Makeup Artist Schools in Utah

If you're a person who wants to embark on an exciting career as a makeup artist--or if you just want to pick up a few skills to make yourself look even more fabulous--where can you go? Here are the most common places for people to learn more about makeup and increase their makeup artistry skills.

Schools Devoted to Makeup Artistry.

These places are heavenly: they are schools that teach nothing but makeup. Bliss! Programs provide extensive instruction on the basics of makeup--application and techniques--but they also focus on assembling a great-looking portfolio, putting together an impressive makeup kit, what to expect on-the-job when you're working with models and photographers and creative directors and agents, and how to run a small business.

Makeup schools are a liiiiiiittle rare--there are one 30 or 40 of them in the United States--and they can be a "high cost" option, but they are a top-tier way to learn about the makeup business. That said, they're a great option if you're serious about starting a makeup career, but it's a big commitment if you're just interested in picking up a few new skills.

Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools.

These provide a more "all-encompassing" beauty education, where you'll learn about hair, nails, and skin care. Makeup schools can get very expensive, and these are a much more affordable option: private cosmetology schools can cost up to $10,000 or more, but there are also community colleges that offer cosmetology programs for a couple thousand dollars (and you should definitely check those out, if you're interested!). This is another big time commitment, so it's best for people who are serious about entering the beauty industry.

​Workshops.

These are a great option for career starters AND hobbyists. Workshops (also sometimes referred to as "intensives") are affordable, short-term classes that come to metropolitan areas like Salt Lake City, Provo, West Valley City, and Orem. Classes usually last one single day or one week, and teach intro topics ("makeup application") as well as more advanced topics ("how to run a successful bridal makeup business"). Jump over to sites like Meetup.com, Yelp.com, and ThumbTack.com to see when classes are coming your way.

Makeup Classes with Local Makeup Artists.

This is, perhaps, our FAVORITE way of learning about makeup, and it's a great option, no matter what your career aspirations. Instead of enrolling in a full-time program or waiting for an intensive to come into town, dial up a local makeup artist and ask for lessons. He or she may already give classes, and if not, you can negotiate a rate per-class (and, if you have friends who are also interested in makeup, you can bring them along and negotiate a group rate). The most fantastic part about private coaching is that you can ask to be taught whatever it is you’re interested about. Want to learn more about bridal makeup? Ask away!

Special Effects Makeup Schools in Utah.

We don't focus too much on special effects (SFX) makeup on MakeupArtistEssentials.com, but it is a fascinating and creative field, and we should definitely mention these types of schools. These are people who are interested in SFX makeup--that is, working with fake blood in horror movies, making people look like aliens for summer blockbuster flicks, and applying wigs, wrinkles, and prosthetics people in live plays and films. SFX schools offer full-time programs that go anywhere from a few months to a year (or sometimes more), and they cover ALL aspects of SFX makeup artistry. As with all makeup, there are new techniques being created every day, and school will get you to a place where you can create new looks.

State Requirements​

As of right now, we cannot find any requirement on the website for the Utah Board of Cosmetology and Barbering that says a person needs a makeup artist license to be a freelance makeup artist (a "freelance" makeup artist is someone who does not work at any kind of beauty establishment, but instead of provides independent makeup services for brides at weddings, actors at movie or TV or commercial shoots, performers on stage, etc). That could change at any time, however, and the state may start to crack down on people who provide makeup service without any kind of beauty license. We always urge our readers to check with the state board before making any career decisions.

This is also important: If, at any point, you want to work in a Utah beauty salon or Utah day spa--as a makeup artist or any kind of beauty professional--you will most definitely need a license. The state laws are very clear about that. It is illegal to work in a beauty salon or spa without a license. So, to do makeup in a salon, you can get go to beauty school and get a cosmetology license, or go to an esthetician school and get an esthetician's license.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing at (801) 530-6628. They know all the rules that apply to beauty careers in Utah, and they'd be glad to help you out.

Utah Cosmetics Training​

​There aren't any fully-dedicated makeup artist schools in Utah--that is, there are no institutions that ONLY teach makeup. However, the following places offer courses that include makeup instruction: