Los Angeles is the epicenter of the entertainment and beauty industry, making it an ideal location to pursue education and training in makeup artistry. With Hollywood on its doorstep and connections to the film, television, fashion, and media worlds, Los Angeles offers aspiring makeup artists unmatched proximity to launch a creative, glamorous, and lucrative career.
This comprehensive guide examines the criteria for selecting an exceptional makeup program, followed by detailed profiles of the top 10 makeup schools in Los Angeles. Along with an overview of each school’s offerings, notable features, and student outcomes, you’ll find expert tips for navigating enrollment, financial aid, and career planning in the competitive beauty industry.
Why Choose Los Angeles for Makeup Training?
As home to the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles provides an unparalleled environment for honing skills in makeup artistry and launching a career in the field.
The Hollywood film industry employs thousands of makeup artists across movies, television, theater, fashion photography, and media. Graduates with professional training and a strong portfolio are well-poised to access these lucrative job opportunities and work alongside distinguished producers, directors, and creative talent.
Los Angeles’ concentration of top beauty, fashion, and entertainment companies also facilitates networking, mentorship, and career development. From expert-led workshops and masterclasses to major industry events, there are ample avenues to build connections and gain exposure.
Finally, Los Angeles is home to many of the country’s leading beauty schools and educational institutes. Students here have their pick of high-quality training programs focused on diverse areas like special effects, bridal glam, runway, film-set makeup, airbrush techniques, and beyond. Graduating from an accredited Los Angeles makeup academy sets the foundation for an exciting and prosperous career in beauty.
Criteria for Selecting a Makeup School
As one of the largest creative economies in the United States, Los Angeles has no shortage of makeup training programs and cosmetology schools. However, not all are created equal.
Here are the key factors aspiring makeup artists should consider when researching programs:
Accreditation & Reputation
Select an established institution accredited by the appropriate beauty education councils. Reputable schools often have a proven track record of successful alumni.
Courses & Specializations
Look for diverse offerings spanning beauty essentials, advanced techniques, portfolio development and specialized training (e.g. airbrush, SFX, bridal).
Faculty
Successful makeup schools employ highly qualified instructors with extensive professional experience. Industry icons make exceptional mentors.
Student Outcomes
Analyze completion rates, graduate employment levels, alumni clientele and success stories. Strong statistics indicate an effective, career-focused program.
Financial Aid
Determine available loans, scholarships and payment plan options. Avoid schools promoting “easy” financial aid not based on need.
Career Support
The best schools provide resources for portfolio building, networking guidance, internships, resume writing and job placements after graduation.
With an array of exceptional beauty institutes to choose from, performing due diligence ensures students select the makeup training program aligned to their aptitude, interests and professional aspirations.
Top 10 Makeup Schools in Los Angeles
After extensive research benchmarking curriculum, faculty expertise, career outcomes and unique attributes, the below list spotlights the 10 leading makeup schools in LA.
1. Michael Vincent Academy
Voted the #1 Beauty School in Los Angeles for seven consecutive years, Michael Vincent Academy (MVA) is renowned for launching successful careers for over 60 years across beauty disciplines like cosmetology, barbering and makeup artistry.
MVA’s Makeup Artistry Diploma program provides comprehensive training in beauty essentials, advanced techniques, portfolio building and business acumen. The curriculum features specialized courses in airbrush, high fashion, runway, television, film set etiquette and transitional makeup spanning day, evening and high-glam looks.
Students refine skills during hands-on training with celebrity makeup artists and top industry creatives like Disney, Netflix and LA Fashion Week collaborators. MVA also organizes regular networking events connecting students with leading makeup brands.
Distinguished alumni include celebrity makeup artists, published experts and business owners. MVA graduates have worked in distinguished positions spanning film studios like Universal Pictures and Disney, high fashion houses like Dior and Chanel and with A-list clientele like Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Megan Fox.
MVA’s makeup programs qualify for federal financial aid. The Institute offers loans, monthly payment plans and merit-based scholarships up to $2,500 for qualifying students.
2. Cinema Makeup School
Specialized training in special effects and character makeup has earned Cinema Makeup School an esteemed reputation amongst leading industry employers across film, theater, haunted houses, escape rooms and theme parks.
