Makeup Artist Schools in Texas
If you'd like to begin a career as a makeup artist--or if you'd just like to learn a few new tricks--there are some fantastic educational opportunities in Texas. Each opportunity is a little different, so we'll go over each one and see if it's a good fit for you. After that, we'll talk a little bit about makeup artist licenses vs. cosmetology licenses, and then after THAT, we'll list all of the makeup artist schools in Texas.
Where To Become a Makeup EXPERT
Here's a list of the different types of makeup schools, along with an explanation of who should go.
Fashion Makeup Schools. If you live in the Lone Star State, you've very lucky: there are numerous schools in the state that are totally devoted to teaching makeup artistry. Most states only have one or two makeup schools--if they have any--and Texas has more than a dozen, which is fantastic.
Makeup artist schools will teach you more about makeup than you thought you could learn: you'll learn dozens of new techniques, as well as application styles (for example, fashion shoot makeup vs. bridal makeup vs. avant-garde makeup vs. clean makeup vs. stage makeup), but you'll also learn about professional standards, and how to operate in the makeup industry: you'll learn how to put together an impressive portfolio, how to work with other beauty professionals (like photographers, models, and creative directors), what'll be expected of you "on the job," how to assemble a durable makeup kit, and so on.
We've included a full list of makeup schools below, including contact information and location, so be sure to check that out.
Who should go? Because of length of training and the cost involved, these are a great option if you're interested in becoming a full-time makeup artist (or if you're rich and you have a lot of time on your hands). Classes usually last anywhere from five to twelve months, and prices can range from $9,000 or so to above $20,000. It's a commitment, but if you're serious about makeup, makeup school can be a fantastic opportunity.
Cosmetology Colleges. We mentioned that schools that focus on makeup artistry teach makeup and makeup only. Cosmetology schools do the opposite: they mainly teach haircutting techniques, but they'll introduce you to a wide variety of disciplines. You'll learn how to color, shape, and texturize hair; how to properly cleanse the skin and perform skin care routines; how to use tools and give the perfect manicure/pedicure; and how to apply makeup to different skin tones and facial features. Instead of getting really specific on one beauty topic, you'll learn about a bunch of beauty topics. NOTE: You can also attend an esthetician school, where they also teach many different types of beauty techniques, but focus more on skin care.
Who should go? This option is also for people who want to get a job in the beauty business. The good news is that the cost of cosmetology schools can be a lot less than full-time makeup schools. You can attend a private school for $10,000 or more, but you can attend a local school or a community college for a couple thousand dollars. That can save you a LOT of money. But there's another reason why cosmetology colleges are a good choice, and that's because graduates of a cosmetology school (or an esthetician school) are able to get a state license when they graduate. We'll talk about that more in one of the sections below.
Private Coaching from A Professional Makeup Artist. This is one of our favorite ways to learn new things about makeup. Instead of enrolling in a lengthy school program, reach out to a makeup artist in your area and arrange for private instruction. Chances are your local makeup artist loves giving lessons, because they're a reliable (and low-stress) way to bring in some extra cash. The best part about private lessons is that you can ask the artist to teach you only those things you're interested in. If you want to learn about a specific technique or application, just ask!
Who should go? Everyone! Because this is a "lower commitment" way to get training, it's perfect for just about everyone. It's low cost, and if you get a couple of friends to go to lessons with you, you can bring down the per-person cost even more.
Workshops / Intensives. These are another great (and fun) way to build your makeup artistry skills. In Texas' larger metropolitan centers, there will occasionally be workshops that are hosted by professional makeup artists. They usually take place in a hotel, college, or convention center, and focus on a specific aspect of makeup (ie, "how to become a part-time bridal makeup artist" might be a class that's offered).
You can find upcoming classes on sites like ThumbTack, Meetup.com, EventBrite, and Yelp.
Who should go? Also great for everybody! They're low-commitment (some classes last a single day, while others may last a week or two) and they're generally pretty affordable (the priciest ones we've seen were $1,500, but most are $99 and up). Not only is it a great opportunity to learn, but it can be a great excuse to travel and get a day-trip to the city.
Special Effects Makeup Schools. Last but certainly not least, there is special effects makeup (aka, SFX makeup). Our site is primarily about fashion makeup, but we would be remiss if we didn't mention this amazing and incredibly creative branch of the makeup game. SFX makeup artists are vital to any kind of film or stage production--whether it's a Hollywood movie, a stage play at a local theatre, or a live appearance at a Comicon--talented SFX makeup artists are always in demand.
