Makeup Artist Schools in Georgia
Are you interested in becoming a full-time, professional makeup artist? Or maybe just interested in taking a few classes and learning new makeup strategies?
In the post below, we'll outline ALL the different educational opportunities open to you. First we'll give you a few important facts about makeup career options and beauty licenses, and then we'll provide a full list of cosmetology schools and makeup artist schools in Georgia.
We at MakeupArtistEssentials.com are pretty obsessed with makeup, and we're excited you are too! Let's get to it and take a look at your options.
Different Kinds of Makeup Training
People are often a little confused about where to go for makeup instruction. To give you some guidance, here's a list of places you can develop your skills as a makeup artist:
- Fashion Schools Dedicated Solely To Makeup. The majority of these schools are in New York and California, but there are a couple of schools located in the great state of Georgia (as you would imagine, most are located in Atlanta). These schools are an excellent option, because they're able to provide in-depth instruction about all aspects of makeup application. You'll learn how to build a makeup kit, how to contour a face using shadows and highlights, airbrushing and airbrushing techniques, what "color theory" is, how to work with skin imperfections, and a LOT more. Programs usually last a couple of months to almost a year, and cost anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to more than twenty-thousand (they can get pricey, so be careful!).
- Private and Public Workshops. Very often, a makeup artist will offer time-limited classes in larger metropolitan areas, like Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, or Savannah. These are a great alternative to school, because they are short-term and low-cost--they usually cost a couple hundred dollars, last a week or less, and focus on a particular aspect of makeup or the makeup business. Participants get a great opportunity to learn from someone "in the biz" and make build business relationships. These pop up all over the place, so check online (EventBrite.com and Yelp.com are great options) to see when a workshop will take place near you.
- Cosmetology Schools. These are an excellent option, because they're more affordable--you can usually find a school for a couple thousand dollars, and community colleges occasionally offer programs for $5,000 or less--and they focus on all aspects of beauty (whereas a makeup school will just focus on makeup, cosmetology schools give instruction on hair styling, skin care methods, nail technology, and so on). The best part about going to a cosmetology school is that after you graduate, you'll be able to apply for Georgia state cosmetology license, and that means you'll almost always have a job to fall back on. There are plenty of cities that have cosmetology schools, including Macon, Johns Creek, Albany, Alpharetta, Valdosta, Gainesville, LaGrange, etc.
- One-on-One Lessons From a Makeup Artist. We mentioned workshops above, but why wait until a makeup artist comes to town? Instead, you can look up makeup artists in your area (or the city nearest you) and see if they offer lessons. Because MUAs are always looking for work, they're very likely to give you private instruction for a fee, and you can tailor the lessons to your interest.
So now you know where to look to get some instruction. If you do decide to become a makeup artist, where can your career take you?
Decide On A Career: Makeup Career Types
We have a very, very in-depth discussion of makeup job types on our homepage, but here's a quick rundown of how people who love makeup turn it into their job title. They can enter the field of:
- Bridal Makeup. This is one of the most common ways for people to do makeup for a living. More than ever before, brides are paying local MUAs to get them ready for their wedding days. This can be a FANTASTIC way to make some money on the side and keep your regular day job.
- Salon Makeup. Perhaps the most reliable way to do what you love and get paid for it. To get a job in a salon, you'll need to get a license, so we'll talk about that in a second.
- Makeup Artists for TV and Movies. How glamorous! These MUAs work with actors and TV personalities and make sure they look great on camera. Most people think that this work is only located on the West Coast and the East Coast, but there are opportunities all over the United States.
- Special Effects Makeup Artists. If you like making people look older or younger than they are, or simply making them look like terrifying monsters, SFX makeup may be your calling. This is another area of makeup that's pretty competitive.
- Fashion Makeup. Usually what most people think about when they hear the term "makeup artist." These MUAs get models ready for photos shoots and fashion events. Also very competitive, also localized in very big cities.
