The Complete Makeup Artist Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Taught by working industry experts, The Complete Makeup Artist blends hands-on technical training with real-world insight into how the makeup industry operates. The course is designed to equip you with the skills required of a working makeup artist across beauty, red carpet, fashion editorial, catwalk, TV and commercial work.
You’ll receive your own professional starter kit worth £900, packed with high-quality products and tools so you can start practicing your skills from day one.
You’ll build core skills in hygiene and skin preparation before progressing to natural beauty looks, working with deeper skin tones, and creating makeup for beauty campaigns and red carpet.
From there, you’ll explore makeup through the decades—recreating iconic looks while refining your referencing and technical skills in preparation for editorial and catwalk work. You’ll also be introduced to commercial techniques and special effects (SFX), giving you a broad understanding of the industry.
The course culminates in a full-day professional photoshoot, where you’ll gain hands-on experience working on set, collaborating with a photographer and hair stylist to produce high-quality images for your portfolio.
Previous students have gone on to work with leading names in the industry—including assisting artists such as Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury—and have secured representation with top London agencies.
Payment plans
The Complete Makeup Artist Short Course can be purchased using a payment plan on request and paid in full 4 weeks before course start date.
Example payment breakdown
Based on a course fee of £4,450:
50% Deposit (£2,225)
Followed by 3 payments:
Month 1 - £741.60
Month 2 - £741.60
Month 3 - £741.80 (this final payment is completed 4 weeks before your course begins)
Normal UAL Short Course. T&Cs apply. Contact ualshortcourses@arts.ac.uk for more information.
*Excludes The Complete Fashion Business Online Short Course.
What do our students say?
"I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who is a complete beginner to makeup or even looking to refresh their skills; and especially to anyone looking to make a career change!" - Katie
"Learning all the different variations of makeup was so much fun, also meeting like-minded individuals with whom I have remained pals. The confidence and new skill sets given me is the boost I really needed, and for that its priceless." - Holly
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at those who are new to the world of makeup and is perfect for those considering a career change or building a new skillset and the Saturday format allows you to study alongside working.
The course is also suitable for those who have a little makeup experience but want to refine their skills and get some insider industry information.
Key information
Topics covered
- Safe practice; health and safety in the workplace
- Prepping of the skin, skincare, hygiene
- Wide selection of bases and skin finishes on all skin tones
- Corrective colour theory
- Trends in fashion and beauty
- A brief history of make up; Decades in makeup used to reference in fashion.
- Who's who in the industry
- Natural beauty makeup for editorial, bridal, catwalk
- Strong advertorial makeup for beauty, red carpet
- Editorial makeup: working on set, assisting, working to a brief
- Current catwalk trends Couture and Ready to Wear
- Blocking out eyebrows and facial adornment
- Make-up for TV and film, music videos and commercials.
- How to get started in industry
Learning outcomes
- Have experience creating a wide range of makeup looks, from natural beauty through to creative editorial
- Understand the history of makeup and be able to referent specific period looks
- Have a photoshoot created with a professional team to start off their portfolio
- Have gained the skills and confidence to pursue a career in the industry
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
Everything needed to complete the course is provided, but please feel free to bring any materials you enjoy using and a notebook and pen for taking notes.
Please note: students are advised to remove any permanent eyelash extensions before the course starts, to ensure they are able to complete full makeup looks. Also some products used during the course may contain allergens, including silica, latex and gluten. If you have any known allergies or sensitivities, please contact ualshortcourses@arts.ac.uk before the course begins.
Provided materials: A professional makeup and brush kit is included in the fee, providing essential products and tools to support your learning throughout the course.
Tutor
Lucy Wearing
Lucy Wearing is a British make-up artist, series consultant for BBC series GLOW UP, creative director and educator. Her approach to make-up is grounded in fine art which she studied at Liverpool John Moores. Interested in the cultural and historical aesthetic of beauty Lucy investigated the history of beauty and religion from the 15th century to date for her radio documentary for the BBC World Service “Making Faces”.
In 2017 Lucy first went to Za'atari refugee camp Jordan to set up the on going project; Beauty co-op for the women of Za’atari with Helen Storey, London College of Fashion and UNHCR. Lucy has written and directed many short, under graduate and bespoke courses including international project delivery and assessments for London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London and is currently an Associate Lecturer on the BA (Hons) Photography and BA (Hons) Hair and Make-up for Fashion.
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