For anyone intending to become a professional makeup artist in Hollywood, the basic skills you need to develop is having a good eye for color, knowing the differences between skin types and being able to determine fitting makeup according to actors’ roles and how makeup registers with the production lights and camera. Career advancements require training and gaining certification, preferably in top makeup schools, in order to keep up with such a competitive industry.
Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts
3407 W. Olive Ave. Burbank, CA 91505; 877-978-6673
The Westmore Academy of Cosmetic Arts is an elite makeup school by the three generations of Hollywood makeup artists, including Montague “Monty” George Westmore Jr. And the Westmores have a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. For decades, they have made their significant contributions in Hollywood including award-winning works for the films Blade Runner, Star Wars and Mask. This California State Private Post-secondary Institution provides technical training in Film, Television and Print Makeup Artistry through Master Career Courses and Short Term Courses. It features hand-selected instructors who are noted industry professionals and masters of hair and makeup. Most of them have nominations and recognitions at the Oscars, Emmys, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Awards, Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Guild, BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) and British Academy Awards.
EI School of Professional Makeup
1622 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028; 323-871-8318
Established in 1966, EI School of Professional Makeup prides itself as the first school of professional makeup in the world. From beauty and corrective makeup to special effects makeup, it offers comprehensive, hands-on education to prospective makeup artists. Accredited by the ACCSCT (The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, it offers distinct programs through various options college education, one-on-one training, continuing education classes and master classes. It boasts of highly qualified instructors who are notable professionals in the media and fashion industries. It also offers financial aid to those who qualify for: a Stafford Loan, the PLUS (parent) Loan, PELL Grant, SEOG and Federal Work Study Program. The EI Library provides students with an extensive collection of books, magazines and photo collections for makeup students.
Studio Makeup Academy
1438 N. Gower St. 14 Hollywood, CA 90028; 323-465-4002; 323-461-6400, 323- 465-4002
Studio Makeup School is the only makeup school in the world located on a Hollywood studio lot. Through the years, this Hollywood makeup school inside a major film and TV studio provides students not only with the essential hands-on industry training needed to become a professional makeup artist in the entertainment, beauty and fashion industries, but also a valuable networking opportunity to many top commercial projects. Day and night classes are available to suit the schedule of students. The Beauty Makeup Artist Course covers all phases of beauty makeup, basic commercial beauty makeup, basic principles of photographic makeup both for black and white photography makeup for color photography. The Special Effects Artist Course covers all phases of film, TV and stage special effects makeup, basic principles of commercial and art makeup and advanced fundamentals in makeup artistry.
Cinema Makeup School
3780 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90010; 1-213-368-1234
The Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles, California specializes in special makeup effects, beauty, body painting, airbrush makeup, hairstyling, fashion, film, and TV makeup artistry courses. As one of the top Hollywood makeup schools in the entertainment industry. It provides students with all the basic and advanced skills and techniques in beauty and media makeup according to the requirements of the Hollywood Makeup Artist Union. It features career training and education with its Film and Television Course focusing on: high fashion photographic makeup, character makeup and prosthetic makeup.
Every course includes a photography session which is a valuable opportunity for students to build or expand their portfolio. The artists can further advance their skills by working in a special makeup effects work laboratory. Such set-up allows them to design and create extreme multi-piece character makeup and advanced casting, molding and application techniques. Students also learn about blood delivery methods, dental appliances and other cutting edge technologies in the field of prosthetics and special makeup effects.