- "Business" Makeup. As you would imagine, makeup is a BIG business. Millions and millions and millions of women wear makeup every day, and makeup companies are always on the lookout for talented, enthusiastic people to develop new products, market those products, and then go from store to store and help sell them. Getting involved with a company that actually creates makeup products can be a fantastic way to do what you love and have a VERY secure income.
Keep in mind, it's easiest to make a living as a makeup artist if you live in a big city with a looooot of people in it. Something to keep in mind as you make decisions about your future!
Licensing FAQs
There's a lot of confusion about licensing as it concerns makeup artists. At the present, we can find no laws that dictate makeup artist licenses. In other words, we can't find any Georgia laws, statutes, or regulations that declare a person needs a makeup artist license to be a freelance makeup artist, and the reality is that many freelance makeup artist provide services for their clients and do not have any kind of license.
With that said, if you want to work in a day spa or beauty salon, you *will* need to get a license (and you can get a cosmetology license or an esthetician license to do so). Anyone who works in a Georgia beauty salon, or a Georgia spa/day spa/medical spa, will need a license.
The state of Georgia may eventually start being more strict with people who provide freelance makeup services without a license, but we'll have to wait and see.
If you have questions, you should read the articles on the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering website. They have details on the different licenses you can get, and the requirements to get each.
What's The Right Career Choice For You?
Our advice is to simply find out as much as you can about the careers open to you. Learn about makeup programs in your area, and contact local cosmetology schools to find out what they can offer you. Once you know about all of your options, you'll have a clearer idea about how to move forward.
And, of course--if you have any questions, feel free to contact us!
Makeup Schools In Your Area of Georgia
There are many states that don’t have any schools that discuss makeup–but there are plenty of makeup artist schools in Georgia for you to choose from. Take a look below, and see if any catch your eye.
Gwynnis Mosby Makeup Academy
690 Miami Circle
Atlanta, GA 30324
(678) 310-4662
Studio Crush
School of Makeup
887 West Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 924-6858
Atlanta Makeup Academy
3257 Copper Creek Lane
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 365-2855
POSH Makeup Academy
1773 Columbia Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
(888) 588-7342
Industry Makeup Academy
1514 East Cleveland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30344
(404) 539-3341
If you’d like to go the cosmetology route (and many makeup artists have done so!) here’s a list of schools you can check out:
Chattachoochee Technical College — North Metro Campus
5198 Ross Road
Acworth, GA 30102
(770) 975-4000
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
3529 Atlanta Highway
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-6400
Phaze I Cosmetology Institute
824 Hawthorne Avenue
Athens, GA 30606
Aveda Institute Atlanta
1745 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 649-7119
CEI Hair Schools, LLC
88 Peachtree Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(470) 891-8182
Empire Beauty School
2190 Henderson Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 382-0100
Keune Academy
3344 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30326
(866) 623-4247
Paul Mitchell The School — Atlanta
887 West Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 888-0070
Augusta Technical College
3200 Augusta Tech Drive
Augusta, GA 30906
(706) 771-4000
Empire Beauty School
Washington’s Corner Shopping Center
3241 Washington Road
Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 955-1493
Georgia Institute Of Cosmetology
2803 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30909
(706) 736-1819
Virginia College
2807 Wylds Road
Augusta, GA 30909
(706) 288-2500
Georgia Northwestern Technical College — Gordon County Campus
1151 Highway 53
Calhoun, GA 30701
(706) 624-1100
Southeastern Beauty Schools
3535 Macon Road
Columbus, GA 31906
(706) 562-1411
