How to Find the Best Makeup Course in London? 10 Things to Consider
So, you have decided to train as a makeup artist in Film, TV or Theatre and you now want to find the best Makeup Academy to study at. Regardless of your professional background, the first step is choosing the right makeup school and course FOR YOU. You want a place where you feel supported while learning new skills and transitioning into a new career — an exciting but sometimes overwhelming process.
We have listed below 10 crucial steps you may want to consider in your decision – making process!
This is a perfect time to train and start an amazing new career!
Research shows that Film and TV streaming industry will have a value of over £7 billion by 2025, being one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, so now is a very good time to train to become a Hair and Makeup artist. Click here to find out more
Many people are choosing to change their careers and start their dream journey to become a makeup artist in film and TV. Life is simply too short to be unhappy in a job. As a Makeup artist each film or TV project is completely different in style and place.
1. Research Is Key!
Start by making a list of all the makeup schools and courses you’re considering. Then, use the steps below to narrow it down t your top three before making your final choice of your makeup course.
2. Make sure you visit all Makeup schools on your list
Visiting the makeup school on a normal working day is crucial. Meet the tutors, staff, and students to get a real feel for the place.
Make sure you have prepared some questions for them in advance and ask the same questions at each makeup school. Do not be shy in quizzing them about anything you’d like to know ! Request a tour of the makeup school, including its studios and training equipment. Also, ask to see work from past students, tutors, or the principal.
Sometimes you will know if the place is the right one for you in the first 10 seconds of arriving there!
Our Academy often employs our recent graduates as teaching assistants, so you can chat to them and quiz them about their experiences of studying at the Makeup school and attending our makeup course.
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at the top makeup academy in London!
3. Read Graduate testimonials and Google Reviews
Check the Professional Reputation of Your Chosen Makeup School & Their Hair, Makeup or SFX Courses by reading graduate testimonials and Google reviews in detail for each school. As an example, you can see our Academy’s graduate Google reviews on this link.
You can also ask people on various Hair and Makeup artist Facebook groups and forums about it. Word of mouth is also important, if you know any Makeup artists who you can ask, which makeup school they attended and why?
4. Who are the Tutors who teach at the Makeup school?
One of the most important things to check before you join a makeup course is who are the tutors? Are they still working in the industry and are well-regarded still?
You can check their Imdb profiles and check which films or TV series they have worked on. An added bonus is if they are award – winners or nominees , for example, Oscar or BAFTA or MUA Awards in the film and TV hair and makeup industry. Their awards are listed on their Imdb pages, too.
As an example, our Principal , Christine Blundell, is both an Oscar & BAFTA winning Hair and makeup designer and you can see her Imdb profile on this link. Equally , many of our Tutors are award nominees and winners and you can see more information about them on this web page.
All our tutors are leading UK hair and makeup or SFX designers and artists and they are all our students’ potential employers! So many of them have taken on our students as trainee Makeup artists on films and TV series they have designed.
Next Open Day Sat 5th April
5. Have a Look at the Makeup Course Syllabus & Timings: You want a practical / hands-on course!
There are part time makeup courses and very short and very long ones, too.
We believe in the Goldilocks Theory…..Not too hot, not too cold but just right!
To experience and learn all the necessary skills , our flagship 4 Month Film & TV Hair & Makeup Course. Is Perfect!
Make sure that the makeup course syllabus covers everything a Trainee makeup artist in film & TV needs to know, from basic makeup techniques to period makeup & period wig and hair styling, casualty makeup and prosthetics, textured hair styling, barbering and facial hair skills, to script breakdown and continuity.
6. Graduates’ Destinations
It is fairly easy to check up on graduates who have studied at the makeup schools to see where they have ended up after graduating. Are they working in Film or TV or Theatre?
As an example, our Makeup school is the only school in the UK that offers Guaranteed Paid Onset Work Experience to our 4 Month Film & TV hair, makeup & SFX course graduates and we also offer limitless Aftercare, so you can come back to us and ask us for help at any stage of your Makeup artist career.
7. Look at Makeup School & Course Industry Links
The Makeup School’s reputation and its links to the UK film & TV industry professionals is paramount to making your decision about studying there. As an example, our Principal is member of BAFTA and has excellent knowledge of the industry and many hair and makeup designers and supervisors working in it. All our tutors are leading UK hair and makeup or SFX designers and artists and they are all our students’ potential employers! So many of them have taken on our students as trainee Makeup artists on films and TV series they have designed.
8. Check if There is Any Funding Available For Your Chosen Makeup Course
Some Makeup schools offer different funding options to prospective students who want to join their makeup courses, so it pays off to do your research. Hair , makeup & SFX courses at our Academy qualify for a range of training bursaries, from ScreenSkills to BAFTA scholarship and you can find all of them listed on our Funding page. Depending on your experience level, you may be eligible for up to £3,000 of ScreenSkills bursary or even up to £12,000 if your BAFTA scholarship application is successful.
9. Makeup School Location & Student Accommodation
Make sure that your chosen Makeup school is easily accessible either by public transport and that it is in a safe area. Our Academy is only 3 min walking distance from a tube station and 10 min walk from a London overground station. We are also able to offer help with finding accommodation to international students and also UK students who are not London based.
10. What happens after the course?
This last question is as important as the first!
You have visited the makeup school, and you like what you see so far, all boxes have been ticked but if they simply wave you goodbye after your makeup course – is that good enough? Is that acceptable? NO!
You do not need an “Agency” or any other gimmick, what you want is a makeup school that will help you for years to come. For as long as it takes for you to succeed.
A warm family atmosphere and a supportive environment where no help is too much, nothing is an issue…….
Welcome to Christine Blundell Makeup Academy.