Makeup Artist Schools in Nebraska
Are you thinking about a professional career as a makeup artist? If so, you're probably wondering where you can develop your makeup skills.
Here's a list of places where you can learn new techniques, followed by a list of makeup schools. Regardless of whether you'd like to become a pro makeup artist, or if you'd simply love to learn some new application methods for your own enjoyment, there's a type of class for you!

Workshops in Metropolitan Areas / Beauty Salons. It's not uncommon for a professional makeup artist to rent a commercial space such as a hotel conference room, a convention hall, or a beauty salon and give group lessons. Not only is a great way to learn more about makeup artistry, but it's a great way to make connections with other local men and woman who are interested in makeup. These events are usually advertised on various sites, and EventBrite.com, Yelp.com, Meetup.com are the most common places where you can find makeup workshops. Makeup events are most likely to take place in Lincoln and Omaha, but you can also look in Bellevue, Grand Island, Fremont, and Kearney.
Makeup Artistry Schools. These are an expensive--but fantastic--option. Makeup schools provide a truly in-depth makeup education, where students learn:
- How to put together a professional-grade makeup kit;
- How to use color theory on models, actors, and brides;
- How to work with photographers so that models look good for flash photos;
- How to combine makeup products for different effects; and
- Best practices for working with different skin tones and facial structures.
The only negative aspect of makeup schools is that when you graduate, you won't be able to get a cosmetology license (which we'll discuss in a second).
Cosmetology Classes. Whereas makeup schools are somewhat rare, cosmetology schools are everywhere. They provide a solid, expansive beauty education, and students learn about styling hair, beautifying different skin types, and performing manicures--as well as general instruction on makeup techniques. Upon graduation, students are allowed to get a cosmetology license, and work in any type of beauty salon or day/medical spa.
Private Lessons from a Working Makeup Artist. One of the ways that local makeup artists make money is by doing group and private classes. This is an excellent option if you've already been to a beauty school, and want to "fill in the gaps" of your makeup education. You can request any lessons you like, and if you bring a group of friends, you can make an event out of it. The other great aspect about private classes is that you can interview the makeup artist about his/her professional experience, and learn about the business side of makeup.
Internet Sites. It's estimated that there are a kajillion websites that discuss makeup techniques. Not all of them are fantastic, but many of them are, and you can learn some fascinating new techniques and some really interesting makeup strategies. You will, of course, need to practice the techniques you learn on living, breathing people, but online tutorials and blog instructionals are a great way to learn.
Will I Need An MUA License?
We mentioned this in the above section, but here we'll go into a little more detail. If you decide to become a professional makeup artist, or even do makeup as your side gig, will you need to get a license?
It depends on what kind of work you do, and where you do it.
- Many people who become freelance makeup artists--that is, they work on brides on their wedding days, or actors in plays or TV or movies, or models for fashion shoots--do not have any kind of beauty license. The state may eventually require everyone who does makeup to get licenses, but as for now, they're pretty relaxed about it.
- Those who do makeup in a spa or salon, or do any kind of work in a spa or salon, need to get a license, and usually get an esthetician license or a cosmetology license.
If you have questions, you can check with the Nebraska Board of Cosmetology. They are the ones who make decisions regarding beauty careers in Nebraska, and they have the "final say" when it comes to issues related to jobs, licenses, and beauty careers.
Weighing Your Career Options
So, what's the right career option for you? Should you become a makeup artist, or a cosmetologist who does makeup on this side, or...? We understand that career decisions can be pretty stressful, so we've written a ton of posts that should help you decide your professional path. Whatever is you choose, do what you love and give it your all, and you'll be a huge success!
Nebraska Makeup Programs
We mentioned this earlier, but makeup artist schools are somewhat rare in the United States. There aren't any makeup artist schools in Nebraska, but there are a few options in Omaha you can check out:
Kimberly Spa Omaha
4130 South 144th Street
Omaha, NE 68137
You can also look into the esthetics course here–the course focuses primarily on skin care, but incorporates lessons about makeup application into the program:
College of Hair Design — Downtown Campus
304 South 11th Street
Lincoln, NE
(402) 474-4244
And you can also contact this local makeup artist, who gives private lessons:
GretchElizArtistry
985 South 27th Street
Lincoln, NE
Last but not least—and this can be a WONDERFUL option—you can go to any of the cosmetology schools in your area, and get your start as a makeup artist there. The schools near you include:
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — BEATRICE
2015 North 6th Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
(402) 223-3588
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — GRAND ISLAND
3415 West State Street
Grand Island, NE 68803
(308) 381-8848
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — HASTINGS
828 West 2nd Street
Hastings, NE 68901
(402) 463-1357
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — KEARNEY
2213 Central Avenue
Kearney, NE 68847
(308) 234-6594
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — LINCOLN
5801 “O” Street
Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 435-2333
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — NORFOLK
202 Madison Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 371-3358
Joseph’s College of Cosmetology — NORTH PLATTE
1620 East 4th Street
North Platte, NE 69101
(308) 532-4664
Vatterott Educational Centers
11818 I Street
Omaha, NE 68137
(888) 202-2636
Fullen School of Hair Design
1909 Broadway
Scottsbluff, NE 69361
(308) 632-3731
Western Nebraska Community College — Sidney Campus
371 College Drive
Sidney, NE 69162
(308) 254-5450
(800) 222-9682