And, if you live in Texas, you're very lucky! There are numerous different special effects makeup schools you can attend. It used to be that these schools were only available in Los Angeles, but there are schools popping up in a number of different states. These institutions teach students how to use prosthetics, sculpting materials, paints, wigs, and so on, in order to turn actors into a wide variety of creatures. We've included the contact info for each of the special effects makeup schools in Texas in a section below, so be sure to check those out.
Who should go? People who want to make SFX into a career. These schools can also get pricey ($15,000 or more is not uncommon), so you want to be sure that you want a career in SFX. If you're not sure you want to go or not sure you want to spend that much money, check out some of the tutorials on YouTube or some of the how-to books on Amazon.
Will I Need A License To Do Makeup?
Earlier, we mentioned something about licensing. Most people who want to become makeup artists need to know: will you need a makeup artist license to work as a makeup artist in Texas?
We've scoured every page on the Texas Board of Cosmetology website, but cannot find anything about a makeup artist license. And, because there are so many independent, freelance makeup artists working for brides at churches, models at photo shoots, and actors on the set of commercials/TV shows/movies, it seems that the state of Texas is being somewhat relaxed about making sure makeup artists have some kind of beauty license. We're guessing that'll change, sooner or later--as makeup artistry becomes more popular as a career, the state will most definitely get more strict about regulating it.
It is a fact, however, that if you want to work at any kind of Texas salon or Texas day spa, you *will* need to get a license (and you can get a cosmetology license if you want to do hair and an esthetician license if you want to do skin care). It is not legal to work in a salon without a license. That can be one of the benefits of going to school--when you graduate, you'll be able to get a license, and you can always find work in a salon or spa.
We would suggest you check back with the Texas Board of Cosmetology every once in a while, to get a feel for Texas laws related to the beauty industry.
Texas Makeup Colleges
There are three states that have EXCELLENT makeup artistry instruction: California, New York, and TEXAS.
There are some absolutely phenomenal makeup artist schools in Texas, and we've compiled a full list of schools here:
Terri Tomlinson Makeup Training Academy
15713 Quorum Drive
Addison, TX 75001
(800) 531-5092
CMC Makeup School (beauty makeup and special effects makeup)
9535 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75243
(310) 288-2528
Elan Makeup Studio
4038 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219
(214) 370-3333
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology — Campus in Dallas
10909 Webb Chapel Road
Dallas, TX
(214) 956-0088
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology — Campus in Grand Prairie
311 East Pioneer Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX
(972) 237-1988
HEX Makeup School
5090 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77056
(888) 439-4526
Tint School of Makeup and Cosmetology — Campus in Irving
2716 West Irving Boulevard
Irving, TX
(972) 513 -1176
CMC Makeup School
1560 35 South
San Marcos, TX 78666
(310) 288-2528
Transformations Makeup Academy
3425 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 240-7102
CMC Makeup School
24888 I-45 North
The Woodlands, TX 77386
(310) 288-2528
So, you’ve got options! Remember, though, that many professionals in the world of makeup didn’t get a makeup certificate–they went to a cosmetology school and got a state license. If that’s the career path you’d like to follow–and for many people, it’s a truly great idea–here is a list of cosmetology colleges you can attend.
Good luck, and be sure to come back and leave comments after you’ve become a world-travelling makeup artist!
