Oscar- and BAFTA-winning film Hair & Makeup Designer Christine Blundell’s first feature with Mike Leigh was Life is Sweet, which marked the beginning of a long and successful working relationship that has spanned more than 20 years and produced 10 features, including Secrets and Lies and Topsy Turvy, for which Christine was awarded an Oscar and BAFTA in 2000, as well as Vera Drake, to name just a few. Christine also worked with Guy Ritchie and other famous directors on films like Aladdin, Casino Royale, Wonder Woman, Sherlock Holmes, and many more.
UK’s Top-Rated Makeup Academy in London, for Hair & SFX Makeup Courses
Our Flagship 4 Month Hair, Makeup & SFX Course Starts 5th January 2026
Christine Blundell Make-up Academy (CBMA) is the UK’s leading makeup academy in London, specializing in hair, makeup, and special effects training for careers in film, television, and theatre.
Founded by Oscar and BAFTA-winning makeup designer Christine Blundell, our school is known for small class sizes, hands-on learning, and direct industry connections that give students a real career advantage. All our courses are taught by industry-leading makeup artists who are actively working in the film and TV industry, so you gain insider knowledge and skills straight from the very best in the business.
For over 19 years, CBMA has trained hundreds of graduates who now work with leading studios such as Disney, Marvel, and Warner Bros, contributing to iconic productions like Star Wars, Beetlejuice, and Wicked. Recognised as one of the most respected London makeup schools, we’re based in the heart of the city’s vibrant creative hub, offering more than just training—we provide a trusted pathway into the world’s most exciting creative industries.
Christine Blundell Make-up Academy (CBMA) is the UK’s leading makeup academy in London, specializing in hair, makeup, and special effects training for careers in film, television, and theatre.
Founded by Oscar and BAFTA-winning makeup designer Christine Blundell, our school is known for small class sizes, hands-on learning, and direct industry connections that give students a real career advantage. All our courses are taught by industry-leading makeup artists who are actively working in the film and TV industry, so you gain insider knowledge and skills straight from the very best in the business.
For over 19 years, CBMA has trained hundreds of graduates who now work with leading studios such as Disney, Marvel, and Warner Bros, contributing to iconic productions like Star Wars, Beetlejuice, and Wicked. Recognised as one of the most respected London makeup schools, we’re based in the heart of the city’s vibrant creative hub, offering more than just training—we provide a trusted pathway into the world’s most exciting creative industries.
What Sets CB★MA Apart from Other Makeup Schools in UK?
Oscar & BAFTA
Winning Principal Christine Blundell
The Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, run by Oscar & BAFTA-winning Make-up Designer Christine Blundell, who is actively working in the industry.
150 Five ⭐ Reviews – UK’s Trusted London Makeup Academy
150 five-star Google reviews make us London’s top makeup academy. Perfect your skills in an inspiring and supportive learning environment.
Guaranteed Paid On-Set Experience for ALL Graduates Eligible to Work in the UK
We offer limitless post-graduate care until you thrive as a makeup artist.
Small Makeup Classes for Personalized Attention
Join makeup classes in London with only 16 students per class for personalized, hands-on learning.
All Our Tutors are Leading UK Makeup Designers & Artists
As UK’s premier makeup school, CBMA provides industry-acknowledged tutors currently work as professional Film, TV and theatre Hair & Makeup Designers and Artists and many of them are Oscar, BAFTA or Emmy winners or nominees.
Fantastic Networking Opportunities
Only Our makeup school provides fantastic networking opportunities to jumpstart your career—imagine starting as a Makeup Trainee on productions like “BeetleJuice!”
Join us to enhance your skills and experience the excitement at the top makeup academy in London!
What Sets CB★MA Apart from Other Makeup Schools in UK?
Oscar & BAFTA Winning Principal Christine Blundell
The Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, run by Oscar & BAFTA-winning Make-up Designer Christine Blundell, who is actively working in the industry.
150 Five ⭐ Reviews – UK’s Trusted London Makeup Academy
150 five-star Google reviews make us London’s top makeup academy. Perfect your skills in an inspiring and supportive learning environment.
Guaranteed Paid On-Set Experience for ALL Graduates Eligible to Work in the UK
We offer limitless post-graduate care until you thrive as a makeup artist.
Small Makeup Classes for Personalized Attention
Join makeup classes in London with only 16 students per class for personalized, hands-on learning.
