Makeup Artist Schools in Wisconsin

If it's your dream to become a highly-trained, professional makeup artist (MUA), where can you go to learn the professional skills you'll need to stand out in the beauty industry?

Or, if you're just a person who loves, loves, loves makeup, where can you go if you want to pick up a couple of new techniques?

There are actually a couple of different options when it comes to makeup schooling. On the page below, we'll take a look at each option, see which one is right for you, and provide a full list of makeup artist schools in Wisconsin.

Types of Training Options​

The first training option is the most "glamorous." It is: ​

Full-Time Makeup Artistry College.

A makeup school will teach application techniques, different makeup artistry styles, and how to work with models of different facial structures, skin tones, and skin imperfections. They will also instruct students about the professional side of makeup artistry, including how to:​

There's a lot else that makeup artistry schools teach, but that gives you an idea of what you'll learn. Because makeup schools are a big commitment--they usually cost more than $10,000 and take six months to a year to complete--these schools are a great option for men and women who are serious about makeup careers.

Beauty Schools / Cosmetology Colleges.

These are another option for people who are serious about starting a career in beauty. We just detailed how makeup artistry programs provide an in-depth look at makeup; cosmetology schools do just the opposite: they introduce a wide range of beauty skills, and give you a head start on a more well-rounded beauty education.

Beauty schools will teach:​

There are two terrific advantages to attending a cosmetology school: 1) being able to do hair and makeup will help you stand out as a makeup artist in your local market, and, more importantly, 2) after going to cosmetology school, you'll be able to take the Wisconsin state cosmetology exam and get a cosmetology license. We'll talk more about licenses in the section titled "WHAT You'll Need to Practice."

Makeup Conventions/Workshops.

These are a VERY fun way for everyone--not just people who want to become professional makeup artists--to learn about makeup. Every once in a while, a professional makeup artist will visit a metropolitan area (such as Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, or Kenosha) and give short-term makeup lessons. He or she will rent out space on a college campus, in a hotel convention center, or in a large beauty salon, and teach a couple of classes about particular subjects ("how to do bridal makeup" is usually a popular one; "how to create your own portfolio" may be another).

Classes are usually affordable (they usually cost about $50 for a shorter, one-day class, to a couple hundred bucks for classes that last a day or two), and they are a phenomenal way to learn new skills and meet other community members who are interested in makeup (or maybe even have their own makeup companies). Check out sites like EventBrite, Meetup.com, Yelp, and (sometimes) Craigslist for upcoming events near you.

Private Makeup Coaching.

If you don't have the patience for a workshop to come to town, take control of your destiny and arrange for some private lessons! This is another very fun way to get makeup training (especially if you include some friends). Local makeup artists usually looooove to give private lessons (especially bridal makeup artists), because it's an easy, no-stress way for them to make some extra cash.

WHAT You'll Need To Practice​

We hinted above about licensing, so let's talk more about that. If you decide to embark on a makeup artist career, will you need a license of any kind? Here's what we know:​

Wisconsin Makeup Training

There are three makeup schools in Wisconsin:​