Neecee’s College of Cosmetology
4646 South 14th Street
Abilene, TX 79605
(325) 673-7970
Exposito School of Hair Design
3710 Mockingbird Lane
Amarillo, TX 79109
(806) 355-9111
Milan Institute of Cosmetology — Amarillo Campus
2400 Southeast 27th Avenue
Amarillo, TX 79103
(888) 207-9460
Wade Gordon Academy
7701 Interstate 40 Frontage Road
Amarillo, TX 79121
(806) 331-9233
Paul Mitchell — The School — Arlington
309 Curtis Mathes Way
Arlington, TX 76018
(817) 865-6963
Trinity Valley Community College
500 South Prairieville Street
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-6200
Trinity Valley Community College at Athens
100 Cardinal Drive
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-6200
Paul Mitchell — The School — Austin
9503 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 251-1644
Regency Beauty Institute — Austin Campus
500 East Ben White Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(800) 787-6456
Lee College
200 Lee Drive
Baytown, TX 77520
(281) 427-5611
Academy of Hair Design — Beaumont Campus
3141 College Street
Beaumont, TX 77701
(409) 813-3100
Vista College — Beaumont Campus
3871 Stagg Drive
Beaumont, TX 77701
(866) 442-4197
Coastal Bend College
3800 Charco Road
Beeville, TX 78102
(866) 722-2838
Rosa’s Beauty Academy
5839 Bissonnet Street
Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 668-8432
Howard College
1001 Birdwell Lane
Big Spring, TX 79720
(432) 264-5000
Frank Philips College — Borger Campus Cosmetology
901 Opal St
Borger, TX 79007
(806) 457-4200
Southern Careers Institute — Brownsville Campus
1424 West Price Road
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 215-7109
Ranger College Beauty School — Brownwood Center
203 Fisk Ave
Brownwood, TX
(325) 646-8822
Charles and Sue’s School of Hair Design
1711 Briarcrest Drive
Bryan, TX 77802
(979) 776-4375
Manuel and Theresa’s School of Hair Design — Bryan Campus
220 North Main Street
Bryan, TX 77803
(979) 821-0076
Cisco College
101 College Heights
Cisco, TX 76437
(254) 442-5000
Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
(361) 698-1200
G.G.O. Beauty School
2908 South Buckner Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75227
(972) 285-5043
MJ’s Beauty Academy
3939 South Polk Street
Dallas, TX 75224
(214) 374-7500
Neilson Beauty College
416 West Jefferson Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75208
(214)946-0458
Southwest Schools Nuvani Institute — Del Rio Campus
801 Main Street
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 775-9520
MEI Academy of Cosmetology
104 South Main Street
Donna, TX 78537
(956) 464-3333
Frank Philips College — Dumas Cosmetology Center
20100 South Dumas Ave
Dumas, TX 79029
(806) 934-9494
Southwest Schools Nuvani Institute — Eagle Pass
272 Commercial
Eagle Pass, TX 78852
(830) 773-1373
Pipo Academy of Hair Design
3000 Pershing Drive
El Paso, TX 79903
(915) 565-3491
National Beauty College — Ennis Campus
200 SE Main Street
Ennis, TX 75119
(972) 875-2626
International Renown Beauty Academy
3536 East Lancaster Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76103
(817) 531-3716
JN Beauty College
5142 East Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76117
(817) 831-6220
Texas Beauty College
3534 Denton Highway
Fort Worth, TX 76117
(682) 647-1505
Angel Beauty Academy
1511 West Buckingham Road
Garland, TX 75042
(972) 675-2061
National Beauty College — Garland Campus
354 Interstate 30 Frontage Road
Garland, TX 75043
(972) 226-6900
Remington College — Dallas Campus
1800 Eastgate Drive
Garland, TX 75041
(800) 560-6192
Fort Worth Beauty School
2901 Glen Rose Highway
Granbury, Texas 76048
(817) 279-6200
Cosmetology Career Institute
5015 Wesley Street
Greenville, TX 75402
(903) 455-1144
Frank Philips College — Hereford Cosmetology Center
801 East 4th Street
Hereford, TX 79045
(806) 360-3688
B1 Careers Beauty School
10100 Hammerly Boulevard
Houston, TX 77080
(713) 464-5699
Franklin Beauty School
4965 Martin Luther King Boulevard
Houston, TX 77021
(832) 683-4792
Northwest Beauty School
6770 Antoine Drive
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 263-8333
Remington College — Houston Campus
3110 Hayes Road
Houston, TX 77082
(800) 560-6192
Remington College — North Houston Campus
11310 Greens Crossing
Houston, TX 77067
(800) 560-6192
Paul Mitchell — The School — Houston
10516 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77043
(713) 465-6300
Sophia’s Beauty Academy
4950 Farm to Market 1960 #8