The hands-on intensive program guides students through conceptual development, sculpture, molding, casting and application utilizing cutting-edge techniques and industry-standard products from brands like Silicone House and Alcone. Students undergo training in advanced injuries, burns, scars, aging, zombie, creepy crawly, animal and monster effects.
Under the guidance of visionary SFX makeup trailblazer and Academy member Lee Joyner, Cinema Makeup School empowers graduates to launch thriving freelance careers. Alumni work on major motion pictures like American Horror Story, Star Trek, Grey’s Anatomy and The Walking Dead and at prominent California amusement parks.
Cinema Makeup School facilitates high school partnerships providing seniors an opportunity to undergo introductory training. Graduates earn support building professional portfolios and websites to promote their services.
3. EI School of Professional Makeup
Established in 1966, EI School of Professional Makeup delivers specialized curriculums across beauty essentials, advanced techniques, journalism, photoshoot production and business essentials. Graduates emerge with expertise spanning beauty, editorial, runway, film, television, theater and SFX tailored to launch careers across diverse industry spheres.
EI’s Beauty Makeup course arms students with fundamentals like complexion, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash applications, lip techniques and tools maintenance to deliver flawless looks. The Master Makeup Course expands training across correcting facial asymmetries, mature skin and male grooming.
Advanced curriculum explores airbrush, prosthetic cleanup, high fashion runway, studio photography, video and editorial makeup for print publications. Business courses enrich students’ capabilities managing clients, promoting services and developing strategic branding across online and traditional channels.
EI’s distinguished faculty includes top celebrity makeup artists, published textbook authors and journalism icons who provide first-hand career mentorship. Industry partners like NBC Universal, Warner Bros. Pictures, and 20th Century Fox facilitate hands-on training and career networking.
EI upholds strong career placement connections across diverse market segments. Graduates secure roles with renowned companies like Disney, L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, MAC Cosmetics, Sephora and more plus editorial publications like Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar.
4. Make-Up Designory
As America’s first professional make-up only school, Make-Up Designory (MUD) delivers industry-leading education across beauty essentials, advanced techniques, business acumen and portfolio development.
The comprehensive program explores makeup history, color theory, tools maintenance, skin analysis, complexion, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash applications, lips and more. Advanced courses feature airbrush, Avant garde, animal Creature effects, glamour photography, fashion shows and makeup for music videos.
MUD’s instructors are highly-sought celebrity makeup artists and trailblazers sharing first-hand experiences working with icons like David Bowie, Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga.
The school provides professional mentorship and career networking through industry partnerships with NYX Cosmetics and events like LA Fashion Week. MUD also offers an extensive online program reaching thousands of aspiring artists globally.
Prominent alumni include Kat Von D, Ranny Kang, Robin Black and Miho Suzuki who launched renowned careers across diverse spheres from branded cosmetics to magazine editorial. MUD graduates secure roles at leading fashion houses, makeup brands, film production studios and editorial publications.
5. JLS Makeup School
Led by celebrity makeup artist and photographer Joey Luckenbach, JLS Makeup School delivers specialized programs across beauty essentials, SFX techniques, makeup photography and business development.
The curriculum explores complexion, color correction, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash extensions, airbrush and mascara on diverse skin tones. Courses also feature mature skin, male grooming, Architypes® Technology for personalized eyelash extension training and Model Citizen, an exclusive program guiding students through professional photoshoots.
JLS guides students through creating cutting-edge special effects looks spanning injuries, burns, scars, blood, zombies and fantasy makeup with advanced prosthetics and silicone applications.
The school also offers continuing education classes for licensed working makeup professionals seeking to refine or expand their skill sets across areas like SFX techniques or lash extensions.
JLS upholds strong ties with leading beauty brands like Embellish Lash and Temptu providing students immersive training experiences. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention and mentorship. Graduates emerge career-ready having refined technical abilities and professional etiquette for onset and photoshoot environments.
6. KC Beauty Academy
KC Beauty Academy delivers an extensive cosmetology program exploring technical skills and business essentials to thrive as licensed beauty professionals. The curriculum features dedicated makeup training across beauty fundamentals, color theory, complexion, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash extensions and special event looks like bridal glam and prom.
