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Posts Tagged ‘makeup artist training’

How to Become a Special Effects Makeup Artist

Posted on: July 25th, 2012 by Lori No Comments

Prosthetic Makeup ArtistIf you are interested in a competitive field with potential, then you just might want to consider becoming a special effects makeup artist. The field allows you to be creative, imaginative, and in some instances, allows you to take traditional makeup application skills far beyond the next level. Although it can be challenging to break into the special effects makeup artistry business, it is definitely a worthwhile field to pursue if doing prosthetic makeup for aged characters, scary monsters and other dramatic character transformations for theater and film sounds like a dream job to you.

The first step to launch career is to see if there is makeup artist training for special effects and prosthetic makeup in your area. This is a very niche, specialized field so those schools may be few and far between – but worth it to seek out! Certain areas like New York City and Los Angeles are known to be bustling with opportunities for special effects makeup artists because of their close ties to theater, entertainment and film. To have a truly successful career in prosthetic and special effects makeup, it might be in your best interest to relocate to these large metropolitan areas where the most potential lies, but many people have also made successful prosthetic makeup careers in other parts of the country and just travel to the sets where their skills are needed the most. But when it comes to prosthetic makeup as a career, large cities tend to have the most opportunities both for education purposes and for jobs.

Either you can start your career by honing your craft on your own, or you could opt to attend a formal makeup artist training program which can give you the foundation education and extra skills that you need to set yourself apart from the competition. If you choose to learn on your own, you will likely find a lot of special effects makeup training resources online, in books and on DVD. Some of the most predominant names in the industry were self-taught. However, if you decide to attend school, the first step is to find a makeup school in your area. This may require you to move to a different area or travel for the duration of the training, but when you find your true passion in life, it may be just what you need to take that leap. Having a formalized makeup artist education to bolster your resume and portfolio can make you more competitive when vying for the available makeup artist jobs. Take a look into courses, workshops and certifications that can help you advance your career in the right direction – talk to schools about how they can get you closer to your goal.

Regardless of your training, though, the bottom line is that your work needs to be top quality to get the best SFX makeup artist jobs you want. A prospective employer will be looking to make sure that your work is skilled, detail-oriented, realistic or believable and of the highest quality. So make sure you focus on quality rather than the quantity of credentials. After you gain the necessary experience, it is time to look for work. Special effects makeup artists are often freelancers, and begin building their careers by lending their skills to fashion shows and hair competitions, local theatre and school theater, or doing standard makeup artistry. It may take up a while to build the quantity and caliber of clientele you really want to have in your portfolio, but don’t let the journey discourage you from what you really want to do with your life. Document your work closely and display your portfolio online in an easily accessible place so people can find your work. Continue to reach out to potential employers and market yourself to build the dream SFX makeup career you always wanted.

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2 Las Vegas Makeup School Owners Sue Nevada State Board

Posted on: July 3rd, 2012 by Heather No Comments

Makeup Artist Applying MakeupTwo cosmetology schools have filed lawsuits against the Nevada State Board, due to the state’s laws and licensing regulations surrounding the field. In the state of Nevada, makeup artists do not need a license to practice their craft; therefore, makeup artists like Wendy Robin and Lissette Waugh are able to work as makeup artists despite their lack of licensure. Yet when they both opened schools in 2010, they were in violation of state laws.

Although the state does not offer a specific training to become licensed as a makeup artist, Nevadans who teach or run makeup artistry schools must be licensed as cosmetologists or own an establishment that is run as a cosmetology school. Waugh and Robin believe this to be unconstitutional. Robin, who owns Studio W in Henderson, Nevada, states that she has worked in the field for 25 years. In addition, she worked as a makeup artist instructor for 15 years, so she wonders why this is not enough to constitute her opening up her own facility without additional training and licensing. Waugh, who owns L. Makeup Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada, is baffled as to why she cannot open up her own makeup artistry school either, since she has 20 years experience working as a makeup artist and 10 years teaching her art.

