Makeup Artist Schools in Connecticut
Welcome! Below, we've got a full discussion about learning makeup in Connecticut. We discuss the different types of schools you can attend, list a few facts about licensing, and talk about the career types open to you if you want to become a real-deal makeup artist. After that, we have a list of makeup schools that you can attend.
Regardless of your interest level--if you want to become a professional, or simply learn a few new tricks--there are some great options available to you.
The Various Types of Makeup Schools
It may seem strange, but it's harder to learn about makeup than it is to learn about hair or nails. That's because most states have many cosmetology schools, but very few makeup artist schools. In fact, there are only a few different places where you can get training on how to do makeup:
- Private makeup schools and salons. While most states don't have too many private makeup schools--and some don't have any--Connecticut actually has a good number of incredible schools for you to attend (and we've listed them below).
- One-on-one or group lessons from a local makeup artist. Most cities and towns have a makeup artist. One of the best ways to learn new techniques--and learn how to make it in the biz--is to contact him or her and pay for private lessons. If you have a couple of friends who are also interested in makeup, you can set up a class. Most makeup artists are game for any kind of work opportunity they can get, and would love to teach a few classes.
- Cosmetology schools. While most cosmetology schools don't have a course specific to makeup, many focus on makeup as part of their overall cosmetology program. That can be a great thing, because you'll learn about all aspects of beauty, including hair, makeup, nails, and skin.
- One-time classes and "makeup intensives." Very often, there will be one-time classes offered at local community colleges or convention centers. These usually take place in urban areas, and you can check online to see when a show will take place in your nearest city.

Professional Careers
If you're in love with makeup and want to do it as a career, how can you make that happen? Here are a few of the various ways that people earn money from their love of makeup.
They work as:
Fashion MUAs (MUA="makeup artists"). This is an ultra-competitive, ultra-fascinating area of makeup, and the MUAs in the fashion game freelance for magazines, advertisers, and clothing companies. They may also do makeup for runway shows and other live events.
Film / TV / Live Events MUAs. As you know, every actor or TV personality on air has had makeup applied. MUAs are an integral part of the industry, and while most of this work is centralized in a few areas (NYC and LA, mostly) there are freelance opportunities in many different cities.
Special Effects Makeup. On MakeupArtistEssentials.com, we talk most about fashion and glamour, but there's an entirely different area of makeup dedicated to making people look like aliens, monsters, burn victims, and so on. That is a really fascinating area of makeup, and takes specific training. Luckily, if you're interested in SFX makeup, New York and New Jersey have schools dedicated specifically to special effects makeup, so hop over to those state pages for more info.
Bridal Makeup. It can be very, very difficult to make it as a makeup artist for movies and fashion. There are a very limited number of jobs, and it's a "who-you-know" type of game, so opportunities for work can be scarce. Do you know what there are plenty of? BRIDES. Brides are everywhere, and more and more, they're hiring makeup artists to make them glow on their big day. It's possible for bridal makeup artists to bring in some decent cash in areas such as Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, and Waterbury.
License Types
In Connecticut, you'll have to go to school, take a test, and get a license if you want to be a cosmetologist, hair stylist, manicurist, or esthetician. However, at the time we're writing this post, there are no specific laws in Connecticut that mention makeup artists. The only law that we could find said that if you're going to work in a salon, spa, or medi-spa, then you'll need to get a license for cosmetology or esthetics.
Connecticut will probably be more strict about the laws sooner or later, and require that anyone who works as an independent makeup artist to get a license. If you have questions or want to see if the laws have been changed, check the homepage for the Connecticut Board of Cosmetology. They list all the licenses that are available to people in the state of Connecticut.
Career Decisions
We, obviously, looooove makeup, and we'd love to see everyone make some extra cash as a makeup artist. But we want to make sure you find the right career for you. We urge all of our readers to consider each of their options in the beauty world, and consider careers as:
- A cosmetologist or stylist. The best part of a cosmetology career is that there is ALWAYS work to be found. Every woman on earth gets her hair cut at least a few times a year, and as a cosmetologist, you should always be able to find work. Plus, cosmetology can be a great way to start a makeup artist career, and there are MANY makeup artists out there who got their start in a beauty school.
