Makeup Artist Schools in Idaho
It can be difficult to figure out where to learn about makeup. What schools are available to people who want to pick up new styles, or even train and become full-time makeup artists?
Below, we list your training options, and help you get started. We've got a list of the different places you can learn about makeup, a quick discussion about licenses (should you decide to become a full-time makeup artist), and a full list of cosmetology schools and makeup artist schools in Idaho.
Education Choices
Even though there are thousands of makeup videos online, at some point you'll need personal instruction if you're going to develop your makeup skills. So where can you a person go if he/she wants to become an expert at makeup?
There are a couple of different options you can choose from:
- You can attend a makeup school that teaches only makeup. These are really intensive programs, and you get a very thorough education: you'll learn how a vast array of techniques, how to use different tools (ie, airbrush techniques), how to do avant garde makeup, how to work with various skin types, and so on.
- You can sign up for one-off classes offered locally. These types of workshops are typically one- or two- or three-day classes that hyper-focus on one specific makeup technique. These are a ton of fun, and they're way less expensive than longer "makeup only"-type schools. Look online for classes scheduled near you, and look in the larger metropolitan cities like Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Coeur d'Alene, and Post Falls.
- You can enroll in a cosmetology school. For most people interested in a career in beauty, this makes the most sense. Beauty schools provide a broader education, and instruct students on how to style hair, how to do nails, how to take care of the skin, and how to use makeup. The most advantageous thing about cosmetology school is that once you're finished, you can take the state's licensing exam, and that'll enable you to work in any beauty salon in the state.
- You can set up private lessons with a local makeup artist. This is kind of a creative way to get training, but it can work out really well. Look out for local MUAs who have been in the business for a while, and arrange a couple of personal lessons (or, if you have friends who are also interested in makeup, arrange for a group lesson).
Makeup Artist Job Types
If you love makeup as much as we do, how do you go about making "MUA" your professional career title? We have a long discussion about this on our home page, but here's a quick rundown:
- Film MUAs get actors ready for scenes, and need to learn how to get people ready to look good on camera and in specific lighting scenarios;
- Special effects MUAs make people look like corpses, zombies, sea creatures, and so on;
- Fashion MUAs work with photographers and creative directors and apply makeup to models for photo shoots; and
- Bridal MUAs make brides look radiant on their wedding days.
There's one other type of makeup artist we'd like to mention, and it may not be the first kind of MUA that comes to mind: the "corporate" makeup artist.
As you would imagine, makeup companies are under tremendous pressure to come up with new makeup products every year. The need creative men and women to make new products, discover insightful ways to advertise them, and then teach makeup shop owners how to use them. There are many men and women who are able to do makeup as a career by working for makeup companies. It's a very stable--and possibly very lucrative--way to work in the beauty business.
Professional Licensing
There's one quick thing we'd like to mention about doing makeup for a living, and it concerns licensing.
We took a look at the rules posted on the Idaho Board of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences and we couldn't find anything about makeup artist licenses. And, the reality is that many independent, self-employed makeup artists do not have any kind of beauty license (and most makeup counters don't require salespeople to have licenses). That may change at some point, because makeup artistry is growing in popularity, and the state of Idaho will probably become more insistent that makeup artists get licenses.
There's one occasion where makeup artists absolutely DO need to get a license, and that's if they work in an Idaho beauty establishment, like a spa or salon. Any makeup artist that works in an Idaho beauty salon or Idaho spa will need to get a cosmetology license and/or an esthetician license.
State laws change all the time, however, so you'll want to check the Idaho Board of Cosmetology site if you decide to become a MUA.
Career Choices
So, what's the right career choice for you? What kind of school should you go to? Should you become a makeup artist, or a cosmetologist, or an esthetician?
Career decisions are kind of overwhelming.
Our suggestion is to find out as much as you can about the opportunities open to you. Look at cosmetology schools. Check out some esthetician schools. Look for makeup workshops in a nearby metropolitan area. Make a list of all the options available to you. Once you have a better understand of the career possibilities in front of you, you'll have an easier time moving forward.
As always, feel free to contact us if you have questions!
Makeup Training in Idaho
There is only one school in Idaho that has a course on makeup artistry, and it is:
Oliver Finley Academy
Northgate Shopping Center
6843 North Strawberry Glenn Road
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 658-1115
Because there aren’t too many makeup schools in Idaho, you may want to consider starting your makeup career at a cosmetology school (and many FANTASTIC makeup artists have done so!). Here’s a quick run-down of cosmetology schools in Idaho:
Aveda Institute — Boise
3419 North Cole Road
Boise, ID 83704
(208) 345-6164
Paul Mitchell The School — Boise
1270 South Vinnell Way
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 375-0190
Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy
7709 West Overland Road
Boise, ID 83709
(208) 429-8070
Tony & Guy Coeur D’Alene Academy
410 West Neider Avenue
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
(208) 664-0541
Vogue Beauty College
247 Cliff Street
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 523-2520
Headmasters School of Hair Design
602 Main Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 743-1512
Mr. Leon’s School of Hair Design
205 10th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 743-6822
Velvet Touch Academy
5820 East Franklin Road
Nampa, ID 83687
(208) 908-0123
Idaho State University — Cosmetology Program
921 South 8th Avenue
Pocatello, ID 83209
Evans Hairstyling College
67 Winn Drive
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 359-8141
Paul Mitchell The School — Rexburg
557 Mariah Avenue
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208) 656-0800
Joseph Charles Institute of Cosmetology
837 Pole Line Road
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 733-7777
D & L Academy of Hair Design
113 Main Avenue East
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 736-4972
Master Educators of Beauty
1205 Filer Avenue East
Twin Falls, ID 83301
(208) 736-0044