The women argue that they are teaching people to work as freelance makeup artists, which is very different from working as a cosmetologist. Waugh declares that the field of cosmetology entails much more than just makeup artistry, which means she would have to take irrelevant classes. She also claims that the laws would force her to teach irrelevant material in her school, plus she would have to buy unnecessary equipment in order to remain in business.

In the lawsuit, the women propose that they are trying to teach students to become makeup artists. In particular, they want to teach students about doing makeup in the retail and entertainment industries—neither of which require a license to practice makeup artistry in the state of Nevada. They are teaching application techniques for makeup, as well as advanced color therapy. They even want to instruct students on how to use an airbrush machine, along with various other skills that are relevant to the industry. However, neither woman wants to teach the entire cosmetology curriculum that consists of skills that are not necessary for makeup artists, such as styling hair and proper skin care techniques. In fact, the current curriculum that is implemented does not even cover makeup application. The lawsuit includes how the women would have to spend thousands of dollars to meet these requirements.

As of now, Waugh decided to work within the loophole of selling makeup kits and offering free demonstrations. Robin, on the other hand, closed her location last year. The lawsuit has received the attention of lawmakers. The board has submitted legislation to Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval to allow makeup artists to be exempt from having to attend cosmetology school so long as they’re not required to be formally licensed to work.

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My Future as a Makeup Artist

Posted on: June 6th, 2012 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Beauty Blogger Nicole BriertyNicole Briertyis the creator and author of HelloMissNiki.com, a blog that provides product reviews, explores makeup tips and tricks, and much more.  Although she has no prior cosmetology experience or education, she has learned from a variety of beauty gurus and makeup artists throughout the internet. The New Jersey based blogger has recently embarked on a career in freelance work and hopes to be a successful beauty blogger, as well as enhancing her presence on the web.  Follow Nicole on Twitter @HelloMissNiki or visit her Facebook Fan Page.  

There are many things in my life that I cannot remember, yet one thing I can never forget is my passion for makeup.  Sometimes when I talk to people about it, I don’t think they truly understand. Sometimes I look into their eyes and I can see them thinking “just another girl who likes playing with makeup.”  Well it’s more than that.

I remember being a child in Bayonne, New Jersey and eyeballing my mother’s lipstick on her dresser.  From that moment I was determined to get my hands on some cosmetics.  At that point in time, I obviously had no idea about the concept of makeup, except I was drawn to the colors. I must say that part of my youth fascination still lives within me. For the remainder of my childhood, I had to settle for Tinker Bell makeup, which at the time was just peachy to me!

Seventh grade is when it all began and it has been downhill from there… I got hooked!  One weekend, my mother took me to CVS and bought me my first cosmetic products, from foundation and powder to eye shadows and that hideous white eyeliner that I used to wear extremely thick on my eyelids (a fad I would rather forget).  I remember going to school that weekend and feeling hot.  I thought all the girls envied my awesome makeup and all the boys were checking me out.  Now I realize, “Eh…not so much!”  I look back at photos and I really had no idea what I was doing when it came to makeup application and I certainly didn’t look as good as I thought!  Those pictures are part of what inspired me today… to practice.

I loved makeup, but I became lazy for years and stuck with the same old looks, wearing the same lipstick and gloss everyday and never being adventurous.  That includes not going to cosmetology school.  I became so wrapped up in school, life and relationships that I figured I would never go.  I would say, “Where is it going to take me?”  The economy was bad and I figured I needed to be somewhere that ensured job security.  Nevertheless, I passed on schooling and went to college for Arts & Graphic Design.