All Our Tutors are Leading UK Makeup Designers & Artists
As UK’s premier makeup school, CBMA provides industry-acknowledged tutors currently work as professional Film, TV and theatre Hair & Makeup Designers and Artists and many of them are Oscar, BAFTA or Emmy winners or nominees.
All Our Tutors are Leading UK Makeup Designers & Artists
As UK’s premier makeup school, CBMA provides industry-acknowledged tutors currently work as professional Film, TV and theatre Hair & Makeup Designers and Artists and many of them are Oscar, BAFTA or Emmy winners or nominees.
Fantastic Networking Opportunities
Only Our makeup school provides fantastic networking opportunities to jumpstart your career—imagine starting as a Makeup Trainee on productions like “BeetleJuice!”
Join us to enhance your skills and experience the excitement at the top makeup academy in London!
“It is so much more than just a makeup academy. It is a place where you can discover yourself Whilst studying and being taught by some of the most influential people in the film and TV industry.”
Ria, recent graduate who worked on “Napoleon” , “Asteroid City &” Pinocchio” films, to name just a few.
Christine Blundell’s
Amazing Career
Confused About Your Future Career in the Makeup Industry? Try Our One-Day Makeup Course in London, UK
If you’re unsure about committing to our 4-month Hair, Makeup & SFX Course, try our One-Day Taster Makeup Course.
- You will be taught by Award Winning Makeup Designer Stephanie Smith.
- Practise essential casualty makeup techniques, like creating cuts, bruises, and illness effects—skills used by professional Makeup Artists in Film and TV.
- Get answers directly from our Principal, Christine Blundell, an Oscar & BAFTA-winning Hair & Makeup Designer.
- A perfect way to experience what it would be like to train on our 4 Month Film & TV hair & makeup & SFX course.
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back—book our one-Day Makeup Course at London’s best makeup school and ignite your passion!
Confused About Your Future Career in the Makeup Industry? Try Our School Open Day in London, UK
If you’re unsure about Your Career Try Our School Open Day, What to Expect at Out Open Day
- Meet special guest Kristyan Mallett, one of the UK’s leading Prosthetics Makeup Designers
- Take part in interactive SFX and Casualty Makeup demonstrations
- Get a real feel for life at our professional Film Hair & Makeup Academy
- Discover the essential steps to launching your career in Film, TV, or Theatre
- All attendees will be entered into a raffle to win an exclusive TILT Makeup Bag, courtesy of our industry partner and professional makeup supplier, TILT Professional Makeup
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back—book our School Open Day at London’s best makeup school and ignite your passion!
CB★MA’s World-Class Tutors
CB★MA Academy stands as the only makeup academy with an Oscar and BAFTA-winning principal, Christine Blundell. Our team of world-class tutors has worked on major film productions, television series, and theatre performances. Many of our instructors are award-winning professionals, including Oscar and BAFTA nominees or winners, offering you an unparalleled education with their real-world expertise. At CB★MA, we ensure our students gain top-tier skills in hair and makeup design, setting them up for success in the beauty industry.
Jana Carboni
Our Facial hair skills and also Casualty Makeup Tutor, BAFTA Nominee for her Hair and Makeup Design of the film ‘Napoleon’.
Melanie Bouvet
Period Makeup Module Tutor and Freelance Wig & Hair & Makeup Artist , Former Wigs and Make-up Manager for new productions at the Royal Opera House. Author of ‘A Practical guide to wig making and wig dressing’.
Jeremy Woodhead
our Casualty Makeup Module Tutor, Oscar Nominee for his Hair and Makeup Design of the film ‘Judy’.
Kristian Mallet
The SFX Course at CBMA is designed by Kristyan Mallett, a top Prosthetics Designer with experience on major productions like Mission Impossible, Aquaman, Scoop, Sandman, and Black Mirror.
Loz Schiavo
Apart from creating one of the most iconic looks on Peaky Blinder’ s She is an award winning and very talented Hair and Makeup designers. She is also a brilliant Tutor!
CB★MA Alumni: Leading the Way in Film Production Studios
We are incredibly proud that many of our alumni have contributed to award-nominated and award-winning films. Here’s just a small selection of some of our talented graduates, including Liz Bowden, Alice, Rosie, Becky, and Kate, who have made their mark in the industry.
Our graduate Liz Bowden was Hair & Makeup Supervisor of the Award-winning ‘Brutalist’ film
Our Graduates Alice Heappey and Ailsa Lawson worked on ‘Nosferatu’
Our graduates who are eligible to work in the UK are given the opportunity to join Christine on set, thus allowing them to gain valuable experience after completing their course.
