Make Up Artist School

Regardless of whether you’re enrolled in a four-year university or a private school training to be a makeup artist, if you know you want to work in film, you will need to have a fairly well-rounded degree of training. The difference between bridal makeup and film makeup is like the difference between pink and black – there is no mistaking the two. While it is true in any school that you will begin with learning the basics, if you are specializing in film and television makeup, there are a hundred little details you should also be learning. For starters, yes, you absolutely need to learn the basics. When you enroll in a makeup course, first you must cover the fundamentals. What exactly does that mean?

The fundamentals of makeup: Color, skin tones and textures, contour, color matching, contrast, and shading. When you’re learning to do makeup, the very first thing any makeup artist should become familiar with is skin tones. There is no perfect match so often you will have to mix colors to get the right one. Any professional instructor should teach you but just in case, always remember that. Much like an artist has a blank canvas to work with before beginning to paint, your client is going to be your canvas on which to create a look or character. Once you begin to understand the complexity of colors and tones, you’ll have to immediately learn about how the makeup you’re using translates on camera. Because cameras these days are unforgiving in terms of showing everything, including pores, knowing how to manipulate skin and textures will serve you greatly. Just like real life, an actor or model or client can have a breakout and you have to be able to make it seem invisible on both screen and print. With good training it will be as simple as using certain tools to your advantage. You will learn about the many different types of makeup and typically you will only use whatever the instructor offers. However, once you’re actively working you will – and should – try all different kinds of makeup until you find the one that you prefer. When you’re covering the basics you will be trained in application. Some make-up schools teach you to apply the eye makeup first and then the face makeup and some teach the other way around. Regardless, just remember that skin tone and consistency is going to give you that polished look. The other thing to consider is this: don’t be heavy-handed. Makeup is meant to be beautiful and delicate. Whether you are applying a prosthetic mask or doing makeup on a bridal party, the overall goal is perfection. You want your colors and tones to flow and if you keep that in the back of your head, you will become good at what you do.

When you do take a basic makeup course, you won’t cover that. It’s only when you get further into your training that you will learn how lighting and camera angles change and impact all of your hard work. In fashion or beauty, the fundamentals will be your springboard in every job. Once you learn the basics, depending on what area your want to work in, the training will then take you down different paths. To start, let’s discuss the training you will need to work in the Film and Entertainment industry.