Years have gone by, and although I was happy, something was still missing from my life.  While using StumbleUpon one night, I came across a beauty guru who changed everything for me.  Julia from Miss Chievous, a Switzerland-based makeup artist who had the most incredible makeup tutorials.  I watched her videos for hours on end; buying the products she used to build up my collection and eventually started doing a different look that she instructed every single morning!  Granted, at times, I ran late for work, but I enjoyed waking up and experimenting with something new, no matter how wild it was.  After getting to know Julia more through her videos and her blog, I learned that she never had any prior cosmetic training and that she was self-taught.  Now, do not get me wrong, I am not saying you shouldn’t go to school. In fact, if I could to go tomorrow, I would jump on the opportunity! However, her lack of cosmetology education and extreme success is what inspired me to do more, to take the next step, to bring my passion to life.  In late January of 2012, I became a beauty blogger and with a lot of time and practice, began taking on some freelance makeup jobs.

Everything happened so fast, and although I am not quite where I want to be yet, I feel I have become quite successful.  I have met many amazing people, both with and without prior experience.  We all share the same passion for cosmetics and see more than just “playing with makeup.” We see art. We see our faces as canvases and express ourselves with different techniques and colors that define who we are.

So what do I see for my future as a makeup artist?  I want to be heard. I want women and men who are interested in makeup to come to me and visit my blog for advice and direction and not mind that I am educationally inexperienced.  Do I still want to go to cosmetology school? Absolutely; but because I have taken my cosmetics obsession to the next step, I am not kicking myself as much for not going.  I want to build up my portfolio, expand my collection and experiment more with different looks and techniques.

Without sounding too cheesy, if you are a young person who is questioning taking their passion to the next step, just go for it! For some, that might mean attending makeup artist training or cosmetology school. You only live once and you never know where it will take you!  You may even win an Oscar someday or you could be the one doing celebrities makeup for Vogue magazine.  You just never know!

 

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How to Do a 1940s Pinup Makeup Look Tutorial

Posted on: December 19th, 2011 by Heather No Comments

 

We joined professional makeup artist Mandy McKenna at The Last Tangle Salon to put together this tutorial for you about how to do a 1940s pinup makeup look! The look includes the lightly shadowed eye, cat eye eyeliner and of course ruby red lipstick! This video covers the vintage pinup makeup look, and then shows the final product at the very end. The video is a little long, but trust me – you’ll want to watch it start to finish. The professional makeup artist gives tons of valuable insider tips and advice you won’t want to miss! I also ask Mandy about her experience in cosmetology school and her career as a makeup artist, and she has tons of valuable information to share.

If you like what you see here and you’re interested in becoming a makeup artist, look for makeup schools near you.

Here’s the final look!

Vintage 1940s Pinup Makeup Tutorial

“How to Do a 1940s Pinup Makeup Look Tutorial” Video Transcript

Heather/Beauty Schools Directory: Hey there, this is Heather with Beauty Schools Directory. I’m at The Last Tangle Salon in Overland Park, Kansas. We’re going to go in and talk to some of their very talented hairstylists and makeup artists about doing a pinup hairstyle, as well as pinup makeup for the vintage holiday party tonight. We’ll ask them a little bit about how they got into beauty and cosmetology, and see what interesting tips and advice they can offer us. So come on in!

Heather: We’re inside The Last Tangle Salon in Overland Park, Kansas and we’re going to meet our makeup artist of the day. Would you like to introduce yourself and tell us who you are?

Mandy McKenna/Makeup Artist at The Last Tangle Salon: I’m Mandy McKenna, and I’m a hair and makeup artist here at The Last Tangle Salon.

Heather: And what are we doing today Mandy?

Mandy: We are going to give you a nice 1940s pinup makeup look.

Heather: And what is all this over here?

Mandy: Well these are my brushes. You gotta have a good eyeliner brush because they really concentrate on the cat eye eyeliner. It’s very important to have that, and a nice contouring brush, too. Though it doesn’t look like they wore a lot of eye shadow, it’s mainly contouring with nude looks.

Heather: So is this your standard kit? You have this on you at all times? This is what you use?

Mandy: Yes, this is for the salon, then I have a kit for on-location.