Houston, TX 77069
(281) 587-4247
Texas Barber and Hairstyling Schools
9275 Richmond Ave #184
Houston, TX 77063
(713) 953-0262
Academy of Hair Design — Jasper Campus
348 Springhill Street
Jasper, TX 75951
Toni and Guy
1185 South Main Street
Keller, TX 76248
(817) 697-3037
Conlee’s College of Cosmetology
320 West Water Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
(830) 896-2380
Vista College — Killeen Campus
1001 South Fort Hood Street
Killeen, TX 76541
(866) 442-4197
Yahweh Beauty Academy
431 North 38th Street
Killeen, TX 76543
(254) 554-7771
Coastal Bend College
1814 Brahma Boulevard
Kingsville, TX 78363
(866) 262-1615
Lone Star College — Kingwood Campus
20000 Kingwood Drive
Kingwood, TX 77339
(281) 312-1600
Laredo Beauty College
3020 North Meadow Ave
Laredo, TX 78040
(956) 723-2059
South Plains College
1401 South College Avenue
Levelland, TX 79336
(806) 894-9611 or (806) 885-3048
Mane Concepts School of Cosmetology
700 East Whaley Street
Longview, TX 75601
(903) 758-8611
Vista College — Longview Campus
1905 West Loop 281
Longview, TX 75604
(866) 442-4197
Virginia College — Lubbock Campus
5005 50th Street
Lubbock, TX 79414
(806) 784-1900
Vista College — Lubbock Campus
4620 50th Street
Lubbock, TX 79414
(866) 442-4197
Academy of Hair Design — Lufkin Campus
512 South Chestnut Street
Lufkin, TX 75901
(936) 634-8440
Metroplex Beauty School
519 North Galloway Avenue
Mesquite, TX 75149
(972) 288-5485
Heritage Career Institute
3303 West Illinois Avenue
Midland, TX 79703
(432) 694-7584
Wetherford College — Mineral Wells Campus
704 Hood Road
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
(940) 325-2528
Seguin Beauty School
214 West San Antonio Street
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 620-1301
Odessa College
201 West University Boulevard
Odessa, TX 79764
(432) 335-6400
Trinity Valley Community College at Palestine
P.O. Box 2530
Palestine, TX 75802
(903) 729-0256
Heights Beauty College
2155 Red Bluff Road
Pasadena, TX 77506
(713) 473-1777
Toni and Guy
1921 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 810-6750
Coastal Bend College
1411 Bensdale
Pleasanton, TX 78064
(866) 361-4222
Lamar State College
1500 Procter Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640
(409) 983-4921
Central Texas Beauty College — Austin/Round Rock Campus
1400 North Mays Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 244-2235
Regency Beauty Institute — Round Rock Campus
2711 LaFrontera
Round Rock, TX 78681
(800) 787-6456
Career Point College — Spencer Lane Campus
599 Spencer Lane
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 265-6530
Mim’s Classic Beauty College
5121 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 344-3181
Southern Careers Institute — San Antonio South Campus
238 SW Military Drive
San Antonio, TX 78221
(210) 802-2230
Southwest Schools Nuvani Institute — San Antonio
602 West Southcross
San Antonio, TX 78221
(210) 921-0951
Total Transformation Institute of Cosmetology
907 Texas 80
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 392-8862
Seguin Beauty School
102 East Court Street
Seguin, TX 78155
(830) 372-0935
Diamonds Cosmetology College
1950 North Grand Avenue
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-0758
Ranger College Beauty School — Stephenville Center
951 South Lillian Street
Stephenville, TX 76401
(254) 968-2111
Central Texas Beauty College — Temple/Killeen Area Campus
2010 South 57th Street?
Temple, TX 76504
(254) 773-9911?
Trinity Valley Community College at Terrell
1200 East I-20
Terrell, TX 75160
(972) 563-9573
Texarkana College
2500 North Robison Road
Texarkana, TX 75599
(903) 823-3456
Legacy Beauty Academy
112 Commerce Street
Tomball, TX 77375
(281) 351-8812
Southwest Texas Junior College
2401 Garner Field Road
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-4401
Southwest Schools Nuvani Institute — Uvalde
122 West North Street
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-4103
Vernon College — Vernon Campus
4400 College Drive
Vernon, TX 76384
(940) 552-6291
Manuel and Theresa’s School of Hair Design — Victoria Campus
1405 East North Street
Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 573-0076
Victoria Beauty College
1508 North Laurent Street
Victoria, TX 77901
(361) 575-4526
Wharton Junior College
911 Boling Highway
Wharton, TX 77488
(979) 532-4560
Vernon College — Century City Center
4105 Maplewood Avenue
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 696-8752
