A Celebration of Creativity, Community, and the CB*MA Spirit
At Christine Blundell Make-up Academy (CB*MA), we’ve always believed in opening our doors to as many people as possible. When you have so much creativity, energy, and artistry under one roof — who could possibly keep that a secret?
Our makeup academy open days are a highlight of the year. They’re our opportunity to welcome aspiring artists, film lovers, and anyone curious about what it’s really like to train in professional hair and makeup for film, TV, and theatre.
We’ve hosted many open days over the years, but our recent Halloween Special Open Day was truly something extraordinary — a perfect blend of education, artistry, and fun.
Why Makeup Academy Open Days Matter
Nearly every makeup academy, no matter how busy or oversubscribed, wants to show the world what makes them unique. A makeup school’s open day might not mirror a normal day of classes, but that’s the point: it’s a chance to show visitors the best of what we do.
When guests walk through the doors of our London makeup academy, they’re stepping into a working studio. They see students in action, tutors guiding techniques, and alumni returning to share stories from the world of film and television. It’s a true snapshot of the creative energy that fuels CB*MA every single day.
Open days are designed to whet your appetite — to inspire, excite, and help you imagine what your future could look like in the screen industries. Whether you’re curious about makeup courses for beginners or thinking about a full four-month professional hair and makeup course, the Open Day gives you the chance to see it all in person.
A Real Taste of the CB*MA Experience
When we organise a CB*MA Open Day, we make sure to include all levels of our incredible community — from current students to graduates who trained with us 10 or even 15 years ago. We call this our CB*MA Family, and it’s something we’re deeply proud of.
One of the most special parts of the day is how visitors can meet and speak with both current and former students. They can ask the questions that matter most:
- What is it really like to train here?
- What happens after you graduate?
- How did you get your first job in the industry?
Our alumni always give honest and heartfelt answers. Their journeys are diverse — from film and TV to theatre, commercials, and even music videos — but they all began in the same place: the makeup studios of CB*MA.
Our Halloween Special — Bridgerton Meets Beetlejuice!
Now, onto the fun part — our Halloween Special Open Day, which truly was our best open day to date.
This year, we had something extra to celebrate: our award-winning hair and SFX makeup designer Erika Ökvist won yet another prestigious industry award. To mark the occasion, she brought along the now-iconic Swan Wig from Bridgerton— a masterpiece that drew gasps from everyone who saw it in person.
With Halloween in full swing, we decided to lean into the spooky, theatrical side of our industry. Our very own Christine Blundell, Oscar-winning makeup designer of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, brought her signature style and humour to the event. We decided to blend the elegance of Bridgerton with the gothic chaos of Beetlejuice and a splash of Day of the Dead artistry.
The result? Bridgerton meets Day of the Dead — a creative collision that filled the academy with colour, character, and laughter.
Celebrating Our Artists
We were also joined by the incredibly talented Mona Turnbull, one of the best makeup artists for Day of the Dead looks, known for her intricate and precise designs. Mona has worked on countless incredible films and, of course, on Beetlejuice itself.
Having someone of Mona’s calibre demonstrate her artistry in front of visitors was inspiring — proof of what’s possible when talent meets training and passion.
But it wasn’t just about the big names. We also showcased our students’ and graduates’ talents. Two of our current makeup students and two makeup graduates teamed up to create convincing bruises, cuts, and rather revolting boils — the kind of realistic SFX work that makes people cringe (in the best way!).
It was the perfect blend of beauty and horror — a true reflection of the wide-ranging skills taught in our makeup courses.
The Atmosphere of the Day
From the moment the doors opened, there was a buzz in the air. Guests were welcomed into our working studios, surrounded by the sights and sounds of creativity in action — hair dryers whirring, makeup brushes flicking, and laughter echoing through the space.
Every corner of the makeup academy was alive with conversation. Guests chatted with tutors about the structure of our four-month professional makeup course, asked about bursaries and funding through ScreenSkills, and swapped stories with alumni who had gone on to work on major productions for Netflix, HBO, Apple, and Disney.
One of the most rewarding things to hear was how inspired visitors felt after seeing the passion and professionalism of our tutors and students. It’s one thing to read about a course online — it’s another to see it come to life.
By the end of the day, our guests left with smiles, ideas, and a real sense of what it means to be part of the CB*MA Family.
What Makes CB*MA Different
There are many makeup academies across the UK, but what truly sets CB*MA apart is our deep connection to the film and television industries. Founded by Christine Blundell, an Oscar- and BAFTA-winning makeup designer, the academy was built with one goal in mind: to train the next generation of artists for real-world work.
Our tutors are all active professionals in the industry, currently working on major productions. That means our makeup courses are constantly updated to reflect the latest techniques, products, and on-set expectations.
We don’t just teach makeup — we teach the craft of storytelling through hair, makeup, and special effects. Our students learn everything from historical hair styling and wig work to prosthetics, casualty effects, and script breakdowns.
And perhaps most importantly, we teach confidence — the kind of quiet, grounded professionalism that makes a student ready to walk onto a film set and deliver.
Why Attend a Makeup Academy Open Day
If you’re considering a career in film, TV, or theatre, attending a makeup academy open day is one of the best decisions you can make. It allows you to see the facilities, meet the tutors, and experience the creative energy of the place where you might spend the next few months of your life.
At CB*MA, our open days are about more than just showing off our classrooms and kits. They’re about connection. You’ll meet people who share your passion, hear from graduates who’ve turned their training into full-time careers, and get a sense of how the academy could fit into your own future.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have experience in beauty makeup and want to make the leap into film and TV, we have a makeup course that can help you grow.
Looking Ahead
As we look back on this incredible Open Day, we’re filled with pride and excitement. Seeing so many new faces, hearing so many questions, and feeling the energy in the room reminded us why we do what we do.
Our next makeup academy open day will be announced soon, and we can’t wait to welcome another group of future artists through our doors.
Until then, we encourage anyone thinking about joining the world of film and television makeup to start exploring, researching, and dreaming big. Create your own “look book” or “scrapbook” of hair and makeup from different eras, experiment with textures and colours, and let your imagination lead the way.
Because at CB*MA, that’s exactly what we teach — how to turn imagination into artistry.
Want to Join the CB*MA Family?
Take a look at our upcoming makeup courses, including our flagship Four-Month Hair and Makeup Course, as well as our specialist Textured Hair and SFX Makeup Course.
You could soon be working on the next blockbuster film or West End production — and it all starts with your first day at the Christine Blundell Make-up Academy.
Kindest regards,
The CB*MA Team
Christine Blundell Make-up Academy