Heather: What’s the makeup style you tend to do most often?

Mandy: The smokey eye. Everyone wants the smokey eye!

Heather: So what do you say we get started?

Mandy: Sure, grab a seat!

Heather: What just happened there?

Mandy: That’s just alcohol. We like to be nice and sanitary. Any time you see me spraying this  I’m just sanitizing.

Heather: So did you go to makeup artist school?

Mandy: Cosmetology school.

Heather: Where’d you go to school?

Mandy: Merrell University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Do you have anything on your face right now?

Heather: I have just foundation.

Mandy: Is it a liquid or powder?

Heather: Why do you ask?

Mandy: Because I can’t put liquid foundation over powder, it’ll get cakey. I’m actually a MAC Artist, MAC Cosmetics. I’ve been doing that since  2008.

Heather: About 3-4 years now?

Mandy: Yeah.

Heather: Have you been doing makeup for just the three years, or did you do makeup even before you got into cosmetology schools?

Mandy: Well I’ve been an artist my whole life, so it kinds of coincides.

Heather: An artist like paintings and other creative stuff?

Mandy: Yeah, I like watercolors and charcoals.

Heather: So is that how you knew you wanted to be a makeup artist?

Mandy: No, I actually wanted to be a vet.

Heather: Really? What happened?  What changed?

Mandy: I don’t like needles or blood, so that was the realization I came to. And I actually have my degree in computers.

Heather: Interesting – what a strange place to end up then! So what happened or changed that made you want to go to cosmetology school instead?

Mandy: I ran a salon for three years when I was in college, and I just really liked watching him. He was a world renowned hairdresser. He’s actually a judge of competitions internationally and he trains the U.S. Olympic Hair Team. So it was fun watching him create things and he was just very inspiring. And there was another lady who worked there who was a Miss Missouri Pageant Consultant for 12 years, so it’s just fun to watch people create. People always feel a lot better going out than coming in.

Heather: So that’s probably why you stick around? It makes people feel good?

Mandy: Yeah.

Heather: So do you feel makeup allows you to be as creative as you are as an artist already?

Mandy: Yeah, actually this weekend Jen (the owner) and I did a creative thing. It was like Carnivale and the masks. So she did some crazy hair and I actually created with makeup masks on the face. Ok, this is an eye primer, for the eye shadow. You want a nice primer to give you a nice base since there are a lot of blood vessels and stuff throughout the eye, and the skin is very thin there, so you want to camouflage all that with a nice primer. You can see the difference.

Heather: When you do event makeup do you typically do makeup first and hair second?

Mandy: It really depends. It depends because I do their hair, too, but it depends on what they’re doing with their hair. I do spray tanning, lash extensions – I do it all.

Heather: How long did it take you to finish cosmetology school?

Mandy: About a year and a half, because I actually worked while I was going, too. I worked 30 or so hours a week. Usually it will take a year if you’re not working, too. cosmetology school is basically worknig but not getting paid, because you’re behind the chair, but you’re only getting tips.

Heather: Or if you’re a makeup artist you’re in front of the chair!

Mandy: So we’re going to do a nice neutral eye, with this kind of vanilla color. I’m going to put this all over your lid. And that’s going to create a base for your eye shadow.

Heather: I have blue eyes, so she’s going to do an orange.

Mandy: I’m going to do an orange undertone, so it’s going to make her eyes even more blue. Yeah, it looks gorgeous right now. [Laughs] Kind of dust the brush off and we’re going to blend it.

Heather:  I heard that blending is the most important thing you can learn as a makeup artist . Is that true?

Mandy: Yeah, it is. It’s very important. I’m blending that on the outer corner and the inner corner. For the ’40s makeup they really had a highlight over the middle of the eye. And then blend it in the crease.

Heather: I’m the worst client ever, I’m opening my eyes half the time. I want to see!

