Makeup Artist Schools in Indiana

Ever notice how you see beauty schools all over the place, but you never really see makeup artist schools? It's kind of sad, but it's true!

So where can you go if you're PASSIONATE about makeup and want to learn more--and maybe even become a paid makeup artist?

In the sections below, we'll detail all of your training options, both for those of you who want to become professional makeup artists, and those of you who simply want to pick up a few new skills. Then we'll go over some information about career types and beauty licenses, and after that, we'll list the makeup training options available to you.

First Decision: Find the Type of Training You Want​

So, here are you choices if you want to sharpen your skills:

1. Attend a Workshop. In most American cities, there are workshops put on by makeup artists that only cost a few hundred dollars to attend. The workshops (also called "makeup intensives") last anywhere from a day to a week or two, and usually spotlight a particular makeup technique or a particular aspect of being a makeup artist. So, for instance, you might attend a workshop about how to properly use mascara, how to work with skin imperfections, or how to run a freelance makeup business. You'll have to keep an eye out for classes you can attend, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can always travel to cities in other states where there are makeup workshops!

2. Go to a Cosmetology School. These are a GREAT option, because they provide students with an expansive beauty education. Classes usually last a few months, and upon graduation, attendees are allowed to take the Indiana cosmetology test, get a cosmetology license, and do makeup or hair in a spa or salon. Some beauty schools have makeup as a part of their curriculum, or offer special "extra" classes that teach makeup application.

3. Go to a "Makeup Only" School. These can be quite expensive, and it's not uncommon for a three-month or six-month class to cost $15,000 or more. The good news is, though, that they provide a really in-depth makeup education, and many makeup artists get their start in one of these types of schools. The BAD news is that most of these schools are rare, and most of them are located in New York, California, Illinois, Florida, and Texas (and Georgia, surprisingly). So, if you want to go to a makeup-only type school, you might need to relocate!

4. Contact Local Makeup Artists. This can be a low-cost way to develop some truly amazing makeup skills, AND make some connections in the local beauty industry. There may not be any makeup artists in your hometown, so look for MUAs in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and Bloomington. You can also try Gary and Lafayette, and see if there are any MUAs in those cities that you can link up with.​

So, which school is the right choice for your future? That depends on what you're looking for! If you're simply looking for a couple of new techniques, go to a workshop or contact a local makeup artist (or simply look online--there is a LOT of info for you!). If you're looking to become a makeup artist, a cosmetology school or a "makeup only" school is your strongest bet.

Making A Living As A Makeup Artist​

If you DO decide to become a full-time, professional makeup artist, what kind of a career can you have? That depends. Here are some of the ways that people take their love of makeup and channel it into a career.

Beauty Careers At Salons and Spas. This is perhaps the most popular option. As a stylist or cosmetologist, you'll get to work with makeup, and also focus on other aspects of beauty, like hairstyling, skin care, and nail technology. The best part about doing makeup at a beauty salon is that you will almost always be able to find a job. If there's one thing that'll never change, it's that women go to beauty salons!

Makeup Application at Beauty Counters. Another great way to do makeup for a living. The most fantastic thing about working at a makeup counter--and we would totally encourage you to do this--is that you can "climb the ladder," so to speak, and get other jobs within the company. Makeup companies need salespeople, advertisers, creative directors, marketers, and product developers. If you love makeup, getting into the actual business of makeup is a great way to make a very stable living AND do what you love.

Makeup for Film/Movies/Television. This is a wildly competitive area of makeup, but if other people can make it happen, why can't you? We've written a lot about this type of makeup on the site, so take a look around.

Fashion Makeup. If you dream about getting models ready for fashion shoots and jaunts down the catwalk, this is your area of makeup. This is also wildly competitive and we've written a LOT about it, so peek around a bit--you'll definitely pick up some career pointers!

Bridal Makeup Application. Another truly fun area of the makeup business. More and more MUAs are able to make a living doing bridal makeup (particularly if they live in or near a big city). A big part of this is not only the actual application of makeup, but making sure brides are calm, cool, and collected on their big day!

Indiana Beauty Licenses​

Depending on where you work and what you do, you may need a license. Here's how it seems to work:​

Indiana does not specifically offer a license for makeup artists. It does say that anyone working in a salon or spa needs to have a license, but says nothing about artists who work at makeup counters or go to weddings / photo shoots / runway shows / etc.

It will, at some point, probably be the case where Indiana gets very serious about making people get makeup artist licenses (or requiring freelance makeup artists to get some kind of license). But, at present, we know of many self-employed makeup artists who do *not* have any kind of beauty license and have not gotten into any trouble.

You should always check with the Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, as they are the ones who write the rules, and they'll update their site with any rule changes or law changes.​