If you’re interested in a career as a makeup expert, one of New Mexico’s beauty schools can get you there. All it takes is a little study, and some hard work, and you’ll achieve your license. After that, the sky is the limit!

According to research by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solution, the personal care industry in the state will grow by more than 30 jobs and 21% though those estimates were made before the pandemic hit. That includes hairdressers and makeup artists.

Albuquerque, NM skyline
Albuquerque skyline

What Are The Makeup School Requirements in NM?

There are two different makeup artist licenses in New Mexico. You can get a license in aesthetics, and take classes to learn the ins and outs of skin care, including facials, hair removal, facial massage, and makeup application.

To get educated as a theatrical makeup artist is more specialized training requiring more hours. These days you may even be able to get part of your makeup or esthetician training online.

You can also learn to become a permanent makeup artist technician, which allows you to learn everything about permanent makeup. You may choose to do both, but be aware that both have their own exams and qualifications. An aesthetics program should be at least 600 hours long, over a period of at least 3 months, while a permanent makeup course is 100 hours.

Getting Your NM Makeup License

Once you’ve had your 600 hours of aesthetics training, it’s time to take your exams. New Mexico requires that you take the national practical and written exams, and the New Mexico jurisprudence exam, which is also a written exam.

You must pass all three with at least a 70%. Before applying for license, you will need to prove that you are at least 17 years old, and have achieved at least a 10th grade education.

Are You An MUA Moving From Another State?

To transfer your current cosmetology license to New Mexico, you must prove your active license to the New Mexico State Board, and prove that your training has been equal to or greater than the training hours in New Mexico.

If you have less hours of education than New Mexico requires, you can substitute up to 150 hours of work experience for the minimum hours. If you are more than 150 hours short, New Mexico requires that you attend another registered beauty program and pass the NIC exams again.

How To Renew Your New Mexico Makeup License

Once you have your licence, you need to renew it every year during your birth month. No continuing education is required unless you have an school instructor’s license too. But you may want to expand your skill set with new courses, trade shows, and techniques.

Employment As A Makeup Artist in NM

As New Mexico’s industry continues to grow, you’ll find plenty of great makeup jobs to start you on your rewarding career path, with plenty of room for growth.

Whether it’s at one of New Mexico’s award-winning spas and resorts, a five star hotel, or a department store makeup counter, you are sure to find the best first job in one of New Mexico’s great job sites.

New Mexico Makeup Artist Schools Listings

San Juan College – 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402

Glitz School of Cosmetology – 2460 Missouri Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88001

Southwest School – 1810 N Silver St, Silver City, NM 88061

Central New Mexico Community College – 900 University Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

Aveda Institute – 1816 Central Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Olympian Academy of Cosmetology – 4501 North Main Street #13, Roswell, NM 88201

Adorabella Beauty Academy – 800 Juan Tabo Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123

TONI & GUY Hair Academy – 2201 Uptown Loop Road NE, Suite F, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Beauty College of Eddy County – 107 West Mermod Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220

The Avenue Academy – 6600 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Vogue College of Cosmetology – 2434 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Southwest Institute of Makeup Artistry – 6821 Montgomery Boulevard NE, Suite E, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109

Other New Mexico schools for nail technicians, estheticians, barbers and cosmetologists.

School Websites:

sanjuancollege.edu
glitz.edu
adorabellabeautyacademy.com
olympusbeauty.com
cnm.edu
theavenueacademy.com
avedanm.com
vogue.edu
beautycollegeofeddycounty.com
southwestmakeupinstitute.com

Did we miss any NM makeup training schools? Please contact us to let us know.