Mandy: Dab a little here, a little there. And just to show you the color I’m using, it’s this color right here (a bronze orange hue)

 

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5-Year-Old Makeup Artist Madison

Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

Sometimes you just have to stop and recognize the adorable in the world.

If you’ve been watching America’s Next Top Model like we have, you probably saw the cameo on the Nov. 2 episode of 5-year-old YouTube sensation Madison. We’ll be honest – we didn’t exactly know who the cute (if a little difficult to understand) girl was, so of course we looked her up.

It turns out she’s a makeup protégé, filming and uploading dozens of tutorials and videos discussing makeup and reviewing products. She’s got over 13,000 subscribers to her channel and 100,000+ views on several of her videos.

A lot of that is probably because she is really stinkin’ adorable, but part of it is because she’s got some actual talent going on as well. She knows her way around makeup tools pretty darn well.

Do we see makeup artist training in her future? Almost definitely. In fact, she’ll probably be designing makeup looks for the stars not too many years from now.

Keep up the good work, Madison – we’ll be watching!

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Kelly Gleason Scholarship for the Makeup Arts

Posted on: April 20th, 2010 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Kelly Gleason

The beauty educators at The Powder Group have teamed up with makeup artistry school Make-Up Designory to sponsor The Kelly Gleason Scholarship for the Makeup Arts 2010.

The scholarship was created in honor of veteran makeup artist, teacher and Local 798 President Kelly Gleason, who lost her long battle with cancer in 2007. Presented annually, this year’s recipient will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be used at one of The Make-Up Designory’s two campuses to further their makeup artistry training.

Here’s how to enter:

Entrance is open to anyone over the age of 18 with a high school completion or its equivalence. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts and members of the Make-Up Designory and The Powder Group executive teams.  Entries must be received no later than July 1, 2010, and may be received by email to register@thepowdergroup.com with the subject heading “Kelly Gleason Scholarship” or by regular mail to The Powder Group 315 Seventh Avenue 6B New York, NY 10001.The entry must include a letter of introduction, all pertinent contact information including email, phone number, street address and social networking site details. Entries will also include a statement, limited to 500 words, of why the applicant wishes to receive the scholarship. Entrants will be judged solely on their written expression and no previous artistry experience will be required to receive the award. Entries must follow the above guidelines or will not be considered for entry.

This is an excellent opportunity for both novice and advanced makeup artists alike! Look for the winner of the scholarship in the Fall 2010 issue of On Makeup Magazine (published by The Powder Group). Good Luck!

Trying to find money to pay for beauty school? Don’t forget to apply for the Beauty Schools Marketing Group $2,500 beauty school scholarship, too!

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New Makeup Campaign: Bobbi Brown’s Pretty Powerful

Posted on: January 21st, 2010 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

On January 12th, famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown launched her newest campaign, “Pretty Powerful.” A quote from Bobbi Brown’s website talks about the inspiration behind the campaign, “This season I was inspired to ask my friends – not models – to be the faces for my new campaign. They’re pretty to begin with, but with just a few simple tweaks, they look their absolute, most confident best. That’s pretty powerful.”

Brown’s “Pretty Powerful” campaign stays in line with her philosophy of “be who you are beauty,” which means highlighting your best features, not hiding your flaws. She is also holding a “Pretty Powerful Video Contest” starting this week. You can share your “strongest” makeup look and your favorite beauty a tips – a huge opportunity for makeup school students! The prize? Three of the video contestants will be selected to win a trip to New York to get a personal makeup lesson from the Bobbi Brown! This is a big deal, as any makeup artist in training knows.

Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Makeup Line

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Cosmetologists Help Cut Out Domestic Violence

Posted on: December 23rd, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Cut It Out Program - Salons Against Domestic ViolenceOne in three women will report being abused at some point in their lives. Domestic abuse is dangerous and often much more common than people are aware of. The victims of domestic abuse often do not report it to police or tell their friends and family that it’s happening. For these women to get help, they need support and they need to know their options.

