Makeup Artist Schools in New Hampshire

If you want to develop your makeup skills--either to become a professional makeup artist, or just for your own enjoyment--where can you go to learn new techniques and applications?

Here are the most popular ways to increase your skills as a makeup artist. In the post below, we'll discuss training options, provide a full list of makeup artist schools in New Hampshire, and then list a few facts about beauty licenses.

Four Types of Programs

There are beauty schools all over the place, but makeup schools are few and far between. Here's where you can go to learn makeup:

1. Enroll in a Cosmetology School. This is, perhaps, the most popular way of getting the workplace beauty skills to start a career in makeup. Cosmetology schools provide students with a far-encompassing education, and teach hair styling, hair coloring, manicuring, skin care, and makeup artistry. Because cosmetology schools don't go that deep into any specific topic, students get an introduction into different areas of the beauty business.

The benefits of a cosmetology education are that classes are usually reasonable, and you can look to community colleges for very affordable classes. Also, if you do decide to become a professional makeup artist, having a diploma from a cosmetology college may set you apart from artists who don't have a diploma. The down side is that you won't become an expert at makeup, as you'll be covering a bunch of other topics, and not focusing solely on that topic--so you'll need to continue your makeup education through other channels.

2. Enroll in a Makeup Artistry School. Whereas a cosmetology school will provide you with a broad beauty education, a makeup school will be dedicated specifically to makeup application and makeup careers. Students learn how hundreds of different application techniques, but schools also teach industry-specific classes, such as how to work with models/photographers/brides; how to put together a professional-grade makeup kit; how to use "color theory" and apply it to clients; how to put together an intimidating makeup artist portfolio; and how to run a small makeup business. If you're hoping to become a full-time, professional makeup artist, a school that teaches only makeup can be a *fantastic* option.

There are some disadvantages to a makeup school, the most notable being that they can be super-expensive. It's not uncommon for a full-time program to cost $15,000 or more. Also, when you graduate, you won't be able to apply for a cosmetology license, and may restrict you when it comes to certain careers in the beauty industry. We'll talk more about licensing--and the pros and cons--in the section titled "Do Artists Need To Be Licensed?".

3. Take a Short-Term Workshop Class. This option can be a lot of fun. Very often, makeup artists will come to a metropolitan area (such as Manchester, Nashua, Concord, or Derry) and rent out space in a college, beauty salon, hotel, or conference center, and sell admission to a makeup workshop. These are a low-cost option and workshops (also referred to as "intensives") are short-term: you can usually sign up for a day-long workshop, and there may be some workshops that last three or four days.

​Go to sites like Yelp, Course Horse, Meetup, and Event Brite to learn about upcoming events in your area.

4. Get Private Coaching from a Working Makeup Artist. There are more and more makeup artists popping up in every city, and that can be VERY helpful to you as a budding professional. Instead of enrolling as a student in a full-time program, you can schedule private classes with a makeup artist near you. Typically, makeup artists love this type of arrangement, because it allows them to bring in some money during the "down times." You can request any kind of lesson you want, and you can bring along friends who are also interested in makeup. You won't be able to cobble together an entire makeup education through private coaching, but you will be able to "fill in the gaps" if you've already gone to a cosmetology school.

How Do Makeup Artists Earn A Living?​

The term "makeup artist" is actually kind of general, because there are a lot of different ways that people turn makeup into a career. Here are some of the most popular--and creative!--ways to turn a love for makeup into an exciting career:​

Also notable: "business" makeup. If you think about it, the makeup industry needs bright, talented people to develop makeup products, create marketing campaigns and advertising spots, and sell makeup to store owners and customers. If you have a knack for business, the "corporate" side of makeup can be a very lucrative--and stable--way to have a career in the beauty business.

Do Artists Need To Be Licensed?​

We referred to this section earlier. If you decide to make money doing makeup, do you need a makeup license?

We consulted the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics, and we could not find any info related to makeup artistry, and we know of many self-employed makeup artists who provide services for actors, photographers, models, brides, grooms, and so on, who do not have beauty licenses.

HOWEVER, it should be noted that if you plan to work in any kind of beauty salon or spa, you WILL need to get a license. Any person working in a professional business establishment will need a license, and you can get a cosmetology license, barber's license, or esthetician's license to work in a beauty salon and do makeup.

If you need more information, you can check out our homepage, where we discuss the issue a little further, and you can also contact the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. As the state's authority on beauty careers, the Board will be able to answer any specific questions you may have.​

New Hampshire Makeup Training​

There aren't too many makeup schools in New Hampshire, but you can check out the following two places:​