The most unfortunate thing to happen to the Make-up Industry is accreditation!! When I studied Make-up & SFX the schools were not accredited, so the schools had to actually perform well to keep students. Now if you have the money to get the accreditation you can get it. I have tried to hire many students from a few of the schools in Sydney, and after 6 monthsof there course, they still couldn't apply blush! I have had to train the ones that now work for me from scratch. Apart from working behind a cosmetic counter (which you should not be studying 1 yr to sell cosmetics), nobody in the actual industry cares what the certificate is called, only where you studied and your portfolio and CV matter. Yet potential students still see the certificate as what will get them a job. I have been working for 18 years now and I have never shown or discusssed what my qualifications are for any job. My portfolio and CV is all they have ever wanted.

If you want to work as a Make-up Artist I would consider obtaining your Certificate in Hairdressing first as you will need it if you want to pursue a career in Film or TV.

I have given up wasting my time trying to get qualified students from schools and will now offer Masterclasses in both Hair & Make-up and will recruit from those students, as I will know that they can actually do the job.

My advice to anyone wanting to study, have a look at photos of current and past students work, find out about the teacher's experience, and don't believe the hype. Work hard and have a Portfolio!!!

Good Luck!!!

Can anyone suggest a makeup course in Melbourne for me? I don't want to actually BE a makeup artist, but I wanted to do a course, say one or two nights a week, to teach me how to apply it all properly.. and so I can do my friends' makeup etc. I looked at the Swinburne short course and the Cert II at Academy of Makeup, but I'm really unsure. The cert II one seems more for someone wanting a job at a counter.. can anyone suggest something?

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'And what's your look?' '..Chocolate lurrrvveeee!'

I would have to disagree with you there, MakeupArtist. Accreditation forced a lot of dodgy schools out of business when it was introduced at a time the industry was definitely in the doldrums but also, unfortunately, it also forced a lot of schools to drop the pre-enrolment requirements due to VETAB requirements and this has allowed any Tom, Dick and Sally to join in.

In addition, there is a public misconception that to be a makeup artist all one has to do is sell cosmetics at some overrated cosmetics house counter and this is supported by various media. In the midst of this there are schools out there who are actively advocating against this trend and, as a result, are producing world standard practitioners who can walk their talk. Accreditation also comes in handy when applying for pro status as well as applying for jobs overseas where the visa requirement stipulates a qualification. In addition, employers do ask for quals to ensure that the portfolio you produce is actually yours. Many people do present work that isn't theirs. Folly, I know, but it happens.

In this day and age, it's not enough to be self taught. Not if you want a portfolio that competes with the rest of them on an even keel. Training hones the skill that would otherwise taken an age to attain on one's own and while it's terribly exciting to announce that an artist is self taught, the reality is much more mundane.

Like anything in life, you'll always get your dodgy school or your dodgy tradesman or your dodgy meal...whatever. The responsibility for discerning what is worth it and what isn't lies with us. There are good schools out there and they charge well under $10K. It's up to us to find them and if we are to compete successfully in today's industry, find them we must.

just bumping this thread as i'm going to be doing the Cert IV at Academy of Makeup in Sydney.

I might buy their brushes, but I've worked out through web searching that their makeup belt it really the Japonesque one, and I can get it for half the price online. The airbrush is overpriced, but they are the only distributor in Australia for that brand... I can't seem to find anywhere reputable online to get it from.

I<3Makeup: When does the Certificate IV start and what are the hours like?
Im interested in doing the course but im sort of shopping around for a course that fits me best.

hello to all, there are Mac makeup artists that are not qualified and working for MAC currently, this includes managers that I know. To work for MAC you must have retail experience, look like a MAC artist and be able to do a makeup.
In the begining they were very picky however now times have changed.

Just bumping this thread.

Has anyone done the Advanced Make up Artist course in TAFE? Im interested in doing the course.

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