Virginia College
5601 Veterans Parkway
Columbus, GA 31904
(762) 207-1600
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
2350 Atlanta Highway
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 889-9199
MAK Beauty Institute
570 Lakeland Plaza
Cumming, GA 30040
(770) 292-9669
Georgia Beauty Academy
785 Shugart Road
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 529-9606
Midland College
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 679-4501
Vogue Beauty & Barber School
3376 Highway 5
Douglasville, GA 30135
(770) 489-7003
KVN Beauty Academy
400 West Moore Street
Dublin, GA 31021
(478) 304-5078
The Hair Academy
511 Telfair Street
Dublin, GA 31021
(478) 275-7251
Beauty College Of America
1171 Main Street
Forest Park, GA 30297
(770) 991-1195
Academy Of Beauty
121 Main Street
Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 534-9650
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology — Gainesville
250 John W. Morrow Parkway
Gainesville, GA 30501
(770) 532-2300
Georgia Technical College
3500 John Huffman Way
Grovetown, GA 30813
(706) 651-7368
Savannah Technical College
100 Technology Drive
Hinesville, GA 31313
(912) 408-3024
Vogue Beauty and Barber School
3655 Macland Road
Hiram, GA 30141
(770) 943-6811
Chattahoochee Technical College — Appalachian Campus
100 Campus Drive
Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-4500
Cobb Beauty College
3096 Cherokee Street
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 424-6915
Empire Beauty School
425 Ernest Barrett Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 884-7292
Empire Beauty School
1455 Pleasant Hill Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
(770) 884-6966
Gwinnett Technical College
5150 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(770) 962-7580
Keune Academy
755 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
(678) 990-0762
Powder Springs Beauty School
560 Thornton Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Virginia College
1901 Paul Walsh Drive
Macon, GA 31206
(478) 803-4600
Chattahoochee Technical College — Mountain View Campus
2680 Gordy Parkway
Marietta, GA 30066
(770) 509-6305
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy
1355 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062
(770) 565-3285
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology Columbia
4127 Columbia Road
Martinez, GA 30907
(706) 855-0010
Empire Beauty School
1958 Mount Zion Road
Morrow, GA 30260
(678) 810-1016
Moultrie Technical College
800 Veterans Parkway North
Moultrie, GA 31788
(229) 891-7000
Lanier Technical College
2990 Landrum Education Drive
Oakwood, GA 30566
(770) 531-6300
Powder Springs Beauty School
4110 Austell Powder Springs Road
Powder Springs, GA 30127
(770) 439-9432
Savannah Technical College
2890 Highway 21 South
Rincon, GA 31326
(912) 754-2880
Georgia Northwestern Technical College — Walker County Campus
265 Bicentennial Trail
Rock Spring, GA 30739
(706) 764-3510
Georgia Northwestern Technical College — Polk County Campus
466 Brock Road
Rockmart, GA 30153
(770) 684-5696
Georgia Northwestern Technical College — Floyd County Campus
One Maurice Culberson Drive
Rome, GA 30161
(706) 295-6963
Empire Beauty School
7400 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 228-3971
The Cosmetology Institute of Hair Design
1904 Pennsylvania Avenue
Savannah, GA 31404
(912) 236-7422
Savannah Technical College
5717 White Bluff Road
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 443-5700
Virginia College
14045 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 721-5600
Begums Academy
2265 Oak Road
Snellville, GA 30078
(678) 267-2222
Do Zia’s Beauty College
2135 East Main Street
Snellville, GA 30078
(404) 259-4686
Pro Way Hair School
5684 Memorial Drive
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
(404) 299-5156
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology
1496 Buford Highway
Sugar Hill, GA 30518
(770) 945-4008
Southwest Georgia Technical College
15689 U.S. Highway 19 North
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229) 225-409
Augusta Technical College
388 Tech Drive NW
Thomson, GA 30824
(706) 595-0166
Inside Out Hair School
2200 Northlake Quadrangle
Tucker, GA 30084
(404) 913-2875
Augusta Technical College
216 Highway 24 South
Waynesboro, GA 30830
(706) 437-6801
Okefenokee Technical College
1701 Carswell Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503
(912) 287-6584
