You could make a case for California being the beauty capital of the U.S., or the world for that matter. For that reason many people are practically makeup artists already. But for those who aren’t, there are an abundance of schools that can help you get good at makeup — even if it is just for yourself.
Since CA is the world capital for movie making there are also excellent schools if you want to become a special effects or cinema makeup artist.
Use your ZIP to find schools nearest you.
Licensing
Unlike many states California doesn’t have any licensing requirements if you want to go into business as a makeup professional. That being said you won’t get very far unless you can show clients you have extra skills, knowledge, and competency that they don’t. For that reason it is advisable to actually get training.
Why Bother Going To School If Training Isn’t Required?
Besides the obvious benefit of acquiring experience and learning techniques graduating from a respected institution immediately puts you in higher regard than if you are self-taught. Additionally, if you’ve been a good student and trained well, a school has contacts and can be very helpful in getting work after you’ve completed their program.
Get Your Training at Cosmetology Schools
Learning makeup is part of a cosmetologist’s training. If you are interested in a broader beauty career you can train in that though it does take longer.
Estheticians also learn a lot about makeup and skin care, so an esthetician school would be a good choice if you want to get the respect to delve a little deeper into the skin training as well as makeup. To become a skin care specialist takes less time than cosmetology and has a clearer focus than generalized beauty training.
Examples of Makeup Schools in California with Cost and Tuition
| Name | Address | Cost | Other Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberley Bosso 4 Day Makeup Academy | 311 North Robertson Boulevard, Number 445, Beverly Hills,90211 | $5000 for a 4-day course | None |
| Cinema Makeup School | 3780 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 202, Los Angeles, 90010 | $3,500 | None |
| JLS MAKEUP SCHOOL | 7950 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90046 | $1,850 | None |
| April Love Pro Makeup Academy | 903 East Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, 91776 | $2,800 | Hair Design |
| Cammua Makeup Academy | 2216 West Whittier Boulevard, La Habra, 90631 | $2,500 | Hair Styling |
| Flawless PRO Make-Up Academy | 1812 J Street, Suite 5 Sacrmento, 95811 | $2,500 | Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, |
| MKC Academy | 1000 Hope Street, Los Angeles, 90015 | $10,550 | None |
| Make-Up Designory | 129 South San Fernando Boulevard, Burbank, 91502 | $9,016 | None |
| Blush School of Makeup | One Embarcadero Center, Suite R-1206 (Lobby Level) San Francisco, 94111 | $10,025 | None |
| Adamis Beauty Academy | 1011 West Olive Avenue, Suite A, Burbank 91506 | $5,000 | None |
Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts – 3407 West Olive Avenue #111, Burbank 91505
Westmore Academy of Empire – Burbank – CLOSED
Illusions Make-up Academy – 9029 Florence Avenue, Downey 90240
The Makeup Artist Workshop, LLC – 3048 1/2 East 6th St, Los Angeles 90023-1611
Goldbear Academy – 2000 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles 90027
Smoot School of Beauty – 6273 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles 90048
KMR Make-Up Academy, Inc – 550 Wave Street, Monterey 93940
Mirror Image Makeup & Beauty Academy – 2235 Fourth Street, Ontario 91764
James Albert School of Cosmetology – 9170 Foothill Boulevard, Rancho Cucamonga 91730
Ruby Make Up Academy – 5301 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Valley Village 91607
Ruby Make Up Academy – 4808 South Baldwin Avenue, Temple City 91780
Ruby Make Up Academy – 440 North Mountain Avenue #106, Upland 91786
Ruby Make Up Academy – Plaza West Covina, 112 Plaza Drive, West Covina 91790
Cammua Makeup Academy – 4101 Birch Street #200, Newport Beach 92660
Cammua Makeup Academy – 2216 West Whittier Boulevard, La Habra 90631
Cammua Makeup Academy – 580 Beech Avenue, Carlsbad 92008
Last Looks Makeup Academy – 27347 Weathersfield Dr., Valencia 91354
Federico Career Colleges – 3015 Calloway Drive #6, Bakersfield 93312
Federico Career Colleges – 5660 North Blackstone Avenue, Fresno 93710
Fred Segal Beauty – 420 Broadway, Santa Monica 90401
Did we miss your makeup school in California in this list? Please let us know. More listings below…
CA state board.
Other California schools for nail technicians, estheticians, cosmetologists and barbers.
Academy of Makeup & Fashion – Canoga Park, CA
Napoleon Perdis Makeup Academy – Hollywood, CA NOW CLOSED
Michael Vincent Academy – Los Angeles, CA
mud.edub
mkcbeautyacademy.com
Bellus Academy – El Cajon, Poway, National City
Federico Career Colleges
Lalalash – Beverly Hills
Joe Blasco Hollywood Make Up School – Hollywood
jlsmakeup.com
cinemamakeup.comj
kbosso.com
The Form Academy – Los Angeles
Academy of Cosmetic Arts Makeup Artists School – Los Gatos
cammuamakeupschool.com
Maximum Makeup Studio – North Hollywood
Dinair Airbrush Make Up Systems Institute – North Hollywood
Ruby Make Up Academy – Upland, North Hollywood
Lebec Makeup Atelier – Ontario
David’s Academy of Beauty – Pico Rivera
Fab Glam Fierce – Pomona
flawlessproacademy.com
Last Looks Makeup Academy
blushschoolofmakeup.edu – San Francisco
http://www.aprillovepromakeupacademy.com
Arte of Makeup – Santa Ana
Flair Beauty College – Santa Clarita