KC’s esteemed instructors like Rick Del Hiero bring decades of professional experience having worked with celebrities like Kristen Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence and Julianne Moore. Del Hiero also authored bestselling beauty books like Makeup Masterclass.
The program includes advanced airbrush training and makeup photography preparing students for professional photoshoots. KC facilitates special guest seminars from industry leaders like celebrity stylist Simone Otis offering first-hand career mentorship.
Graduates earn support registering for licensing exams and identifying employment opportunities. KC also offers continuing education and customized private training for working professionals. Many alumni launch successful careers as celebrity makeup artists, salon owners, and beauty entrepreneurs across diverse fields.
7. Neihulé Academy of Beauty
Acclaimed training across hair, makeup and skincare empowers Neihulé Academy of Beauty graduates to thrive as licensed beauty professionals. The cosmetology program explores beauty essentials, advanced techniques, salon operations and building an exclusive clientele.
Makeup courses examine fundamentals like complexion products, color theory, eyeshadows, eyelash extensions, contouring and lip techniques suited for diverse client needs. Classes also cover male grooming, mature skin and airbrush makeup. Photo shoot and film set etiquette training prepares graduates for professional opportunities.
Neihulé’s exclusive Film & TV Makeup Workshop facilitates hands-on experience executing full beauty looks for video teams. The school also offers part-time programs focused explicitly on makeup artistry.
Industry-expert instructors bring professional insights working with distinguished brands and publications. Neihulé facilitates career networking through industry events and helps graduates build professional resumes and websites to promote their services after certification.
8. The Art of Makeup School
The Art of Makeup School offers specialized curriculum across beauty essentials, fashion and photographic looks, prosthetic makeup effects and creature design led by working industry professionals.
Makeup courses explore complexion, color theory, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash extensions and lip techniques for day, evening and high glam looks. Classes also cover airbrush, mature skin and male grooming.
Advanced SFX training features injuries, blood, zombies, creepy crawlies, animal transformations and alien effects utilizing cutting-edge techniques in silicone and foam applications. Students also explore creature design building original alien forms and sculptures.
The school partners with the Advanced Makeup Technology program at University California Irvine Extension to offer students university-level training, access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities and opportunities to network with medical and technology groups.
Art of Makeup graduates leverage distinguished training and portfolio samples to secure roles with leading studios like Disney, major beauty brands and publications. Many graduates also launch thriving freelance careers.
9. Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy
Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy prepares aspiring beauty professionals with well-rounded training across hair, nails, makeup and skincare. Students undergo training to acquire a cosmetology license qualifying them for diverse career paths.
Makeup courses explore beauty essentials, tools maintenance, complexion products, color theory, contouring, eyeshadows, eyelash extensions and lip techniques suited for different occasions. Classes also cover mature skin, male grooming, hair removal and temporary eyelash extensions.
The curriculum features dedicated airbrush, makeup photography and editorial makeup modules to enrich skill sets. Guest artists facilitate special effects makeup and period makeup master classes. Students also gain professional experience during photoshoots and fashion shows.
Toni&Guy upholds strong relationships with leading brands like ghd, American Crew, Schwarzkopf and OPI which facilitate immersive product education. Industry partners like the Fred Segal Salon provide real-world training experience. Many graduates join the Toni&Guy artistic team or secure roles with distinguished fashion and beauty employers.
10. Luminous Faces LA
Luminous Faces LA delivers personalized makeup training focused on developing well-rounded technical skills paired with business acumen. Founder Mellie Erosa brings over a decade of experience executing beauty looks from commercials to red carpets and high fashion magazines like GQ and Vogue.
The curriculum explores complexion, color theory, contouring, eyeshadow techniques, eyelash extensions, airbrush and mature skin fundamentals. Courses feature special event looks like bridal glam and prom makeup tailored to diverse age groups and skin tones. Students also examine social media content strategies and bookkeeping principles to manage freelance careers.
Luminous Faces LA facilitates hands-on learning during professional photoshoots, allowing students to refine technical abilities and etiquettes for delivering flawless beauty looks under the bright lights. The facility features state-of-the-art equipment from leading brands, much like a real-world makeup studio.
With personalized guidance from Mellie Erosa, alumni launch successful freelance or in-house careers with leading brands. Many also secure roles supporting music videos, editorial shoots and red carpet events.