CB★MA Alumni: Leading the Way in Film Production Studios
We are incredibly proud that many of our alumni have contributed to award-nominated and award-winning films. Here’s just a small selection of some of our talented graduates, including Liz Bowden, Alice, Rosie, Becky, and Kate, who have made their mark in the industry.
Our graduate Liz Bowden was Hair & Makeup Supervisor of the Award-winning ‘Brutalist’ film
Our Graduates Alice Heappey and Ailsa Lawson worked on ‘Nosferatu'
Our graduates who are eligible to work in the UK are given the opportunity to join Christine on set, thus allowing them to gain valuable experience after completing their course.
Joining our Family
When you join our family you benefit not only from Christine Blundell’s years of experience in theatre and films, but also from the vast network of media and entertainment contacts she has nurtured, many of whom will be teaching you at makeup school in london.
Book A Video Chat With Christine and Petar
Next 4-Month Film & TV Hair, Makeup & SFX Course Starts on 5th January 2026
We Welcome Prospective Students with Existing Hair & Makeup Skills to Join Our More Specialised Modules
5 Star Reviews
5 Star Reviews & High Praises From Our Students & Graduates
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Apply for funding to progress your career
FAQs
How to Visit the CBMA Academy?
We always recommend popping in for a free Personal Studio Tour at our Makeup Academy so you can experience a day in the life at CBMA.
To visit, Click Here to fill-out the form or contact us at cbma [at] cbmacademy.com or call 020 7485 4000, and get a feel for our academy’s atmosphere. We’d be delighted to share our CBMA philosophy over fresh tea and biscuits.
How Do I Contact You?
You call us on 0207 485 4000 Email: cbma [at] cbmacademy.com
What makeup courses are offered at Christine Blundell Makeup Academy?
At Christine Blundell Makeup Academy, we offer a wide range of makeup courses designed to cater to every level of expertise. From our one-day Makeup Course to the comprehensive 4-month Hair, Makeup & SFX Course, our academy provides specialized programs in Wig Styling, Barbering, Media Makeup, and SFX. Each course is tailored to provide hands-on experience and industry-relevant expertise, ensuring you gain the skills needed to excel in the makeup industry.
What is the best makeup school in the UK?
When talking about the best makeup school in the UK, Christine Blundell Makeup Academy (CBMA) is a standout choice. Led by Oscar and BAFTA-winning makeup designer Christine Blundell, CBMA offers professional training in hair, makeup, and special effects. With expert tutors and real-world experience from major film productions, our academy ensures students gain the skills needed to succeed in the competitive beauty, film, and special effects industries.
Which Course is Right For Me?
We run one course, the 4 Month Hair & Makeup SFX Course. It does what it is supposed to do; teach you the skills you need to enter the Industry as a trainee Makeup artist. Perfect!
Joining our Saturday Taster Day Course is a great option, too! Or if you live further away we can organise a video call instead, so you can see the Academy that way and chat to us via a video call.
What is the Difference Between CBMA Courses and Other Makeup Courses Offered by UK Makeup Schools?
We are the only school to offer guaranteed paid work experience to all our students who are eligible to work in the UK. No other makeup artist academy has tutors of our calibre, or an Oscar & BAFTA-winning Makeup Designer as its Director who is still actively working in the industry. Nor does any other UK makeup school have such a high success rate of graduates working in the industry.
Who Teaches the Classes?
All our tutors are actively working in the TV, Film, Theatre etc industries. We have designers who designed “Game Of Thrones” “Avengers” “James Bond” “Wonder Woman” ….to name but a few.
Do You Provide Certificates?
We do provide a certificate to students who have graduated. You must understand that there is no recognized certificate in the industry. What is recognized is Christine Blundell’s name and reputation for teaching excellent makeup trainees. That is the key.
Do You Offer Work Experience?
We are the only UK-based Makeup Academy in London to offer All our graduates who are eligible to work in the UK are offered paid on-set work experience after completing their 4 Month Film & TV hair, makeup & SFX course. This work experience is usually on one of our Principal’s film or TV productions and she also always picks 1-2 trainees to be their Crowd Room or Main Team Trainees, too.
How to Enrol?
To Enrol, Click Here to fill-out the form or contact us at cbma@cbmacademy.com or call 020 7485 4000. Our team will guide you through the enrollment process.
Start Your Journey Today!
Join the UK’s leading makeup academy in London. Fill out the form to connect with Christine Blundell Make-up Academy (CBMA) and take the first step towards a career in film, TV, and theatre. Our team will respond promptly.
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