Makeup Artist Schools in Arkansas

Thanks for stopping by! On this page, we'll discuss all of your options for learning about makeup in Arkansas. We'll also discuss beauty licenses, and then we'll list makeup classes near you, as well schools and cosmetology programs you can attend if you want to become a full-time makeup artist. Let's get to it!

​Step One: What Kind of School Are You Looking For?

​There aren't too many makeup schools that provide a "make-up only" education, and there are no such institutions in Arkansas. So, if you want to learn about makeup, where can you go?​

We're put together this list of places where you can learn to become an expert makeup artist.

1. Workshops and Events. In every city, there are pop-up events (sometimes called intensives) where makeup artists offer a class on a specific subject about makeup. Classes usually last anywhere from one or two days to two weeks or so, and usually take place in a local salon, community college, or convention center. Classes are usually inexpensive (anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to about two thousand dollars), and, as a side bonus, you may get to travel a little bit! You can check EventBrite.com and Yelp.com for postings, as well as the websites for any convention centers in Little Rock, Fort Smith, or Fayetteville.​

2. Cosmetology Schools. In every city and every state, there are cosmetology schools that provide a broad beauty education. Students learn the basics of makeup, but they also learn haircutting techniques, the science of hair and skin, straightening and curling procedures, coloring techniques, manicuring, and skin care. Cosmetology schools are a great option because at the end of classes, students are allowed to take a state test and get a cosmetology license, and that opens a LOT of professional opportunities.​ If you're serious about becoming a makeup artist and you don't live near a makeup artist school, a cosmetology school can be your best option.

3. Local Salons. Very often, beauty salons will offer one-time makeup classes. Check with your salon, and see if they have any classes. You can also check local makeup stores or visit the MAC location in Little Rock.

4. Local Makeup Artists. This one requires some outside-the-box thinking, but--if you want to learn more about makeup, contact local makeup artists and arrange for one-on-one classes (you can negotiate a rate with them if they don't already give lessons). Even better--if you arrange a group of your friends and reach out to a local artist, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate per-person.

5. YouTube. Last but not least, there's always YouTube! Who needs makeup artist schools in Arkansas when there are sooooo many video tutorials on YouTube (and other sites)? Online sites are a great place to learn, and while you'll still need to get a lot of experience working on real live people, they can be a great source of information.

If you're dead-set on going to an institution that teaches ONLY makeup artistry, check out some of the other state pages. Some (like California) have many, many makeup artist schools. You'd have to re-locate if you'd like to attend, but wouldn't that be an adventure! ​

​Questions About Licenses

For most careers in the beauty industry, a license is needed. If you want to be a cosmetologist / hair stylist, you need a cosmetology license; if you want to be an esthetician, you need an esthetician license; if you want to be a manicurist, you need a nail technician license.

However, at the time of this post, there is no makeup artist license that Arkansas requires people to get.

That said, there are two caveats:

1. If you do makeup inside of an actual business establish (like a day spa, or a beauty salon), then you'll need a cosmetology or esthetician license.

2. If you do permanent makeup (ie, tattooing or coloring that lasts for more than a few months), you'll need a license.

Always check with the Arkansas Board of Cosmetology for more information. Arkansas has been pretty blasé about making sure makeup artists have licenses, but it's very likely that they will soon enforce stricter licensing requirements.​

For More Information...

​We've included as many posts as possible about makeup and makeup careers. Take a stroll through the site, and hopefully you'll find something to help you on your way.

Ps: For many people, the best entry to a makeup artist career is via a cosmetology school, so we've included a list of cosmetology schools in Arkansas below. We hope you find it helpful!​​

Cosmetology Schools in Arkansas​