enroll in an accredited makeup course provider because they comply with your area’s regulations. Check for any logos or seals from a licensed accreditor or local government unit in their facility or website.
Choose Your Makeup Course Now!
Which makeup course are you interested in studying? Regardless, make sure it fits your passion with plenty of work opportunities and comes from an accredited provider. So, start identifying your top picks now, and choose the best program!