A talented and well-trained school-taught makeup artist can help to transform someone right before their own eyes. Since there is a good demand for MUAs in B.C. don’t hesitate to find a school to teach you.
Whether you’re helping someone with a makeover, applying the makeup for their wedding day, or doing everyday makeup for regular customers you can make a difference in people’s lives.
From standard makeup work you can branch out to doing makeup for stage, screen, and all sorts of situations in between. You might even enjoy putting special effects together, which is a great way to challenge yourself and grow as an artist.
Truly, the sky is the limit.
Becoming A Certified Pro
To be a professional makeup artist in British Columbia, you don’t need to be certified, but it can definitely make building your business easier.
Some municipalities may require that you pass the exam offered by BeautyCouncil in order to hang your shingle in their area. If that’s the case where you live, it makes sense to learn what you need to do in order to apply for the exam.
To start out on your path toward certification, you will need to be able to provide proof of 400 or more school hours of training to BeautyCouncil. Keep in mind that all makeup artist training programs are not created the same. Some may offer more than 400 hours while others may be slightly under that. You’ll need to make up any hours you’re missing in order to take the exam.
Become A Member of A Professional Registry
You might also want to consider becoming a member of BeautyCouncil. This isn’t a requirement for taking the certification test, but it can help you down the road.
Members of BeautyCouncil are listed in the Registry of Beauty Professionals. Passing your exam allows you to call yourself a Certified Cosmetology Professional, as well.
Be Safe!
BeautyCouncil has another certification, the BeautySafe certification, which can be very helpful to you as a makeup artist. The class teaches all beauty professionals how to ensure client and professional safety in all sorts of situations. Once the coursework is complete, you take a certification exam. Your certification is good for three years and shows your clientele that you take their safety very seriously.
British Columbia Makeup Schools
| Name | Address | Cost | Other Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Casablancas Institute | Suite Number 150 – 220 Cambie Street, Vancouver, V6B 2M9 | Tuition: $16,600 Kits, Texbooks and Supplies: $4,150 | Fashion Business, Fashion Design, Fashion Beauty Makeup, Body Spa Esthetics, Hair Art Design |
| Blanche Macdonald Centre | 100–555 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, V5Z 3X7 | Tuition: $10,300 Domestic Students (Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents): $250 International Students: $800 | Hair Programs, Esthetics / Spa Therapy, Nail Studio |
| Vancouver Film School | 198 West Hastings St, Vancouver, V6B 1H2 | Canadian Students: $7,500 - $35,250 | Advanced Production Programs |
| New Image College | 2nd Floor – 987 Granville Street, Vancouver, V6Z 1L3 | Tuition Fee: $6,750 Registration Fee: $250 Materials, Supplies and Textbook Fee: $2,200 Total: $7,000 | Nail and Spa Technician, Fashion and Film Makeup Artist |
| Vancouver Community College | 1155 East Broadway, Vancouver, V5T 4V5 | Application Fee: $35 Airbrush Makeup : $610 Evening and Bridal Makeup: $670 Fashion and Photography Makeup: $667 Makeup Artistry Fundamentals: $560 | Hair, Esthetics, Continuing Studies |
| Carla Hawksworth: Vancouver Makeup Artist & Wedding Makeup | 3228 Raleigh Street, Port Coquitlam, V3C 3J5 | Individual Makeup Lesson - 90 minutes : $150 Individual Makeup and Hair Lesson - 2 Hours: $200 Group Makeup Lesson (Max 3 People) - 2 Hours: $250 Group Makeup and Hair Lesson (max 3 people) - 3 Hours: $300 | Hair Lessons |
Other British Columbia schools for nail technicians, massage, estheticians, cosmetologists and barbers.
Did we miss any BC makeup artistry schools? Please contact us to let us know.
Schools for Makeup Artists in the US – Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Schools for Makeup Artists in Canada
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon