7 Makeup Classes to Take in NYC

Putting on a perfect face of makeup is considered by many a form of art, so we wanted to see if we could find some top-notch makeup classes to take in NYC.

It wasn’t a difficult search since there are many places that offer such classes all over New York City, from classes directed at regular people who want to know how to do their daily makeup and skin care routines properly, to classes that will help one become an actual makeup artist and maybe even earn heaps of money while doing it. Of course, there are also many makeup classes in NYC for beginners because we’re not all born with those talents. Good luck finding free makeup classes in NYC, but you may luck up getting someone to give you tips at a makeup counter.

Cosmetics have been used for thousands of years for the purpose of enhancing someone’s features. Egyptians were fond of eyeliner and eyeshadows, while Sumerians invented the lipstick. Over the centuries, society’s view on makeup shifted, going from full embracement to near-bans, such as when Queen Victoria deemed makeup as only acceptable if used by actors.

Nowadays, makeup has become an art. Not only are we talking here about the day-to-day makeup routines people use, but also about the movie and the theater makeup. Of course, becoming “fluent” in any of these styles takes time and practice. You may even get some inspiration by following one of these 11 most successful beauty YouTubers in the world.

In order to put together our list today, we took a look at Class Curious, a site where you can find numerous classes you might be interested in attending, from dancing to cooking to make up. From makeup classes in Brooklyn to everywhere else in the city that never sleeps, we tried to find as many as possible. We also went the old fashioned way and ran a Google search and see what popped up. Once we had a full list, we went on and checked out the prices practiced by these schools, but since they each have classes that last a different amount of time, the ranking is orientative. That being said, here are 7 makeup classes in NYC.

7. Academy of Freelance Makeup

The Academy of Freelance Make Up is one of those schools that most people in the business have heard of. The slight issue with it is that it’s located in the United Kingdom. Fear not, there’s a reason why it’s on a list of NYC makeup classes, and that’s because they also brought a bit of the flavor to the United States.

The New York school offers a combined course of the Foundation and Advanced education programs, which makes it a great choice for those hoping to pursue a career in fashion makeup or for someone who wants to help brides look their best on their white day.

The course lasts for two weeks, Monday through Saturday and costs $3,495. The 12-day course is great for beginners as it starts with basic notions before building up to advanced stuff. The school mentions boldly that by the end of it all you’ll have learned all the skills you need to feel confident working in the makeup industry.

The first week covers bridal beauty tips, then, in the second week, you’ll get to learn the skills you need when working as a freelance makeup artist for fashion shows, photo shoots, and so on. In total, there are some 85 hours of training.

6. Chic Studios

Down on Fulton Street, you’ll find Chic Studios, a makeup artistry school with several locations across the United States.
If you want to learn the fundamentals of makeup artistry, you’ll get to do that here, while also picking up techniques and an actual education when it comes to the ins and outs of professional makeup.

The Chic Studios offer so many options of classes, depending on what you’re looking for. For instance, a 6-weeks class titled Master Advanced Makeup costs $5,795, while a 14 hour class on Digital Beauty will make you $995 lighter.

A one-week class on Basic Makeup costs $1,695, the same price as for a class on bridal and business makeup which lasts for one week.

5. Glam Lab Makeup Studios

Over at the Glam Lab Makeup Studio, they strive to empower and mentor all the students, teaching them the newest techniques in the business. Classes cost $299, and the studio offers two of them – one in eye and brow makeup and one in contour and conceal.

Classes only last for half a day, or 4 hours, and are hands-on, so each student will get to learn a lot, get constructive critiques and so on. The Eye and Brows class includes lessons on lining, blending, full lid colors, and even invisible lash application.

The Conceal and Contour class offers some nice techniques too, including the studio’s signature “Makeup Nosejob” and “Eye Lift” techniques, which will help you learn how to conceal the client’s flaws. Thankfully, you’ll be working with your very own model, so you’ll see how it all blends in perfectly.

4. Makeup by SHARA

Up next is SHARA Makeup Studio, which doesn’t just offer to do your makeup for your night out or for your upcoming bridal party, but it also gives makeup lessons.

For $125, SHARA will give a one on one lesson, which is the best way to learn how to do your own makeup or anyone else’s for that matter. The entire thing starts off with a consultation on makeup and skill goals, as well as a look through what you currently own in terms of cosmetics. You are, of course, encouraged to bring the things you use on a daily basis, not just the items you pull out every once in a while. Once that part is over, the makeup process gets broken down step by step so you can learn.

The SHARA instructor will do half your face while you try to replicate the process on the other side, all the while getting encouraged by someone whose makeup is on point.

As pretty much every other location out there, this one lets you buy various makeup, brushes, or skin care if your pockets allow for it.

3. Nina Mua

Up next on the list of makeup classes in NYC we have Nina Mua, one of the best makeup schools in New York. The programs here were designed to make sure you get the best training as a makeup artist, whether that’s allowing you to learn from professionals in the field, or offering you exposure in the business.

Nina Mua offers several types of programs, depending on how much time you have to dedicate to this passion of yours and your new goals of becoming a makeup artist. The full-time Master Makeup Artistry Program costs $5,500, covering 100 training hours, 3 photo shoots, professionally retouched photos from each shoot, professional makeup kit and more. The class will focus on different styles of makeup, such as bridal, creative, or fashion.

There are also several part time programs. The 5-week Makeup Artist program for Beauty and Fashion costs $2,700, while a private makeup workshop costs $300.

2. QED Astoria

Over at QED Astoria, you can also partake in a short makeup class if you want to get a taste of it, see if it’s something that you’d like to do regularly. The Summer Makeup How To class costs just $50 and lasts for two hours.

The class is open to both teenagers and adults, and it hopes to teach everyone the tips and tricks of becoming a “bronze goddess for the summer.”

The class is described as “hands-on” and directed to students of all ages and skill levels. Therefore, whether you’re 15 or 50, it doesn’t matter, just as it doesn’t matter if you’ve ever done your makeup at all or if this is your intro into the wonderful world of makeup.

1. MUD

Finally, we’re at the top of our list, where we find MUD – the Make-up Designory. Unlike the other classes we’ve seen so far, this location doesn’t just offer techniques to fit glamor photo shoots or the next bridal makeup you need to do. This one, however, shows you just how cool makeup can be and what you can do with it – even if that’s creating intricate prosthetics to use in movies.

MUD offers loads of classes, depending on your interests, and none of them are cheap. However, if you’re to get a job in the business with the type of skill level you’re likely to get from here, you’ll certainly earn your money back in no time.

As mentioned, MUD offers classes in fashion makeup, film and television makeup, multi media makeup, special effects, and so on.

The Fashion Makeup Artistry program spread over 392 hours across 12 weeks, while the Special Makeup Effects costs just over $6,000 and lasts for two weeks.

As an example of what you’re to learn, the Beauty 101: Fundamentals of Beauty Makeup will cover topics such as proper eyebrow makeup, how to color lips perfectly, how to do a great natural makeup, as well as how to conduct yourself as a professional.

That being said, these have been the 7 makeup classes to take in NYC we recommend you to take a look at each one of the classes before you decide for which class to sign up.