Becoming a makeup artist and building a business with a short course
- Written byCody O'Connor
- Published date 11 November 2025
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Zoe Fidgeon is a Makeup Artist who founded her own bridal makeup business after attending short courses at University of the Arts London. “I run my business from Southend-on-Sea, and I do wedding makeup for brides all around Essex, London and Kent”.
Since becoming a Makeup Artist, Zoe has taught makeup workshops at London College of Fashion and now holds her own makeup masterclasses. “I attended 7 short courses on makeup while I was training, including the Introduction to Professional Makeup Short Course, and other courses that covered fashion and editorial makeup, bridal makeup, and special effects.”
We offer a range of makeup and beauty short courses taught by industry professionals that can help you build a portfolio, learn new techniques, and stay up to date on current trends.
The Complete Makeup Short Course covers the knowledge required to become a professional makeup artist. It explores current trends in beauty, assisting on set, the history of makeup and how to perfect your techniques with skin preparation, contouring, colour correction, false eyelashes and more. The Complete Makeup Short Course starts again in January 2026 and is open now for booking.
Flexible teaching
Zoe built her business as a side hustle. “I took the courses to upskill and learn current techniques for my business. While working full-time, I could attend courses around my schedule which was perfect for me, I did them either in the evening or on weekends.”
The Complete Makeup Artist Short Course is taught on Saturdays and split across three months, and courses such as the Introduction to Professional Makeup Short Course have options to attend in the evening. Lessons are taught in makeup studios at London College of Fashion, located in Stratford’s East Bank, and online courses are available to attend remotely.
Finding your niche in the makeup industry
Zoe discovered her niche while learning and decided to focus on creating soft, modern makeup looks based around natural beauty. “Out of all of the courses I did, what I really loved was helping people to look and feel beautiful through makeup, and I absolutely loved doing bridal and special occasion makeup.”
Soon after her own wedding, and at a time when many of her friends were also getting married, Zoe began working at weddings. “In my first year, I started out doing my friend’s bridal makeup for free as a wedding gift, and I fell in love with it. I got to know what type of makeup to use because it’s got to stay on all day.” She continues, “It’s very different to fashion and editorial as you are working with the entire bridal party, from the bridesmaids to the mother of the bride.”
Dynamic learning
The structure of the Complete Makeup Short Course is interactive and practical. Zoe explains, “There’s a demonstration on a model and then you practice that technique on each other while the tutor comes around and advises you. You are not just sitting there listening to someone.”
Other students who have completed the course go on to pursue careers as makeup artists, with some having worked with industry icons Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury at fashion week events.
Industry specialism
On the teaching at UAL, Zoe says that “Each tutor has their own skill set and different approach, so you are learning lots of different styles. Some have worked for celebrities, and some are in film and TV.” The Complete Makeup Short Course is taught by Crystabel Efemena Riley, whose work has been featured in publications including Vogue, Dazed and Harper’s Bazaar, and Lucy Wearing, who is a series consultant for BBC’s Glow Up.
Zoe shares, “What I loved most about the tutors is that they are all in the industry. They’ve got so much knowledge and know what is the most up to date and current at the time. Makeup adapts, evolves, it changes, so you are always having to learn these new skills.”
The Introduction to Professional Makeup Short Course and the Makeup Workshop Short Course are taught by Sam Walker. She has worked across fashion, beauty and bridal makeup, including at the royal wedding of Lady Davina Windsor at Kensington Palace.
Creating a portfolio
During the Complete Makeup Artist Short Course, students have the opportunity to collaborate with a professional photographer and hair stylist on a studio shoot, producing high-quality imagery that is perfect for a portfolio. Zoe says, “The main thing as a makeup artist is to build up your portfolio, especially if you want to assist and keep on learning. Take photos of your work and learn how to do studio lighting.”
Knowing your makeup kit
Students on the Complete Makeup Short Course are provided with a MAC Studio kit and brushes by Bdellium, including a range of useful and trending products for an aspiring makeup artist. “You get all your kit to start you up, which is beneficial as it’s a really good kit. You learn all about the products and the tutors teach how to use them, and what works the best on different types of skin.” Zoe says.
Zoe's top 5 tips for aspiring makeup artists
- Hygiene is number 1 for me. Make sure you learn all about hygiene techniques.
- Keep practicing on lots of different people - that’s how you learn.
- Take photos of your work and use lighting to take the best pictures.
- Be yourself on social media. If I can do it at almost 50, anyone can!
- Find your niche, do what you enjoy and don’t try to do everything.
If you would like to pursue a career in the makeup industry, find out more about the range of short courses available at UAL in our makeup artistry feature.
Read more about Zoe’s story in ‘Discovering the Art of Professional Makeup’