- An esthetician. Twenty years ago, there weren't too many estheticians around, but the job has become increasingly popular. And, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, estheticians earn more per year than cosmetologists! Esthetics can be a great career if you're interested in skin care and like working in a calm, spa-like environment.
- Manicurist. We'd actually not recommend this career, because it's notoriously low-paying, and the tips are never really that great. If, however, you LOVE nails, don't let us stop you! Attend a nail program, get your license, and find a job. If you play your cards right, you could eventually own your own salon someday, and make a much higher income.
Makeup Training Locations
There are some fantastic makeup artist schools in Connecticut, as well as some cosmetology schools that offer special classes on makeup. According to our latest database search, here are your options:
La Bella School
8 School Street
Bethel, CT 06801
(203) 470-6522
Connecticut Academy of Makeup Artistry
8 Villa Louisa Road
Bolton, CT 06043
(860) 474-5022
Branford Academy of Hair & Cosmetology
251 West Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 315-2985
Sandra Downie Beauty
2839 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT 06033
Ellela Makeup and Beauty Studio
16 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
(203) 661-3553
A Touch of Color Makeup
194 Leavenworth Road
Shelton, CT
(203) 929-6024
The Beauty Bar
31 Liberty Street
Southington, CT 06489
(860) 621-1000
There are a lot of great makeup schools in Connecticut, but should you decide to attend a cosmetology school (and that can be a great idea!), here’s a list of schools near you:
CEHJ Academy of Cosmetology and Barbering
54 Granby Street
Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 233-5649
Contours School of Cosmetology
2 Bestor Lane
Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 243-0340
Avant Garde Salon and Academy
328 East Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 481-8443
European Touch Academy of Hair and Cosmetology
101 West Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 488-4646
Millennium Academy of Hair
4009 Main Street
Bridgeport, CT 06608
(203) 549-9911
Hair Magic Academy
24 Norwich Avenue
Colchester, CT 06415
(860) 537-8020
Paul Mitchell The School — Danbury
2 National Place
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 744-0900
Hair Academy on Main
36 Main Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
(860) 895-8009
Legacy International School of Hair Design
806 Silver Lane
East Hartford, CT 06118
(860) 569-2080
Studio 16 Salon and Academy
47 West Road
Ellington, CT 06029
(860) 281-1607
Creative School of Hairdressing
786 Enfield Street
Enfield, CT 06082
(860) 741-5562
The European Academy of Cosmetology and Hairdressing (TEACH)
1575 Boston Post Road
Guilford, CT 06437
(203) 458-3334
Creative School of Hairdressing
808 Main Street
Manchester, CT 06040
(860) 646-5960
Hair’s Kay Academy of Cosmetology
143 Fitch Street
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 747-1431
Ricci’s Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy
99 South Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-8770
Paul Mitchell The School North Haven
97 Washington Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
(203) 985-0222
Hair Tech Beauty Academy
6 Woodward Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 299-0615
Renasci Academy of Hair
3 Isaac Street
Norwalk, CT 06850
(203) 838-0753
Visible Changes Salon & Academy
204 Sound Beach Avenue
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
(203) 637-9154
Oxford Academy of Hair Design
153 North Street
Seymour, CT 06483
(203) 888-0097
SoNo Academy
84 North Main Street
South Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 642-3600
Simone’s Hair Salon & Institute
130 Center Street
Southington, CT 06489
(860) 621-5739
Total Look Academy
3482 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
(203) 255-4886
Vangie’s Hair Salon/School of Hairdressing & Cosmetology
3085 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06614
(203) 377-7707
Torrington Beauty Academy
22 Water Street
Torrington, CT 06790
(860) 482-4386
La Belle Chateau Salon and Spa
55 Mill Street
Unionville, CT 06085
(860) 673-6011
Dolce, The Academy
2457 East Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06705
(203) 528-3550
Vision Academy of Hairdressing
152 Shield Street Plaza
West Hartford, CT 06110
(860) 953-6333
All Natural Beauty School of Cosmetology
376 Windsor Avenue
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 539-9314
Studio Mac Salon Advanced Academy of Cosmetology
555 Day Hill Road
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 688-9500
Connecticut Institute of Hair Design
1681 Meriden Road
Wolcott, CT 06716
(203) 879-4247