Cosmetologists and other beauty professionals can now look for signs of abuse and provide information for them to get help. A program based in Alabama called Cut It Out is dedicated to “mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States. Cut It Out builds awareness of domestic abuse and trains salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients to local resources.”

Your salon can contact Cut It Out for training and resources. As a cosmetologist, you may be able to notice abuse where others do not. Signs of abuse that hairdressers and makeup artists may notice are bald spots where hair may have been ripped out, bruising hidden by hair or makeup and a partner not allowing her to change her hairstyle. Your client may also come out and tell you about the abuse. She may rarely be allowed to be away from her abusive partner, and if you’ve had a long-standing relationship, it is likely that she trusts you.

But what do you do when you know or suspect abuse is happening? The Cut It Out training emphasizes that stylists are not meant to be counselors, but that they can give out information about organizations that can help them, like the National Domestic Violence Hotline or the local hotlines in each state. Some salons keep “shoe cards” on hand – cards with resources listed that are designed to fit inside a shoe, so the victim can get the information home safely.
Domestic abuse needs to stop, and the women who endure it often need help to escape it. With the relationships they have formed with clients, cosmetologists can be valuable resources in this fight against domestic violence.

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Kiva Loans Help Build Beauty Businesses Worldwide

Posted on: April 1st, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

About a year ago, we posted a blog about microloans we financed via Kiva.org. We said “The best thing about running a site that helps people find a cosmetology school is helping people make their dreams a reality. “ Well, we have succeeded in helping seven businesses make their dreams a reality so far. Those seven have paid their loans back in full, so now that money has been re-invested in others pursuing their dreams in the beauty field. To date, we have reached 17 businesses across the globe.

One of BSD's new, successful salon owners (via Kiva.org)

We’re most excited about the beauty businesses we’ve helped. We have loaned to a beauty salon in Tanzania and supported cosmetics sales in Nicaragua. Pictured here is Rolith Saavedra Rodriguez, who lives in San José de Sisa – San Martin, Peru. She is a hairstylist and makeup artist. She owns her own beauty salon where she also sells beauty products, while also providing haircuts, dye jobs and beauty treatments. She hoped to buy beauty products such as perfumes for women, men, and children, deodorants, jewelry, nail polish and lotions. She also hoped to replenish her salon with new hair dyes, scissors and face treatments. She is 40 years of age and lives with her husband and three children who are still dependent on her.

It is an amazing feeling to be able to help those with whom we share a common interest, even across incredibly different circumstances and cultures. And who knows? If these women were in the U.S. or Canada, maybe they would have found their beauty schools through our very own Beauty Schools Directory!

Beauty School = Fast Path to Success

Posted on: March 4th, 2009 by Beauty Schools Directory 1 Comment

Do you dream of working in the exciting field of beauty? Good news! There are more reasons to pursue your goals today than ever before. Thanks to the growing demand for personal appearance workers, beauty professionals are experiencing increased earning potential, greater job security and more employment options. According to the International Spa Association, despite the massive layoffs in the U.S., the beauty industry continues to experience significant hiring growth, with jobs rising 31 percent in 2008.

Of course, before you can start enjoying these benefits, you’ve got to go to beauty school and pass your state cosmetology licensing examination. It also means you’ve got to start thinking about covering tuition costs – and that probably has you scouring the city for beauty school on the cheap.

More good news! Many beauty schools offer niche-specific, specialized beauty training programs that cost less and take less time than typical cosmetology programs. For example, esthetician and nail technology programs can require less than 1/3 of the hours that cosmetology programs take. Shorter programs are roughly 1/3 of the cost, too. That means you can start working in the field – and earning money – faster.

And of course, if you are already enjoying the benefits of working in the field as a skin care specialist or nail technologist, there’s nothing stopping you from quickly getting the training you need to become a fully-licensed cosmetologist, right?

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